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Contents
Click here for the PDF version (930 kb).
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Welcome
Welcome to the December 2006 edition of "The Eco", the newsletter
for Friends of the Port Phillip EcoCentre.
Our aim is to provide
an informative and entertaining snapshot of the activities, achievements
and interests of all the wonderful people who contribute towards
the goals of the EcoCentre, inspiring us to take
'local
action for a global future'.
Do you have some news for The Eco? Contributions are always welcome.
Email info@ecocentre.com
with your contribution and contact details.
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EcoCentre / School partnerships
... a growing thing!!
By Caroline Packham
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| Thanks to generous helping hands of the Green Schools team from Conservation Volunteers Australia, Christian Brothers College students and teachers; and EcoCentre volunteers Geoff Barry, John Gilcrist and Andrew McCutcheon, a new productive garden was built at Stonnington Primary School in October.
Christian Brothers College students constructing a garden bed at Stonnington Primary School
This is the fourth productive garden and compost system the EcoCentre’s Integrated Environmental Partnerships (IEP) team has designed and built with local schools. A cluster grant program, ASISTM, co-ordinated by CSIRO education provided the funding and education launch pad for these projects.
Design workshops with Stonnington Primary Grade 5 and 6 students decided that use of ethical timbers was the way to go. In previous constructions we’d used Cupressus macrocarpa (a salvaged timber from dead and dying wind breaks on Victorian farms). With the growing popularity of this timber a cheap as cheap source has become a little harder to find.
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The search for an alternative timber lead to recycled Messmate (a eucalypt species) mostly recovered from demolished houses. This provides additional energy savings compared to the macrocarpa as the messmate was already milled, just needing to be cut to length. The recycled timber yard had plenty of timber in stock, all well sorted and denailed. Contact: L& R PACE Demolition and Salvage 13 Kim Close Bulleen ph 9850 9226.
The recycled timber was trickier to work with than the newly milled macrocarpa – but well worth the effort to reuse some good old hard wood, saving it from landfill.
Stonnington Primary was awarded Eco Kick Start School of the Year at the EcoCentre Harvest Festival. The EcoCentre’s IEP team will continue to provide support through teacher and student workshops and the EcoCentre’s Crop Care resources. Let the organic veggies grow and crop rotation keep the soil alive and wriggling!
The IEP program is sponsored by GM Holden.
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Local Greens Campaigner Elected to Upper House
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Congratulations to Sue Pennicuik on being one of the first Greens candidates ever elected to the Victorian Parliament (Upper House for the southern metropolitan area).
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Sue has been a longterm environmental campaigner both locally and interstate. She is a member and former President of Earthcare St Kilda. Recent issues include the impact of the proposal to deepen the shipping Channels in Port Phillip Bay. Among other things this will involve dredging of 2.1 million tones of contaminated silts from the bed of the Yarra, and disposing them at a ‘spoil’ ground in the Bay, 8 km west of Ricketts Point. We wish her well in her new role.
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Community Water Grant Success
By Caroline Packham
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The EcoCentre has contributed to 5 successful Australian Government Community Water Grants, in the Melbourne Sandbelt region.. The EcoCentre Integrated Environmental Partnerships team worked closely with four local schools in developing their applications; and provided support for St Agnes Church in Highett.
Caroline, a project and education officer with the IEP team, conducted water audits at the four successful schools and worked in partnership with their school community and Blue Plumbing to design the water saving and rainwater harvesting projects.
Following the announcement of $61.7 million in funding for 1,444 projects under the Australian Government’s Community Water Grants:
Middle Park Primary School will receive $29,224 to save an estimated 373,000 litres of water per year by installing rainwater tanks to flush toilets, supply hand washing basins and irrigate indigenous gardens during establishment. The amenities block will be upgraded by installing dual flush toilets, water efficient urinals and slow-flow devices.
St Kilda Park Primary School will receive $23,275 to install slow flow devices such as water-efficient taps and shower heads, dual flush toilets, and a rainwater tank to harvest water for toilet flushing. This project will save an estimated 702,000 litres of water per year through infrastructure improvements and a further 160,000L per year through rainwater usage. This combined water saving through infrastructure improvements and rainwater use will reduce mains consumption by an estimated 69%.
