At the Sustainable Cities Round Table on Sustainable Food Systems held on 28 May 2008, VicUrban led a discussion on how developers could contribute to establishing productive food gardening in estates. The audience consisted of 78 knowledgeable, sustainable food enthusiasts who provided some very interesting feedback. I believe this information could serve as an excellent guideline to anyone who is interested in incorporating productive landscapes into urban developments. I have analysed the data from the 73 feedback forms received from the event to provide a summary for each of the three role-play scenarios.

Role #1 - You are a person who has just moved into the development. What would you want to find there to support your involvement in productive gardening?

Key issues for the new resident includes:

• The pre-established layout and design of the estate
New residents desire planned space for a diversity of urban agricultural models (both for the community and individual) which are integrated within the residential zone. The location for these mixed plots must also consider access to sunlight, water, clean soil, tool sheds, and areas for animals (chooks & ducks). Varieties of urban agriculture models suggested include community gardens, private gardens, productive streetscapes, aquaculture, rooftops & shared back gardens.

Water was a key concern of the estate. Many people remarked on the need for pre-existing water storage infrastructure such as private and communal water tanks, urban stormwater drains to capture water and the use of recycled water systems.

• Information about food growing
Information requested included how to establish and maintain a food garden (with specific information on seeds, seasonal growing, earth types, companion planting, soil preparation, etc), water information (cost, greywater systems, use of third pipe) climate information, a community gardener contact list and guides to indigenous plants to the area.

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The editors from Blogged.com recently sent me this email below. This is fantastic news as there are BILLIONS of blogs and its great to hear that sustainability news from our local site is reaching such a wide audience! Please be sure to post your local urban, sustainability events, initiatives & ideas to enjoy this service. And please read on!

“Our editors have recently reviewed your blog and have given it an 8.3 score out of (10) in the Society category of Blogged.com. This is quite an achievement!

http://www.blogged.com/directory/society

We evaluated your blog based on the following criteria: Frequency of Updates, Relevance of Content, Site Design, and Writing Style. After carefully reviewing each of these criteria, your site was given its 8.3 score.”

“Australia 2020 Summit: Final Report” was recently posted on Australian Policy Online . Please find a brief abstract and a link to the full article below.

Australia 2020 Summit: Final Report
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Posted: 02-06-2008

This report is intended to provide a record of the Australia 2020 Summit and recommendations on each of the discussion areas for consideration by the Australian government. It is based on ideas put forward by participants during the summit discussion sessions, outcomes from preliminary summit events and ideas generated from public submissions received prior to the summit.

The report includes an introductory section and ten chapters which can be viewed and/or downloaded separately

> Read full text

Michael Chew from Environment Victoria spoke about the “Peddling Fruit Pickers” project at the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on Sustainable Food Systems, 28 May.

The Peddling Fruit Pickers project aims to collect unharvested fruit and vegetables from local residents and distribute them to people in need. This would occur through volunteers cycling or walking around to participating residents houses to collect the produce, which would be taken to local community centres to redistribute.

The first step of the project research involves developing a simple food map of exactly which houses in the community have excess produce and are willing to donate it. This ‘food-map’ would then contribute to the feasibility study to see if there would be enough interest to actually run the project.

To find out more about the project check out Michael’s presentation below. Alternatively, if you would like any more information about the project please contact Michael: 9341 8107 / 0432 025 911 / Michael.Chew @envict.org.au.

Andrew Partos was the third 3 minute presenter at the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on food. Andrew is a Senior Urban Designer at VicUrban, where VicUrban is the Victorian Government’s sustainable urban development agency committed to delivering prosperous and successful communities in regional and metropolitan Victoria. VicUrban is also very supportive of productive landscapes which well-complemented the proceedings for the evening. Please find footage of Andrew’s presentation, “A new vision for a new community” below.

VicUrban’s Corporate Goals
• Commercial Success
• Community Well-being
• Affordability
• Environmental leadership
• Design Excellence

Gardening Community Broad Benefits
• Physical Health and Lifestyle
• Community Development
• Neighbourhood Identity
• Environment

The Challenge
What steps, measures or initiatives can a developer take to begin to implement a Gardening Communities culture in new urban developments?

Thanks again to all the marvelous people who attended and participated in the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table on the topic of “sustainable food systems” held on the 28 May! It was a jam-packed, interesting and very enjoyable evening with a variety of fascinating speakers with the additional features of musician Dave Newington and the students’ exhibition from the “Meals in Metropolis” class at RMIT University. Thanks also to our filmmaker Ryan Spanger from Dream Engine Digital Film Production for his brilliant capturing of the events AND to the sustainable wine provided by Elgo Estate. And of course, a very big thank you to our sponsors, VicUrban, who also presented at the event. All the video clips of the presentations can now be viewed for FREE online at http://www.sustainablemelbourne.com/category/sustainable-cities-round-table/. Find below the introduction to the recent Sustainable Cities Round Table by Prof Chris Ryan and myself, Ferne Edwards.

Design Victoria together with Swinburne University are pleased to host the Business Ready breakfast seminar: Design Industry of the Future - How will Australia’s designers compete?

