Greening the wharf Greening the wharf Greening the wharfCate and Andrew put Sydney Theatre Company under a green spotlightCate and Andrew put Sydney TheatreCompany under a green spotlight

Includes 8 page GreenHome Volume 39 Number 1 January 2011

Tasmania’s tree change, support

for old growth

5% blue, swelling support for marine

reserves

A drink to our Murray-Darling

Black Saturday two years on

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Tasmania’s tree change, support

for old growth

5% blue, swelling support for marine

reserves

A drink to our Murray-Darling

Black Saturday two years on

Aust

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2 habitat January 2011

small impact, big adventures…

africa

3habitat January 2011

habitat Australia is published by theAustralian Conservation Foundation, authorised by Don Henry CEO.Inc. ABN 22 007 498 482

Melbourne (Head Offi ce)Floor 1, 60 Leicester St, Carlton VIC 3053Ph: 03 9345 1111Freecall 1800 332 510 Fax: 03 9345 1166

SydneySuite 3, Level 7, 222 Pitt StSydney NSW 2000Ph: 02 8270 9900Fax: 02 8270 9988

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www.acfonline.org.auEmail: habitat@acfonline.org.auACF membership: membership@acfonline.org.au

PresidentProfessor Ian Lowe

Chief Executive Offi cerDon Henry

EditorTabatha Fulker

AdvertisingStavro Dascarelloshabitatads@acfonline.org.au

Pang & Haig Designwww.panghaig.com

ISSN 0310-2939

CopyrightReproduction in whole or in part may only occur with the written permission of the editor. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily views of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

habitat is printed on FSC certifi ed paper.

5 A change of habitat

6 Tasmania’s tree change photo gallery

8 Big blue groundswell to protect more than 5% of our ocean

10 Green School life lessons inspire the best lessons

22 A drink to our Murray-Darling the year ahead for our river

24 Black Saturday two years on

28 Campaign updates

26 Ask the Economist solar versus GreenPower

21 Eco travel penguin parade at Phillip Island

12 Eco shopper bag yourself a bargain

4 Letters to the editor

4 Letter from the CEO

13 Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton making a play

to cut climate change

15 GreenHome sustainable living joins habitat

16 Apartment living take to the sky and cut your eco footprint

17 Love and how to meet your greenie

18 GreenGarden

19 House design for the future

20 You said it we quote you

Contents Volume 39 Number 1 January 2011

PHOTO: Lisa Tomasetti

6 10 13111133313

4 habitat January 2011

WIN: The fi rst fi ve people

to write to us why they love

their new look habitat will

receive a double pass to your

choice of fi lm at Moonlight

Cinema (Moonlight booking

conditions apply). Simply

email your letter to the editor

to habitat@acfonline.org.au

and include your name

and address.

Election scorecardSo ACF, what is your take on the Victorian election result?

The Greens might have done well on their primary vote, but Ted

Baillieu is in power now, so how will this effect Victoria’s green

projects (big solar up at Mildura, installation of wind farms, the

solar feed in terrif, biodiversity programs, greenhouse reduction

targets, protection of state forests, that sort of thing)?

I’d love to hear ACF’s view on it all and what to expect.

Keep up your great work ACF.

Cheers,

Rishi VinerTorquay, VIC

Think big, use lessTo all you people constantly whingeing and moaning about the

cost of petrol, electricity and water, here’s a revolutionary idea:

TRY USING LESS.

Sincerely,

Matt HarrisNorth Melbourne, VIC

Say no to palm oilI want to say that I think we really need to stop letting people

carelessly and illegally log and burn down all the natural

rainforests in the world. We don’t need palm plantations to live

happily. I think we all know that in our hearts we would be much,

much happier about our lives if things like this were stopped once

and for all.

Do we want the next generations to grow up thinking a really

wild and magical animal is a cow when we thought it was an

elephant or an orangutan?

I certainly don’t, and I would do anything to prevent that from

happening.

Romi FosterTasmania

Dear ACF Supporter,

2010 was a busy year

for ACF and as we look

forward to the year ahead

our commitment to hard

work across all our campaign

areas and building upon the

achievements we have made

grows only stronger. Let’s look

across our campaigns and at

what 2011 holds for preserving

our environment.

We have made encouraging

progress in achieving

protection of Tasmania’s old growth forests. ACF has undertaken

important partnership work with the Trade Union movement to

highlight job opportunities if we move to a cleaner economy by

cutting greenhouse pollution. This has enabled a serious discussion

about the future of forestry and conservation in Tasmania.

Our forestry campaigner and I have been involved in talks with

key environment union and industry players and we delivered

a Statement of Principles to Federal Parliament to rapidly end

logging in Tasmania’s high conservation forests and a move to a

new industry based on plantation forestry. 2011 will be a decisive

year for Tasmania’s forests.

ACF has worked hard on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and

our commitment to return the Murray-Darling River system to

health. We have been pleased that there is bipartisan support to

return the river to health, however, since the release of the plan

tension over the allocation of water from the Murray-Darling

has spilled over. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the

balance right and we’re rolling up our sleeves for tough, hard yards

on this issue over the next 12 months.

We are directing our attention towards our great seas and the

Federal Government’s marine planning process. We are advocating

for marine sanctuaries to be placed in each marine reserve network

to minimise risks to ocean life, fi sh stocks and ecosystems. The

south-west plan is expected very soon and we will enlist your

support to protect our marine life.

ACF’s Northern Australian efforts have focused on working with

Indigenous people to help them protect high conservation value

areas. In many cases this has also involved the return of lands to

Traditional Owners – a matter of great cultural signifi cance to them

and a basis for nature, social, and economic regeneration. ACF’s

crucial work in this area is ongoing in Cape York, the Kimberley, and

Kakadu and is as urgent and important as ever.

I’m very pleased to report to you the work of the Al Gore

trained Climate Presenters throughout Australia. The Government

has been pushed to act on climate change and The Climate Project

has been a key driver of this.

I look forward to keeping you in touch with these and other

environmental matters, and as always, sincerely thank you for

your wonderful support of ACF and hope that you feel some

satisfaction with what we are able to achieve together in the face of

great challenges.

With kind regards,

Don Henry, CEO Australian Conservation Foundation

Letters to the editor Letter from the CEO

5habitat January 2011

Welcome to your new look habitat. But this is not just a

design makeover for an old friend. habitat is transitioning

to refl ect ACF’s challenge to society to change.

Since its beginnings in the mid-1960s, ACF has worked with

governments, communities and industry groups to achieve many

signifi cant reforms for our environment.

ACF has worked hard to infl uence policy makers on behalf of

all Australians and we will continue to represent your aspirations

for a sustainable, responsible society.

But while we’ve been fi ghting for big scope changes people

all over Australia have been asking us “what can we do to make

a difference?”

Giving thought to what habitat should deliver in 2011, we

refl ected on our mission to inspire people to support change

in favour of our environment. The thing is: organisations don’t

inspire, people do.

So, in habitat in 2011, while we will continue to share news and

information about ACF campaigns as well as the latest research

and science we will also be shining a light on the fantastic things

that our supporters are doing in their every day lives.

This month we are launching a regular GreenHome supplement

with loads of stories and sustainable living ideas. We want habitat to be a forum for information exchange where we share our

experience and you share yours. What’s more, habitat will now be

issued six times a year.

Welcome to the new habitat, with stories of what people like

you are doing day in and day out. They inspire us, we hope they

inspire you too.

A change of habitat

…organisations don’t inspire, people do.“ h

For investors, society and the environment.

Karen McLeod is an Authorised Representative of Ethical Investment Advisers Pty Ltd (AFSL 276544).

Ethical Investment Advisers (AFSL 276544) has been certified by RIAA according to the strict disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program. See www.responsibleinvestment.org for details.

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…while we’ve been fi ghting for big scope changes people all over Australia have been asking us “what can we do to make a difference?”

”

6 habitat January 2011

Tasmania’s tree change

Photo gallery

7habitat January 2011

On the cusp of a landmark decision to protect Tasmania’s native forests photographer Rob Blakers reminds us of why we care so much.

In early 2010 talks commenced

between environment groups, forestry

unions, timber communities and industry

representatives to seek a solution to the

confl ict over forestry in Tasmania.

ACF’s Chief Executive Offi cer Don Henry

and our Forests Campaigner Lindsay Hesketh

were involved in the six months of discussions

that followed, negotiating a Statement of

Principles to lead to unifi ed agreement.

The outcomes included agreement

to rapidly end logging in Tasmania’s high

conservation value public native forests

and transition wood production from

native forests to a new industry based on

plantation forestry.

