In The Sustainable Hour on 26 July 2017, Geelong’s Chief Administrator Dr Kathy Alexander and Dr Simone Boer, who is Manager of Strategy and Program Delivery in City of Greater Geelong, talk about the new 30-year vision for Geelong.
Erin ‘Rogue Ginger’ Rhoads talks about living a zero waste life style without any plastic, and Suzette Jackson brings news about a fortnightly farmers market starting up in West Geelong. We also talk about the upcoming council election. More info below.
Listen to The Sustainable Hour no. 179 on 94.7 The Pulse:
» To open or download this programme in mp3-format, right-click here (Mac: CTRL + click)
» Subscribe to ‘The Sustainable Hour’ podcast — via iTunes or via your own podcast/RSS software
LISTENER SERVICE:
Content of this hour
Links, excerpts and more information about what we talked about in this Sustainable Hour
Thinking 30 years ahead
Geelong aspires to be ‘clever and creative’ – which also means to be sustainable and designed for human beings, rather than for cars or buildings.
If you live in the Geelong region, this is important news: Our city now has a vision for a ‘Clever and Creative Future’ with a high level of sustainability and climate change awareness. It was co-created by over 16,000 local residents, business partners and NGOs, and was finally, after a year-long process, endorsed by Council on 25 July 2017.
Radio interview with Dr Kathy Alexander
City of Greater Geelong Chief Administrator Dr Kathy Alexander explains about the 30-year vision for Geelong, ‘A Clever and Creative Future’: How it came about and which challenges now lie ahead.
The successful implementation of this vision will depend on attracting the right candidates for the October election of Geelong’s new Council. Maybe you know someone who you think should consider nominating for Council? Over the next two months, a number of stakeholders will be hosting training and information sessions to encourage high calibre candidates to nominate for the Geelong Council election.
In The Sustainable Hour we talk about the possibility of creating an ‘Our Future Ticket’ during the council election in order to create full transparency around which of the candidates stand behind the actual implementation of this 30-year vision.
The successful implementation of this vision depends on attracting the best candidates for the October election of Geelong’s new Council. Do you know someone who you think should consider nominating for Council? Over the next two months, a number of stakeholders will be hosting training and information sessions to encourage high calibre candidates to nominate for the Geelong Council election.
» Download the vision report (PDF):
‘Greater Geelong: A Clever and Creative Future’
» Read more about Geelong’s new 30-year-vision on Council’s website
» Read Mik’s personal and very long commentary on the vision:
Our Future is a challenge of a lifetime – but we can do it
» See the short video explaining the engagement process:
Clever and Creative Vision goals
• Greater Geelong is a carbon neutral city
• 50 per cent of journeys to work are made by public transport, walking or cycling
• 20 per cent of all water used in the municipality is sourced from alternative sources
• Suburban tree canopy is greater than 25 per cent
• The per cent of the city-region that is preserved as natural habitat is increased
• No net loss of open space by suburb
• Crime statistics are 20 per cent below the state average
Media coverage
» Geelong Indy – 27 July 2017:
Admins’ ‘vision’ expects future councils to follow
“The Our Future document is a pathway to Geelong reaching the potential we know exists. It is the first step in creating the kind of place we want to inhabit. As a vision it is exciting. But the hard work to making any of it a reality starts now.”
» Geelong Advertiser | Editorial – 18 July 2017:
A bold vision for our city
“Strategy and finance director Joanne Moloney warned of the threat of the blueprint being ignored by future councillors and city staff. “Key risks include the failure of the incoming councillors to ‘own’ and adopt the vision as their own, and failing to keep the vision alive, visible and front-of-mind,” she said.”
» Geelong Advertiser – 17 July 2017:
Geelong’s ‘Our Future’ strategy envisions clever, creative city
» Geelong Advertiser | Report: $500k roadmap to our future
» Geelong Advertiser | Opinion: There’s devil in the lack of detail
» ArtsAtlas – 27 July 2017:
Our Future – Community vision document endorsed at Council meeting
Geelong’s 30-year vision deserves full support
The Greater Geelong community has made a significant step forward since last year’s Commission of Inquiry report.
