Graffiti Action Day Tagged A Success

Australia’s first ever Graffiti Action Day was held on Sunday 2nd May 2010, and it was a great success. 237 individual sites were targeted and 4178 m2 of illegal graffiti vandalism was removed.

A range of participants were involved on the day across the state. NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos thanked the volunteers for pitching in on Graffiti Action Day 2010. “Everybody who rolled up their sleeves to help clean up the scourge of graffiti from communities on Graffiti Action Day should be congratulated. Their efforts send a clear message to graffiti vandals that they’ve had enough.” Mr Hatzistergos said.

Graffiti Action Day is a joint initiative between Keep Australia Beautiful NSW and the NSW Government. Details about Graffiti Action Day 2010 are available at http://www.blogger.com/www.kabnsw.org.au Stay tuned for updates about next year’s Graffiti Action Day 2011.To anonymously report graffiti vandalism crime, call the Crime Stoppers hotline 1800 333 000 or visit Crime Stoppers

Free Home Sustainability Assessment with Y Green

Want to make your home more sustainable, but not quite sure where to start? Why not get a free Home Sustainability Assessment done by a pair of fully trained assessors!

The Y Green Western Sydney project is offering households in the Penrith area the opportunity to have assessors visit their home to conduct a Home Sustainability Assessment. The assessors will look at things like lighting, appliances, water fittings, insulation, and the heating and cooling efficiency of your house.

After the assessment, you receive a written report outlining how your house faired, along with some simple suggestions to help save on your energy and water bills. You will also receive information on government rebates for things like water tanks, solar panels and insulation. As an added bonus, residents who participate will also receive a $20 Bunnings gift voucher.

Coordinated by MTC Work Solutions and funded by the Australian Government’s Job Fund, the Y-Green project is a great opportunity for residents to learn more about sustainability and the simple options available to become more sustainable.

If you would like to have a free home sustainability assessment please visit www.ygreen.com.au or call 1300 139 996.

Get on your Bike - Join the Bicycle NSW Commuter Challenge

Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or a Sunday rider, Bicycle NSW has put out the call to join the NSW Commuter Challenge.

The aim of the NSW Commuter Challenge is to reward those who cycle to and from work and for fitness and also to inspire those who are considering cycling as an alternative to their existing forms of transport.

The challenge invites individuals to register and accumulate 500km of cycling. There are great prizes and incentives for taking part and completing the challenge including cycle computers, Bicycle NSW memberships, a range of cycling accessories and free entry to a number of cycling events (including Sydney's largest recreational cycling event - Spring Cycle 2010).

To register simply complete the online registration form. You will be sent a digital logbook in which you can record your rides. Rides of any distance can be included in the logbook. The completed logbook participants will receive a gold medal, certificate of completion and the opportunity to win the prizes on offer.

You can register for the challenge anytime until Friday 26th November 2010. All participants have until Friday 17th December 2010 to complete the challenge.


For more information about the challenge call (02) 9704 0853, email challenge@bicyclensw.org.au or visit the website
http://www.bicyclensw.org.au

Love Food Hate Waste

‘Love Food Hate Waste’ is a new campaign that has just been launched by the NSW Government to provide practical tips and tools to help reduce food waste at home.

We all love our food, but many of us probably don’t realise just how much food is being wasted across NSW. For instance, did you know that in NSW alone, households throw away more than $2.5 billion worth of edible food a year and send an average of 800,000 tonnes of food to landfill.

Not only are we wasting valuable food – and all of the resources that go into producing, packaging and transporting that food - but food sent to landfill produces methane gas. A greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

The good news is that each and every household has the ability to make a difference, and for those of us lucky enough to live in Penrith, the 3 bin system means that we can make an even bigger difference.
In the past six months the amount of recyclable material being diverted from landfill has increased from 20% - 58%.

A-Grade compost, made from the green-lidded organics bin is now being used on the city’s sporting and recreational facilities.

So putting the right things into the right bins is working towards creating a greener future for Penrith.

In terms of reducing food waste, things as simple as planning your meals and your shopping, preparing and cooking the correct serving size, and learning how to best store food, all make a difference.

Loving food is about wasting less every day - saving you time and money, making a difference to our environment and living more sustainably.

For more information about 'Love Food Hate Waste' visit the website www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au

Take Action on Graffiti - 2 May 2010

Take a stand against graffiti vandalism and take part in Graffiti Action Day this Sunday, 2 May 2010.

Keep Australia Beautiful NSW has teamed up with the NSW Government to stage Australia’s first Graffiti Action Day. A day which will see community members from all over the state banning together to reclaim local streets fouled by graffiti.

In our local area, Penrith City Council has partnered with Keep Australia Beautiful to deliver the Day and engage the community in removal of graffiti, raise awareness of good graffiti removal methods, and support non-government and community run facilities in repairing damage caused by graffiti.

A number of sites throughout Penrith have been identified for volunteers to “clean up” on the day, including:

- Claremont Meadow Shopping Centre, Myrtle St
- Great River Walk, Penrith (starting at the Log Cabin)

The day will run from 9am to 1pm. All cleaning materials and equipment will be provided by Keep Australia Beautiful - all you need is your interest and enthusiasm!