The Statement of Principles was handed

to Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett who

then sought support from Prime Minister

Julia Gillard. ACF and the other signatories

subsequently presented the Statement of

Principles to four Federal Government

Ministers in Parliament and have since been

involved in discussions aimed at delivery

and maximising the future outcome.

The campaign to protect Tassie’s forests

has been hard fought by many Australian’s

and will continue to be one of ACF’s major

focuses. It would not have been possible

without fi nancial security that our regular

donors give to ACF.

This campaign is a wonderful example of

how long it can take to reach an agreement

and how important it is to be able to see the

campaign through to the end.

To all our regular givers, thank you for

your support, and if you are not already a

regular giver please consider becoming one by

visiting www.acfonline.org.au/earthvoice

Now let’s take this opportunity to pause

and take in the view of these beautiful trees.

For updates visit www.acfonline.org.au

Clockwise from far left:

The Styx Valley is a pristine wilderness in south western Tasmania. It is home to the tallest hardwood trees in the world, averaging over 80 metres.

The majestic Upper Florentine Valley.

Styx Valley forest with views of Mt Anne.

Extending the boundary of Ben Lomond National Park will protect rainforest and mixed old growtheucalypt forest.

www.robblakers.com h

8 habitat January 2011

QWhat’s big and blue and deep and shallow at the

same time?

A: A blue whale who thinks a lot but only of itself!

Jokes aside, big, blue, deep and shallow also describe

the south-west marine region between Kangaroo Island in South

Australia and Geraldton in Western Australia.

The south-west is a big area of more than one million square

kilometres, with ocean life that is unique, diverse and largely

found nowhere else.

It is one of four marine regions for which the Federal

Government is currently preparing marine plans.

Iconic areas abound, from the shallow waters of the Houtman-

Abrolhos Islands and Recherche Archipelago to the mysterious

depths of the Perth Canyon, Diamantina Fracture Zone and

Naturaliste Plateau.

Linking these icons is the Leeuwin Current, its warm tropical

waters fl owing 5000 kilometres from the Timor Sea to the west

coast of Tasmania. Tuna, turtles, whales and other migratory

species use it as an ocean highway.

The Houtman-Abrolhos Islands near Geraldton are a major

transit hub. These islands, reefs and lagoons support a globally

signifi cant mix of tropical and temperate ocean life and the Indian

Ocean’s most southerly tropical corals.

Further south, and only a few kilometres off the Perth coast, is

our largest submarine canyon and one of only three blue whale

feeding areas in Australia. Water moving up the slopes of the Perth

carries krill and plankton to the surface, which attracts whales.

Waters deepen further in the south-west corner off Western

Australia. The Naturaliste Plateau is our deepest submerged

plateau, while the Diamantina Fracture Zone is the deepest water

anywhere in Australia’s oceans. Scientists believe that these

isolated places are likely to support unique ocean life.

Turning east the Leeuwin Current passes through the Recherche

Archipelago, an important breeding area for shearwaters, terns,

Big blue groundswell

Campaigns

PHOTO: marinethemes.com/Tony WuCurrently less than 5% of Australian waters are highly protected. ACF’s Healthy Ocean’s Campaigner Chris Smyth looks at the swell of support to protect more.

9habitat January 2011

Choosing sustainable seafood can be tough. To take the

guesswork out ACF and the University of Technology Sydney

have developed the Sustainable Australian Seafood Assessment

Program.

Early in 2010 we announced fi ve seafood products assessed as

sustainable by the program’s Science Reference Panel.

They include:

• Red emperor from the Pilbara trap fi shery

• Farmed barramundi from Cone Bay near Derby

• Spencer Gulf king prawns

• Coorong Yelloweye mullet

• Hawkesbury River squid

Our attention has now turned to Victoria after receiving

funding from the Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation to conduct

a sustainable seafood assessment project there.

A team of researchers is compiling the initial data for each

seafood product to be assessed. In February the Science Reference

Panel will meet to review the data and conduct sustainability

assessments. These preliminary assessments will then be sent out

for peer review, followed by input from the fi shers and fi sheries

managers of the assessed products.

This will be the fi rst time that an independent third-

party assessment of Victoria’s seafood products has been

conducted. The project’s key outcomes will include the reward,

encouragement, promotion and guidance of the efforts of the

seafood industry to enhance the sustainability of Victorian seafood

products.

So the next time you look for sustainable seafood choices, let us

help you.

www.acfonline.org.au/seafood

Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals.

Krill, squid, toothed whales, Australian sea lions, sharks and

seabirds are attracted to upwelling in the Kangaroo Island Pool

off South Australia, and it is a spawning ground for giant crab,

southern rock lobster and gummy shark.

With its remarkable ocean life you would expect the south-west

region to have been given protection long ago. Not so. Less than

one per cent is protected.

That needs to change and it can.

This year the Federal Government will be making the most

important nature conservation decision in Australian history.

Through its regional marine planning process it will establish a

national network of marine reserves in Commonwealth waters, an

unprecedented opportunity for it to give our oceans the protection

they need.

Over the course of the year the government will release marine

plans for the south-west, the north-west, north and east marine

regions. The fi rst, in the south-west, is expected any day now.

Of critical importance to the future of life in the south-west and

the rest of Australia’s oceans will be quality of the marine reserve

network proposed in each plan.

ACF and a number of environment groups are advocating

that the reserve network in each region contain large marine

sanctuaries – areas that are free of fi shing, offshore petroleum and

other extractive activities.

Scientists from the University of Queensland’s Ecology Centre

recently released Australia’s fi rst, science-based blueprint for

managing our oceans that would safeguard marine life and

protect economic and social interests as well.

The blueprint focused on the south-west and found that

50 per cent of the region will need protection in a network of

marine sanctuaries to minimise risks to ocean life, fi sh stocks and

ecosystems. This could be achieved while also allowing economic

and social activities to continue.

To get the best outcome for ocean life in the Federal

Government’s marine plans we will need your support. As soon

as we know the details of the south-west plan we will be making

contact to enlist your help.

Oh, and just to set the record straight, blue whales are big, blue

and deep thinkers but are not shallow. They are truly blessed with

a social conscience.

Good seafood choices

To support our campaign for the creation of a large network of marine sanctuaries in Australian waters, visit acfonline.org.au/marine

h

10 habitat January 2011

Green School in Bali, Indonesia, is the brainchild of Canadian

John Hardy, who settled in Bali in 1975. Established in 2008,

Green School aims to give its students ‘a relevant, holistic

and green education’ in the lush tropical environment of

this island paradise.

One of the things that inspired John to found the school was Al

Gore’s milestone documentary An Inconvenient Truth. ACF hosts the Asia Pacifi c branch of Al Gore’s The Climate

Project (TCP), and trains TCP presenters. John has not trained as a

presenter, but took action based on watching the fi lm.

John shared his passion for green education with Habitat. “I was living quite a convenient life and I really didn’t want to

see An Inconvenient Truth. My darling wife dragged me along and

it was defi nitely hard to watch.

“I have four children and I’ve had a pretty luxe life, like the rest

of the society; burning off everything we could burn off, selling off

the rest. Where is the thought for the children if even part of what

Mr Gore represented is true? What if the climate is ruined? It’s one

thing being out of oil and it’s another thing being out of climate.

“When we built Green School, we didn’t try to ‘green’ things,

we just looked at what we saw and decided whether we needed it

or not. For instance, instead of using cement, we made sidewalks

out of ground-up volcanic stones and gravel and roads out of lava

stone from the local volcano. We also saw that this land is a garden

– and had probably been for thousands of years – so let’s just keep

it a garden. We drop in the structures as carefully as possible,

without interrupting the vegetation.

“We tried to keep our cement use small; we basically practice

using it underground. Above ground we use bamboo and thatch

and other things that were either recyclable or sustainably

produced. And we made compost toilets.

“We did our best to make things beautiful; I mean, how

happy is anyone in a prison? Are prisons designed to be ugly as

a punishment to the prisoners? Because the same people that

design prisons designs our schools, and how could anyone be

inspired in a cement block box, fi lled with this pestle tiles and

fl uorescent lights?

“The students are learning a relatively conventional curriculum

but in the presence of beauty and organic vegetables and a green

life, while learning how to plant, harvest and cook rice.

“The Balinese were living in a completely sustainable life for

the last few thousand years. It’s only our western revolution that

A thing of beauty is a Green SchoolSimple steps have led to inspiration in education Jodie Davis discovers.

Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.Native American saying

Instead of an administration block there is the Heart of School.John Hardy, founder of Green School.

