Our Environment» Lane Cove Sustainability News & Events   Welcome to the Lane Cove Sustainabilty News Page. Lane Cove Council recognises that there is a need to take urgent action now to improve the local and global environment for future generations. Acknowledging that local government is able to provide a unique perspective on local sustainability issues, Council has developed a Sustainability Action Plan after extensive consultation with our local community. This plan is currently being implemented through the Councils ongoing management plan. This page keeps our stakeholders up-to-date with the latest news and Sustainability Initatives. Latest Sustainability News & Events Fridge Buyback Relaunched Live jazz and comedy trivia at the EcoSounds WIN $1000! Annual Lane Cove Captured Photography Competition Compost to Combat Climate Change - Find out how! Backyard Habitat Program ACF GreenHome Program for residents of Lane Cove Lane Cove Residents urged to Walk against Warming Join the Lane Cove Sustainability Advisory Committee 2007 Sustainability News & Events Australia's Inconvenient Truth LIVE Lane Cove Council helps Kids Keep Australia Beautiful Hybrids are at home on the North Shore Record breaking e-waste weekend Local Triva gets Water Smart Council achieves Milestone 2 of Climate Protection Program Fast Tracking Sustainability  Clearing up the Grey Water  Fridge Buyback Scheme reaches 1500 2006 Sustainability News & Events Lane Cove Green Power Campaign 2005/06 State of the Environment Report Release Resident "Thinks Global and Acts Local" Sustainable Cities Program Launch Fridge Buyback Relaunched Old, inefficient second fridges use large amounts of power; adding on average more than $190 to your annual electricity bill and creating around 1 tonne a year of greenhouse gases. Fridge Buyback is a residential energy efficiency program that actually pays you to help save the environment and reduce your electricity bills. Residents with working second fridges they no longer need can call Fridge Buyback on 1800 708 401 during business hours or visit Fridge Buyback’s website at www.fridgebuyback.com.au to arrange for their fridge to be collected.  Eligible fridges must be the second fridge in the house, they must be switched on and working.  They must be 250 litres or more in size and 10 or more years old.  Fridge Buyback will pay a $35 rebate if 6 or less stairs are involved in removing the fridge. Fridge Buyback is an energy efficiency program supported by the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund and Lane Cove Council. EcoSounds Trivia Join us for a fun afternoon of live jazz and comedy trivia, brought to you by Lane Cove Council and the Australian Conservation Foundation. Captured Photography Competition Compost for Climate Change! International Compost Awareness Week 2008 Did You Know? Organic waste sent to landfill contributes over 3% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions annually!!!   Find out how you can do more to dispose of your organic waste correctly through composting, worm farming and mulching. To mark International Compost Awareness Week, Lane Cove Council will host a composting and worm farming stall to exhibit ways you can put your organic waste to good use at home. When?         Saturday 10th May                       9:30am until midday Where?        Lane Cove Plaza There will be demonstrations, entertainment for the kids, as well as great prizes and giveaways. The first 50 visitors will receive a FREE bag of compost to put on the garden. SPECIAL OFFER! Bring a copy of this ad and you can purchase a compost bin or worm farm from Council’s Civic Centre at half price!* For more information about this event contact Lane Cove Council’s Environmental Education Officer on 9911 3507. International Compost Awareness Week is organized by the Centre for Organic and Resource Enterprises in collaboration with Compost Australia. For more information visit their website at http://www.compostweek.com.au. *This offer is valid from 5th May – 16th May 2008 and is open ONLY to Lane Cove Residents (Proof of Residence required). If you cannot make it to our stall, here is some useful information from expert Peter Rutherford: Organic Principles Worm Farming Useful References Backyard Habitat Program Launch of the Backyard Habitat Program... On 25 January 2008 the Backyard Habitat Program for Lane Cove residents was launched. The Lane Cove Plaza was brimming with native plants and wildlife in a fabulous Wildlife Show! One brave girl even let a snake slither over her shoulders. The Backyard Habitat Program is designed to help residents create a welcome environment for local native animals in their garden, using native plants. Council is keen to increase the number of native plants in the area, particularly in “wildlife pathways” between bushland areas. Free workshops, native plants and information packs will be given to residents who join the program. Some lucky residents will also