December Edition Sustainability Street Newsletter

The December Edition of the Sustainability Street Newsletter is here!!!

Click here to download your copy and find great stories on:

The SITA Waste Tour
Sustainability Street Projects
12 Ways to a Climate Friendly Christmas
How to Give the Environment a Happy New Year!

If you would like to recieve this newsletter automatically please call the Sustainability Unit on 47323 8121 or send us an email.

Enjoy!

Copenhagen Accord Leaves Many Unhappy

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference has now closed, wrapping up the marathon talks that were attended by representatives from 193 nations.

The conference has seen the development of what will now be known as the Copenhagen Accord, which is a statement of intent surrounding climate change and not a legally binding treaty. The Accord was led by the United States, Brazil, China, India and South Africa, and rather than setting specified greenhouse gas cuts it instead outlines a committment to limit global temperature changes to within 2 degrees Celcius. This 2 degree C range is significant as it is seen as the threshold or tipping point for dangerous changes to our global climate.

Under the Accord all countries are to submit written plans to the United Nations outlining how they plan to curb carbon dioxide emissions by January 2010. These will then form part of the Accord.

The Accord also outlines a commitment to developing countries to provide $100billion per year in aid from 2020, although the details of this commitment are not yet clear.

It is important to note that generally United Nations led talks are meant to be agreed by unanimity, however a compromise was reached in this instance to avoid the talks collapsing entirely. Instead those countries that were in favour of the Accord can be listed alongiside those that were against.

The nations of Sudan, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezula and Bolivia were very vocal in their denouncement of the Accord.

The details of the Accord will be followed up on during hte upcoming conference in Bonn, Germany due to take place in May 2010, with the final outcome expected in teim for the Conference in Mexico at the end of 2010.

12 Ways to a Climate Friendly Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate, to give and to spend time with your family and friends. Our 12 Ways to a Climate Friendly Christmas is designed to encourage us all to still enjoy the fun and festive side of Christmas while also thinking about the part we can play in managing climate change. Check out our top 12 tips!

1. Shop locally - Supporting our local businesses not only helps to maintain a healthy local economy and encourage local jobs. It also helps to reduce the need to travel long distances in our cars and cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Get a real Christmas Tree - The best alternative for a sustainable Christmas tree is a live one – consider a -native species or use a Christmas Bush or Christmas Bells. You can visit a tree farm for a cut tree or plant your own in a large pot to use year after year. If you use a synthetic tree take good care of it so it lasts a long time.

3. Buy sustainable gifts - Think sustainability in gift giving and you’ll discover some interesting new ideas. There are many unusual and useful products available that have been designed with the benefit of modern technology and a desire to reduce our impacts on the planet.

4. Give gifts which keep on giving - Many charities and environmental organisations offer gift services that not only solve the problem of buying for the person who has everything, but also help others, or the environment, for years to come and avoids unnecessary purchasing.

5. Wrap with recycled paper - Use wrapping paper that is made from recycled paper, or else use paper that can easily be recycled. Avoid foil papers, plastic ribbons and other materials that can’t be reused or put in your recycling bins.

6. Turn those Christmas lights off overnight - One of the delights of Christmas are the lights cheering our streets and homes. Turning lights off whenever they are not required reduces greenhouse gas emissions because of the reduced energy use – it’s also a great habit to get the family into. Why not try out the new LED or solar powered lights that are available.

7. Buy Green Power - Green Power is electricity guaranteed to be sourced from renewable sources, like solar, wind and hydro. This electricity produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Everyone can choose to source some or all of their electricity from Green Power all year round. Contact your electricity supplier for more information and support our Australian renewable energy industry.

7. Don’t Over cater during the Holidays - We all love our Christmas feast but try to keep the amount of food in line with the number of guests! Food wastage is a big issue in Australia where throw out $5.2billion worth of food every year.

8. Compost or Worm Farm your Leftovers - Why not use some of your spare time to set up a worm farm or compost system. Your Christmas and New Year leftovers will give your system a great kick start and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated when food is disposed of to landfill.