11habitat January 2011

Tickets and information

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Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinema is a proud partner of the Australian Conservation Foundation. ACF members are entitled to purchase Moonlight tickets at the concession price throughout Moonlight’s 10/11 season. Present this voucher at the Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinema box office to buy your discounted tickets.

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changed things and really screwed up the whole system with big

water, big chemicals and big pesticides. Certainly most Balinese

people would rather go to the supermarket and show off on their

fancy motorcycle than go to the fi eld and pick something. But,

slowly, they’re getting it.

“We have young gardeners here doing our bio-intensive

agriculture. They’re actually street kids, eaten up by the machine

we created and spat out and now they’re learning to grow organic

vegetables at the learning farm.”

Since day one the school has continued to increase its physical

size and student body.

“People are coming to Green School from all over the world

and next term we hope to get them to plant enough bamboo to

neutralise their travelling footprint. Parents, for the most part, are

not happy sitting back watching the same old system being forced

on their children, so when they see something different and alive

they will travel great distances to be there.

“People are coming to help mastermind how we can build 20,

50, 100 of these incredible schools around the world. The same

old education model really didn’t work for our grandparents and

didn’t make our parents happy, so isn’t it time to give our children

and our grandchildren a chance?”

Learning Best green practices in NSW schoolsFor 32 years NSW-based Andrew Best has been educating: school children mostly but, more recently, citizens of all ages, as a presenter for ACF’s Climate Project – Australia.

“I was in the pilot of The Climate Project in 2006; I’d seen An Inconvenient Truth two weeks beforehand,” says Andrew.

“My ‘A-ha!’ moment came in 1995, when I visited the Athabasca glacier in Canada and saw how much it had retreated since I was born. That’s when I realised there’s something to this global warming.

“As principal of St Helens Park Public School in 1996 I started by planting a wildlife corridor for the endangered Regent Honey Eater. I then progressed to developing an outdoor ‘Learnscape’, and was invited to be involved in the pilot of the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI). After running a successful pilot program I was invited to represent NSW on a national planning forum for AuSSI. I also chair a local network, Macarthur Sustainable Schools Network. We have run a Sustainable Schools Expo each year in September since 2005.

“In 2006 I moved to Leumeah Public School and started the journey as a sustainable school there. We became involved in a program to develop curriculum material on climate change and worked with two other primary schools and our local high school to develop a program called ‘Cool in Campbelltown’. This program led to the development of curriculum materials for children in Years 5–8.

“Two years later I was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study ‘The impact of environmental education in engaging children, particularly Indigenous students, in the learning process’. The study took me to the UK and the USA.

“In 2009 I moved to Harrington Park Public School, which is where I am now. Here, we have established a ‘Learnscape’ and run a program called HEAT (Harrington Park Environmental Action Team). This year we joined a pilot of the Clever Climate Energy Savers Program and developed a series of posters, which are about

to be printed for use around the school.”

www.acfonline.org.au/climateproject h

12 habitat January 2011

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Eco shopper Putting thought into what we buy

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Bagging some ethical bargains

h

13habitat January 2011GreenHome

TOP: Andrew Upton, Dr Zhengrong Shi,

Mrs Vivienne Shi, Cate Blanchett

PHOTO: Sue Murray Imagine It © 2010

Upon entering a conversation with

Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton,

three things become clear: they are

passionate because they care, intelligence

rules and in harmony and enthusiasm they

fi nish one another’s sentences.

I spoke with the Oscar winner and the

playwright, co-artistic directors of Sydney

Theatre Company (STC) about their Greening

the Wharf project. What began as a plan to

retrofi t one of Sydney’s heritage arts buildings

into a beacon of sustainable design has grown

into a hotbed of action on climate change.

“It was one of the fi rst initiatives we outlined

to the Board that we wanted to achieve,” says

Andrew. “It was easier than programming!

I don’t want to sound glib, but it really was.”

“We have had an incredible amount of

support,” Cate enthuses. “The Shi Foundation,

the University of New South Wales and

in-kind support. It is the direct and simple

action that inspires evolving engagement.

Like the things ACF encourages in its own

space and culture. People become engaged

when they can participate.”

It’s a philosophy based on personal

experience for the couple. In 2006, Cate and

Andrew trained under Al Gore in The Climate

Project Australia (TCP), hosted by ACF. TCP

presenters commit to deliver an updated

version of the slide show featured in the

Academy Award-winning documentary An

Inconvenient Truth, but more than that, it’s a

personal commitment to participate in

action against climate change.

“I am in awe of The Climate Project

program and the individual growth it inspires,”

says Cate. “It is driving us to face what we

forests crash down under the axe, billions of trees are dying, the habitations of animals and birds are layed waste, rivers grow shallow and dry up, marvelous landscapes are disappearing forever.... Man is endowed with creativity in order to multiply that which has been given himAstrov, Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov

”

Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton:Making a real play to cut climate changeCate Blanchett and Andrew Upton:Making a real play to cut climate changeCate Blanchett and Andrew Upton:Making a real play to cut climate change

Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton turned a green spotlight onto Sydney’s

premier arts precinct with their Greening the Wharf project. They spoke with

Tabatha Fulker on why they dare to care.

sustainability environment community

14 habitat January 2011 GreenHome

‘I’m a graphic designer for an ethical organisation, so it makes sense for the money I earn to be invested ethically too!’

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“ACF as an organisation inspire and

practice simultaneously to speak to huge

changes and the minutiae of changes. There

is a vacuum and ACF knows it is important

to make people support and build on the

groundswell and drive the changes in policy.

I, for one, feel desperate about Australia’s lack

of progress on climate change.”

It’s action that speaks loudest and

STC’s Greening the Wharf project is talking

sustainable change to a global audience. Cate

and Andrew have greened their home, their

work and the arts. Andrew gives context to

their life choices.

“You can make change and still engage in

the life you lead,” he says.

“You can make massive change and

make steps to create what comes next,”

Cate fi nishes.

fear most. Naysayer be the loudest, they are

about to lose the fi ght.”

“Yes, it’s making people aware of the issues

in a profound way,” says Andrew. “It presents

an ongoing, existing challenge.”

On November 26 the switch was turned

on to the second largest capacity roof-top

solar energy system in Australia, allowing not

only STC but fellow wharfi es Sydney Dance

Company and Bangarra Dance Theatre to

derive up to 70 per cent of their power from

renewable sources.

The project also aims to provide 100 per

cent of non-potable water required for use on

the wharf via a rainwater harvesting system.

However, new technologies are just one aspect

of rollout. ACF’s GreenHome program has

conducted workshops with tenants housed on

at the wharf to work at minimising current levels

of energy and water use through behavioural

change. An interactive kiosk in the foyer at STC

offers theatre goers similar practical advice.

“When we undertook the project, we

developed a series of green parameters for

STC, similar to an artistic carbon trading

program,” Andrew explains.

“It looks at material used in the theatre and

balances out their environmental impact. It’s

a methodical process and it has been well

received. James Mackay, our head of set

construction, toured theatre groups across

the States and Europe, and it helped build a

strategy for him to bring into the workshop

to minismise environmental impacts in set

construction. Lighting has been re-rigged so

it’s much less power hungry. We’ve created an

experimental space which has led to a change

and shift to how we do things.”

“Others benefi t from the solar panels and

the water reticulation system,” Cate continues.

“When we initially started talking about

it, people said ‘we make plays, what does

climate change have to do with art?’ Their

attitude has changed. People now connect

the faces of climate change with action and

understand its connection with arts.”

They view arts as a measuring stick for

social commitment to change. Life infl uences

arts, arts inspires the beautiful action.

“It has a knock on effect and changes the

way we view aesthetics,” says Cate.

“The role of arts is to not to educate, but to

inspire. There is naturally some overlap, take

Uncle Vanya (STC’s production of Uncle Vanya

ended January 1). One of the characters,

Astrov, he talks a lot about the historical

destruction of forests, but it is coincidental…”

“We are giving context for the audience

who see it. We don’t want to squash thematic

or undertake social engineering - that would

not be the best cultural outcome. But we do

want to impact the way people see theatre,”

Andrew explains.

“Climate change is a large challenge and it

needs leadership,” says Cate.

PHOTO: Grant Sparkes-Carroll © 2010

Continued from overleaf

15habitat January 2011GreenHome

Change corporate behaviourSharemarket returnLow fees

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Engaging for change

GreenHome is a way of life. Our goal

has always been to encourage individuals

to make change in their own lives and show

that all our efforts towards sustainability are

important.

GreenHome recently delivered its fi nal

workshops funded by the Department of

Climate Change and Water NSW, and the

Department of Sustainability and Environment

Victoria, however, we know that by engaging

directly with people, and taking the time to

listen as well as educate, we’ve encouraged

an extraordinary appetite and capacity for

change that lives beyond workshops.

