Archive for the ‘Models’ Category
Models refer to existing sustainable models or frameworks of action that are occurring in Melbourne. A model could possibly be applied elsewhere in a different context. For example, “permablitz” is a model of urban agriculture installation that many people are applying in different parts of Victoria. Sustainable Melbourne strongly encourages environmental organisations and institutions to post their own environmental initiatives (ie. “models”) on the site to share with others. To do so visit the “How to use this site” page and follow the prompts.
Travelling Sustainability Project: Seeking Local Contacts
Posted in Models, Research by Kate Archdeacon on May 10th, 2011
It’s Not Easy Being Green is a project by two designers traveling around the world in 184 days. The project is initiated by Aart van Bezooyen and Paula Raché, a Dutch-German design couple living and working in Hamburg, Germany. During six months they are offering inspiring lectures and materials workshops to explore the practice of sustainability by meeting, discussing and working with local creatives.
Aart & Paula are coming to Melbourne this week, and are keen to meet up with people. Get in touch with them via their blog if your sustainability / community group would like to meet them and organise a lecture or a workshop.
http://www.itsnoteasybeinggreen.net/
Project Partners
Sponsors
PARK advanced design management
Bio-Perception Project, Delft University of Technology
Made Of Material Library, Delft University of Technology
MUTTER design agency
Media Partners
Core77 Design Network
Hamburg European Green Capital 2011
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Yarra Energy Foundation Launched
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on April 21st, 2011
From “The Yarra Energy Foundation launches with energy smart public housing ‘revolution’ and unique web hub“:
The Yarra Energy Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation set up by the Yarra City Council, to make the municipality carbon-neutral by 2020, [launched on April 14] at the Richmond Public Housing Estate, announcing its first project – the High- Rise Revolution. The project, a roadmap for permanently reducing residents’ electricity usage at the Richmond, Fitzroy and Collingwood public housing high-rise estates, will make living in these estates cheaper and reduce overall carbon pollution.
Alex Fearnside, Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) CEO said: “More than 8,000 people live in these estates and over the years small steps have been taken to make them energy efficient. However this project is about identifying a big step – a revolution – that will not only help residents but also contribute to the Yarra Energy Foundation’s target of carbon neutrality by 2020”.
Yarra Mayor Alison Clarke said she was particularly pleased that public housing was the first project for the new Foundation, which had been set up to make the Council’s ambitious target of carbon-neutrality by 2020 a reality. “Soon after the election of the current Council we realised we did not have the resources or expertise to hit that target in time and needed help to get there. We knew a community-minded organisation with a sole focus on delivering local sustainable outcomes was needed,” Cr Clarke said. The Council has already provided $600,000 to set up YEF and intends to double it over the next two years. “In under a decade, the City of Yarra will be truly carbon neutral. Our focus is on projects that can expand and deliver benefits to the community and business.” Mr Fearnside said.
In another first, the Yarra Energy Foundation is using the Thinking Daily network, on the Quango platform, as the basis for its website – a world first. Quango enables organisations to rapidly form communities around their core mission because visitors are both content creators and commentators. It seamlessly links with the most popular social media sites; and unlike comments on newspapers or blogs, fully visible to search engines. “Our website is like a public forum, a wiki, a website and social media combined. It’s a like borderless online gathering dedicated to enabling zero-carbon communities here in Yarra and worldwide,” Mr Fearnside said.
The High-Rise Revolution project is supported by the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund, managed by Sustainability Victoria.
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“The Economics of Happiness”: Film Screening
Posted in Models, Research by Kate Archdeacon on April 15th, 2011
Both hard-hitting and inspirational, the film ‘The Economics of Happiness’ reveals some uncomfortable truths about today’s global economy, which is creating divisiveness, financial instability and environmental breakdown worldwide. But it also shows how people around the world are already engaged in exploring alternative visions of prosperity: uniting around a common cause to build more ecological, more human-scale, more local economies. The film features a chorus of voices from six continents, including Vandana Shiva, Zac Goldsmith, Bill McKibben, Khyentse Norbu Rinpoche, and Clive Hamilton.
Join us for a special, free screening of ‘The Economics of Happiness’ followed by an opportunity for discussion with producer and director, Helena Norberg-Hodge.
Please RSVP: http://mssiscreeningtheeconomicsofhappiness.eventbrite.com/
Tuesday 3 May 2011, 6.30pm-8.00pm
Basement Theatre, ‘The Spot’, Business & Economics 198 Berkeley Street (cnr Pelham St) [Building 110] The University of Melbourne, Carlton
This event is proudly cosponsored by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute (MSSI), and the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL).
