We recognise the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Willum Clan and Taungurung People as the Traditional Owners of lands within the City of Whittlesea. 

Welcome to the February 2024 edition of Living Green, a newsletter that provides tips for the season and information on how to get involved in nature and your local community. 

With World Water Day around the corner on 22nd March 2024 we hope that you are able to remain cool and hydrated during this season and are keeping an eye out for your vulnerable family and friends.

Our Endangered Species - Growling Grass Frogs

Every year the City of Whittlesea's Conservation Management Team conducts surveys for the endangered Growling Grass Frog. These fauna surveys are conducted with Peter Homan Fauna Consultancy to give our team a better understanding on how they can help this endangered species.

Two Growling Grass frogs were caught during the survey late last year with many other confirmed sightings of these Growlers. Tadpoles also made an abundant appearance on the first night giving our team hope for the future of this species.

The success of these frogs relies on the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of this site from our dedicated Conservation Management Team. They are one of many species the City of Whittlesea is trying to help protect.

This research is conducted under the guidance of a trained ecologist to ensure the upmost care is taken when capturing these frogs. 

Favourite Tree Competition 2024

Council is inviting residents to submit a photo of their favourite tree in the City of Whittlesea for the chance to be published in the April edition of Council’s newsletter Local Scoop. The winner will see their photo of their favourite tree showcased to more than 90,000 households.

Alongside their submission, locals are asked to share the meaning behind their favourite tree, with personal stories of their significance to individuals and families expected to be told; perhaps it's about the amazing local wildlife you have seen in our trees, fun memories of climbing trees, family picnics held in the shade of a tree on a scorching summer’s day or the sheer beauty of our majestic river red gums.

To enter the competition, submit a photo of your favourite tree before the competition closes on 12 February 2024 by clicking below, and your tree could be featured in Local Scoop for the whole city to see!

Pesky Neighbours: Managing Queensland Fruit Flies

Did you know that the Queensland Fruit Fly is widespread through Melbourne?

The Queensland Fruit Fly is most active during Spring where their numbers rise but have been known to survive all year given the right conditions.

The flies lay eggs in a variety of fruits and vegetables making them inedible and can quickly travel from garden to garden. These flies leave behind small holes as they eat through your produce. This is often a tell-tale sign that they are present.

If you have fruit flies in your garden, fill out this community observation form to help Council understand where the affected areas are.

There are many ways to control the Queensland Fruit flies in your garden. These ideas include setting traps to catch the flies, removing rotting material in the garden, removing produce early to ripen after its picked and protecting your produce with netting or sleeves. 

Remember to always follow regulations when netting plants to prevent injury to wildlife.

City Nature Challenge 2024

In 2024, City of Whittlesea is teaming up with over 25 Councils across metropolitan Melbourne, along with the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, the Entomological Society of Victoria, Melbourne Water, University of Melbourne, Latrobe University, Victorian Environmental Friends Network, Hobson's Bay Wetlands Centre, Port Phillip Eco-Centre to represent Greater Melbourne on the global stage in the City Nature Challenge.

Help us compete with cities from around the world by taking photos and making sound recordings of wild plants and animals in City of Whittlesea. Capture and submit between Friday 26th April and Monday 29th April 2024 using the iNaturalist app.

Let's show the world the incredible biodiversity of City of Whittlesea!

National Eucalypt Day 2024 & Nature Walk and Talk

National Eucalypt Day is 23 March this year and here at the City of Whittlesea we are proud of our 21 species of Eucalypt trees. These trees are right across the City of Whittlesea and are commonly found along river corridors and rural roadsides. Some of these trees are hundreds of years old and have survived through immense fires and flooding. 

Come along to one of the City of Whittlesea's Conservation Walk and Talks series on National Eucalypt Day to honour these trees.

'What Euc, scat and Track is that?' is a walk after an education session on the Eucalypts in the area. Two sessions are held on this day. The afternoon session is accessible and designed to cater for mobility restricted people. 

When: Saturday 23rd March
Where: Riverside Community Centre, South Morang

Morning Session: 9:30am - 11:30am - Register here

Afternoon Session: 1pm - 3pm (accessible session) - Register here

New Reverse Vending Machines to Transform Community Recycling

The City of Whittlesea is now home to four new reverse vending machines as part of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme. The community can deposit their eligible empty beverage containers, such as plastic bottles and aluminium cans, into the machines, earning a 10-cent refund with the option to keep or donate the funds.

The reverse vending machines, now available across key locations in the city, offer a user-friendly option for recycling. The new reverse vending machines are located at Waterview Recreation Reserve, Mosaic Reserve, Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium and Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve.

Recycling your Household Batteries

Batteries are not accepted in your household bins.  To find your closest drop off location see bcycle.com.au

Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Battery World, Bunnings and Officeworks stores may accept batteries for recycling.

Designated battery recycling bins are also located at:

• Lalor Library, 2A May Road, Lalor
• Thomastown Library, 52 Main St, Thomastown
• Mill Park Library, 394 Plenty Road, Mill Park
• Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang
• Jindi Family Community Centre, 48 Breadalbane Avenue, Mernda
• Whittlesea Library, 57-61 Laurel Street, Whittlesea
• Whittlesea IGA, Church Street, Whittlesea
• Wollert Landfill, 55 Bridge Inn Road, Wollert

Reducing Waste with the Donnybrook Repair Corner

Helen, a Donnybrook local, has high hopes for the Donnybrook Repair Corner.   As part of the City of Whittlesea’s Rethinking Waste Plan, Council is supporting the introduction of repair cafés around the community. Following the success of our first repair café in Mernda, Donnybrook Repair Corner will be launching on Saturday 2 March 2024.

Helen is the passionate Coordinator. “I think there is a huge benefit for the community. The waste reduction and financial benefits of not having to go out and buy a new toaster or garment for example, will hopefully change the mind of residents to live more purposefully instead of throwing things aside too quickly,” Helen said.

“This initiative will benefit the environment, not just through waste reduction in waste and recycle bins, but through the frequency of people booking hard-rubbish collections and also general dumping of rubbish in public places.”

The local group of volunteers from the community are skilled in the repairs of bikes, small electrical appliances, jewellery, garments, shoes, tools and minor furniture repairs.

The Donnybrook Repair Corner takes place the first Saturday of every month 10am-2pm at Shared Cup, located at 995 Donnybrook Road, Donnybrook.

Clean Up Australia Day is coming!

On Sunday 3 March 2024 we celebrate Clean Up Australia Day, this day we come together to clean up our local parks, waterways and open spaces. Whether it be your local community group, group of friends or business colleagues, anyone can get involved! The best part is that if you register your location on the Clean up Australia Page you get sent a FREE Clean up pack. This includes gloves, bags, a first aid kit and more 😊 We will be visiting registered sites on Sunday 3 March - see you then!

Event details may change from time to time so please check the status of any events promoted in this newsletter as the date draws closer.