St Columba's Elwood will receive $25,565 to install rainwater tanks to flush toilets and irrigate grounds. The amenities block will also be upgraded, installing slow flow devices, dual flush toilets and water efficient urinals. This project will save an estimated 265,000 litres of water per year through infrastructure improvements and a further 130,000L per year through rainwater usage.
St Kilda Primary School will receive $43,981 to install rainwater tanks for flushing toilets and irrigation the veggie garden. The existing toilet facilities will be upgraded with dual flush toilets and slow flow devices. This project will save an estimated 1,098,000 litres of water a year through infrastructure improvements and a further 370,000L per year through rainwater usage. The project will reduce mains consumption by an estimated 79%.
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St Agnes' Church in Highett were also awarded $41,447 for a project to save water by installing rainwater tanks to collect water for toilet flushing and irrigation, saving an estimated 250,000 litres of water per year.
An innovative City of Port Phillip project also awarded a Community Water Grant will recycle stormwater at Garden City Reserve for irrigation purposes. Tanks and pipes will be installed to store and carry stormwater from the treatment plant to the reserve, saving an estimated 2 million litres a year.
As a result of their projects, all schools expect to see a measurable reduction in water usage from their bills and ongoing water monitoring by students. The projects are an education vehicle and tangible demonstration of water conservation for the schools and the wider community.
The recent success builds on the completed Community Water Grant project this year with Christian Brothers’ College. St, Kilda, which is saving almost half a million litres of drinking water annually.
The Australian Government’s Community Water Grants are part of the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund. It provides grants of up to $50,000 for community organisations to put in place practical on-the-ground solutions to either help save, reuse or improve the health of the local water sources.
Successful Round 2 applicants were announced on Monday by Senator Ian Campbell, Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage and Senator Eric Abetz, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation. The Ministers said projects showed just how much water all communities can save by communities and the Government working together at a local level.
For more information on the Community Water Grants programme and the next funding round or a full list of projects funded in Round 2 visit: www.australia.gov.au/communitywatergrants
For further information about the Integrated Environmental Partnerships offered at the EcoCentre please contact Caroline Packham, Education Officer on 9525 3102 or email educ@ecocentre.com .
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Reptile Rambles : the eastern snake necked turtle.
By Ian R Levy
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The Eastern Snake Necked Turtle or Long Necked Turtle is well known to many Australians partly because they have been sold for many years from licensed pet shops as novel additions to aquariums or garden ponds. This freshwater turtle does make an enchanting pet and is easily maintained in captivity provided it gets regular attention.
These turtles are native to south eastern mainland Australia wherever there is suitable habitat such as billabongs, slow moving rivers and creeks, swampland with ponds and even farm dams. They grow to 25 cm in carapace (top shell) length, are usually brownish or blackish in colour with a striking yellowish and black plastron (lower shell), and they possess an amazing long snake-like neck which they fold back sideways under the shell when they are threatened.
The Eastern Snake Necked Turtle belongs to a group of side-necked turtles well represented in Australia by several species with an evolutionary heritage of many millions of years.
They are carnivorous, feeding on small water organisms such as dragonfly larvae, tadpoles, small fish, worms, etc. They also scavenge for dead organisms such as dead insects floating on the surface of the water.
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Although there are no comprehensive records of lifespan, in good habitat, Eastern Long Necked Turtles are long-lived, possibly up to 50 years. Longevity is suggested by the fact that they don’t breed until around 10 years old. The turtles breed in the summer laying about a dozen eggs and burying them in the ground near their pond.
In the Melbourne area these turtles have populated many of our waterways, larger ornamental ponds, reservoirs and lakes, either through deliberate human introductions or as escaped pets wandering from garden ponds to larger lakes. They have been successfully introduced to the St. Kilda Botanical Gardens pond, and Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens.
The Melbourne region was never considered to be a stronghold for Eastern Snake Necked Turtles in Victoria. However, it is possible that the gradual warming of the Melbourne climate has increased their breeding success.
However, they are not often seen due to their quiet aquatic natures. The turtles hibernate at the bottom of their ponds in the winter but are active during the warmer months. Although not often observed, their beady little eyes and noses break the still surface of the water as they survey their world. Aren’t we lucky to have Eastern Snaked Necked Turtles in metropolitan Melbourne!?
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EcoCentre Harvest Festival - Celebrating sustainability in our schools
by Caroline Packham
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On Tuesday 12 th December the EcoCentre hosted the inaugural school’s Harvest Festival. The festival was opened warmly with a ‘Welcome to Country’ by Carolyn Briggs of the Victorian Boonerwrung Elders Land Council.
