Edition 24 - Living Green eNewsletter
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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 Late Spring / Early Summer 2023 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.
We hope this newsletter inspires you to care for your local waterways, reduce your environmental impact and get involved in a local community activity.
City of Whittlesea Biodiversity Booklets
If you’re interested in wattles, native peas, eucalypts, or small mammals then you might be to get your hands on a copy of our Protecting Biodiversity on Private Land booklet series! This series provides the reader with basic terminology, photos and tips for species identification and further information about our local species.
If you’re keen to know more about gardening with indigenous plants, then check out Your Indigenous Garden – Sustainable gardens for local wildlife. This booklet includes information about wildlife garden design, local plant communities, trees of the area, garden maintenance, planting techniques, and more.
Download a digital version of our Wattles of the City of Whittlesea and Eucalypts of the City of Whittlesea booklets here. For hard copies of the any of our booklets, including the Native Peas of City of Whittlesea, email biodiversityplanning@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
New Nature Strip Garden Guidelines
The City of Whittlesea’s new Nature Strip Garden Guidelines provide residents with more options when it comes to creating beautiful and sustainable nature strip gardens.
Residents are now able to apply for a permit to plant edible crops in removable planter boxes, providing the opportunity to grow their own produce, as well as adding plants and shrubs up to a height of 90cm. These changes will allow a greater variety of plants, helping to create vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods.
The guidelines outline what modifications can be made to nature strips, while prioritising the safety of road users and pedestrians by ensuring clear pathways for movement. The guidelines also limit the use of harmful materials that can have a detrimental environmental impact, such as artificial turf.
Curious about getting rooftop solar?
With the price of energy continuing to rise, you’re in good company if you are considering getting rooftop solar. You can calculate your roof’s solar capacity and potential energy savings with this SunSpot calculator tool, developed by UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy and the Australian PV Institute.
Also be sure to check out the state rebates available for rooftop solar. Some eligible households can receive the Solar Victoria rebate of up to $1,400 and an equivalent value no-interest loan to be repaid in four years or sooner in one lump sum to help ease the costs for installation.
Threatened Species Bake Off
The Threatened Species Bake Off is a baking competition that aims to build awareness in the community about Australia’s remarkable and unique threatened wildlife.
The Sustainable Environment Department at City of Whittlesea got together to bake and decorate cakes of threatened species close to our hearts.
Pictured above are cakes representing the Eltham Copper Butterfly, all native species threatened by cats roaming free, the Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Creekline Grassy Woodlands, the Golden Sun Moth and a Murray River Turtle who has ingested large quantities of plastic. We presented information about our species and the threats they face to our colleagues here at City of Whittlesea. Our colleagues voted and Golden Sun Moth came out on top.
Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana)
The Golden Sun Moth is a nationally critically endangered moth species that lives predominately in our native grasslands. They can also be found in grassy woodlands such as Mount Piper near Broadford. It can be found in New South Wales (endangered), South Australia, Australian Capital Territory (endangered) as well as Victoria (threatened).
This species has declined primarily due to habitat loss and changed land
management practices. Sun moths need clear inter-tussock space for breeding, therefore reduced burning regimes and the introduction of competitive pasture grasses have been a factor in their decline. Healthy habitat for sun moths is open grassland with a high diversity of Austrodanthonia and stipa grass species.
During breeding time, the males flutter within a metre of the ground looking for females, who are typically in the inter-tussock space on the ground, flashing their orange hind wings. Unlike most sexually dimorphic species, the males are not the showy ones. The males are mottled brown and black, whilst the females have bright golden orange hind wings. Good visibility is paramount to their breeding success, therefore if the grass is too dense, tall, or shrubby this will impede males from finding females.
Within the City of Whittlesea, we manage several sites along the Merri creek, Darebin creek and Edgar’s creek. Burning, weed control and woody plant removal are the management strategies currently used, however, management of grasslands is ever evolving.
Swift parrot named 2023 Australian bird of the year winner!
We are happy to see the critically endangered swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) take out first place in the Guardian/BirdLife Australia biennial poll! These beautiful parrots are one of only two parrot species in the world to migrate annually, travelling from their breeding grounds in Tasmania to the Australian mainland in search of blossoming eucalypts. One of the biggest threats the swift parrot faces (along with many other species around the world) is habitat loss due to logging. Studies project there will be fewer than 100 individual swift parrots in the world by 2031, unless there was drastic conservation intervention. If you are lucky enough to see a swift parrot, make sure you take a photo and upload it to the City of Whittlesea iNaturalist project Wild Whittlesea!