Evidence shows our program has led to

signifi cant savings in water and energy, and a

reduction in waste. That has always been our

aim and we’re proud to have achieved it.

Some of our other achievements are less

obvious but still incredibly valuable.

We proved it’s possible to work with a

diverse range of people to achieve real and

lasting change.

By working with people in their own

communities, we not only supported them to

make individual change but we also increased

their social connections and confi dence to

contribute to change as part of a group.

Our program has always focused on

four themes; environmental awareness

and sustainability; building local expertise;

connecting communities; and encouraging

participants to infl uence others.

Over 5000 people have attended our

workshops and now believe that the changes

they make in their own homes do really impact

on the long-term health of our environment.

And we’ve helped many small, local

community and environment groups to

increase their membership.

GreenHome would like to congratulate

the councils, sustainability groups,

parents, gardeners, leaders, football clubs,

primary schools, participants and staff for

courageously and collaboratively working to

build a more sustainable Australia.

GreenHome offers an important resource

for living more sustainably in our homes,

workplaces and communities. We are

delighted to offer habitat readers 8 pages of

GreenHome news, products, tips, events and

member profi les in every issue.

We look forward to sharing GreenHome

with you through the pages of habitat and at

www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome

GreenHome continues to grow in HabitatInspiring change begins at home and in our communities. GreenHome Program

Mangager Sarah Johnson has been delighted to watch it happen fi rst hand.

PHOTO: Julian Pang

16 habitat January 2011 GreenHome

As Australia becomes increasingly

urbanised, our capital cities’ populations

are expected to grow by an average

of 47 per cent by 2031, according to the

Australian Sustainable Built Environment

Council Cities Report 2010.

Residents in apartment buildings may

deliver a smaller eco-footprint than their

house-dwelling counterparts but the fact is

apartment buildings face plenty of their own

sustainability challenges.

Common property is one. Almost half

the energy consumed in some apartment

buildings is used in common areas and

facilities such as corridors, car parks and

hot water systems. Around 30 per cent of

water use across capital cities comes from

apartment buildings, and most do not have

composting facilities that would greatly

assist residents to reduce landfi ll waste.

Passionate environmentalist and

apartment-dweller Christine Byrne recently

launched a wiki designed to provide simple

and effective advice to people wishing to

make sustainable changes to apartment

buildings: www.greenstrata.com.au

For apartment-dwellers struggling to

convince their body corporate to implement

environmentally sustainable building practices,

or just don’t know where to start, there

are solutions.

Get your facts straight Find out how decisions concerning your

building are made and what your rights are

at www.greenstrata.com.au/category/

strata-101

Love thy neighbour Foster a greater sense of community by

getting to know your body corporate and the

other tenants. These are the people who make

decisions about ‘greening’ the building www.

greenstrata.com.au/category/community

Know your impact Undertake an audit of common property energy

and water use – by yourself or with a third-par-

ty. The audit will determine wasteful practices

and identify costs.

Money talksBody Corporate is responsible for energy

and water-use costs, so when you know

what these are, you can then present the

Body Corporate with cost-saving strategies

and suggestions for sustainable changes.

Consider backing up these strategies with

case studies of apartment buildings that have

successfully reduced their eco-footprint.

www.greenstrata.com.au/case-studies

Identify the solutions Check out Christine’s wiki for a

comprehensive guide to effecting sustainable

changes in apartment buildings at

www.greenstrata.com.au

Take to the sky and live sustainablyChoose a high rise and lower your eco-footprint.

Sara McMillan tells us how.

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17habitat January 2011GreenHome

Forget marriage and children, we’ve got

to meet each other fi rst! To that end,

here is our green guide to fi nding (and

sustaining) love.

We spoke to Suzie Brown, founder of

Good People Out There and former manager

of our GreenHome program. Good People Out

There hosts singles events for people who are

looking for love and are passionate about the

environment, social issues, their community

and spirituality.

The group started because of a very basic

need: “Single friends were telling me about the

diffi culty they found in meeting others with the

same values,” Suzie said.

“Even with the assistance of the internet

and speed dating, people had to sift through

hundreds of potential partners before they

came across someone who felt the same way

about the things that were important to them.

So we organised a dinner party fundraiser for

an environmental charity and invited our single

friends and networks and it’s just grown

from there.”

So, you meet someone and pluck up the

courage to ask them out. According to Suzie

properly planning your date can be the make

or break of fi nding love.

“How you plan the date reveals a lot about

who you are as a person. From the venue you

choose to the transport you take to meet up, it

all tells your potential partner a lot about your

values. So if you’re honest about yourself and

you let that guide your actions, someone with

similar values will appreciate that.”

Dinner date or action adventure?If it’s dinner you desire choose one of the

growing number of restaurants and cafes

specialising in sustainable produce, including

locally grown produce, indigenous foods,

vegetarian options and organic.

Of course, dates don’t have to be over

dinner. If you share similar values you’ll

probably get excited about the same things.

Invite your date to a community event or

festival, suggest a walk, or head to a beach or

national park.

Also, don’t be afraid to suggest taking

public transport together, walking or cycling to

meet up. And if things go really well send us

an email invitation to your own green wedding!

Email goodpeopleoutthere@gmail.com

for upcoming events.

Red hot green love

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Single friends were telling me about the diffi culty they found in meeting others with the same values.

”

GreenEventsFebruary

World Wetlands Day

Feb 2

The international theme for World Wetlands

is Forested Wetlands: their importance and

wise use www.wetlandcare.com.au

Sustainable Living Festival, Melbourne

Feb 12-27

Be a part of Australia’s largest sustainability

event www.festival.slf.org.au

ACF Member Night

Feb 15

The fi rst of our 2011 series of Member

Nights looking at campaigns and discussion

on the year ahead. 6.30pm at 60L Green

Building,

60 Leicester St, Carlton, Victoria. RSVP or

information call 1800 223 669.

David Suzuki movie

Feb 20

ACF promotion night at Moonlight Cinema

Melbourne www.moonlight.com.au

March

Clean Up Australia Day

March 6

Join the hundreds of thousands of

volunteers who take to their streets with

white and yellow bags and clean up their

local community. Create or join a Clean-up

site at www.cleanup.org.au

GreenHome Q&A Café in

Lane Cove, NSW

March 13

GreenHome Q&A Café in Lane Cove. All

Lane Cove residents, 2065, 2066 and

nearby postcodes are invited to attend a

FREE opportunity to ask experts about

sustainability issues. It’s at Lane Cove

Library Meeting Room, Longueville Rd, Lane

Cove, 10.30 to 1.30pm. Register at www.

acfonline.org.au/LaneCoveQA

18 habitat January 2011 GreenHome

Why spend money on free range,

organic eggs when you can keep your

own chooks at home? That said, keeping

chickens in an apartment may present a

few problems but for anyone with a garden,

they’re a wonderful addition to an eco-friendly

household.

Think of the nutritious, delicious, fresh, free

range eggs you could have at your fi ngertips

– not to mention the endless supply of chook

manure, which is an excellent garden fertiliser.

Happy chooks equal healthy eggs.

Research suggests that backyard eggs,

compared to factory farm eggs, have 25 per

cent more Vitamin E, a third more Vitamin

A, 75 per cent more beta carotene and,

signifi cantly, more Omega 3 fatty acids.

Clucking good eggsThe Diggers Club is a great source of gardening

advice and one of their sweetest pieces of

advice for the home gardener is to grow

strawberries. Why strawberries? Because

growing you own means sweeter and pesticide-

free fruit.

Eating blemish-free supermarket

strawberries comes at a price to our health.

According to the Environmental Working Group,

strawberries are third highest in pesticide

residues out of 50 popular fruits and

vegetables ranked.

The good news is that home-grown

strawberries are easy to grow. They thrive

in pots, hanging baskets or in the ground

amongst other vegetables.

When purchasing plants, select ‘runners’ in

winter and potted plants in spring. Use quality

potting mix if growing in pots, or compost-rich

garden soil if growing in the ground. Feed with

organic preparations of seaweed solution or fi sh

emulsion to aid establishment and fruiting.

If planting in the garden, ensure good

drainage by mounding soil or by planting in

raised beds. Each plant needs an area of

around 30cm. Plant in sheltered warm locations

that receives full sun and keep well watered

throughout the active growing period. Protect

young plants from frost.

Heritage varieties like Chandler produce fruit

in late spring to summer but newer varieties,

called ‘day neutral’ plants, fruit from spring well

into autumn. It is best to plant a combination of

both. Plants will fruit best in their second year of

establishment and will need replanting with new

runners after their second to third year. Protect

fruit from slugs and snails by using beer traps or

copper wire tape.

