The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council in collaboration with the CRC for Construction Innovation is conducting a series of Sustainable Built Environment workshops. I hope you don’t mind that I have forwarded this to you for your interest or to forward onto others.

Valuing Sustainable Commercial Buildings Workshops

27 May, 28 May, 30 May Location – Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne

These half day workshops focus on:
- valuation concepts with regards to commercial buildings
- the relevance of sustainability to specific value drivers
- differing role of property market stakeholders and how sustainability affects their perception of value
- a hands-on approach to considering different scenarios
- future trends in commercial building markets with regards to sustainability and value

Presented by Richard Reed, Professor of Property and Real Estate at Deakin University, his background includes real estate valuer in both the private and government sector. His current focus is on property and sustainability and he is editor and author for several national and international journals and publications for the property industry

For more information: http://www.slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustain_may08.html

Life Cycle Costing for Sustainable Commercial Buildings workshops

13 June, 16 June, 26 June

Location – Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney

Owners and users of buildings need to make informed decisions about the purchase of equipment and materials. Although initial capital cost is often the key criteria, ongoing costs should also be considered to achieve the best outcome. Life cycle costing is a method of identifying and calculating all the costs (current and future) over the life of an asset.
The focus will be on:
- the LCC methodology
- the use of Net Present Value (NPV) to calculate future cash flows
- discount rates, and their effects on LCC analysis
- examples of how LCC can be used in decision making for buildings
For more information: http://www.slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustain_jun08.html

Facilities Management for Sustainable Commercial Buildings

Location – Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney in July.

For more information http://www.slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustain_jul08.html

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), SustainableMelbourne.com and VicUrban would like to invite you to:

The Sustainable Cities Round Table - SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
6:30 – 8:30pm including drinks, Wednesday 28 May
Melba Hall, Ground Floor, Conservatorium Building (near Gate 12), Royal Parade, University of Melbourne
RSVPS essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au
Proudly supported by VicUrban

The Sustainable Cities Round Tables showcase local environmental initiatives and encourage networking for people working in urban sustainability issues. In addition to our “famous” 3 minute presentations of people from the public, private and community sectors, we will also be featuring music accompaniment by pianist Dave Newington, an exhibition of RMIT University students’ work on food in cities and networking and drinks. To view previous Sustainable Cities Round Tables click here. The theme for the next event is “sustainable food systems“.

Speakers include:
Kirsten Larsen, VEIL Report: Sustainable and Secure Food Systems
Mary Stewart: Insights into the food retail and wholesale sectors
Marika Wagner: Water for food petition
Ferne Edwards, VEIL: Introducing the VEIL food map
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh: Elgo Estate Wines
Chris Ryan, VEIL: Jim’s food ventures in Melbourne 2032

Seats are limited! RSVP to Ferne Edwards at fedwards@unimelb.edu.au by 23 May.

As part of our research at the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab, VEIL , we are currently designing an online, urban food production map of Melbourne. We are asking people involved in the local food / sustainabilty sector to contribute feedback to the design of this project.

We hope that the VEIL food map will:
• Record the quantity & variety of urban food production present within Melbourne;
• Allow Melbournians to contribute data to this site;
• Form a database for people to use to design new products & services towards greater sustainability within Melbourne;
• Provide evidence that urban food production currently exists within Melbourne in order to foster greater policy support of this industry.

The type of produce to be recorded on this website is food that is primary produce, ie. fresh & not value-added/ processed . These food examples must be larger than household production. Examples of urban food production models include: community gardens, commercial production and market gardens, shared private gardens (such as extended family/ group of households), & food produced on public space (such as street edge gardening, nature strips & street trees).

To test the site and contribute feedback visit http://www.veilmap.sustainablemelbourne.com/.

To move around the map:
• Either double-click the cursor to zoom in or use the scale on the top left-hand corner to zoom in or out;
• Hold the cursor down to drag the image from side-to-side;
• Swap from ‘map’ to ‘satellite’ to ‘both’ views by clicking on the boxes on the top right-hand side.