9. Give charity or e-cards- Giving charity cards is giving twice because it supports a good cause while sending a festive message. E-cards are also a great idea as there is no paper, ink and transport involved – not to mention they are cheap to boot!

10. Plan Your Trips- Avoid flying unless it’s necessary, and when you do offset your emissions. If you are driving plan your trips to make best use of your petrol and always drive to minimise your fuel consumption by accelerating slowly and keeping your tyres inflated.

11. Shutting Down- Save energy in your home or office by shutting down all of these appliances and items that you won’t be using over the Christmas break. If you are going away for an extended period of time think about what items won’t be required and turn them off at the wall to make big energy and greenhouse savings.

12. Use less shopping bags- Remember to take your reusable bags with you this Christmas and avoid plastic bags altogether. If you forget then try to consolidate your shopping into fewer bags and say no to extra bags at the checkout. In doing so, you will reduce the impacts on the environment from the manufacture and disposal of plastic bags.

Great Climate Related Links

Check out the following links for some interesting information on climate change.

1. ABC Climate Change Timeline - showing how the Earth's climate has changed over time with interactive information and a range of future scenarios.

2. Please Help the World - short film from the opening ceremony of the United Nations COP15 in Copenhagen.

3. Raise Your Voice - youtube portal with a range of videos all relating to the Copenhagen climate change talks.

4. The Story of Cap and Trade - a short film presenting the arguments against the introduction of cap and trade legislation (like the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme) which is proving very controversial but generating a lot of discussion.

5. Australia at Copenhagen - updates from the Conference as well as information about Australia's position.

Climate Talks Continuing

The second week of climate talks is continuing in Copenhagen, with a dramatic walk out by 135 developing countries around noon on Monday.

The main session talks were suspended following protests that were led by African countries, accusing developed countries of trying to 'wreck' the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol places emissions reduction targets on developed countries but imposes no such limits on developing countries.

Talks have now resolved the impasse and the countries have returned to negotiations, however time has been lost. The next few days are sure to be frantic ones for negotiators as they try to resolve a long list of technical issues before more than 110 world leaders arrive in Copenhagen later this week to close the Conference.

To find out more and keep up to date visit the official website of the COP15 or Council's webpage which has links to further information.

Melting for a Cause

A life size ice sculpture of a polar bear by animal sculptor Mark Coreth is slowly melting away outside the Bella Conference Centre in Copenhagen where the COP15 Climate Change talks are taking place.

The project is the brain child of Mark and not-for-profit group, Ice Bear Project, and came about after Mark travelled to Baffin Island in the Artctic in November 2007. During this trip Mark realised that while most people wouldn't get to visit the area, he could do his part to bring it to the attention of as many people as possible.

In the Arctic melting sea ice is threatening the future survival of polar bears. In Copenhagen the life size ice sculpture will slowly melt away over the next two weeks, leaving behind a puddle of water, a bronze skeleton and, hopefully, a powerful message about the far reaching implications of climate change.

To find out more or become a supporter visit http://www.icebearproject.org/. Image sourced from www.icebearproject.org.

Countdown to Copenhagen

The lead up to the the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is a great opportunity for all individuals, families, organisations and businesses to take concrete action to learn more about climate change and the difference that they can make.

Climate change is undoubtedly the biggest threat facing communities across the globe and it is an issue that will touch every citizen in some way. What is important to remember is that it is also an issue that we all have the power to act on.

The Copenhagen climate talks will see leaders from across the globe gather in an effort to agree on a new climate treaty to follow on from the Kyoto Protocol which ends in 2012.

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference being held from 7 to 18 December 2009 marks the end date for negotiations on the new treaty and is expected to see governments from across the globe reach agreement on issues of mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions), adaptation (coping with the inevitable consequences of climate change), and finance and technology (to help developing countries to step up actions to limit the growth of their emissions and adapt to climate change impacts).

