Posted in Events, Policies by Enhar on February 7th, 2012
| 9 February , 2012 |
| 10:00 am | to | 1:30 pm |
In Victoria, proponents of wind turbine projects for domestic, business and community
use, although smaller in scale than large wind farms, may be asked to satisfy the same
environmental criteria as a large wind farm. Meanwhile, local authority decision-makers
are faced with ambiguities in the planning system on how to respond to applications for
small wind turbines: when are proposals exempt from the new 2km restrictions for
example?
Wind projects which are smaller than large commercial wind farms may have a lower
impact on the landscape and the environment. Planning controls for large wind farms in
Victoria may not always be applied to small wind projects, but how should local
authorities in Victoria determine what constitutes an acceptable smaller wind project?
Enhar is organising this event to cater for those who are motivated to find answers to
these questions.
Date & Time:
Thursday 9th Feb
2012 from 10am – 1:30pm
Place:
Gravell Room
Brunswick Business Incubator
420 Victoria Street
Brunswick 3056, Melbourne
Price:
$50+GST including light lunch
Speakers:
Demian Natakhan: Director, Enhar:
“A case for clearer planning guidance for small wind in Victoria”
John Phillips: Acting Director, Department of Planning and Community Development, Victorian Government:
“Existing planning controls for small wind in Victoria”
Posted in Events by Clearwater on February 6th, 2012
| 24 January , 2012 |
| 20 February , 2012 |
Clearwater offers a number of capacity building initiatives that can help broaden your skills and knowledge in sustainable urban water management.
There are currently two unique development opportunities being delivered in conjunction with the 7th International Conference on Water Sensitive Urban Design.
Gaining Institutional Capacity for WSUD will provide council staff with the skills to assess organisational capacity, build commitment into planning and policy, and engage stakeholders to adopt new initiatives. This one day workshop will be held on Monday 20th February – click here for more information.
2012 WSUD Technical Site Tour will highlight how innovative WSUD stormwater treatment measures and harvesting systems contribute to a water sensitive city vision. The tour will visit new and established WSUD sites at a range of scales across Melbourne. This one day tour will be held on Friday 24 February – click here for more information.
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Posted in Movements, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on February 2nd, 2012
Living Rivers is a Melbourne Water program offering tailored packages of technical and funding support for the implementation of strategic and structural water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) projects. They have recently developed fact sheets detailing the program aims, funding packages and frequently asked questions. Living Rivers works in partnership with 38 local councils across Melbourne to increase council’s capacity to deliver sustainable stormwater management outcomes. They are a proud supporter of the Clearwater program and we work closely together to develop and deliver complimentary council capacity building initiatives to accelerate the uptake of WSUD.
Click here to view Living Rivers Fact Sheets which have details such as FAQs, various funding packages, and Program contacts.
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Posted in Events, Research by Mark Ogge on February 1st, 2012
| 6 February , 2012 |
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Photo by Tony Rodd via flickr CC
Monthly discussion group hosted by Beyond Zero Emissions focusing on energy solutions to climate change.
16% of Australia’s emissions are from land use change, forestry and agriculture. The Zero Carbon Australia (ZCA) Land Use, Forestry & Agriculture Plan considers changes to land use practices to minimise emissions. The project is managed by two full time staff, Chris Taylor – Research Director, and Adrian Whitehead – Project Coordinator. Come along to find out where the Land Use Plan is at and how you can get involved!
Time: 6:30- 8pm Monday 6 February 2012
Fritz Loewe Theatre (entry via level 2)
McCoy Building
University of Melbourne
Cnr Elgin & Swanston Streets, Carlton
Thank you to the University of Melbourne Energy Research Institute and Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, our Zero Carbon Australia project partners for joining us in bringing you this event.
Entry: Gold coin donation
Further reading:
http://beyondzeroemissions.org/landuse
http://beyondzeroemissions.org/events/discussion/630-8pm-monday-4-july-g…
http://beyondzeroemissions.org/media/radio/bze-interview-gerard-wedderbu…
www.worldpreservationfoundation.org
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Posted in Events by sashashtargot on January 30th, 2012
| 19 February , 2012 |
| 1:00 pm | to | 3:00 pm |
Are you renovating or building? Do you have plans and ideas you’d like to discuss with green architects or building designers? The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) would like to invite you to Speed Date a Sustainable Designer.