A key recommendation was the “urgent priority for a 20-30-year outcome-focused vision and strategy for the City to be developed in consultation with key business, community and other stakeholders” .
The report also noted that Geelong’s growth in gross regional product from 2004-14 was significantly lower than Greater Bendigo, Ballarat and Wodonga.
Geelong was definitely in the doldrums. With the demise of industries such as Ford and Alcoa and malaise within council, there was a pressing need for Geelong to reinvent itself.
When the administrators initiated the Our Future vision project, some people were dismissive or cynical. Geelong Sustainability could see the project’s value and eagerly accepted an invitation to become a partner.
Geelong has a tradition of bouncing back from knocks and its people are resilient.
So we never doubted that given the extent of community engagement proposed that the process would deliver on its key objective of a shared 30-year vision for our city and region.
For those charged with the project, the strategic planning process was challenging and complex.
We would like to acknowledge the dedicated professionalism of Dr Simone Boer and her team. Their commitment to connect and engage with all sectors of our community in developing this vision must be applauded.
Progress will require committed leadership, collaborative partnerships and genuine engagement. The transition certainly won’t happen unless Geelong residents elect representatives who are committed to it.
A diverse field of quality candidates standing in the October elections will be essential.
We will be asking all candidates whether they pledge their commitment to achieving the new vision.
Vicki Perrett,
Geelong Sustainability
» Geelong Advertiser – 9 August 2017:
Geelong’s 30-year vision deserves full support
» More blogposts about the Our Future project
GEELONG COUNCIL ELECTION:
Want to run for Council?
Candidate info sessions and workshops – training.
Key Dates 2017
Thursday 21 September: Nominations open
Tuesday 26 September: Nominations close 12.00 midday
Saturday 28 October: Election day
The City Of Greater Geelong Candidate Information Sessions & Workshops
Training Workshops: Presented by Victorian Local Governance Association
Potential candidates should attend both parts
PART A – SATURDAY 29 JULY 2017
2.00pm – 5.00pm
Council Chamber, City Hall
• New City of Greater Geelong ward structure
• Role of councillors, the mayor and council administration
• Eligibility to nominate as a candidate
PART B – TUESDAY 1 AUGUST
5.00pm – 8.00pm
Council Chamber, City Hall
• Election process
• Campaigning
General Information Sessions: Presented by Municipal Association of Victoria
• Tuesday 8 August 5.30pm – 7.30pm Springdale Neighbourhood Centre, Drysdale
• Tuesday 15 August 5.30pm – 7.30pm Grovedale Community Hub
• Wednesday 23 August 1.00pm–3.00pm and 6.00pm–8.00pm City Hall
• Monday 28 August 1.00pm – 3.00pm Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, North Geelong
• Tuesday 5 September 1.00pm – 3.00pm The fOrT Youth Centre, Corio
These Sessions Include:
• Introduction to local government, the Local Government Act, role clarity, conflict of interest
• What’s expected of a councillor
• How to become a councillor – including eligibility to stand, wards, nominating as a candidate, campaigning legalities, voting system
• Questions and answer session
Encouraging Women To Stand For Council Information Session: Presented by Women in Local Democracy (WILD)
Sessions will be held at Courthouse Youth Arts, 60 Little Malop St Geelong
• Wednesday 2 August 7.00pm – 9.00pm
• Wednesday 9 August 7.00pm – 9.00pm
• Wednesday 16 August 4.30pm – 6.30pm
• Wednesday 30 August 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Regional Issues, Council Business and Processes
‘Geelong: A City Region Perspective’ Info Session: Presented by Committee for Geelong Strategic issues and challenges relevant to potential councillors
• Wednesday 6 September 5.30pm – 7.30pm Gordon Gallery, 6 Fenwick St, Geelong
Candidate Info Session: Presented by City of Greater Geelong Overview of City of Greater Geelong, council business program and key priorities
• Wednesday 13 September 6.30pm Council Chamber, City Hall
Election Process Info Session: Presented by Victorian Electoral Commission
• Tuesday 19 September 6.30pm Council Chamber, City Hall
Register your attendance for any workshop or info session
Email cduadmin@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or call 5272 5096.