Seminar overview
As the creative industry grapples with climate change, ageing populations, emergent technologies and an increase in cultural diversity, the development of new knowledge sets and professions will be imperative to meet and exceed the complex systems, services and products the future will demand.

This is the new world of systems design, service design, design for sustainability and organisation design; a world in which designers will hold key positions in the health service, corporate law and government departments.

Speakers
Professor Lyndon Anderson, Deputy Dean of Swinburne University’s Faculty of Design will moderate and lead several insightful and enlightening presentations from internationally acclaimed researcher Professor Ken Friedman - Dean, Faculty of Design, Swinburne University and John Gertsakis, Senior Sustainability Associate with WSP Environmental Australia and Research Associate at RMIT University’s Centre for Design as they highlight their vision for the future for Australia’s design industry economic and environmental impact.

Who should attend?
This seminar is ideal for leading design practitioners, design educators and researchers, including government officials and industry association members.

Seminar details
7.00 am to 9.00 am, Tuesday 17 June 2008
Swinburne University, Faculty of Design, Mecanix Restaurant, 144 High Street, Prahran
The seminar includes breakfast and networking opportunities.

Registrations
RSVP by Thursday 12 June 2008
Bookings are essential for catering. Please book early as places are limited.
For more information and to register your attendance please book online at: www.designvic.com

As part of the upcoming Sustainable Cities Round Table on Sustainable Food Systems this Wednesday 28 May, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd has kindly offered a discounted Sustainable Cities Round Tables Wine Tasting pack at the Special Price of $12.95 per bottle! To enjoy sustainable wines that “don’t cost the earth!” follow this link: http://www.clearedge.net.au/ced/SCRT-Elgoestate.html.

Grant Taresch, Director of Elgo Estate Wines, will also be speaking at the upcoming Sustainable Cities Wine Table and we will also be serving their wine at the event. For more information visit www.elgoestate.com.au. See below for details about the Sustainable Cities Round Table, 28 May.

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
RSVP essential to fedwards@unimelb.edu.au or call 8344 9268
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 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. The theme for the next event is “sustainable food systems”.

Speakers include:
Dr Maarten Stapper, BioLogic AgFood
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: Mapping meals in metropolis
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella: Two Million Meals
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd
Chris Ryan, VEIL: From Jim’s mowing to Jim’s sowing

RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au

Elgo Estate Map

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
RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au or call 8344 9268.
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 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:
Dr Maarten Stapper, BioLogic AgFood
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: Mapping meals in metropolis
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella: Two Million Meals
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd
Chris Ryan, VEIL: From Jim’s mowing to Jim’s sowing

RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au by 23 May.

The newly formed Climate Emergency Network that links groups and individuals working on the declaration of climate and sustainability emergency and on the achievement of a safe climate will be holding its second workshop on 25th May at Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St Abbotsford. Melway 44 G5.

The Climate Emergency Network (CEN) is a not-for-profit, non-politically-aligned network of community organisations that are campaigning for all governments to recognise and declare a state of climate and sustainability emergency in order to ensure we have a safe climate future for all people, all species, and all generations. The network aims to bring together the many Climate Action Groups and community organisations across the nation to work strategically together towards this goal.

The network has been established only 3 months and has over 70 members in Victoria, representing many existing Climate Action Groups. We welcome new people and groups to join the network. The Climate Emergency Network Charter is attached.

Please come along to meet with members of the Network.
• Hear how the work of the Network is developing and become involved in jobs and projects needing workers!
• View the latest version of the Climate Code Red slide show.
• Learn how to train as a presenter of the slide show and Climate Code Red emergency message.
• Hear how your Climate Action Group can become involved in a project to meet with your Local Community Leaders.
• Hear about plans to meet and discuss the Climate Emergency message with key policy makers and influential members of our society.
(A detailed agenda will be circulated closer to the date)

****Feeling creative??? The network is seeking ideas for a logo. We invite everyone to bring along their suggestions on the day. We will decide on a basic concept or logo with the option to pass them onto a graphic designer for development****

We would appreciate a donation to contribute to room hire expenses.

Lunch: We will have a late lunch break about 1.30pm to 2pm. Food is available at the Convent Cafes or BYO.
Getting there… by bike or foot: The Capital City cycling and walking path passes the site.
Getting there… by public transport:
Via Train: Victoria Park on the Epping/Hurstbridge line is the closest railway station. Buses 200, 201, 205 and 207 run along Johnson Street.
Via Bus: Catch the Garden City/Bulleen Bus 203 from the city in Lonsdale St, this will run along Johnson St. Get off at Clarke Street Bus Stop. (Make sure you are going in the Kew Junction direction). Turn left from Clarke Street into St. Heliers and follow the sign to The Collingwood Childrenís Farm. The entrance gates of the Convent are on the right before you reach the Farm.
Getting there… by car: Enter Clarke St from Johnson St, then left into St. Heliers Street. All day parking is available on the north side of St Heliers Street and costs $4.00(coins only). There is also 15 minute parking on the street. There is no vehicular access to the Convent site.

To RSVP or for more information contact: climatecodered @yahoo.com