Seal the gaps

If you're thinking of trying to make an environmental difference in your house with some renovations or technical solutions your first action does not necessarily have to be expensive or highly technical. Existing houses generally have major 'gaps' in their structures, walls, windows, etc which let air in and out of your building. If you apply sealant or products that block these drafty locations your building envelope will be more efficient and your energy consumption to maintain a comfortable environment in your house will be reduced. This a cheap, non-technical solution that can make a significant difference to your household budget and your environmental footprint!

How do you know where the air is escaping from your house? I heard someone suggest a fog machine. What a funny, clever idea! The principle is to close your house up, turn the fog machine on inside and then stand outside and watch the house to see the locations where the fog is escaping. Places like under the doors and window frames are obvious locations to look for gaps and easily addressed.

I now just have to get onto a rental company to hire one of these machines or find someone who has one left over from the 90s. Or perhaps just feeling where the cold air comes into the house as a draught in the evenings is an easier, less onerous process but surely not as fun! Pin It

National Food Plan

The Australian Government is requesting submissions on its National Food Plan. The idea behind this plan is to integrate food policy with the examination of the food supply chain, protection of food security in Australia and develop ways to maximise food production opportunities. The government plans to look into all avenues, from production through to consumption.

Minister Joe Ludwig has released an issues paper to inform citizens about the development of the national food plan.  Also as part of the consultation strategy, the government is planning on holding a webcast about the plan, which you can register for now.

Food Connect is supporting this consultation process and encouraging members to participate in the submission process. Food Connect believes that "small, alternative food systems..."should be supported by the government, with the aim of reducing the dominance of the two large supermarket chains. According to Food Connect the government's advisory panel has currently only invited the two dominant supermarket chains and the Grocery Council to participate at present. You would think that the advisory panel would be far more balanced and informed if the government provided a broader representation on the panel with individual representative companies and groups also asked to participate.

I will keep my eye on this in the future, but feel free to take action yourself. Pin It

Ningaloo Reef achieves World Heritage listing

Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia has finally been successful in gaining World Heritage status. The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities now has the esteemed position of having to administer this listing, as it does with all other World Heritage sites within Australian boundaries.

The new World Heritage area is to be known as the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage area and includes: Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth and State waters), Cape Range National Park, Jurabi and Bundegi coastal parks, Muiron Islands and Murion Islands marine management area and Learmouth Air Weapons Range.

The justification or reasons for the nomination and eventual listing of this area are included on the Commonwealth government website but include aesthetic value, underwater scenery, annual aggregation of whale sharks, aggregations of fish and marine mammals, high marine biodiversity, high diversity of marine turtle species, rare and diverse range of subterranean (underground) creatures and diversity of dryland reptile and plant species.

Congratulations to all those who have pushed for this action. It has been a long-time coming, but well worth the wait! Pin It

Historic Tasmania forest protection agreement

Recently (22 June 2011) Environment Tasmania and the Australian Conservation Foundation signed an agreement to move towards greater protection for Tasmania's old growth forests. The idea behind the agreement seems to be greater protection for native vegetation forests, in the form of additional areas of Tasmania dedicated into conservation reserves and a transition approach to a sustainable forestry industry.

I believe all environmental movements/protests that directly impact on people's economic well-being have to address these economic and welfare situations in the solution. It certainly appears that these two environment groups are proposing sensible options to provide transition and adjustment for the industries that currently rely on these resources.

The agreement does however rely on the government to provide backing to this agreement and these groups are requesting people indicate their support to the local members of parliament. The GetUp website has an automated message generator indicating people's support for this agreement and provides you either with the name of your local member of parliament if you're in the area or provides a list of relevant members of parliament in the area that you can direct an email to.

Go on, show your support for the Tassie forests and some sensible transition strategies that will in turn support environmental outcomes. Pin It

Freecycle

Freecycle aims to reduce the amount of usable/re-usable items going into landfill. Groups are locally based, with volunteer moderators. Members use a bulletin board to 'advertise' things that they would otherwise be throwing out and might be of use to other people. Almost anything can be listed, you just need to want to give it away and it can be in any condition. The idea is not to sell these things or seek a fee but to give the items away.

It is amazing what people give away. Recently, I managed to get a lot of garden plants for my friends in Brisbane that were impacted by the floods. Other things that have taken my fancy, but I wasn't successful in getting (first in first served type arrangement generally) have included juicers, pots, water tanks, piano, dolls, toys, puzzles, etc, etc. I have however, managed to get a lot of crafty items for my local day care. Not only have I managed to get some interesting items, I have also managed to get rid of a lot of the clutter around the house without being concerned about whether it will be utilised by the local community group or just chucking things into the bin that someone else might be able to use.

If you're interested you sign up to your local network (see if there is a Freecyle group near you) and then choose whether you want to receive individual emails or daily digests. Each group has different members, different interests and different items available.

Another way to reduce your environmental footprint.

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Happy winter solstice

Today is the winter solstice. That means the sun is in its most northerly position in the sky before it will start its migration back towards the equator bringing more sunshine here in the southern hemisphere and perhaps some summery weather. It also means the shortest day of the year.

I know it feels like we have only just entered winter, but this is the astronomical halfway point. Looking forward to celebrating the rest of winter while it lasts here in Queensland. Pin It

EDO requests law reform for Brisbane Trees

Reforms needed to protect Brisbane trees

EDO Qld calls for urgent law reform to allow community input into Brisbane City Council decisions to permit destruction of protected trees.

The Windsor fig tree removal

Environmental Defenders Office Qld provided urgent legal advice to neighbouring residents and concerned community members acting to save the three native fig trees (Ficus benjamina) that are currently being removed at a property at 105 Main Avenue, Windsor.  The trees are at least 60 years old and provide habitat to local wildlife, as well as being an important part of the landscape character of the neighbourhood.  

EDO Qld understands that the trees have been under a vegetation protection order (VPO) for the last 15 years.   Brisbane City Council recently issued a permit under the Natural Assets Local Law 2003  to clear the protected trees. 

EDO Qld understands that the VPO, which protects the three trees, has not been revoked by the Brisbane City Council, and the permit was issued to allow interference with the protected vegetation, as allowed by section 7(2)(a) of the NALL, which requires strict accordance with conditions of the permit.

Brisbane City Council have refused to provide copies of the permit to neighbouring residents, preventing neighbours and concerned community members from ensuring the trees were removed in accordance with the Council imposed conditions.  Brisbane City Council told neighbouring landowners that they had to apply under the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld) to obtain copies of the permit, but that process would take weeks.   

Law reforms needed

Mature trees are crucial to Brisbane’s character and amenity, which is why we have VPOs protecting our most significant trees. 

Law reform is needed urgently to give neighbours and concerned community members notification, submission and appeal rights for Brisbane City Council decisions to permit destruction of protected trees. 

In addition, Brisbane City Council has made a commitment to transparency and being clear and open in reporting Council decisions in theircustomer charter.  To accord with this commitment, and in the public interest, Brisbane City Council should provide copies of permits to clear protected trees on Brisbane Planning and Development Online, which already provides public access to development applications.

For more information, contact EDO (Qld) solicitor Ariane Wilkinson: 07 32114466 or edoqld@edo.org.au

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