There is significant scientific evidence to confirm that unfortuantely our climate has already changed, and is continuing to change at an accelerating rate.

Did you know?

• Every year this century (2001-2008) has been amongst the top ten warmest years since instrumental records began.


• The observed summer time melting of Arctic sea ice has far exceeded the worst case projection from climate models.
  
• Global ocean temperatures reached the warmest ever recorded for each of June, July and August 2009.


• Many of our climate indicators are tracking near or above the worst case projections from the most recent set of model simluations developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

(Source: The Copenhagen Diagnosis 2009: Updating the World on the Latest Climate Science . I Allison et. al UNSW CCRC)

Based on research by the CSIRO for the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment, probable climate change related impacts for Penrith will include more extreme heat days, high winds, increased threat of fires, prolonged droughts, increased storm activity and flooding and increased costs for essentials like food, energy and water.

Because of this communities world wide must adapt and respond, and indeed have already begun to do so. The challenge facing governments and societies alike is to adjust our behaviours so as to minimise the effects of climate change while also preparing for its now unavoidable impacts with minimal social, environmental and economic costs.

With more than half of the world’s people living in cities, and with cities responsible for up to 75% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, it is vital that any workable climate change agreement acknowledge local governments and local communities.

We really can make a significant difference. Everyday choices can make a difference: from how you travel, your shopping choices, and how you use energy at home or in the workplace.

You can also show your support for the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference to produce real and fair outcomes by visiting the following sites:

• Seal the Deal - United Nations led campaign
• Hopenhagen
• i speak earth - a coalition of global NGO's
• Planetcall - targeting youth on climate change
• Tcktcktck - a coalition of NGO's including Oxfam, World Vision and Greenpeace
• Vote Earth - WWF Australia
• Walk Against Warming - a coalition of NGO's including the Nature Conservation Council of NSW

For more information on climate change, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, or what you can do, visit our web page, or if you know of any more great links send them through so we can add them to our list.

Penrith City Achieves Exceptional Water Savings

Penrith City Council and the community have been recognised as leaders in water management with Council selected as a finalist in the sustainable business process category in Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts program. The winner will be announced at an awards night on 12 November.

In the annual reporting period Penrith City Council reduced its overall water consumption by 37.4 per cent, surpassing its goal of a 15 per cent reduction by 2015. Some facilities have reduced their water consumption by an outstanding 50 per cent or more compared to six years ago.

A number of initiatives and projects led to this great result, which will save millions of litres of fresh water over many years, including: retrofitted toilets and cisterns in Council buildings; the installation of an irrigation monitoring system at Mark Leece sporting fields; and, the installation of moisture sensors and the use of recycled water at Nepean Rugby Club and Greygums Oval.

Penrith City Council is leading the way in water management and has an accredited 5-Star water management system under the Sydney Water Every Drop Counts program.

The Penrith City community have also shown their commitment to water savings with almost 60 per cent of housholds taking part in one of Sydney Water’s water savings programs.
Australia is a dry continent and even when we are not in drought saving precious water is paramount. Residents and Council have made substantial improvements in water conservation ensuring this precious resource is here for future generations.

Sustainable Times - Term 4, 2009

The latest edition of the Sustainable Times is out now. This newsletter is provided to all schools within Penrith City and contains great information on programs for local schools as well as what some of our schools, and students, have been up to.

Read on for stories including:

• - Our Water, Our Future - Competition Winners


• - Organics Tour Open for Tours


• - Book Your Catchment Tour Now


• - Sunshine for 2009 Solar Boat Challenge


• - Winner's Artwork on Show


• - Attn: HSC Students

If you have a story you would like included in the next edition of the Times, or to register for our electronic mailing list please email Council.

October Edition of the Sustainability Street Newsletter

The October edition of Penrith's Sustainability Street newsletter is now available! Click here to get your very own copy!

Inside you will find:

The Wallacia-Mulgoa and St Clair Group Graduation
Native Plant Species information
A hot offer from Sydney Water
The website of the month
And great opportunities to attend FREE sustainability workshops such as Eco Lighting Day, Living Sustainably and the Organic Processing Tour!