When: Sunday 19th February
Time: 1-3pm
Where: The Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne
Speed Date a Sustainable Designer brings together Australia’s leading sustainable architects and building designers so that you can discuss your plans in a relaxed ‘no obligations’ environment.
What to Bring
Bring your sketches, plans and photographs on your tablet, laptop or good old hard copies! The designers will offer solutions, ideas and alternative viewpoints.
You can watch the short YouTube video from the last event here: http://bit.ly/gi1vnt
Supported by bankmecu
A free event. Limited spots available! Bookings are essential. Go to sdsd.ata.org.au
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Posted in Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on January 27th, 2012
We are looking for volunteers to grow and supply produce for the first Home Harvest Regional Feast. The feast will be held in Eltham (Victoria), so anyone who can get there is welcome to take part. Sign up as a grower and receive a free seasonal meal created using Grower’s produce at the feast. All registered growers will receive a small gift of vegetable seeds.
When: 22nd April, 2012
Where: Edendale, Gastons Road Eltham, Vic
Who: All growers are welcome, no matter what your level of experience or the size of your garden.
To register head to www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9433 3206.
Even if you are not from around the area, you can still click here to download your FREE Home Harvest Booklet of practical information on how to grow delicious, healthy produce in the temperate zone and connect with your local community.
Download a pdf with all the Feast info.
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Posted in Models, Research, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on January 26th, 2012
Thriving Neighbourhoods is a conference on emerging approaches to the planning, design and management of local neighbourhoods that are set to radically improve health, social engagement, environmental quality and productivity in communities. Thriving communities have the resilience needed to adapt creatively to unexpected challenges such as climate change, population change, rapid technological change, social upheaval and economic crises.
The complexity of the systems involved in creating thriving communities poses difficult and challenging issues for planners, developers, managers and researchers. But the potential returns on the invested effort and resources are massive. Capturing these returns requires professional collaboration across policy sectors including health, planning, design, infrastructure, IT and the built and natural environments. Communities must also be engaged from the outset, recognising diverse cultural and individual needs.
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We invite papers and presentations on research and practice related to the challenge of creating and supporting thriving neighbourhoods and communities. Work to be presented may be related to the areas represented in the diagram below, on: the challenges; the processes of change and development; the specifics of place; the measurement of outcomes.
2 April 2012: Deadline for Abstracts (400 words)
28 May 2012: Abstracts acceptance notice
Find out more about submitting a paper.
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Posted in Events by EcoCentre on January 25th, 2012
| 11 February , 2012 |
| 11:00 am | to | 2:00 pm |
Port Phillip Urban Food Network – PPUFFN – is hosting its first ever veggie growers competition
We’re searching for the best offerings from edible gardens right across Port Phillip. As well be as well as local food growing entrants, we need spectators to help us decide the winners! There are 5 entry categories, including best-tasting tomato variety, monster veg & most unusual edible plant. Plus an honorary award for the most weird and wonderful looking contribution!
$450 prize pool / winners by popular choice / swap tips with other food gardeners.
So, get ready for some horticultural muscle flexing and join us on the day!
Full competition entry details
Full prize details
Saturday 11 February, 11am
St Kilda Youth Service Training Site, Cnr Pickles & Richardson St, Port Melbourne
(only 5 mins from Bay St shopping st)
Enquiries: paula – 0417 501 383 / gardeners@ecocentre.com
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Posted in Events by kheffer on January 24th, 2012
| 11 February , 2012 |
| 1:00 pm | to | 3:00 pm |
The 10-12 session is now booked out, but there is a second session from 1-3pm available. The workshop is aimed at Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay residents. If space permits, other people may be able to attend.
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Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on January 20th, 2012
Nicole Foss is one of those big picture people who understands and explains the links between the converging pressures affecting the globe (peak oil, climate change, financial crisis) and the implications for our everyday lives. Nicole explains why a period of deflation is likely and discusses household and community preparation strategies. Nicole is a systems analyst who lives in Canada and blogs under the name Stoneleigh with writing partner “Ilargi” at The Automatic Earth.
Transition Darebin is cohosting an all day workshop with Nicole and Steve Keen on Sun 19th February.
>>Flyer and Booking details
Check out the Transition Darebin post for information about other Nicole Foss events in Melbourne.
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