Then sit back and enjoy plenty of juicy,

sweet, chemical-free fruit.

www.diggers.com.au

Sweet, plump strawberries

Garden briefsGet your school involved in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.Additional government investment of

$1.1 million will provide funding for 14

Victorian schools to participate in the ‘Go

for your life’ Kitchen Garden Project and see

thousands more children growing, cooking

and eating their own food at school.

Grants of up to $62,500 per school will

contribute to the costs of building a kitchen

and a garden, and employing specialist staff.

Visit the Kitchen Garden Foundation

website for more information:

www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

If you have kids, or have friends and family

with kids who regularly visit, chooks make

great pets, teaching young people about

responsibility, the origin of food and the

connection between nature and living things.

Getting startedVisit your local library and borrow a book on

chicken breeds – if they don’t stock any, ask

them to order one. There are many varieties of

chooks, including rare and heritage varieties

and it’s important to know that these breeds

differ markedly in temperament (ranging from

placid to downright aggressive!) and the

average number of eggs they produce.

Become familiar with chook runs and how

they will fi t in with the rest of your garden –

including orienting the run to provide shade

in summer. Also, check your local council’s

regulations regarding domestic chickens.

Caring for your chooksPens must be cleaned regularly to avoid lice

infestations. Essential to a chook’s wellbeing

is a daily supply of fresh food and cool, clean

drinking water (rainwater where possible as

a chook’s immune system can be affected

by fl uoride and chlorine). Recommended

food includes grains, minerals and shell grit,

supplemented with unspoiled greens and

kitchen scraps.

Let your chooks out of their enclosure

for at least an hour a day to scratch around

pecking at living greens and unwanted insects.

What are you waiting for? Start researching

the new addition to your family and the best

source of happy, healthy eggs.

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Eat home grown free range organic

19habitat January 2011GreenHome

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Build a home that grows with your lifeSustainable design

Most of us have some sense of how we

want our homes to serve us, but we

need to consider how long we want it

to suit our purposes.

Deciding on long term goals for your home

enables you to explore and articulate what you

value and this will guide the design of a house

that truly serves your needs.

This is the story of Jim Westphal and his

family, who did just that...

“Five years ago my wife and I began a

process intended to provide us a home that

would serve us, as we moved into ‘retirement’,

for at least the next 20 years.

Before we went house-hunting we knew

our home had to be friendly to our family; our

continued personal growth and availability to

others; our growing old; the environment; and

our living sustainably, especially as we aged.

It didn’t take us long to realise that such a

home that we could afford was unlikely to be

found and, in all probability, it had not yet

been built.

So we set out to fi nd a block of land and

design and build a home to serve our needs.

Our home for the next 20 years would need

to honour, respect and serve these values.

Our priorities were about ‘function’ rather than

‘form’ – so our house would be something

designed from the inside outwards.

So how did the things we value shape our

new home?

Our family. We value and invest time in

our relationships with each other and our fi ve

adult children, their spouses, and our (so far)

six grandchildren. Our home needed to be a

welcoming, gathering place where all of us

could easily come together, to celebrate and

to enjoy being family.

Our personal growth and availability

for others. My wife and I both value learning

and offering our respective specialised helping

skills to others. It would need to provide for

each of us a study/work/consulting space.

And one of these spaces needed to be

accessible to visitors without their needing to

intrude into our living space.

Our desire to grow old together,

remaining able to live under our own roof.

It would be a minimal maintenance home. We

took advice from our occupational therapist

daughter regarding what would make this a

suitable home for the aging; especially should

one of us ever need to use a wheelchair.

It would also be within walking distance of

the station and the shops, to encourage our

walking and our use of public transport.

Our environment. All the rooms we spent

daylight hours in would be warmed by the

winter sun and yet, in summer, would be just

as liveable without air-conditioning. Low-

maintenance, drought-tolerant landscaping

would include the beauty of shrubs and

fl owers that would invite native birds and

speak of the changing seasons.

Living sustainably. Our desire is to

live more lightly on this planet. Our home

would therefore seek to minimise our use of

non-renewable energy and potable water.

In attending to this, our hope was that the

choices we made would serve to minimise

our new home’s 20-year cost.

So far the values-driven design has

delighted us. It is, however, still early days to

know how well it will serve our growing old

together. But if growing old is about living

a fulfi lling life, the house is already serving

us well.”

Jim Westphal in his sustainable home

20 habitat January 2011 GreenHome

I would like to see every home with a

water tank, green power, passive solar retro-

fi ts, no toilet attached to drinking water and

home composting.

Dominique Pomeroy

Taking time for tea and changeParticipants share their stories“I went through the ACF GreenHome leader’s

course in early August 2010.

At the time I felt I would be out of my depth

and not that well connected in the community.

After the course I thought about the best

way to practice my new skills and decided to

approach the ladies at my golf club at Massey

Park in Concord.

I invited them to a morning tea to share

ways to make our homes more sustainable,

help the environment and save some money.

On the day, I was surprised by the keen

interest the ladies had in sustainability and

their knowledge of what is happening. One

of them, an ex-school teacher, became

my ‘expert guest’ and amazed us with her

stories of how her family survived the great

depression and how she continues to try and

‘waste nothing’.

There was a lot of lively, friendly discussion

and everyone committed to taking on new

ways of living, including better recycling, worm

farms, growing herbs at home and monitoring

electricity use. The morning was so enjoyable

that we plan to visit each other’s homes to see

what we are all achieving. We’ve recently had

our second meeting, with another fi ve people

attending, and everyone is motivated to act

towards a more sustainable lifestyle.”

Margaret and friends at the sustainable home

morning tea.

Margaret May, GreenHome participant,

Concord, NSW

I’d love to see council rates directed

toward growing drought tolerant native plants,

removing auto fl ush urinals, and providing

council funded environmental renovation

services.

John Friedman

I was pleasantly surprised that ACF would

be involved in a practical program such as

GreenHome; a shift from traditional ACF

campaigning work.

Phil Kelly

When I ride my bicycle to work I would like to

see more solar panels glinting on roofs and

vegies sprouting in front yards!

Susie Scherf

In southern Victoria we have a great fi rewood

alternative in sugar gum, a South Australian

species that is grown in plantations by

farmers. It burns very well, and is very straight

grained, therefore easier to split. It bugs

me to see red-gum and yellow box for sale

when there is a totally environmentally sound

alternative grown by farmers.

Craig Allen

Email You said it at habitat@acfonline.org.au

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21habitat January 2011

www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au

For a Victorian girl born and bred trips to see the penguins at

Phillip Island have always been saved for when international

visitors come to stay or are faded memories of primary school

trips as a child.

So when I was recently offered the opportunity to visit the

penguins I jumped at the chance. I’m a mother of two small

children and with not an overseas guest pencilled in for months I

saw this as an opportunity to visit the penguins and get to delight

with them as much as my children, all with the good excuse us

locals seem to need.

Phillip Island has great offerings as an eco tourist destination.

We used a three parks pass to visit Churchill Island Heritage Farm,

the Koala Conservation Centre and to see the Penguin Parade.

Heritage Farm offers incredible views across the bay and a

historical farm experience. Horse and cart rides and friendly farm

animals happy for a scratch behind the ears kept my two young

charges delighted.

The Koala Conservation Centre is a marvellous safe woodland

conservation park for the island’s koala population. Visitors

are kept at a harmless distance to watch our Aussie icons sleep,

occasionally eat, and tend their young.

But as the saying goes, the best things come in little packages.

For my family the Little Penguins, who kept us waiting in

anticipation until the sun set around 9pm at this time of year, were

the stars of our day trip.

We viewed the delight of hundreds of penguins seemingly

appear out of nowhere on a wave onto the beach, bellies so full of

fi sh for their babies they tumbled and waddled their way home.

The Penguin Plus Viewing Platform offers a prime view of

penguins making their way alongside the pedestrian boardwalk

back to their young and their burrows. No touching, photography

or loud noises are allowed and everyone is under direction from

staff rangers. iPods are also available for detailed talks about the

nightly spectacle.

My two children, with their own stuffed plush penguins tucked

under their arms (named Bluey and Sheila after the stars of the

documentary series Penguin Island) tumbled into our car like a

couple of well fed penguins themselves for the late night drive

home. There is plenty of eco accommodation available on the

island but it’s also a great day/night trip.

So now with my head full of penguin facts and a fresh

appreciation of the natural attractions of Phillip Island may I

suggest you throw the justifi cation of an international guest as

excuse to visit the penguins to the curb. Make the most this natural

nightly spectacle and simply go.