To be added to our mailing list send your details to the Sustainability Unit or call on 02 4732 8050.

The 2009 Solar Boat Challenge

Hundreds of dedicated solar boat enthusiasts came from far and wide to take part in the Penrith City Council sponsored Solar Boat Challenge held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre on 25 September 2009. 11 teams from local schools participated, competing against schools from as far away as Tasmania and Queensland.

Local schools included Cambridge Park Public School, Claremont Meadows Public School, Werrington Public School, Cambridge Park High School, Colyton High School, Glenmore Park High School, Jamison High School, Kingswood High School, Nepean High School, Penrith Anglican College and Penrith High School.


The Challenge aims to increase awareness in the areas of sustainability, climate change and alternative energies in an interesting way as teams work together to build a fully functional solar boat.



There were two categories available in the challenge. Groups could choose to build either a remote controlled, or a wire guided boat, catering for a range in levels of experience and expertise.



The remote controlled race is split into primary and secondary school divisions. Boats in this category are remote controlled and compete in an endurance race on the lake by undertaking a circuit, relying exclusively on solar power, with no batteries allowed (photo below).





The second event is the wire guided model race. These boats are not remote controlled and rely instead on a wire hanging above the boat to guide them on the track from one end of a pool to the other. These boats compete in a straight sprint race relying exclusively on solar power (photo below).



While the racing is important - that's not all that the event is about. The challenge requires that each team also show their understanding of the design, manufacture and racing process by creating a graphic presentation which is essentially a diary or log of the project from beginning to end. This helps to make sure that the teams are learning along the way and that the learning is an integral part of the challenge for all participants.

Marks are also provided for the presentation of the boat and it's design, with winners of each category decided on an aggregate of all components.

Penrith's primary schools were very successful with Cambridge Park Public School taking out first place in the Junior Wire Guided category, with Claremont Meadows Public School and Werrington Public School taking out second and third place respectively. Jamison High School also placed second in the Junior Remote Control Class.

Mrs Chris Jobson from Cambridge Park Public School was pleased the students did so well, picking up first place with their HMAS Featherduster, so named because it is so light!

Mrs Jobson said “”The Challenge was great and the kids really enjoyed what they did. They undertook research, investigated solar boats and then did all the building and shaping themselves. They worked as a team and there was great team spirit. They are a great group of kids.” (photo below)

They were many other activities on the day for the students to participate in while they waited for their race. Penrith City Council had information stands and fun activities including the “Eco Pursuit” board game. The Power House Museum also had a science exhibition with experiments running throughout the day (photo below).

If you are interested in finding out more visit the Solar Challenge website - http://www.solarchallenge.com.au/.

Sustainability Street Graduation 2009

Saturday 19 September was an important day for members of Penrith's newest Sustainability Streets, Wallacia-Mulgoa Valley Rotary Club and St Clair Holy Spirit Church, with participants of the program graduating in a celebration held in the lovely grounds of Mamre House.

The day was a huge success, with many people helping to commemorate this momentous occasion, including special guests: former Mayor of Penrith City, Councillor Jim Aitken OAM, one of Council's Sustainability Champion, Councillor Karen McKeown and one of the founders of the Sustainability Street Approach, Frank Ryan of Vox Bandicoot, who travelled all the way from Melbourne to be there. We also had some Sustainability Street veterans from the more established Sustainability Streets there to celebrate including John and Susan from Mulgoa, and Shirley, Brian and Barry from Banool Avenue. Thank you to everyone who attended this graduation and made this day such a memorable event.

Frank was keen for everyone to see a video that would show how the Sustainability Street movement was part of a bigger global movement towards sustainability, but unfortunately the video wouldn't work! If you are interested in having a look you can watch the video via the following link to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1fiubmOqH4.