» For more details go to:
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/council
» More information on becoming a councillor:
www.standforcouncil.com.au
» Victorian Electoral Commission: vec.vic.gov.au
Email standforcouncil@mav.asn.au or call 9667 5555
GEELONG:
Pako Farmers Market
A new farmers market is starting soon in Geelong West, located at Ashby Primary School.
There are whispers around town that there is a new farmers market happening in Geelong, coming this spring.
Keen to be a stallholder? Regional growers, farmers, producers or artisans of chemical free, organic and biodynamic foods – email hello@pakofarmersmarket.org.au for an application form to join the Geelong
» Check the new Facebook page
» Or tune into 94.7 The Pulse this Saturday 29 July 2017 at 10.20am to hear more.
#localfood
#farmersmarket
#knowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom
#weeatlocal
#geelongfood
#luvlocalfood
#luvorganic
#luvbiodynamic
#barwonfairfood
PLASTIC FREE JULY:
Journey towards zero plastic
Some links, excerpts and inspiration
Humankind has created 9 billion tons of plastic, enough to cover Argentina – and half of that since 2004, reported Forbes on 20 July 2017.
The amount of plastic humans have created since the large-scale production of synthetic materials began in the early 1950s is enough to cover the entire country of Argentina, and most of the material now resides in landfills or in the natural environment.
Announcements of change
Coca Cola has announced it will double the amount of recycled plastic in every one of its PET bottles by 2020 – from the current average of 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Given that Coke sells £1.8 billion drinks per day globally, this is not an insignificant move towards a circular economy.
On 14 July 2017, Woolworths, Coles and Harris Farm Markets announced that they will phase out single-use plastic bags across the country over the next 12 months. Woolworths is currently giving out 3.2 billion lightweight plastic bags per year. Woolworths customers will instead be required to either pay 15 cents for a reusable bag or bring their own.
» ABC – 14 July 2017:
Coles to follow Woolworths’ lead and phase out plastic bags around the country
“Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have announced plans to phase out single-use plastic bags over the next 12 months.”
» News Corp – 14 July 2017:
Woolworths, Coles and Harris Farm Markets ditch plastic bags
Recycling soft plastics
Coles, Woolworths and The Red Group provide a recycling option for soft plastic items such as bread bags, frozen food bags and confectionery packets. These soft plastic items can be dropped off for recycling at participating Woolworths and Coles stores:
• Bread bags
• Biscuit packets
• Frozen food bags
• Rice and pasta Bags
• Confectionery packets
• Newspaper wrap
• Plastic shopping bags
• Old green bags
These items can not be recycled through the kerbside recycling service.
Where to REDcycle
There’s over 630 REDcycle drop off points across Australia. Find your nearest participating supermarket by entering your suburb or postcode to find your nearest drop off point:
Once collected the processed materials are then converted into outdoor furniture and signage for schools and communities by Replas.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sign up for Geelong film screening of ‘A Plastic Ocean’
You can continue the Plastic Free July quest by attending this film screening organised by EarthBottles – on Thursday 17 August at Village Cinemas Geelong. Demand films require a minimum number of subscribers to reserve tickets for the event to go ahead. $20 for adults. $16 consession. Check your calendars and reserve seats asap to make it happen
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earth is becoming 'Planet Plastic' – BBC News (Toxic plastic waste chokes both land and oceans #auspol #springst) https://t.co/SHAIYSsgGK
— Climate Guardians (@ClimateGuardia) July 19, 2017
Lauren Singer: Why I live a zero waste lifestyle
Duration: 13:30 minutes. Published on youtube.com on 27 May 2015
Lauren Singer is an Environmental Studies graduate from NYU and former Sustainability Manager at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and the amount of trash that she has produced over the past three years can fit inside of a 16 oz. mason jar.
