Tuesday 25 August 2009

Bushfire Bushdance Saturday 29th August 7.30pm at Progress Hall

It’s almost here, The Bushfire Bushdance, the first of many family friendly social extravaganzas that the Progress Association will be providing over the coming months.

The doors swing open at 7pm and the dancing starts at 7.30pm at 197 Skye Point Road Coal Point, Progress Hall. Admission is $15pp, $12 conc and children under 16 are free.

Kent Daniel’s Bushfire Band are a treat to behold and if bush-dancing isn’t your cup of tea, maybe listening to some amazing musicians, watching fleet footed folk polish the floorboards, sipping some soup and dipping the dampa is.

The Bushdance is an opportunity to get out locally and meet some other locals, you may find you have something in common and end up being able to put a name to a familiar face.

There are still tickets available and there will be some held at the door if you decide to change your mind at the last minute. To book phone Jean 4959 4019 or Barbara 4959 1259

Toronto Tidy Towns

Toronto Tidy Towns has again entered into the 2009/2010 Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Communities Awards with Coal Point projects making a significant contribution in the application. The categories that were entered were:

  • Wildlife Corridors & Habitats Conservation Award
  • Coal Point Biodiversity Boosting, Sediment Stabilisation & Seagrass Monitoring Project – Stansfield Close and Carey Bay Wetlands projects.
  • Schools Environment Award
  • Coal Point Primary School
  • Cultural Heritage Award           
  • Lake Macquarie Light Rail, Onslow Road, Toronto
  • Waste Management & Litter Reduction Award
  • ‘Turning Toronto Green” – reducing the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags
  • in Toronto.
  • and Overall Tidy Town
Earlier this year Henry Wellsmore, came up with the idea of promoting Toronto through a campaign to promote the use of green bags and minimise the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags. The bags are similar to the familiar ‘Green Bags’ but they’re white, have no plastic gusset, retains their shape even after washing and are made  from recycled plastic bottles.

The Toronto Tidy Towns Turning Toronto Green campaign will be jointly launched by Ian Kiernan and Greg Piper MP at 11.00am on Thursday 27 August in Toronto Town Square. At 10.00am a main Street walk will occur to visit businesses and hand out the bags

Around the Reserves

The Carey Bay Wetlands has been a focus of activity recently with a National Tree Day planting and an inspection from Keep Australia Beautiful-Tidy Towns-Sustainable Communities Assessor.

National Tree Day was  tree-mendous  with 140 plants making it into the ground with time enough left over to do a bit of maintenance on previous year’s plantings. This was the 5th year of planting out the bygone Blackberry briar and there was a celebratory flavour to the day with a BBQ feast provided by Joe’s Meat Market, Toronto Square and morning tea and lunchtime pastries and bread provided by Bakers Delights to keep the energy levels up. The site had been well prepared by local Landcarers with assistance from the Landcare Resource Office. All in all a very satisfying morning.

Lots of Action at Birriban-The long awaited fish cleaning table is under construction at Birriban reserve.

Ambrose Street and Yural Reserves will be the focus reserves for September with additional help  on September 10th provided by the Landcare Office.

TIN Turns 20

Trees In Newcastle is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a combined Open Day with the Newcastle Community Arts Centre from noon till 4pm on Saturday 12th September at 246-252 Parry Street Newcastle West.

On the day there will be a Spring Plant Sale, Botanical illustration classes, children’s bushcraft and stencilling activities, personal portraits by Peter Lewis, games, planting opportunities, tours of 20 years of TIN sites, displays on Native or Weeds, Greywater reed bed filter systems and frog ponds as well as a BBQ. 
At 7pm there’ll be a reunion of past members, supporters and volunteers music by After Three a vintage jazz trio and a magician. Everyone is welcome and an RSVP to 4969 1500 or enquiries@treesinnewcastle.org.au will assist with catering.

Can Council help…Yes they Can

It’s hard to imagine that in our community there are still some people that believe that they can do what-ever they want , wherever they want without regard for neighbours, the environment or the planning laws that everyone else has to abide by.

The role of Council in addressing community concerns has been highlighted recently in addressing the illegal actions of one person who erected a timber stairway to the waterfront without any planning consent, felled a dozen mature gum trees on a steep slope without any consent, started building a 30m jetty without any consent, erected a fence out in to the lake and piled construction waste on to the foreshore, and constructed a deck and fence which extended on to the neighbour’s land.

The consequences of such actions mean the hillside slides gracefully into the lake because there is nothing holding it together, the foreshore is compromised and neighbourly harmony is non-existent.