Frank also gave away an amazing prize at the graduation - $25,000! Of course, he was quick to point out that money can come in lots of forms and it wasn't necessarily in cold hard cash. Shirley from Banool Avenue in South Penrith was the lucky winner, picking up a very handy household thermometer which is used to make sure that you are heating and cooling your home and appliances to the right level. Even one degree difference either way can make a huge difference to your energy bills. If you would like your very own thermometer contact Council on 4732 8121 or send us an email.

A huge novelty cheque was also presented to both groups as part of the graduation ceremony to allow them to get a community project of their choice underway with both the Wallacia-Mulgoa Valley Rotary Club and St Clair Holy Spirit Church choosing to create a community native garden. And as part of our graduation celebration, each street member was presented with a certificate, a “local super hero” hat and a native seedling.

A big thankyou to both Roger French of the Wallacia-Mulgoa Rotary Club and Jeanne Appleton from St Clair Holy Spirit Church who got up and spoke about their Sustainability Journey, and for all their background efforts rallying the teams and organising meeting rooms.

It will be great to see how these groups continue their journey towards sustainability - we look forward to posting some photos of their project in the near future!

August Edition of the Sustainability Street Newsletter

The August edition of Penrith's Sustainability Street newsletter is now available! Click here to download your copy for stories on:

Gardening at Mamre House
Preparing the Perfect Veggie Garden
A Vegertable Planting Guide
Companion Panting
Gardening Resources Available
The Age of Stupid" film review

To be added to our mailing list send your details to the Sustainability Unit or call on 02 4732 8050.

Interest Free Loans for Green Items

July 1 saw the launch of a new Green Loans scheme by the Australian Government. The scheme provides assistance to Australian families interested in installing sustainable technologies, like solar, water saving and energy efficient products.

Under the program all Australian households are eligible to receive a FREE home sustainability assessment and report, which is valued at around $250. This assessment will provide householders with information on where they can make improvements to the sustainability of their home, and where the biggest gains are to be made. You can register now for your free assessment by visiting the Green Loans website or by calling 1800 895 076.

Once households have had a sustainability assessment completed they will become eligible to access a subsidy from the Government that will cover the interest on a loan of up to $10,000 over 4 years to implement the actions that were identified in the home assessment report. The household can chose which participating bank, credit union or building society they wish to apply for a loan with.

This is a fantastic opportunity to identify and fund sustainability improvements in the home. It's also worth noting that once the loans scheme becomes operational it still doesn't prevent you from accessing any of the rebates that are currently available, including those for hot water systems, insulation, rainwater tanks and greywater systems.

Latest Sustainability Street Newsletter

The July edition of Penrith's Sustainability Street newsletter is now available. Click here to download your copy for stories on:

• Giving Toxic Chemicals the Flick!


• Recipes for Success


• A Farm Yard Tale to Make You Think


• Sustainability Streets Catch Up


• Penrith Farmers & Fine Food Market


• FREE Family Fun Day


• FREE Home Sustainability Assessment

To be added to our mailing list send your details to the Sustainability Unit or call on 02 4732 8050.

Download your copy of the June Edition of Sustainability Street! Simply click here. In this issue, you will find great stories on:

• Living Green While You Clean


• Watching Their Waste Line


• The 3R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle


• Composting Made Easy


• Worm Farms & Worm Troubleshooting


• Farmers Market Comes to Town


• Website of the Month: TipJar

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive a copy of the newsletter automatically please email Carmel Hamilton with your name and contact details and specify whether you would like to recieve it electronically or in the mail.

FREE Help to Cut Power Bills for Low Income Households

Penrith Council is partnering with the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW in a Western Sydney pilot to help low income households in our area save money on their power bills and reduce carbon pollution.

The program is being offered to 1,000 homes in Western Sydney as part of a pilot which began in May 2009 and will finish at the end of July. The main program will be rolled out across NSW later in the year.

Every home that signs up will get a free:

• home visit by a trained assessor to find ways to save power in your home


• power saver kit to help kick-start your savings
  
• power saver action plan to show you other ways to save power and money.