Ms Singer is author of the Zero Waste blog, Trash is for Tossers and founder of organic cleaning product company, The Simply Co. Through her blog, she has empowered millions of readers to produce less waste by shopping package-free, making their own products and refusing plastic and single-use items. Her work has been profiled by New York Magazine, MSNBC, NBC, AOL, CNN, Yahoo, Fox Business, BBC and NPR, among others.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
» Guardian – 17 July 2017:
My week without plastic: ‘I found a toothbrush made of pig hair’
“We produce 300m tonnes of plastic a year – 5m tonnes of which ends up in the oceans. How easy is it to ditch the excess packaging and learn to love shampoo in solid bars?”
» Sydney Morning Herald – 17 July 2017:
What should be in store for plastic bags
“Federal and state environment ministers meet in Melbourne on July 28. It will be an opportune moment to end the procrastination and obfuscation that has gone on for years and follow the big two supermarkets’ lead and call for legislation to ban the bags in all stores.”
» The Conversation – 17 July 2017:
Getting rid of plastic bags: a windfall for supermarkets but it won’t do much for the environment
“However, simply charging for a plastic bag, without directing these funds into environmental programs, does not necessarily resolve the problem. Shoppers slowly return to old habits, governments and retailers stop educating consumers and re-usable bags soon make their way into water ways and landfill.”
» More blogposts on this site about plastic
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ADDITIONALLY:
In other news
From our notes of this week: news stories and events we didn’t have time to mention but which we think you should know about
» Associated Press | The Guardian – 24 July 2017:
Rome facing water rationing as Italy suffers driest spring for 60 years
“Meteorologists noted that Italy had experienced one of its driest springs in some 60 years and that some parts of the country had seen rainfall totals 80% below normal. Among the hardest-hit regions was Sardinia, which is seeking natural disaster status.”
» Daily Mail – 23 July 2017:
Melbourne could run out of water in ten years because of population growth and climate change
“One of the world’s most livable cities could be facing an acute water shortage problem in the next ten to 15 years time no thanks to climate change and population growth.”
» The Age – 22 July 2017:
Severe storms trigger emergency declaration, evacuations in New Zealand
“The southern New Zealand city of Christchurch has declared a state of emergency amid a severe storm that has already resulted in hundreds of homes evacuated across the nation, highways cut and soldiers called in to help provide emergency services.”
» IndiaClimateDialogue.net – 16 July 2017:
Climate impacts hit 750 million South Asians over 10 years
“Almost 750 million people in South Asia were affected by floods, droughts, extreme rainfall, heat waves and sea-level rise — all impacts of climate change or worsened by it — in the first decade of this millennium, according to new research by the International Water Management Institute.”
» POST Online Media – 24 June 2017:
Gradual changes in CO2 levels can induce abrupt climate changes
“During the last glacial period, within only a few decades the influence of atmospheric CO2 on the North Atlantic circulation resulted in temperature increases of up to 10 degrees Celsius in Greenland. This is indicated by new climate calculations from researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Cardiff.”
» The Sydney Morning Herald – 24 June 2017:
‘Long, slow, horrible’: Former Defence officers warn of climate impacts on national security
“Former Defence Force officers, including a former chief of the Australian military, have warned that climate change will emerge as the defining security threat of the 21st century and urged governments to step up their responses accordingly.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 August:
Community Renewable Energy Forum
Our community is ours to change. What can the Bellarine do to transition towards a renewable energy future?
Come and listen to speakers from our local community, Geelong and beyond and find out how you can get involved in transitioning our community to a clean energy future. The forum will be structured as follows:
What’s happening?
Simon Corbell, Victoria’s Renewable Energy Advocate, will discuss current progress toward achieving the Paris Climate Agreement targets globally and within Australia, the threats that rising energy costs and lack of energy security pose for our community and recent advancements in renewable energy technology.