This is where Council can help. Lake Macquarie Council has a strong reputation for striving to protect the environment and upholding their planning instruments, it is why they exist. The process also needs community people to raise the issue and instigate the action so Council officers can take action. 

If you see something that you feel is not right, write it down and let Council know. Sometimes you may think what is happening is so outrageous someone must have reported it, but it never hurts to flick a quick email to council@lakemac.nsw.gov.au  or take a photo and record the events as for future reference. 

Sustainable House Day - Sun 13 Sept 09, 10am-4pm

Sustainable House Day started in 2001 as an initiative of the Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES). It is an opportunity to visit sustainable houses in your area.
A local sustainable house at Fassifern is an amazing house that will be open on the day 10am-4pm, address details available from 1st September on the Sustainable House website.

Key Features:
  • nine year old double split level - four bedrooms, two living areas, two cellars, three decks, kitchen, garage
  • passive solar,
  • single skin Hebel, high thermal efficiency 
  • not connected to grid, water or sewer
  • 1 kilowatt photovoltaic array
  • 45,000 litre water storage tank
  • dry composting toilets
  • greywater diversion system
  • solar hot water
  • food garden
  • access to public transport and cycleway
  • net zero annual carbon emissions
  • NatHERS 5 Star energy rated -owner designed and owner built

The best thing about this event, is the co-operation of sustainable homeowners who throw open their doors to the general public. In past years, the most positive feedback from visitors has been about the willingness of homeowners to share their stories. Talking about the lessons they’ve learnt – sharing the stories that have worked and the things that didn’t go so well – is just as valuable as looking through the house itself. For more information and to find the details of other houses in our region see:

Landcare Office Mini Muster & Open Day- Saturday 5th September

Awabakal Wildflower Walk- Sunday 6th September

HOW TO PICK FRESH IN SEASON FRUIT & VEGGIES

It's important for us Australians, who are already blessed with great climate for agriculture, should keep it in our minds to buy fruit and veggies when they're in season. Not only do they tend to be cheaper because of reduced transport and refrigeration costs, but buying in season means your produce is fresh, local and better for the environment.
So just what should you buy and when?
http://www.thegreenpages.com.au/Environmental-News/fruit_veggie_guide

Coal Point School Seeks Community Canteen helpers

Coal Point Public School Canteen seeks expressions of interest from any community member who wishes to volunteer 2 hours or more per month in our school canteen. 9am – 11am is the best time for anyone who wishes to help prepare sandwiches or home baking of scones and biscuits. Midday – 3pm is an ideal time for anyone who wishes to bake for the next day. If you are interested, please phone Kylie-Ann on 0438662484 or email CPPSCanteen@people.net.au

Coal Point Public School Fete – Sat 7th November 2009

Coal Point Public School will be holding it’s biannual fete in November. Anyone wishing to prepare plants for the plant stall, or crafts, including Christmas themed crafts, may wish to start preparations now. Coal Point Public School welcomes any assistance available from the local community. The school will be holding a major raffle from September, which will be drawn on fete day. Anyone who may wish to donate a prize for the raffle, or prizes for the chocolate wheel should contact P&C representative Kylie-Ann on 0438662484 or phone the principal Ms Kim Creswell at the school on 49591374
      

Hype 4 Kids at Carey Bay

When it’s raining and pouring, and inside is boring, bring your little ones down to Hype 4 kids. They can enjoy the soft play and giant inflatable area or race through the 3 tier climbing structure.

The third week of every month is a theme week. September 15th -18th is Princess and Pirates. Ribbons and tulle...eye patches and hats. Children can dress as their favourite themed character and play, participate in games and dance with staff to themed music to set an exciting mood and long term memories. Come as a group or on your own. Every one will have a great time.

It’s nearly time to reserve a spot for the school holiday program. There will be 2 weeks of fun filled days including Hip Hop , Karate, Spa day, crafts and games. Other special guests still to be announced.

Squash is on the rise again. There are 2 courts available to rent or get involved with the squash social. Thursday 5:30-8pm and Saturday 2-4pm.
Weekend Flexi Competition Starts 5th/6th September. For more Info,  please call 4959 8386.

HABITAT HEROES

Our next generation of eco warriors now have an online gaming and social networking website to help them learn about protecting the planet and its plants and animals. Habitat Heroes gives children aged 6 to 14 the opportunity to interact with friends from around the world, while learning through education-based games and activities, treasure hunts and puzzles. Along the way, the site aims to empower and teach children about environmental issues such as endangered animals, land care and global warming.
http://www.habitatheroes.com