Carolyn Briggs, spockesperson for the Victorian Boonerwrung Elders Land Council
Throughout 2006 the EcoCentre, through its Integrated Environmental Partnerships program (IEP) has worked with 8 local schools to reduce their school’s ecological footprint, enhance biodiversity and create a connected community for a sustainable future.
The Harvest Festival was an opportunity for the schools to get together with community and government partners to celebrate and learn from each other.
IEP projects included: developing productive gardens and compost systems using salvaged or recycled timber, an organic approach to gardening; the establishment of indigenous habitats; and extensive water saving projects.
The festival featured student performances, boomerang painting, song writing, garden harvesting, performances by Our Planet Enterprises & best of all eating the harvest in a fresh from the garden salad and BBQ extravaganza.
Students presented photo journals and posters to show and share their achievements. The song-writing workshop led to the spontaneous formation of the ‘Environ Mental Rockers’ a multi-school hip hop and break dancing crew. Thanks to Zoe Scroggings for her hip hop help.
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Awards were presented to acknowledge the achievements of all participating IEP schools. Certificates will be presented to participating schools each year.
The Environ Mental Rockers turn up the heat on Global Warming!!
Congratulations to 2006 EcoCentre Harvest Festival prize winners:
Eco School of the Year – St Kilda Park Primary
Green Team of the Year – St Kilda Park Primary
Eco Champion of the Year – Jane Bennetts, St Kilda Park Primary
Eco Construction Team of the Year – Elwood College garden project team
Eco Kick Start School of the Year – Stonnington Primary
Major sponsors of the IEP Program are the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and Holden. Festival prizes were provided by Diggers Seeds, Garden of Eden Nursery, St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Cooperative, and CSIRO.
For further IEP information contact Caroline Packham
Ph: 03 9525 3102 Email: educ@ecocentre.com
Environ Mental Rockers Harvest Rap
Give it a go it’s not that hard
Grow your food in your backyard
It if comes to you on a ship or a truck then you won’t have very good luck
Ships and trucks cause greenhouse gas & that’s no good You know that
Global warming sure is bad
But you can help Don’t be sad
Don’t be sad Don’t be sad
Grow your food in your backyard
Give it a go it’s not that hard!
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St Kilda Park Primary School – Eco School of the Year 2006
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St Kilda Park Primary School is going great guns since commencing their sustainability program 4 years ago with Wastewise Schools. The commencement of their productive garden project in mid 2005 provided new vigour and a ‘whole school’ approach started to integrate with their practical environmental projects.
The ASISTM school cluster grant program, delivered in partnership with CSIRO Education, enabled the kick start of their productive garden project. Jane Bennetts, Grade 3/4 teacher, science & environment coordinator and 2006 Eco Champion of the Year, has led the way and provided inspiration and opportunities for students and teachers alike.
With EcoCentre support, SKP established a productive garden with four bed crop rotation system. Companion planting and manual bug removal has kept their garden organic – while battling the possums residing next door in Albert Park Reserve. Adjacent to the garden is a fruit tree orchard, grape vines and herb garden. A three section wooden box compost bin provides a means to recycle organic waste and fertilize the garden. A 9000L rainwater tank with solar powered pump supplies water to the garden. Student water and compost monitors conduct regular checks and keep things going on a daily basis. The garden will bloom through the summer holidays with a fantastic family support team to care for the garden.
Winning the battle of the possums was no easy feat. Students, parents, teachers, and EcoCentre project staff worked together to come up with a working design - after trialling several prototypes and losing many young veggies along the way. The winning and working design involves a plastic mesh fence, supported by dowel posts. The dowel posts rest in holes drilled into the wooden garden edging – this mean the fence lengths can be easily lifted off, for easy garden access. The key to success is keeping the mesh fencing wobbly, as this unsteadies the possums and they give up on climbing over. A taught fence makes for easy climbing!
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St Kilda Park Primary’s most recent success has been the creation of an indigenous wetland habitat. $3000 in funding for this project was provided by the State Government Schools for Innovation and Teaching (SIT) program. The indigenous plants from St Kilda Indigenous Plant Nursery were planted by the student Environment Team – and frogs are hopefully on the way. A rainwater tank with solar pump provides a top-up water source. Students visited the Amphibian Research Centre, also funded by the grant, to learn about frog habitat and identification.