People signing up to the program are expected to save at least $95 a year on their power bills. After the trial in Western Sydney, the program will be rolled out to a further 219,000 low income families across the rest of NSW.

If you have a pensioner, low income or veteran card or are registered as an energy retailer hardship customer and own or rent a private home, call the Environment Line on 1300 361 967 to book an assessment and start saving power, money and carbon pollution for free. Visit http://www.savepower.nsw.gov.au/ for details.

World Environment Day 2009

On World Environment Day, 5 June 2009, Penrith City Council will be presenting a cheque to the winners of the first funding round of the Pratt Foundation ‘Penrith Social Sustainability Grants Program’.

The grants were open to community organisations with deductible gift recipient status that support the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community, made possible through the Pratt Foundation.

The Pratt Foundation has generously allocated $140,000 to be distributed for community benefit over the next six years, of which $40,000 has been allocated in 2009 to successful receipts in the first round. Council is proud to be the administrator of the local grants on behalf of the Foundation.

The grants will encourage community cohesion and cultural identity through projects that help to provide basic food, shelter and protection from harm, the maintenance of cultural and community identify and social and environmental actions that unite the community.

Three of Penrith’s Principles for a Sustainable City, adopted in 2003, strongly relate to social sustainability, including:

· Achieve long-term economic and social security;
· Empower people and foster participation;
· Expand and enable cooperative networks to work towards a common, sustainable future

The term ‘social sustainability’ is used to describe programs and projects that promote social inclusion, participation, cultural enrichment and connectedness. It also emphasises initiatives which support the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities.

Accordingly, the Visy Grants Program provides another important opportunity for Council to put into practice our commitment to social sustainability, and it will directly benefit the local community.

Congratulations to the successful applicants - keep up the great work and I hope this grant makes your job a little easier.

World Environment Day 2009 - Your planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change

This Friday is an important day for communities worldwide – both present and future. It is World Environment Day.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Celebrated annually on June 5, World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and attracts political attention and action.

The theme for this years World Environment Day is ‘Your Planet Needs You! Unite to Combat Climate Change’.

On this World Environment Day, people from all walks of life are encouraged to take steps towards making the planet greener and cleaner. Switch off the lights. Take public transport. Recycle. Plant a tree.

Our planet needs more than just action by governments and corporations; it needs action from each and every one of us. Although individual actions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose we can make a tremendous difference.

World Environment Day is ‘a people’s day’, which means it is your opportunity to be part of the global action to promote the protection of our planet, the sustainable use of our natural resources, and the adoption of a lifestyle that is friendly to the environment. Be part of the growing voice that calls for all peoples of the world to unite and take positive action to combat climate change.

Remember, whoever you are, wherever you’re from, you can make a difference.

For further details see - http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/

On the Road to Sustainability

Council's Senior Sustainability Planner, Bernadette Riad, has been a part of the Sustainability Team at Penrith City Council for many years now. During this time she has seen Council's commitment to sustainability grow and has been impressed by just how far we have managed to come along the road to sustainability.

This video was recorded as part of a symposium on Sustainability in Local Government and presents a short snapshot of the key steps in Penrith's journey towards sustainability. To find out more you can access a copy of our timeline by clicking here, or contact the Sustainability Unit on 4732 8050.

May Edition of Sustainability Street

Download your copy of the May Edition of Sustainability Street! Simply click here.

In this issue, you will find great stories on:

• Watching Your Waste Line


• Upcoming Events


• GaBaToiLaKi


• Simple Water Saving Tips


• Rainwater Tanks


• Water Saving Services
  
• The News in Brief

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive a copy of the newsletter automatically please email Carmel Hamilton with your name and contact details and specify whether you would like to recieve it electronically or in the mail.

Sustainable Times - Term 2 Edition

The latest edition of the Sustainable Times is now available. Sustainable Times is a newsletter targeted at local schools, however the information will be of use to anyone interested in sustainability.