Nick Carrazzo from the Alternative Technology Association will discuss the status and prospects of solar and batteries at the local level – for communities and residences.
Tobi Geiger, Managing Director of West Wind Energy, will discuss the role of wind power in Victoria, the challenges and opportunities of sharing the benefits with local communities and the regulatory environment relating to the Bellarine.
Tristan Edis, Director of Analysis & Advisory at Green Energy Markets and Barwon Heads local, will provide further comment on trends and issues about the future of renewable energy.
What can we do?
Andrea Pape, Sustainability Victoria’s Strategic Coordinator in the Barwon South West region, will share the results of a recent survey that reveals where public opinion regarding climate change sits in our community.
Alex Houlston, Director and co-founder of clean energy services company, Energy for the People (and Ocean Grove local) and
Dan Cowdell, coordinator of Geelong Sustainability Group’s Community Owned Renewable Energy project, will share some examples of community renewable energy projects.
They will discuss what is being done within the Geelong community and abroad in terms of leveraging renewable energy to tackle climate change, reduce the cost of energy, achieve energy security and create a range of community benefits.
Public discussion
The session will end with a discussion forum in which each of our speakers will form a panel that will answer questions from the audience.
Sunday 27 August 2017, 2pm – 5pm
Barwon Heads Community Hall, 77 Hitchcock Avenue
» For more information and to reserve a place at the event, visit www.bhsustainability.org.au
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Podcasts and posts about climate change
Acknowledgement
We at The Sustainable Hour would like to pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we are broadcasting, the Wathaurong People, and pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.
The traditional owners lived in harmony with the environment and with the climate for hundreds of generations. It is not clear – yet – that as European settlers we have demonstrated that we can live in harmony for hundreds of generations, but it is clear that we can learn from the indigenous, traditional owners of this land.
When we talk about the future, it means extending our respect to those children not yet born, the generations of the future – remembering the old saying that…
The decisions currently being made around Australia to ignore climate change are being made by those who won’t be around by the time the worst effects hit home. How utterly disgusting, disrespectful and unfair is that?
Streaming live
The Sustainable Hour is streamed live on the Internet every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Melbourne time).
» To listen on your computer or phone, click on this direct link – or go to
www.947thepulse.com where you then click on ‘Listen Live’ on the right.
Podcast archive
Hours and hours of sustainable podcasts
Listen to all of The Sustainable Hour radio shows in full length and in selected excerpts:
» Archive on climatesafety.info
» Archive on itunes.apple.com – iPhone friendly
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Promote The Sustainable Hour
Print this A4-poster and put it on a wall or a board at your work place, a local café, shop or where ever you think there’d be people who’d find this information interesting.
Go to our Facebook-page and give us a click on the LIKE-button.
Let the The Sustainable Hour’s listeners know about your green product. To become a business supporter or sponsor, contact: Liz Carr, Marketing & Business Development, 94.7 The Pulse
» www.947thepulse.com – Geelong’s Premier Community Radio Station
Receive the podcast in your mailbox
Apart from your email address and surname, all other fields are optional
The Sustainable Hour on social media
» Facebook: Overview of all podcast front covers
» Catch up on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SustainableHour » Twitter tag: @SustainableHour
Share on Twitter
» Share this podcast on www.twitter.com
Now spreadable: Geelong’s clever and creative future vision https://t.co/qa7HgxWpe3 pic.twitter.com/7xLcLSgTIF
— The Sustainable Hour (@SustainableHour) July 27, 2017
Share on Facebook
» If you’d like to share this page on Facebook, then copy this link:
(First paste the long link in a field on Facebook, wait until the photo has loaded, delete the link again, and then press ‘Post’)
Share on Pinterest
» Share this page on 
» More Sustainable Hour posts on Pinterest
» Explore general topics on Pinterest:
Climate Change | Global Warming | Renewable Energy
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Participation – that’s what’s gonna save the human race.”
Pete Seeger, American singer