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Suburban Water: Water Capture & Storage Trial in Kingston
Posted in Models, Research by Kate Archdeacon on April 13th, 2011
A Sustainable Melbourne report from the 2011 Water Innovation Day, co-hosted by the Smart Water Fund and Siemens:
© Suburban Water
From a presentation by Jim Townsend, CEO Suburban Water, “Remote Storm Water Management”
Introduction:
Suburban Water was established to actively test and develop storm water harvesting technology in Australian suburbs. The premise of the project is that captured storm water doesn’t need to be treated to potable levels – between 30 -35% of current urban water use could be directly replaced with storm water.
As the recipient of a Round 3 grant from the Smart Water Fund, the company was able to install a pilot harvesting system in the city of Kingston, Victoria. Using the local aquifer, telemetry and a combination of existing and new infrastructure, the system allows water to be captured and shared between two separate sites, and increases each site’s ability to prepare for and capture heavy rain.
The System:
Storm water captured at Southern Road Reserve is fed into concrete tanks, where it is treated and returned to the aquifer as part of a managed aquifer recharge system. It is held there until needed either at Southern Road Reserve or at Parkdale Secondary College, just over a kilometre away. Parkdale Secondary College captures its own storm water and stores it in rainwater tanks, which provide toilet flush water and irrigation for the grounds. When these tanks are nearly half-empty, a monitor alerts the remote control at Suburban Water in Adelaide. The subterranean tanks at Southern Road Reserve pump water up into the existing Melbourne Water drain, and the water arrives to be treated and pumped into the school’s tanks 90 minutes later.
When significant rainfall is expected, the tanks at Southern Road Reserve empty into the aquifer in order to capture as much new rainfall as possible.
Key Outcomes:
The project is well into its prototype and testing stage, and while there have been significant challenges, CEO Jim Townsend emphasised the importance of being able to put a price on storm water capture and reuse – excluding the cost of installation but including regular running costs such as pumping and monitoring, the price is approximately $0.4/kL.
Further information available through the Smart Water Fund
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Increasing Access to Public Transport: Melbourne Medical Companion Project
Posted in Models, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on March 30th, 2011
Source: Victoria Walks
It is believed that the new Melbourne Medical Companion Project will improve access for many people who live in rural Victoria, who are frail, disabled, ill, or anxious about their journey, and will encourage many people to consider using public transport to attend their health care appointments instead of using the family car.
Volunteer companions are now available to accompany people from the Flinders Street Station and the Southern Cross Station train and bus terminals to health care appointments in central Melbourne.
As part of the Melbourne Medical Companion Project, Travellers Aid volunteers will meet passengers at the Flinders Street Station and the Southern Cross Station train and bus platforms, and accompany them to their Melbourne health care appointments and back again. Passengers will have the choice of using taxis, trams or buses whilst in Melbourne, and the volunteer companions will be experienced in using all three modes of transport. It is believed that the new Melbourne Medical Companion Project will improve access for many people who live in rural Victoria, who are frail, disabled, ill, or anxious about their journey, and will encourage many people to consider using public transport to attend their health care appointments instead of using the family car.
It is Free
Mr Robert Bulmer (Chief Executive Officer, Cohuna District Hospital) said that “the new volunteer service will be free throughout the trial period, with the program designed to take the worry out of travelling to Melbourne for health care”. Ms Thorson (Executive Officer, Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership) added that “it was hoped that the program would be extended beyond its initial trial period of March – December, 2011, however this was dependent upon further funding”.
Help Is Only A Phone Call Away
People interested in accessing the new volunteer-assisted service when travelling to Melbourne should telephone Travellers Aid on 1300 700 399 at least 24 hours prior to their expected travel date.
Regional Assistance
If travellers also need a volunteer to accompany them on the bus or train from their rural town to Melbourne, then a small number of rural volunteers from the Buloke, Gannawarra and Swan Hill municipalities will be available from April, 2011. For more information, please refer to the Regional Companions tab on the Melbourne Medical Companion Project webpage.
About the Project
Thirteen transport connections projects from across Victoria have formed a partnership to develop this new trial service. The Cohuna District Hospital has undertaken a lead agency role in the new project (on behalf of the Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership), and Travellers Aid Australia have been engaged to provide the day-to-day coordination and delivery of the project. Travellers Aid already provide a range of travel related assistance and information at the Flinders Street and Southern Cross Stations in Melbourne, and will now provide this additional volunteer service for people who are unfamiliar with Melbourne and its health and transport systems.
The new Melbourne Medical Companion Project is funded through the Victorian Government’s Transport Connections Program, which is a cross government initiative that helps communities work together to improve access and local transport options.
http://www.smtcp.com.au/medical-companions.html
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Making Seed Bombs with Gardening Australia
Posted in Models, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on March 17th, 2011
Image: urbanfoodie33 via flickr CC
“Seed bombs are a set and forget planting method that’s been used for centuries and they’re easy to make.”