To submit or edit data:
• First, check if the site has already been added. If it hasn’t, submit data on http://www.veilmap.sustainablemelbourne.com/record_entry.php
• If you would like to edit data on the site please email the details to me at fedwards @unimelb.edu.au.

Please email all feedback to Ferne Edwards at fedwards @unimelb.edu.au.

Village Well in collaboration with the Ethos Foundation, Donkey Wheel Trust, Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES), Victorian Eco Innovation Lab (VEIL) and RMIT invite you to….

Going Local and Making Great Places: A Free Public Lecture with Judy Wicks
Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab. Wednesday 21 May 2008
7.00pm - 9.00pm Storey Hall, RMIT, 342 Swanston Street Melbourne (MEL 579 K7)
RSVP: info @villagewell.org or 03 9650 0080 by Friday 2 May 2008

And

Workshop with Judy Wicks - Going Local: Creating Sustainable & Resilient Business Networks and Communities
8.30am-4.00pm, Thursday 22 May 2008
100 Mile Cafe, Level 3, Melbourne Central 211 La Trobe Street MELBOURNE

Judy Wicks
Inspiring founder and CEO of the White Dog Café in Philadelphia, cofounder and a director of the US-wide Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Judy is the recipient of more than 40 local, national and international awards. In 2004, Inc. magazine named her one of America’s 25 most fascinating entrepreneurs, “because she’s put in place more progressive business practices per square foot than any other entrepreneur.” Find out how local businesses are meeting the challenge of globalisation, Climate Change and Peak Oil to create sustainable communities that sustain life, economic viability and the natural environment, and are deeply rooted in their natural and cultural place. Business people, entrepreneurs & everyone involved in the design, creation & management of our cities needs to come to this.

‘Business is about relationships. Money is simply a tool. Business is about relationships with everyone we buy from & sell to, and work with, and about our relationship with Earth itself.’ Judy Wicks

For more information about these events and to book for the workshop print out the pdf below.
going-local-lecture-workshop-1.pdf

Please find a list of the courses held at CERES Community Environment Park in the months of May and June below.

Introduction to Community Food Systems With Chris ennis
Sunday 4th May 2008 10am—4pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
What is a community food system? Explore the range of different localised food systems and the environmental, economic and social benefits. Gain a greater understanding of food security and its issues, particularly in an urban context.

Chook Care with Meredith Freeman
Sunday 4th May 2008 10am—3pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
Whether you already have chooks or are looking to start a new backyard flock, this course covers all your basic chook needs. Chooks are great for the garden; they deal with weeds, eat bugs, are great fertilizers and provide the best tasting eggs you’ll ever eat.

Grow your own School or community garden With Justin Calverley
Sunday 10th May 2008 10am—4pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
This workshop follows an Intro to Community Food Systems, and provides an insight into kitchen/community gardens; where to start, challenges, rewards, educational benefits and financial sustainability. This workshop would be of benefit to schools and other organisations looking to create edible kitchen gardens.

Food based Social enterprises With Marissa Wood & Peta Christensen
Sunday 11th May 2008 10am—4pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
This workshop follows an Intro to Community Food Systems, and provides an insight into food based enterprises; where to start, challenges, rewards and financial sustainability. This workshop would be of benefit to schools and other organisations looking to create sustainable food projects.

Intro to Ferro Cement
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May 2008, 10am—4pm
$180/$160 CERES members /conc
An introduction to the techniques and practices of sculpting in ferro-cement as utilised in the CERES Mosaic Gateway project. There will be a strong emphasis on the basic technical knowledge including the use of oxides in colouration of cement.

Preserves and jams With Seven Stars
Sunday 18th May 2008, 10am—4pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
This one day, hands-on class will concentrate on the principles of making jams and preserves. Experience the satisfaction of learning culinary skills that will assist you in becoming more self –sufficient and self reliant in relation in your kitchen.

Soil food Web systems With Chris Ennis
Sunday 25th May 2008 10am—4pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
Inspired by the work of Dr Elaine Ingham, learn about the soil food web and how to work with beneficial micro-organisms to create a healthy and productive farm or garden. This course uses the history of our local soils to help you understand the soil food web and demonstrates simple tools to create the right soil biology for the types of plants you want to grow.