For bookings and information visit www.penguins.org.au

Penguins on paradePenguins on paradeAmongst the wildlife of Phillip Island Bluey and Sheila rule supreme Tabatha Fulker discovers.

Eco travel

h

22 habitat January 2011

2010 was a big year for the reform of the Murray-Darling

with the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

Guide in October. The guide made it clear we need to stop

overusing water for irrigation and put more water back into the

river. It told us returning 3,000 billion litres (GL) of water will give

us a low certainty of achieving a healthy river, while returning

7,600 billion litres (GL) will give us a high certainty.

Debate about putting water back into the Murray-Darling

and protecting jobs and regional communities intensifi ed. One of

the fi rst Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) information

sessions held in Griffi th NSW received a hostile public response.

Media focused on the argument between jobs versus environment,

overlooking long-term economic benefi ts of a healthy river.

In the weeks following its release parliamentary inquiries into

social and economic impacts of proposed water-use reductions

were announced in both houses of Parliament. The MDBA reacted,

announcing it will consider returning the lowest range of water to

the river system.

This response contradicts the Authority’s own words: “The real

possibility of environmental failure now threatens the long term

economic and social viability of many industries…”

A recent economic study by the MDBA shows that the economic

benefi ts of returning the region to good health are large. The value

of the Coorong at the mouth of the river is predicted to increase by

$4.3 billion alone.

The majority of Australians are behind the plan. Eighty nine

per cent of South Australians, where the worst impacts on the

environment of upstream over-use of water have been felt, want all

political leaders to stand up for a healthy Murray-Darling.

Key decisions over the fate of the Murray-Darling will be made

this year. ACF will continue working with the Basin community,

scientists, economists and other interest groups to ensure that

governments return enough water to ensure a healthy river in

the long-term.

The reform for returning our national icon and Australia’s

largest river-system to health will require the support of all

Australians. To keep updated on the latest information visit

www.acfonline.org.au/murray

Supporting the Murray

• Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke commits to water

reform in the Murray-Darling Basin. There is a total of $12.9

billion of Federal Government money available for transforming

the Basin towards a sustainable future.

• Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean also commits to a

healthy Murray-Darling and meets with community members

wanting a healthy river.

• ACF released an economic assessment valuing benefi ts

of restoring environmental services of the basins 16

internationally-signifi cant wetlands at $2.1 billion.

• ACF makes a strong public case for long-term benefi ts and

opportunities, and not just the costs, of a healthy river system.

It’s been a long time between drinks but Ruchira Talukdar is hopeful we’re ready to shout our river a thirst quenching round.

A drink to our Murray-Darling

PHOTO: Bill Doyle

Campaigns

23habitat January 2011

PHOTO: james@jsthomasphotography.com

Murray needs a drink just add water

ACF staff, friends and supporters gathered outside Old Treasury

House before the Melbourne information session on October 28

calling for a national plan that puts water back into the Murray.

Murray got a drenching – just the way he likes it. View more

images at www.acfonline.org.au/murray

All eyes on the Murray mouth

ACF has installed wetland cameras at three locations around Lake

Alexandrina, SA, to transmit real time images. Recent rains have

sent a lot of water down the Murray-Darling, fl ushing out the

mouth via the Coorong and the Lower Lakes. Fish numbers have

increased, birds have returned and community spirit has risen. But

South Australians know that nothing can survive on one drink in

a decade and that we have to ‘Just Add Water’. View time lapse

images at www.justaddwater.org.au

Indigenous Knowledge for a Sustainable FutureShaping a sustainable future of Australia means understanding where we have come from and understanding Indigenousknowledges is crucial in the light of climate change and when considering issues of the sustainability of our current society.

A degree, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certifi cate in Indigenous knowledges gives you a broader knowledgebase and a strong foundation from which to participate in policy formulation and decision making.

The course is available as a fully external program or come and study in Darwin.Intensive programs and fi eld trips in the Top End of the NT are scheduled regularly.

Units of study include: Yolngu Languages and Culture : Indigenous Engagement – Land and Water : Cultural Tourism :Communication and Negotiation : Indigenous Cultures and the Environment : Representing and Recording Country.

For more information contact the School of Australian Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Phone: (08) 8946 6482 Email: indigenousknowledges@cdu.edu.au

www.cdu.edu.au

h

24 habitat January 2011

Black Saturday two years on

Tree fern regenerating after bushfi re. PHOTO: Bruce Paton

The Bushfi re Royal Commission’s recommendations for a balance between conservation considerations and bushfi re safety objectives is possible Mark Stockdale reports.

Feature

25habitat January 2011

T he second anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfi res that

claimed the lives of 173 people serves as a stark reminder of

the destructive nature of fi re but also provides the opportunity

to learn valuable lessons in how we manage our natural

resources into the future.

The aftermath of Black Saturday has redefi ned the way

fi re management is undertaken in Victoria. But what does the

unavoidable and necessary change as a result of these events mean

for the conservation of our natural heritage?

Fire, in an evolutionary sense, has shaped the characteristic

Australian biota, or to put it simply – we wouldn’t have our

unique plants and animals without the role of fi re. The paradox of

our love of the bush, however, is that many of us live within one of

the most bushfi re prone environments in the world.

The 2009 Victorian Bushfi re Royal Commission identifi ed that

‘to ensure continuing environmental protection, the State needs to

improve its understanding of the effects of different fi re regimes

on fl ora and fauna’ and ‘more informed and scientifi cally-based

decision making can accompany the development of prescribed-

burning regimes that meet conservation objectives as well as

accommodating bushfi re safety considerations’.

ACFs Healthy Forest Campaigner Lindsay Hesketh considers

that ecologically mature tall wet eucalypt forests, with lush damp

understory, are more suppressive and less conducive to wildfi re

events, than when reduced to their denser regrowth form as a

result of logging. The older mature systems display a greater

resilience to post fi re impacts giving them the capacity to recover

quickly after wildfi re events.

“Previously logged or re-growth forests exhibit a higher wildfi re

propensity due to drier understory induced by logging disturbance

and fuel reduction burning. They are therefore more susceptible to

creating destructive wildfi res, such as highly destructive ‘crowning

fi res’, due to changed characteristics including low height and

increased tree density and have less resilience for post fi re

recovery,” Lindsay said.

In terms of policy development that identifi es protection of

areas containing signifi cant values Lindsay considered “It’s a

critical requirement to protect ecologically mature forests through

conservation policy, and the government needs to take scientifi c

advice seriously”.

Graeme Brown, a Black Saturday survivor and community

leader in the Marysville area with a background in forestry,

believes conservationists have played a valuable role in recent

policy formation.

“Well managed logging strategies allow for fi re as a natural

phenomenon and to get the best policy outcome a collaborative

approach to policy formation is required, particularly by putting

good science and strategic thinking on the table,” Graeme said.

The number of fuel reduction burns is set to increase

dramatically throughout Victoria as a result of Royal Commission

recommendations. The aim of fuel reduction burning is to ‘provide

a high level of strategic protection to human life, property and

highly valued assets’. State agencies use fuel reduction burning

as a tool of fi re management on public land, through hazard

reduction of understory fuel levels, and while its use cannot

prevent bushfi re, the intent is to decrease fuel loads and reduce the

spread and intensity of a bushfi re event.

The issue with low intensity high frequency fuel reduction

burning, in a conservation sense, is that it is nothing like the

‘natural’ regime of high intensity low frequency fi res that many

woodland and forest ecosystems are adapted to. It too often results

in a loss of species diversity and habitat quality.

State agencies have a signifi cant task in balancing the

requirement to protect human life, property and assets, while

maintaining conservation values of highly quality areas. In terms

of fi re management in many urban and rural areas, the need to

protect human life, property and assets will override the need to

maintain conservation values.

Areas most susceptible to fuel reduction burning are high

conservation value woodlands and forests. The practice of fuel

reduction burning in high conservation areas is deeply concerning

to many conservationists who consider that a more scientifi cally

rigorous approach to fi re management is required.

Lindsay outlined that changes in fi re management may

exacerbate the potential risks in some areas. “Disturbance events in

wet forests, such as frequent burning or logging and slash burning,

increases the propensity of serious wildfi re events by stimulating

fi re regenerating species competing with lush wet understory

species that act as fi re suppressors,” Lindsay said.

Two years past and Graeme’s concern continues to run deep:

“It would be tragic if we didn’t learn good lessons (from Black

Saturday), become more sustainable, more collaborative with

our decisions and work together with the community.”

The number of fuel reduction burns is set to increase dramatically throughout Victoria as a result of Royal Commission recommendations.