This Saturday night on Gardening Australia, Jerry Coleby-Williams demonstrates how to make them. (If you don’t want to watch it, there’s a fact sheet here on their website.)
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/
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Support for Chepstowe Wind Farm in Ballarat
Posted in Models, Movements, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on March 11th, 2011
Image: Chepstowe Turbine Site via BREAZE
BREAZE members have long excelled in their efforts to reduce their emissions and embrace renewable energy. But one of our members, Neville Oddie, is going well and truly above the call of duty by hosting a 3-turbine, 6 megawatt wind farm on his farm in Chepstowe, 30km west of Ballarat. After 4 years of hard yakka, BREAZE has assisted in the installation of around 500 kilowatts of solar panels. If this project goes ahead, the turbines will produce 12 times that figure in one hit!
But the plans of the developer, Future Energy, have hit a snag with the Victorian Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, calling in the project. This effectively means that the Minister is now the sole decision maker on whether the turbines go up or not.
Can you help us boost the amount of renewable energy generated in the Ballarat region by sending a letter of support for the project to the Planning Minister?
More information, key points and background available on the BREAZE website.
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Fix & Ride: Bikes in Broadmeadows
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on March 2nd, 2011
Then FIX AND RIDE is for you. We have old bikes that need to be fixed up. With the help of a skilled bike mechanic, you can fix one and keep it. We will even give you a helmet for free! We will provide all the tools and spare parts that you will need and you can even spray your bike any colour you want!
Every Wednesday 3pm-6pm, starts 2nd March 2011
Banksia Gardens Community Centre
71-81 Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows 3047
For more information email shiley@lct.org.au or contact Banksia Gardens Community Centre
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Design Competition: From Offcuts to Furniture
Posted in Models, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on February 24th, 2011
Source: Australian Design Review
The Chapman and Bailey Sow’s Ear Challenge is an opportunity for furniture designers to flex their creative muscle and test their innovative flair. Using our waste, namely a large volume of hoop pine stretcher off-cuts in random lengths and variable profiles, and Belgian linen scraps in various sizes, designers are challenged to create an innovative, beautiful, and functional item of furniture. Although the use of linen scraps is optional, the piece of furniture must be made largely, or entirely, of hoop-pine stretcher scraps. The furniture must also be able to be reasonably constructed by Chapman & Bailey’s skilled craftsmen, and not require arcane equipment or methods beyond our means. The winning entry will be made-up by Chapman & Bailey’s furniture craftsmen and will be displayed in conjunction with Inside Magazine at State of Design in Melbourne, late July 2011. All individuals and organisations are welcome to enter.
To enter the Chapman & Bailey Sow’s Ear Challenge please register your interest and we will keep you updated. Feel free to contact us for any more information that you may require at sowsear@chapmanbailey.com.au
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‘Compost for All’ – Community Composting Forum
Posted in Events, Models, Movements by paula on February 15th, 2011
| 22 February , 2011 | ||
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:30 pm |
Community Composting Public Forum, Tuesday 22 February, St Kilda
A plan by a group of Elwood residents to introduce community composting to Port Phillip on a broad scale – neighbourhood by neighbourhood – is about to be brought a step closer to fruition.
Port Phillip Urban Fresh Food Network (PPUFFN) is partnering with the group to co-host a public forum, ‘Compost for All’, on local opportunities for neighbourhood composting and the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of setting up a shared-composting pilot scheme.
A number of potential sites have been flagged for the initial pilot and community members are invited to give feedback on their relative merits, as well as contribute their own ideas about prospective sites.
The scheme is designed to enable households (particularly renters), businesses and organisations easy access to community composting stations where green waste can be managed by the local community in a self sustaining way, and re-distributed to participants.
Ultimately, it’s envisioned that the pilot be refined and rolled out across the municipality, with public composting stations in every Port Phillip Council ward, resulting in significant reductions to landfill.
The forum will feature guest speakers from the City of Moreland, as well as ample time for workshopping ideas and question and answer time.
As part of its commitment to supporting fresh food access and meaningful redistribution of surplus produce, co-host PPUFFN is incorporating a food and garden swap into the event, from 6pm. A light supper will also be served.
Tuesday 22 February, 6.30pm-8.30pm (food swap from 6pm)
Port Phillip Ecocentre, cnr Blessington & Herbert Streets, St Kilda
RSVP’s essential as places limited. Email: gardeners@ecocentre.com or phone Paula on 0417 501 383
Enquiries about the community composting group, contact localcomposting@gmail.com
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