Heading to the Whittlesea Show?
The Whittlesea show has something for everyone. There’s an animal nursery, homecrafts, show jumping, woodchop competitions, the grand parade, roving musicians, stage performances, carnival rides, show bags and much more.
When you attend the Whittlesea Show this year, don’t forget to put your low-waste philosophies into practice! Remember to bring your own shopping bags and produce bags to reduce the number of plastic bags used. Make your meal low waste by bringing a reusable coffee cup, cutlery, straw, fabric napkin and drink bottle and container/s for your meal. Find out who else in your community is heading down and offer them a lift in your car, take public transport, ride your bike or if you’re lucky enough to live close, why not walk there! While at the show, take a moment to make sure you put any waste produced into the correct waste bin.
Great Southern BioBlitz
The 'Great Southern BioBlitz' is an international period of intense biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within several designated areas across the Southern Hemisphere in Spring. The purpose of this event is to highlight both the biodiversity spread across the Southern Hemisphere, as well as to engage the public in science and nature learning using the citizen science platform iNaturalist.
Anyone in the world is eligible to take part in the BioBlitz! All you have to do is upload observations of wildlife to the iNaturalist platform. Observations must be made
somewhere in the southern hemisphere during the event time frame (November 24th - 27th 2023). Add your photos to the Great Southern Bioblitz 2023: Whittlesea project page on iNaturalist!
What's in season?
Eating seasonally is good for the environment; they're easier to find and cheaper to buy too!
Here are some common vegetables and fruit that are in season for the next few months:
Spring Artichoke (globe), asparagus, apple, apricot, avocado, basil, beans, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, banana, blackberry, blueberry, chives, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, chilli, cucumber, corn, cherry, eggplant, garlic, grapefruits, grapes, leek, lemon, lettuce, lime, mango, mandarin, onion, passionfruit, parsley, parsnip, pea, potato, raspberry, rhubarb, silverbeet, stone fruit, snow pea, sage, spinach, spring onion, squash, strawberry, watermelon, zucchini.
Four ways to enjoy Halloween while loving our planet
Whether you’re a fan or not, the Halloween holiday is growing in popularity in Australia. For those who plan to decorate this year here are a few tips to have more fun, save money, and protect our local animals.
Keep fake cobwebs inside
Decorative cobweb materials should not be used outdoors since birds and other wildlife get tangled in them or eat them, causing harm or death to the animals. Using them indoors is the smartest way to create a scare.
Craft your own décor and costumes
Many store-bought Halloween decorations and costumes come from countries where they are produced in toxic factories- harming both people and planet. Spare cardboard and paper are great materials for making spooky displays like gnarly trees, bats, haunted houses, and more. Not only will you save money by creating your own decorations, but the children in your life will also enjoy helping you craft. Using fairy lights between cardboard layers can have a haunting effect. If you do want to buy decorations, check your local salvo for costumes and more.
Compost your pumpkins
If you plan to carve a jack-o-lantern from a real pumpkin, save and roast the seeds for a snack. Cook up any scraps and make sure to compost or send your old pumpkin to the food and garden waste bin to become rich soil in its after-life. Cut your pumpkin into smaller pieces to help speed up the composting process.
Avoid single-wrapped lollies
While treats are a key part of Halloween, avoid single-wrapped lollies when possible as they produce a lot of rubbish that can’t be recycled. Consider drawing some jack-o-lantern faces on oranges or mandarins for treats for a fun and healthier option instead.
Beating the heat when temperatures keep rising
El Niño. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole. You’ve likely heard about these two weather patterns in the news recently. Working together, these patterns will likely increase both the number of days with extreme heat and bushfires for Victoria.
The Australian Red Cross warned 58% of Australians will be affected by heatwaves in the next 12 months, yet only 10% are likely to be ready. Even if you’re not an avid weather-watcher, there are a few key things you’re going to want to know to stay safe and comfortable this summer. Heatwaves threaten everyone. Extreme heat can stop our bodies from cooling down naturally. This is especially dangerous for people aged 65+, infants, pregnant women, young children, people with a chronic health condition, people who are unhoused, or anyone who works outdoors.
Tips for keeping safe in extreme heat:
Hydrate – make sure to drink more water than normal and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol which can dehydrate you during heatwaves. Around 1 cup of water per hour, up to 2-3 litres a day, is ideal.
Check for air leaks in your home – check the doors and windows for air gaps. Seal any gaps with fabric door “snakes”, which also help keep out bushfire smoke. Caulk or use draft stoppers.