Food for Families
Sunday 25th May 2008, 10am – 2pm
$88 or $77 conc/CERES Member
Having to prepare food constantly for our families, how do we stay inspired? In this hands on workshop we look at the endless possibilities of nurturing families with food, how to create food cultures and traditions in the home and how to connect with food as a way of building and inspiring families.

JUNE

Healthy Cooking with Seasonal Produce with Sandie Hernandez
Sunday 1st June 10-2pm
$88/$77 CERES members /conc
Learn how to prepare colourful, fragrant and nourishing dishes, delicious drinks and naturally sweetened treats using seasonal produce. Food for health and happiness that is bursting with goodness!

The art of mosaic With Gordan Mandich
Saturday 7th June and Sunday 8th June
10am—5pm
$180/$160 CERES members /conc
An intensive, hands-on introduction to the colourful world of mosaic. You will learn about a variety of techniques with a focus on the “indirect method” and create your own take home piece.

If you would like to make a booking please contact CERES reception on 9387 2609.
For more information about CERES Community Environment Park visit http://www.ceres.org.au/.
Cnr Robert and Stewart Streets, East Brunswick VIC 3057
Ph 9387 2609 Fax 9381 1844

Below is the Farmers’ Market Newsletter May by Miranda Sharp, Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets Freelance Food Writing, www.mfm.com.au.

NEWSLETTER MAY 2008
May already and snow on them there hills! It was only days ago and the temperature was well into the 20’s. Speaking of weather…remember the appallingly windy day at the beginning of April? Sure enough it created lasting havoc for many farmers around Victoria including a completely devastated hazelnut orchard in Gippsland, two lost apple crops in Central Victoria and traumatised chooks who went collectively “off the lay” in the West.

In Victorian Farmers’ Market Association news, we are thrilled to finally have some of the funding in the bank from the much anticipated State Government pledge of last years election to see the growth of community-based farmers’ markets. As a result we have been able to employ a part-time Executive Officer, Chloe Crawley, who will be enacting projects such as the major accreditation program for markets across Victoria plus a website, conference and ‘how to’ guides for interested community groups and prospective stallholders. VFMA can be contacted on 9416 2090 and vicfarmersmarket @bigpond.com.

We need your input and feedback from the consumers point of view as this is a really formative time for us. We also should remind you that part of the funding is for community groups who can apply for up to $20,000 to start farmers’ markets in regional Victoria. VFMA has run a series of workshops for successful applicants and several community-run markets have started recently as a result of this support. More info www.business.vic.gov.au and find the farmers’ market grants program.

In produce around the state this month you’ll find the last of the berries, corn & field tomatoes but the reassuring re-appearance of parsnips, pumpkins, leeks, all the brassicas and other veggies will coax us into Winter gently.
There’s oodles in fruit and nuts too; mandarins, lemons, apples, pears, kiwis, pomegranates, feijoa, medlar, walnuts, chestnuts and quinces. Come and meet Shaw River buffalo cheesemakers at Collingwood.

It’s time to get bottling if that’s your thing. There are still green tomatoes around the markets which are an easy pickle to make to put away for winter antipasto platters. Slice the tomatoes as thinly as possible, toss liberally with cooking salt and weight down overnight. Rinse off in fresh water the next day, douse in white vinegar for an hour or so, rinse again then pack with olive oil and herbs in sterilized jars. Delish! Don’t forget there are 5 Saturdays in May so the last market is at the Abbotsford Convent on the 24th May.

Veg Out Farmers’ Market
3rd May & 1st Sat every month 8.30am-1pm.
Chaucer Street, St Kilda Melways 2P B9. Free Entry

Collingwood Children’s Farm Farmers’ Market
10 May & 2nd Sat every month 8am–1pm
St Heliers Street, Abbotsford Melways ref 44 G5
Entry $2 adults, stay all day.