To register please contact Council's Public Domain Coordinator, Murray Halls, on either mhalls@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or 4732 8067.

Take charge of your energy costs with a Power-Mate Energy Meter!

Penrith residents can now borrow a Power-Mate energy meter from their local library to help reduce unnecessary energy costs.

Easy to use, the Power-Mate enables households to identify and reduce energy costs by showing people how much their appliances cost to run. By simply connecting the meter between the appliance and power socket, the meter measures the electricity use, greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs of the appliance whilst in use or on standby.

It is estimated that electrical appliances represent approximately 40% of a household's energy use. Many of these appliances are left on ‘standby’ when not in use, wasting electricity and money. Actions as simple as turning appliances off at the switch when not in use can mean savings of up to 10% of household energy bills.

The meters are available for library card holders to borrow from Penrith, St Clair and St Marys Libraries for a 21 day period. The library is free to join for residents within the Penrith local government area, all you need is current identification showing your present address.

For enquiries about loans or about becoming a member of the library please contact Penrith City Library on 4732 7891.

Penrith Locals Support Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour 2010 has rolled across the globe, once again bringing together millions of people around the world in support for action on climate change and sustainability. This year saw a record number of countries taking part, with more than 4,300 cities and towns in 126 countries celebrating the event. Across Australia, over 4,200 businesses, and 1,100 schools and universities registered their participation, with over 44,000 sites pledging "lights out" for Earth Hour. Penrith residents and businesses were also strong in showing their support, with 29 local businesses and schools registering their involvement with Council – a great result!! A huge thankyou and well done to those who supported Earth Hour 2010.

Local Businesses supporting Earth Hour 2010 included;

• Eighth Avenue Marekting


• Nouveau Hair


• York Jewellers

Earth Hour 2010 - Lights off to show you care!

‘Lights out’ for Earth Hour is happening again in 2010 and this year individuals and families can win free solar power by registering!

Earth Hour is an annual event that gives you the opportunity to do something practical about climate change and let the community know that you care by participating in a very visual campaign! It aims to encourage households, schools, organisations and businesses to take the simple steps that are needed to cut our greenhouse gas emissions.

Earth Hour is in its fourth year in Australia and is being supported in 2010 by Penrith City Council. The highlight of the campaign revolves around a designated one hour period on Saturday 27 March when households, businesses, organisations and schools are encouraged to commit to turn their lights off between 8.30-9.30pm. This year Earth Hour also will focus on the broader aspects of sustainability, giving everyone something to do beyond the hour of darkness on Saturday 27 March, with the theme ‘Earth Hour, Every Hour’.

You will be joining many Council facilities that have already signed up, including the Civic Centre, Queen St Centre, Council Depot, Visitors Information Centre, Penrith Memorial Swimming Centre, Ripples Leisure Centre, the Penrith Whitewater Stadium and the St Clair Recreation Centre.
So, on Saturday 27 March, let's all start to make a switch to a sustainable lifestyle and show that together, we are not "just one person" and that collectively we can do it. In 2010, why not make a resolution during the hour of darkness? Anyone can make a change and do something to reduce their environmental impact all year round - from families to big businesses. There are lots of ways to be part of Earth Hour on the night and ways to take more action after Earth Hour.

Take advantage of the dark during Earth Hour and enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner for two, explore your backyard by torchlight, visit a planetarium and look at the stars or head to a park with some neighbours for a picnic by candlelight.

To show your support for Earth Hour simply email krace@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or visit http://www.earthhour.org/ to sign your home up. You can also sign up your business or organisation at the same time. Signing up is absolutely free and can be done right up to the event.

For more information on Earth Hour and how you can save energy around the home visit Penrith City Council’s website http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/ or contact the Sustainability Unit on (02) 4732 8074.

NSW Home Saver Rebates Program Extended

Thanks to the extension of the NSW Home Saver Rebates program, every NSW household is eligible for up to $1,500 worth of rebates to improve the water and energy efficiency of their home.

Under the extension to the program, householders can now receive:
- $150 for the installation of a regulated or on-demand hot water circulator unit
- $200 for new 4 star dual flush toilets to replace single flush
- Up to $1500 for rainwater tanks that are connected to a washing machine and toilet
- $300 to replace an electric hot water system with solar, heat pump and 5-star gas hot water systems
- $150 for a 5-star water efficient washing machine (to 30 June 2010)
- $35 to have a second working fridge taken away

For more details on the rebates available, please visit - www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/

Blue Skies Ahead for Solar

It's happy days for solar supporters and our environment following the commencement of the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme on January 1 2010.

Under the new scheme introduced by the State Government, eligible customers will be paid a feed-in tariff of 60 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for energy generated by small scale solar systems or wind turbines.


Based on the total solar energy produced rather than what you don’t use, the scheme will see an average household paid around $1496 a year. That’s a 62 percent increase on the previous arrangements.

Considering the cost of electricity is normally around 17 to 20 cents kWh, systems installed under the scheme will pay for themselves in a far shorter time, after which they will generate an income for households.

For further details of the Solar Bonus Scheme, please visit
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/energy/sustainable/renewable/solar/solar-scheme