”

h

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Black-footed Rock WallabyPHOTO: Julian Bentley

26 habitat January 2011

Climate change is fi rmly back on the political agenda with the Federal Government planning to legislate a price on pollution in 2011. The plan is vulnerable, however, to negativity at the

rising costs of living.ACF headed to Parliament House in November with 30

representatives from across the Australian community to show support for a price on pollution on our third Climate Advocacy Day.

Partnering with The Climate Project, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Union Climate Connectors and Climate and Health Alliance, we represented hundreds of thousands of Australians in showing support for a price on pollution.

Our message was simple: we will all benefi t with a price on pollution. An effective price on pollution will create jobs, improve public health, support regional development and maintain Australia’s international competitiveness. Coupled with additional measures to improve energy effi ciency and boost clean energy investment, a price on pollution is vital to a sustainable and prosperous nation.

Our delegation met with 32 MPs, 17 senators, seven ministers’ offi ces and fi ve members of the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee to express our concerns and show the support for a price on pollution in the electorates of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Effi ciency and members of the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee.

Delegates presented 56 MPs and senators with a copy of ACF’s Clean Energy Map to help them identify opportunities for clean energy investment and job creation in their electorate.

By mid this year we plan to hand deliver the map to every member of Federal Parliament. It’s a powerful visual representation of how Australia can become a clean energy superpower.

We have a great opportunity to put Australia on the path to reducing its greenhouse pollution and transitioning to a sustainable future. The Greens and rural independents have used their newfound infl uence to push climate change up the government’s priority list. As China, India, the EU and other major economies pour billions into energy effi ciency and clean energy development, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Australia is trailing the world on climate change and needs to lift its game.

ACF will be working hard to create the conditions necessary for the government to pass an effective package of climate legislation in 2011. We will continue our direct engagement with Federal Government and continue to address concerns around the rising costs of living.

Find out what’s infl uencing electricity prices and why we’ll all be better off with a price on pollution at www.acf.to/

electricityprices and for a free copy of our Clean Energy Map email: organiser@acfonline.org.au

People power presents more than just support for a price on pollution to Federal MPs. ACF Climate Change Campaigner Simon Bradshaw reports.

A hot day in Canberra

Dear ACF Economist,Can you please outline the real economics of solar (and wind) power. While I purchase 100% green power for my home, my electricity provider has just offered me a 1.5kW solar system for about $3000 and I’d like to know if this is a good deal for me and the planet.

Michael Fogarty

Dear Michael – a very timely question as we are increasingly

seeing power companies offering cheaper and cheaper deals to the

customer for a home solar photovoltaic installation.

Since the Federal Government recently made changes to the

Renewable Energy Target (aiming to generate 20% of Australia’s

power from renewables by 2020) it is pleasing to note that the

clean energy we generate from our homes is to be additional to this

target. So in fact, by generating power from our rooftops, we can

increase Australia’s renewable power above and beyond 20%.

But this is also the case for our purchases of accredited

GreenPower. Both GreenPower and our own renewable power

systems are pushing Australia towards a clean energy economy, so

both are really important steps we can take.

Whether this is a good deal for us really depends on our own

budgets. An average fi nancial model for solar power will have

pay back rates at around 7 years, or shorter in states with more

generous feed in tariffs (such as the ACT and NSW). These are

becoming shorter as the panels become cheaper to manufacture.

But often cited additional benefi ts of home renewable power

are the behaviour change impacts that are possible: many people

become much more attentive to energy consumption when they

are generating it themselves, often leading to overall reductions.

In addition, the upgrades to our electricity networks that are the

prime driver of current electricity price increases are due to ‘peak

demand’ – the hot afternoons in summer when everyone turns

on their air conditioners. Home solar power is at its peak output

right at the very time our electricity networks

need it, so it lessens the strain on our system

– another signifi cant benefi t of what we call

‘distributed’ power.

For his question to the Economist Michael

wins a copy of The World According to Monsanto, Pollution, Politics and Power by

Marie-Monique Robin.

Email your questions to the Economist at

habitat@acfonline.org.au

s

Ask the Economist

PH

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Lina

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27habitat January 2011

Do you know a worthy environmentalist?Nominations are being called for the

2011 ACF Peter Rawlinson Conservation Award.

This annual Award is presented in recognition of

outstanding voluntary contribution by a group or

individual aiding Australia’s conservation efforts.

The prize consists of $3000 to spend on further

environment work and a plaque.

An individual or group can be nominated for their

achievements at a local or national level (ACF Councillors

and staff cannot be nominated).

Application forms are available from our website

www.acfonline.org.au/rawlinson.

The deadline for nominations is

Monday, 18 April 2011.

Ethical Investment Services Pty Ltd ABN 38004531800 AFS Licence 222690

Financial PlanningSuperannuation ChoicesRetirement PlanningEthical Share Advice

ph 03 9853 0995

www.ethicalinvestments.com.au 16 Princess St KEW 3101

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Investing in a betterworld

ACF have been a recipient of the the Hunter Hall Shareholder

Nominated Charitable Donation Scheme since 2003, with

total donations exceeding $95,000.

Peter Hall is founder, Executive Chairman and Managing

Director of Hunter Hall International Ltd, a trustee of Hunter

Hall Charitable trust. Peter’s commitment to social change has

driven his wonderful commitment to philanthropy focusing

on environment and world issues both domestically and

internationally.

Peter has been awarded an AM of the Order of Australia for his

contribution to funds management and philanthropy.

ACF CEO Don Henry was an invited guest speaker at the

Shareholder Nominated Charitable Donation Scheme luncheon in

November to talk about recent developments in Tasmania’s native

forests, where he also received a cheque on behalf of ACF towards

our ongoing commitment to the environment.

Hunter Hall International Limited donates fi ve per cent of its

pre-tax profi ts to charities or charitable purposes that support

Sharing a common visionHunter Hall supports ACF through donation

social, environmental or humanitarian causes.

“We know the time to act is now,” says Peter.

“Our descendents will not thank us for our passivity. Our

environment is withering, bio-diversity is diminishing and

preventable human suffering is fl ourishing. Now is the time when

each of us must do what is in our power.

“Our shareholders understand this and have made their stand,

in the last nine years they have donated more than $7.4m to

charitable causes directed at the preservation of this planet and

its inhabitants. I applaud their vision, their generosity and

their kindness.” h

28 habitat January 2011

Sustainable Australia We’ve been busy on the transport front over the last few months.

We organised a public transport forum in NSW Parliament in

September in collaboration with our Rapid, Active, Affordable

Transport Alliance partners and one of the clear outcomes was the

need to improve governance arrangements for transport in NSW.

In the lead up to the NSW state election this March we have

written to the Premier and Opposition leader asking for greater

priority to be given to investment in public transport as well as

improvements to the institutional arrangements for the managing

transport task.

We jointly organised a forum with the Queensland Offi ce of

Sustainable Transport to discuss priorities and ideas for South East

Queensland given the increase in households living in the outer

suburbs. ACF President Professor Ian Lowe was a keynote speaker.

Responding to Federal election commitments for mandatory

fuel consumption standards and the Cleaner Car Rebate program,

we have been in discussion with the Federal Government to ensure

good environmental outcomes for both programs.

After the successful launch of the Sustainable Cities Index

we have made presentations to a number of groups in Brisbane,

Wollongong and Sydney on the Index and ACF’s sustainable

cities agenda. We are in discussion with government to improve

planning outcomes for our cities to ensure they are more

environmentally sustainable, resilient to future challenges and to

improve our data collection.

Monica Richter, Sustainable Australia Program Manager

Climate Change This year brings an opportunity to put a price on greenhouse

pollution. It will require Labor, Greens, and three Independents

to unite, and this will take concerted effort. The climate change

team has been campaigning hard to ensure we get it right this

time round.

It amazes me how rare it is that politicians hear from ordinary

Australians. In November we took an amazing group of volunteers

to Parliament to meet with 55 politicians and their advisors (read

more page 26). We have a further opportunity to represent our

members, supporters and fellow Australians in Parliament. ACF

CEO Don Henry will bring your voice to the roundtable advising

Government on climate change policy he has been asked to join.

While there is an opportunity to switch Australia to a clean

economy, it is little surprise that a wave of ‘shock and awe’ myths

have been appearing in our media. The myths focus on electricity

prices. Electricity prices are going up, it’s a myth, however, to

blame climate change policies. The 20 per cent renewable energy

target will cost each household only 80 cents a week. The truth is,

over the next fi ve years electricity companies plan on spending

$42 billion dollars on poles and wires to deliver more electricity

to more households. The increase has nothing to do with climate

change action.