Gasworks Farmers’ Market
17 May & 3rd Sat every month, 8.30am–1pm
Graham Street, Albert Park Melways 2J H7 Free Entry

Slow Food Melbourne Farmers’ Market
24th May & 4th Sat every month 8am–1pm.
Abbotsford Convent, St Heliers St, Abbotsford, Melways 44G5
$2 adults entry & carpark to Convent restoration & maintenance projects.

Please don’t forget all the markets are plastic bag free so get into the swing and BYO!
For more information www.mfm.com.au.

Farmers Market Newsletter May pdf

Please find a message below from Growing Communities.

Dear all across Australia,
It is time to bring the Australian school gardens community together to celebrate our achievements learn from each other’s experiences and examine the role of school gardens in bringing about a sustainable future.

Growing Communities would like to invite you all to the 1st Australian School Gardens Network Gathering & Learning in the Garden Seminar, Brisbane, 13th, 14th, & 15th July 2008.

After our suggestion for a National gathering of the school garden community about a month ago, already 10 people from outside Queensland have said they want to come. So, seriously think about booking your flight and registering as if there are lots of people coming, then will need to adjust size of venue, re-think billeting, etc.

For program and registration details visit http://www.growingcommunities.org.au/litg2008.htm.

All inquires email: litg @growingcommunities.org.au

Hope to hear from you all soon.
Happy gardening.

Growing Communities

Growing Communities
192 Boundary Street
West End Qld 4101

p: 0423 945 621
f: (07) 3844 7322
e: info@growingcommunities.org.au
i: www.growingcommunities.org.au

Growing Communities is a community based cooperative enterprise working to promote the establishment, development and on-going support of school gardens, community gardens and city farms in South East Queensland and beyond.

I have been selling 100% biodegradable and compostable catering ware for just under a year, (I thought i should get the commercial interest out of the way straight away) and the market awareness of the product is steadily growing to the point where some festivals will only allow the food vendors on sight if they use this type of product instead of plastic. This is of course great news for a future filled with sustainable events except for one major hurdle. It has become apparent that the composting of the biodegradable catering ware and food scraps is not as easy as first thought. I have documentation from the zero waste program which is aligned with Flinders Uni in S.A proving the catering ware is biodegradable and SITA have been testing it and hopefully are in the process of writing a report, but no body including SITA will take the stuff for a number of reasons. 1. SITA is at or near capacity. 2. Fear of contamination of the compost for on-selling purposes. 3. Seemingly a lack of alternatives to SITA that operate on a much smaller scale. This last reason is probably the biggest hurdle as the amount of compostable fully sorted waste generated from the last Sustainable Living Festival was apparently only one skip full. Surely there is a future for this type of event waste if we are to have a sustainable future. Can any one help?

Yours in frustration.

Sean Flynn

Going Green Solutions

Please find a message below from Ben Nicholson, Green Roofs Australia.

Dear green roofers and green roof enthusiasts,

The second annual Green Roofs Australia conference is taking place from 18 - 20 June 2008 in Brisbane and we are currently calling for anyone interested in presenting at the conference to submit a 500 word abstract of their topic to the committee for consideration.

The annual GRA conference provides an excellent opportunity for presenters to share information and publicise their efforts in forwarding green roof and wall technologies in Australia. This year the conference will aim to cover a wide range of topics, from the trial and error efforts of ‘mum and dad’ green roofers to the experiences of large extensive commercial practitioners.

If you are interested in presenting a topic at the 2008 Green Roofs Australia conference, please follow the link below to submit your 500 word abstract - you will be contacted in due course by a member of the committee:
http://www.icebergevents.com/greenroofsconference2008/Call-for-Abstracts/

If you are interested in registering to attend the conference, you may do so via the link below:
http://www.icebergevents.com/greenroofsconference2008/Registration/

And if you are interested in sponsoring the conference via one of our sponsorship packages, you are more than encouraged to follow the link below:
http://www.icebergevents.com/greenroofsconference2008/Sponsorship-Opportunities/

Finally, if you would like to catch up on what’s been happening in the world of green roofs and walls, check out the Green Roofs Australia website:
http://greenroofs.wordpress.com/

I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you at the GRA conference in June!

Kind Regards,
Ben Nicholson
VIC-TAS Coordinator