Block the sun – hang thick curtains indoors (sheets from the op shop can be a great alternative!) to block the sun on extreme heat days. Outdoors, place shade cloths, plant fast-growing vines, or add external blinds on west and north-facing walls.
Fans and a cooling trick– clean your ceiling or stand fans and make sure they’re working well before heatwaves come. Fans work best when the air is a bit more humid and temps are below 40 Celsius. Use a spray bottle of water to mist yourself while you’re in front of your fan. Think about creating a cross-breeze by setting up two fans in opposite windows. Place a bowl of ice in front of your fan to help chill the air.
Have a plan - during periods of extreme heat you might consider going to the movies, a shopping plaza, a local library or similar location with air conditioning. Make sure you factor into your plans traveling in the heat. Carry an umbrella for shade and a water bottle if you plan to wait outdoors for a bus or tram.
Monitor yourself – if you start to feel “off” during a heatwave sit in the shade or go into a cool building, drink water, and place a wet piece of cloth on the back of your head. If you still feel badly, don’t delay in calling an ambulance – heatstroke can cause death within minutes.
Weather alerts – check the local news for weather updates to plan your days. Most weather apps on smart phones now include heat advisory information. University of Sydney and NSW Health is developing a Heat Watch app to be released soon that can provide advice based on data from previous heatwaves and personal health risk.
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.
National Recycling Week – Rag Roping
6pm - 8pm Monday 13 November 2023, Lalor Library
Rag Roping: Create beautifully textured coasters or baskets from scrap fabric that was destined to landfill. In this workshop participants will learn how easy it is to turn scraps of fabric into a fabric rag rope before turning it into a coaster or basket with a simple blanket stitch.
Whittlesea E-waste Collection Event
11am - 1pm, Wednesday 15 November 2023, Whittlesea Showgrounds Car Park, Whittlesea
To get rid of your unwanted small household electrical items in an environmentally friendly way, bring them to this E-waste collection event.
Bring along: Any small household electrical or electronic items with a cord or battery, for example: computers, televisions, vacuum cleaners, printers, toasters, hair dryers, video and DVD players, hi-fi equipment, stereo equipment, digital and video cameras.
If you cannot make these events, take your e-waste to the designated recycling skips at Hanson’s Wollert Landfill (55 Bridge Inn Road, Wollert).
For more information, email resource.recovery@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
Circular Fashion Market
9am to 1pm, Saturday 18 November 2023, Painted Hills Community Pavilion, Doreen
City of Whittlesea Circular Fashion Market is offering a unique shopping experience that combines affordability, sustainability, and style.
Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. What’s more, 85% of all textiles go to landfill each year – this is the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes dumped in landfill every second.
By getting your shopping fix you can assist to slow fashion and reduce the environmental effects of fast fashion.
There will be plenty of exciting things happening on the day! Including sewing/mending workshops, talks, face painting, coffee and music!
City of Whittlesea Sustainable Communities Workshop Series
Series Wrap-up Celebration & Showcase
10am - 12pm, Saturday 25 November 2023, Janefield Community Centre, Bundoora
Join us for the wrap-up and celebration of the 2023 City of Whittlesea Sustainable Communities Workshop Series! This event aims to celebrate the learnings and creations of those who participated in the workshop series over the course of the year.
Detox Your Home - Epping
Saturday 3 February 2024, 9am - 1pm, Epping
This free service is for household chemicals only.
Toxic household chemicals, such as cleaning products, pool chemicals and pesticides can be safely disposed of for free at Sustainability Victoria's Detox Your Home events, in partnership with local councils. Collected items are recovered for reuse or safely disposed of. See the full list of accessible items, weights and sizes, as well as safety precautions and instructions via the registration link below.
This event is delivered by Sustainability Victoria in partnership with the City of Whittlesea.
Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary
Halloween Crafternoon
Tuesday 31 October 2023
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Lalor Library
Waitlist
After School Craft Halloween
Tuesday 31 October 2023
3.30pm to 5pm
Whittlesea Library
Register
Gifts of love: inexpensive Christmas presents
Thursday 9 November 2023
2pm to 3pm
Whittlesea Library
Register
Clothes Mending Drop-In
Friday 10 November 2023
11am to 12pm
Thomastown Library
Register
Sustainable Jewellery Workshop
Friday 17 November 2023
11am – 1pm
Thomastown Library
Register
Clothes Mending Drop-In
Friday 8 December 2023
11am – 12pm
Thomastown Library
Register