This issue is jam packed full of information including stories on:

• Schools take the Earth Hour Challenge


• 'For a Greener Future' Poster Challenge


• Plant a Tree for Mum this Mothers Day


• Activate 2750: Food for Thought


• 'Memories of Penrith' Creative Writing Competition


• Get Involved in Schools Tree Day
  
• New to Penrith: Farmers and Fine Food Markets


• Schools Getting Down to Earth


• Eco Schools Grants


• How does our Organic Waste become Compost?

If your school has a story for the next edition please email Council by clicking here.

Climate Change on Council’s Agenda

Unfortunately, our past climate is no longer a reliable guide to weather conditions in the future. The impacts of climate change are already being felt across Australia. Here in Penrith it will mean increasingly hotter weather, less rain, and more extreme weather events such as heat waves, intense rainfalls, wind gusts and electrical storms.

Maintaining our infrastructure and services under these changed conditions is set to be a challenge for Council. The decisions we make now can significantly impact on our ability to meet those challenges in the future.

So what should Council be doing do now - and in the years ahead - so that we are better able to cope with the challenges that climate change will bring?

These are the key questions being addressed through an important new project being undertaken, involving a process of climate change risk assessment and adaptation planning.

As part of the project, key staff from across Council will be invited to participate in interviews and workshops to identify, evaluate and rank climate change risks to Council’s infrastructure and services, and then identify and analyse options to treat those risks.

The support and participation of Council staff from across the organisation is critical to the success of this process and the value of its outcomes. Tapping into the knowledge of our staff and their understanding of what it is we do and how we do it, is vital in ensuring we develop effective responses to avoid or minimise the adverse impacts of climate change.

Some of our key external stakeholders have also been involved in providing their input to the risk assessment process.

The outcomes of this process will form the basis for an Adaptation Action Plan. This plan will be incorporated into Council’s existing risk management processes and will provide a strategic framework from which Council can implement actions to minimise climate risk and realise any potential opportunities.

To find out more about this important initiative please contact Council's Senior Strategic Planner, Bernadette Riad, on 4732 7629 or email briad@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

'The Prince and the Frog' Campaign for Climate Change

You might have seen news stories about the latest climate change campaign that has been launched globally. It's attracting a lot of attention due to the appearances made by a number of big name celebrities including Prince Charles, Harrison Ford and Robin Williams.

These eco-concious stars are encouraging viewers of the 90 second film to sign up to support the Princes Rainforest Project's Rainforest SOS campaign. Also starring in the film is a very realistic computer generated frog!

The campaign aims to make the link between the destruction of rainforests across the world and the global impacts of climate change. It's alarming to learn just how enormous the impacts of deforestation have the potential to be.

"What happens in the rainforest has an immediate and powerful effect on our lives," explained actor and long-time environmental campaigner Harrison Ford.

"The air we breathe, the clean air that's required, the services that ecosystems provide are beyond value," he added.

"I believe it is our moral responsibility to protect the environment, to save what we can of the planet's resources for future generations and our children." (BBC News Online, 5 May 2009)

Are you FoodWise?

Foodwise is a new campaign that has recently been launched by the group 'Do Something' to draw Australia's attention to the huge amount of food that we waste.

Did you know?

• Australians spend $5 billion a year on food that we buy and then end up throwing away


• Each Australian throws away the equivalent of 145kg of food, adding up to a massive total of 3 billion tonnes every year


• Approximately 20% of the food we buy at the supermarket ends up in our bins

These figures are staggering, particularly when you consider the huge number of people across the world who go to sleep each night without enough food. Perhaps it's time we went back to basics to place a real value on our food and just how precious it really is.

The Foodwise Campaign offers simple and practical tips and ideas to save on food wastage including:

• Write a list before you go shopping and plan to buy only what you need.


• Check the best before and use by dates of products that you buy, and products at home. Make sure you use your older stock up first.


• Avoid processed foods. Often these foods are very energy and water intensive and have usually been shipped long distances, adding to the hidden costs of your food.