While we’re pushing hard for a price on pollution, we’re

also watching what our Government is doing in international

negotiations. Don Henry attended the UN meeting in Cancun,

Mexico, meeting with the Australian delegation and Minister

Combet to ensure Australia was being constructive in efforts to get

an ambitious global agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol.

Tony Mohr, Climate Change Program Manager

Campaign updates

29habitat January 2011

Care for CountryIn June 2010 ACF and the Wuthathi Land Trust announced the

Wuthathi Cultural Regeneration Project, a partnership to help

Wuthathi Traditional Owners reconnect to their homelands and

develop plans to sustainably use and manage their traditional

lands. A major focus of the partnership is supporting and hosting

‘on country’ meetings near Shelburne Bay on Cape York Peninsula.

In October the Northern Australia Program (NAP) team joined

60 Wuthathi Traditional Owners for the fi rst meeting. For some

older Wuthathi Traditional Owner, the visit was the fi rst in many

years while for most of the younger people and children it was

the fi rst time they had met on country with other Wuthathi. After

settling in and a day spent visiting landmarks such as Captain

Billy Landing and Harmer Creek, Wuthathi Traditional Owners

sat down with the ACF team to speak about their aspirations

to protect and manage country, and ensure Wuthathi culture is

passed on.

ACF CEO Don Henry attended the meeting and spoke of the

long association (over 20 years) between ACF and Wuthathi people

and how important the partnership is for both groups. It is the fi rst

step in assisting the Wuthathi to develop a cultural and country

management strategy.

ACF had been expecting an announcement on National

Heritage listing of the west Kimberley in November 2010 but

Environment Minister Tony Burke recently announced that this has

been pushed to June 30.

The announcement came after Minister Burke toured

the Kimberley and met with conservation and Indigenous

representatives. While conservation and Indigenous groups are

keen to see the listing happen as soon as possible, ACF believes

the extension is a positive move and will allow additional time

for consideration of the inclusion of eight high conservation

value areas that were identifi ed by ACF and other environmental

organisations but overlooked by the Australian Heritage Council

in their recommendations to the Minister. For more details visit

www.acfonline.org.au/kimberley

Dr Suzanne Jenkins, Northern Australian Program Manager

Healthy Ecosystems I gave a talk on biodiversity to a couple of classes of nine year olds

the other day. They had bagfuls of great questions and thoughts

about special places and species they knew and wanted to

experience. And why not?

In October, the International Census of Marine Life found that

Australia’s ocean life is the most diverse on the planet. Scientists

think that only 10% of Australia’s ocean life has been discovered.

Our healthy ocean campaigners Chee Chee Leung and

Chris Smyth are working to protect those riches. The Federal

Government fi nally released a report into the catastrophic Montara

oil spill in the Timor Sea in August 2009. ACF is calling on the

Government to halt the expansion of the oil and gas industry until

the a world class network of marine sanctuaries is established

Dr Arlene Harriss Buchan and Ruchira Talukdar, our Healthy

Rivers Campaigners, are giving South Australia’s politicians the

opportunity to pledge their commitment to delivering a strong

Murray Darling Basin Plan. ACF supporters have provided vital

support at a critical time for our Murray campaign over recent

weeks – thank you.

And in the forest, Lindsay Hesketh and Don Henry, along

with colleagues from The Wilderness Society and Environment

Tasmania sat around the table with timber communities, forest

unions, and industry and reached an historic agreement to develop

a more sustainable timber industry and end logging the state’s

remaining valuable native forests.

That’s not a bad Christmas present for those nine year old kids

and our country.

Dr Paul Sinclair, Healthy Ecosystems Program Manager

TOP: Howqua Hills, VictoriaPHOTO: Andrew Haig

h

30 habitat January 2011

We have long been aware of the devastating impact of global

deforestation, poor management and illegal exploitation

of forests. We also know we can reduce the environmental

impact of our consumption of wood products by being careful

about what we buy. Yet how do we wade through the greenwash?

Many manufacturers purport to care about the environment,

but claims are often misleading. It can be diffi cult for a consumer

to verify a product’s green credentials.

Take the label ‘recycled’. There is a signifi cant difference

between paper containing 10% and 100% recycled content,

and bleach to ‘de-ink’ the paper can have toxic by-products.

Manufacturers can claim their paper is recycled when it is made

from only a small proportion of pre-consumer waste and otherwise

from old growth native forests.

Accreditation systems such as the Forest Stewardship Council

(FSC) give consumers valuable information about a product’s

environmental credentials. The ACF was instrumental in setting

up the Australian arm of FSC, which sets the global benchmark for

responsible forest management.

FSC is a not-for-profi t organisation supported by a wide

range of environmental and forestry groups, big business

and community groups. Once a forest owner meets strict

environmental, social and economic standards and receives forest

management certifi cation, a Chain of Custody system traces the

wood product through the supply chain. This means consumers

can be sure the wood or paper they buy was sourced from a well-

managed forest.

There are several FSC labels:

FSC 100% applies to both paper and timber products, and

guarantees they come solely from an FSC-certifi ed forest.

FSC Recycled is the only international label to certify claims

about post-consumer recycled paper. FSC recycled paper contains

100% post-consumer recycled content.

FSC Mixed Source paper contains a mixture of FSC 100%,

FSC recycled and/or controlled fi bre. Controlled fi bre does not

come from an FSC-certifi ed forest, but is screened to exclude

illegally harvested timber, genetically modifi ed organisms, forests

which threaten high conservation values, convert a natural forest

to other land uses or violate civil rights. The percentage of post-

consumer recycled content is specifi ed by the recycling symbol.

FSC labelling is a useful guide to buying paper and timber

products, particularly in guaranteeing the integrity of the raw

material. Nevertheless, consumers should be aware of all the

factors involved.

While recycled paper uses less energy and water, avoids logging

and prevents post-consumer waste from ending up in landfi ll,

sometimes a 100% recycled paper that has been bleached with

chlorine and shipped from overseas has lower environmental

credentials than paper responsibly manufactured from virgin pulp

from a certifi ed well-managed plantation.

So ask questions. Pre-consumer waste comes from paper

products that have not been used by the consumer, such as

Choosing enviro-friendly paper and timber can be confusing. Tessa Fluence takes stock of the certifi cation process.

off-cuts, overruns and unsold newspapers. Post-consumer waste

usually comes from offi ce paper and home recycling.

Bleaching removes the ink from recycled paper. More

environmentally friendly bleaching processes include TCF (totally

chlorine free) and ECF (elemental chlorine free). PCF (process

chlorine free) means no chlorine was used in processing

recycled paper.

Buy paper manufactured with renewable energy, and ideally

made in Australia to avoid transport energy. Use the lightest

weight paper possible, such as 80gsm. Consider how the paper is

packaged, and look for responsible manufacturing labels.

* habitat magazine is printed on FSC certifi ed paper.

Checklist for paper

• We aware of the source of the pulp. Choose 100% recycled

post-consumer or pre-consumer waste, or virgin fi bre from a

certifi ed well-managed forest.

• Look for TCF (totally chlorine free), ECF (elemental chlorine

free) or PCF (process chlorine free in recycled paper).

• Buy Australian-made and cut transport emissions.

• Look for environmentally responsible manufacture, indicated

by labels: ISO 14001, EMAS, Nordic Swan, Blue Angel and

EU Eco-Label.

Checklist for timber

• Buy timber that has been recycled, reused or salvaged. Ask for

documentation to verify where it came from.

• Buy new timber from certifi ed well-managed forests (eg FSC)

www.fscaustralia.org/buy-fsc.

www.ecolabelindex.com

My Earth celebrates children’s birthdays with all of the fun,

and less of the environmental impact. Kid’s love the cute

native animal birthday card and wrapping paper designs.

My Earth is printed carbon neutral in Australia with vegetable

inks on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper www.

earthgreetings.com.au

Win one of 3 My Earth giveaway packs valued at $50 each.

Just email habitataustralia@acfonline.org with ‘My Earth My

Habitat’ in the subject line and the fi rst 3 emails received win.

On the paper trail

h

ACF was instrumental in setting up the Australian arm of FSC, which sets the global benchmark for responsible forest management.

”

31habitat January 2011

32 habitat January 2011

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> Tent sites

Where your fees go towards environmental conservation

Remember when a cup of tea was made in a Billy, sleeping in a tent was fun and all you needed to amuse yourself was open air and a river nearby?

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So bring your whole family and explore Sydney’s only eco tourist park, Lane Cove River Tourist Park. It’s what camping used to be like and it’s right here in your own backyard.

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Email: lccp@environment.nsw.gov.auwww.lcrtp.com.au

Lane Cove River Tourist ParkSydney’s eco-friendly tourist park.