receive one-on-one at home advice on how to design their gardens to attract more native wildlife like butterflies, birds and blue-tongue lizards. "It's a great way to help our native animals survive in the suburbs." said Rob McKenna, Lane Cove Council Sustainability Levy Projects Coordinator. Backyard Habitat Events: Come along to some fascinating talks by local wildlife experts and gain some practical tips on how to make your garden more attractive to wildlife! You can also discover which native plants are most suitable for your garden and for attracting different birds and animals. Tues 15 April, 6.30 - 8.30pm: Attracting birds to your garden With Tony Saunders, bird expert and habitat consultant. Wed 14 May, 6.30 - 9.00pm: Making your garden fauna-friendly With Anthony Stimpson of Australian Wildlife Display and Arthur White, president of the Frog and Tadpole Study group. Includes live animals! Sat 24 May, 1.00 – 3.30pm: Your garden: nurturing natives and weed-busting! Discover effective methods to remove common weeds and which native plants are suitable for your garden. Bookings are essential for catering and to reserve your place at these activities. Please contact Rob McKenna for more information and to book (details below). For more information: If you’re interested in joining or receiving more information about the Backyard Habitat program contact Rob McKenna on 9911 3629 or via email sustainability@lanecove.nsw.gov.au   ACF GreenHome Program for residents of Lane Cove FREE GreenHome program for Lane Cove! Lane Cove Council and the Australian Conservation Foundation are bringing you a FREE sustainability workshop series! This series of four workshops will provide practical advice on how to save energy and water, reveal cutting edge solutions to climate change and showcase the latest green products available. There will be great giveaways and prizes including a rainwater tank, compost bins and worm farms, shower timers, personalised eco-home assessments and more. Where: Mandalay Function Centre, 288 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove (near Lane Cove Shops). When: The four part series commences Wednesday 16th April. 6:15pm- 8:30pm. Cost: Free – booking is essential. Delicious organic refreshments provided To register, call the Australian Conservation Foundation on 1800 223 669. RSVP by Thursday 10 April – be quick as places are limited. Workshop Topic Date Giveaway   Water, Water, Everywhere Clever ways to use and save water at home and beyond.   Wednesday 16th April 2008 6.15 to 8.30pm Shower timers for each participant and chance to win a Rainwater tank Kick the carbon addiction Reduce your energy use with the latest technology and smart habits.    Wednesday 7th May 2008 6.15 to 8.30pm Win one of 5 pedometers or an eco home assessment (worth $250) Gourmet food with a twist Unpack the pleasures of food that’s good for you and good for the earth.    Wednesday 28th May 2008 6.15 to 8.30pm Win a compost bin, a worm farm or a hamper of organic food Detox your Spendings and Savings Green finance, eco-shopping and living with less chemicals   Wednesday 18th June 2008 6.15 to 8.30pm Free green cleaning trial pack for each participant and eco-fashion draw   Play a role now for the future Join the Lane Cove Sustainability Advisory Committee Lane Cove Council is seeking two (2) community members who share its vision for a sustainable community and would like to be part of the Lane Cove Sustainability Advisory Committee. The Committee’s key objective is to assist Council in the prioritisation and implementation of strategies and initiatives to achieve sustainability as set out in Council’s long-term Sustainability Action Plan – Think Global, Act Local. Written applications are sought from community members, academics and people with relevant experience in sustainability and must be submitted to Council by Thursday, 22 November, 2007. For a copy of the Committee’s charter, selection criteria or for further information please call 99113507 or by e-mailing: sustainability@lanecove.nsw.gov.au   Lane Cove Council supports the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW "Towards Sustainable Communities" program. to find out more please visit the LGSA website.   e-newsletter Lane Cove Sustainability Newsletter   Take advatage of the the council's e-newsletter service and recieve the latest Sustainability Newsletter direct to your in-box. Join now         Sustainability Advisory Committee   The Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) function is to assist Council in the formulation, prioritisation and implementation of strategies and initiatives to achieve Sustainability as primarily set out in Sustainability Action Plan.   Read Minutes from SAC     Sustainability Websites Australian Conservation Foundataion Al Gores "The Climate Project" Planet Ark NSW Nature Conservation Environment NSW - "Its a Living Thing" David Suzuki Foundation Safer Solutions - Guide to chemical free homes