• Buy products that are in season and buy locally wherever this is possible.


• Be smart about your cooking and use your leftovers creatively, for example use leftover cooked meat as the basis of a pasta dish or casserole the following night.


• Freeze leftovers for quick meals at a later date.

Visit the Foodwise site for tips, information, resources and, if you submit your own tip before May 15, you can go in the running to win a Tupperware prize pack. What are your tips and suggestions for cutting back on food wastage?

Sustainability Street- April 2009

Click here to view the April edition of Sustainability Street Newsletter!

Stories include:-

- Taps, Toilets & Rainwater Tanks

- Upcoming Street Dates

- One Finger = The Power to Make a Difference

- Tricia's Tips

- Sustainability Streets in Profile- St Clair Holy Spirit Church

- Put a Blanket on Your Home

- The News in Brief

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive a copy of the newsletter automatically please email Carmel Hamilton with your name and contact details and specify whether you would like to recieve it electronically or in the mail.

Sustainability Street- March 2009

The latest edition of the Sustainability Street Newsletter for Penrith is out now. Click here to download your copy.

Read for stories on:-

- Continuing the Sustainability Street Journey

- Upcoming Street Dates

- Top Ten Quick Tips for Saving Energy

- Sustainability Streets in Profile - Wallacia-Mulgoa Rotary Club

- News in Brief

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Businesses Participating in Earth Hour 2009

Westfield Centre Management take a close and active role in dealing with all facets of retailing to ensure customer satisfaction, retailers are trading successfully and the centre is profitable.






Jennyren Gifts is a company that supply a range of gifts and products that are not only practical but affordable and different. They cater for everybody, every occasion and on any budget!

Jenny from Jennyren gifts believes that Earth Hour is important and that people should be a part of it. Earth Hour is fun, it's easy and it's a way of making people aware of the issues effecting our environment and she wants to ensure that her kids, and their kids, and their kids have a future."




WISE Employment is a not-for-profit organisation with a professional, integrated approach to finding the right job for jobseekers and the right staff for employers.

They are participating in Earth Hour because they believe that individuals working together can make a difference.






The Penrith Press offers a complete marketing media solution including in print and on line. Delivered twice weekly to the Penrith Valley and surrounding districts we strive to be the voice of our community and have done for more than 60 years.


Penrith Press participate in their own little Earth Hour every afternoon, having office 'monitors' making sure that all computer screens are turned off and have stickers near light switches reminding staff "if your out, it's off."






@Print Creative Solutions specialise in the production of high quality full colour work for corporate, government, agency and trade clientele. Products include Company Brochures, Leaflets, Booklets, Promotional Mailers, Calendars, Annual Reports, and pretty much anything else required to support an organisation's marketing needs in print.

Aaron understands that Climate Change is becoming a big issue, especially for younger generations and he is keen to participate in events involving the environment as well as learning what he as an individual as well as a business can to to reduce his ecological footprint. And as Aaron stated, "anything that can reduce the electrical bill at the end of the day is a good thing."

Contours Werrington is a women's gym that caters specifically to fitness & weight loss needs of women living and working close to the Werrington area.

Donna from Contours Werrington jumped at the opportunity to participate in Earth Hour as she is always looking for new things her business can participate in.







Pinnacle Taxation Services specialise in providing total financial solutions to Individuals and small to large businesses. Pinnacle is dedicated to providing the best advice to achieve peak financial efficiency.
Jim, from Pinnacle Taxation Services admits that already his offices are quite energy efficent and is participating in Earth Hour because it's something extra and something easy he can do for the environment.




Breakthru Employment Solutions is a not for profit organisation and offer a range of free specialist employment programs to job seekers with disabilities and other disadvantages. As a free service, we also work closely with employers to find the right person for their job vacancies.

The staff from Breakthru Employment regularly turn the lights off when they leave the office, however they admit to leaving the computers on. They see Earth Hour as an opportunity for them to get really involved and switch off all unused electrical appliances.