In 2007 the school will significantly reduce their water consumption thanks to an Australian Government Community Water Grant (see article on page 1).
The whole school approach being adopted at St Kilda Park Primary means that their practical environmental projects are integrated with their curriculum. For example grade 3 / 4 have conducted water audits and designed water saving measures, utilizing the Water Learn it! Live it! pack, a free curriculum resource. Garden topics have included mini-beasts in compost, life cycles of different plants and organic methods of pest control. The Department of Primary Industries Landlearn resources have also been integrated with units such as Wonderful Wriggly Worms and Soils Ain’t Dirt. Jane recommends this pack as it is fun, relevant and linked to VELS. Landlearn Resource Booklets are available on CD rom for $15, contact landlearn.program@dpi.vic.gov.au .
Environmental projects are student driven, being led by the Environment Team, comprising Grade 6 leaders, with involvement from Grades 3,4 & 5. This team won the 2006 Eco Green Team of the Year award at the recent EcoCentre Harvest Festival.
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News from the Jewish Ecological Coalition
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Glen Eira Action for Climate Change - support from residents required
If you live in Glen Eira you might be surprised to hear that yours is one of a very few local councils in Australia that has so far NOT participated in a Federally funded program to achieve sustainable, long-term reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions. You can act to encourage Glen Eira's participation in the Cities for Climate Change program (CCP).
For more information contact Judy Glick:
judyglick@hotmail.com
Australian Solar Tower Project in Final Feasibility phase
If you haven't already heard about this you'll find it amazing. EnviroMission's solar tower would produce green electricity from a channeled updraft of heated air 24/7 (without damming wilderness & altering river flows for hydro, chopping up birds in wind turbines, or the risks of uranium).
For more information see:
http://www.enviromission.com.au
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US Jewish Environment Website is a wonderful resource
The Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life aims to "engage Jewish institutions and individuals in bringing the moral passion of Jewish tradition and social action to environmental stewardship". This website has a wealth of excellent resources about Jewish perspectives on the environment and bringing more environmental awareness into Jewish festivals.
For more information see:
http://www.coejl.org/index.php
Regards, Tom Osborn for JECO Committee
http://www.jeco.org.au/index.html
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Events
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WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - ST KILDA’S BEACH LIFE AT NIGHT
Saturday 6 January, 8-10pm
Tuesday 16 January, 8-10pm
Come and enjoy the delights of St Kilda’s coastal environment at night. Use the night scope to look for Penguins, Nankeen Night Herons, Royal Spoonbills, Chestnut Teals and Pacific Black Ducks. Commentary on the natural environment will cover subjects such as geology, plants and animals, flood mitigation, stormwater issues, land reclamation, land uses and much more. Bring along your family for a leisurely walk and join in the discussion. Suitable for all ages. We will be meeting at Peir Rd and Beconsfield Parade (North end of Catani Gardens). Dress for the weather conditions and BYO sensible shoes. Bookings essential, phone the EcoCentre on 9534 0670.
VICTORIA ’S UNIQUE MARINE TREASURES
Wednesday 10 January, 7-8:30pm
Delve into the unique wonders that make up Victoria’s internationally significant marine environment. Ben Camm (marine educator) will present stunning artefacts and images of this amazing ecosystem that’s right on our doorstep. Jeff Weir (Dolphin Research Institute) will then present current research findings and history of Dolphins in Victoria and specifically within Port Phillip Bay. With one of the longest continuous studies of dolphins in the world, this is a presentation not to missed. Participants must be over 14 years old. Be prepared for cold conditions. Bookings essential, phone the Dolphin Research Centre on 1300 130 949.
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2007-YEAR OF SURF LIFE
Thursday 11 January, 10am-3pm
Help celebrate ‘100 years of heroes’ - a commemorative event with an extensive array of activities and displays at Elwood, the first life Saving Club in Victoria. The Club will be integrating many water and beach activities for a safe family day at the beach. This is a great opportunity to be involved in the ‘Year of the Surf Lifesaver’. Suitable for all ages. BYO sun protection. Meet at Elwood Life Saving Club, Elwood Foreshore. Melway 67 B5. For further information call 9531 5755.
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Pictures from the EcoCentre Harvest Festival
   
  
  
  
  
  
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