Massive new Victorian government solar policy

by editor | 23 Aug 2018 | Energy | 1 comment

The Victorian government has announced it will provide 50% of funding for solar PV systems up to 4kW, for 650,000 Victorian homes over the next 10 years. This is a $1.24 billion program. The program will save the typical Victorian household $2,225 for an average 4kW...

New England Solar Farm — sharing the benefits

by editor | 8 Aug 2018 | Energy

A new solar farm is being proposed near Uralla, making use of the New England’s great renewable energy resources. The New England Solar Farm, being developed by UPC Renewables, is slated to be one of Australia’s largest solar farms, bringing 600 to 800MW more...

New England North West 9th solar power bulk-buy block

by editor | 8 Aug 2018 | Energy

We’re excited to announce that the 9th solar power bulk-buy block is now open! The bulk-buy discounts for this ninth block are still up to 33% below regular retail prices. We are pleased to be offering an expanded range of high quality solar panels and inverter...

Climate Matters: Slowing the Global Temperature Rise

by editor | 8 Aug 2018 | Climate

As well as CO2(which needs to be reduced), other substances known as super-pollutants, or short-lived-climate-pollutants, are major contributors to global warming, including methane, black carbon, ozone and HFC refrigerants. A kilogram of methane causes more warming...

AURG Planning Meeting

by editor | 8 Aug 2018 | AURG, Event

The AURG Planning Meeting will be at the ‘Dumaresq Room” Armidale Bowling Club commencing 5.30pm on Thursday 30 August. Will cover our project commitments for remainder of 2018, Armidale urban maintenance program, and potential projects. Further details closer to the...

Slow and steady wins the race

by editor | 7 Aug 2018 | SLAM

Our “Help Centre of Ecological Learning survive and thrive” campaign has raised $9160 so far….can you help us reach $10,000 by the end of August? We have a few lovely incentives for our generous donors… All donors will be recognised on our...

2018 Sustainable Communities National Summit

by editor | 7 Aug 2018 | Event

Community Sustainability: the future imperative The need to grow social cohesion, connectivity and resilience: community, food, energy Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 September 2018 Angliss Conference Centre, Melbourne Convened by the Municipal Association of Victoria...

August Forum: Biochar for sustainable soils

by editor | 31 Jul 2018 | Energy, Event, Monthly Forum

Dr. Annette Cowie, Principal Research Scientist and Dr. de la Rosa will discuss their biochar project at the next Sustainable Living Armidale monthly forum on Thursday, 2 August, at 7pm, Kent House Land degradation affects 24% of global land area, with 24 billion tons...

Council draft woodsmoke policy discussion and submissions

by editor | 31 Jul 2018 | Event

Invitation to discuss and write submissions on Council’s draft woodsmoke policy, 6:15 pm, Thursday 2 August 2018, before the main SLA meeting at 7 pm in Kent House on Biochar. Council’s draft policy on wood heaters & air quality is on public display...

CSG & public health conference in Narrabri

by editor | 31 Jul 2018 | AACSGaM, Event

Wednesday, 15th August, 2018, 2pm-8.30pm The Crossing Theatre, 117 Tibbereena St, Narrabri A conference for all health professionals, including doctors, health service managers and health care workers in the Coal Seam Gas exploration areas of New South Wales. Why do...

Fourth Anniversary of the Yazidi Massacre

by editor | 26 Jul 2018 | Event

On 3 August 2014, over 3000 Yazidi civilians were murdered and 6000 taken captive by ISIS in the Sinjar district of northern Iraq. This is massacre and abduction is widely regarded as an act of genocide. Armidale became an official refugee settlement location last...

VIDEO: People’s Referendum — Ballot Blitz

by editor | 26 Jul 2018 | AACSGaM, Event

During August, Lock the Gate are holding a “Ballot Blitz” as people across New South Wales cast their ballots in the People’s Referendum on Coal and Gas. They’re aiming to have 20,000 people cast their ballot to protect land and water from coal and CSG mining this...

Climate Matters: Embodied Energy — a Hidden Environmental Cost

by editor | 26 Jul 2018 | Climate, Energy

Having a well-designed, energy efficient house isn’t the only way to reduce your carbon footprint. As well as reducing the energy we use: the operational energy used to heat, cool, light and run appliances; choosing the right materials will reduce the embodied energy....

Let’s end extinction for good

by editor | 26 Jul 2018 | SLAM

Unfortunately Australia is a world leader in extinction. Three unique Australian animals have been lost in the last decade, and another ten birds and seven mammals are set go extinct in the next 20 years. The Australian Senate has launched an inquiry to find out why...

Committee meeting — everyone welcome!

by editor | 23 Jul 2018 | Event

The coordinating committee takes care of the administration of our association and undertakes planning. It is made up of the convenor, the secretary, the treasurer and representatives from the various subgroups. The current committee: Patsy Asch (Energy Group) Sarah...

Day of Mourning — Manus/Nauru

by editor | 18 Jul 2018 | Event, SLAM

Armidale Rural Australians for Refugees are holding two silent vigils on Thursday 19th July. On 19 July 2013, PM Kevin Rudd said “From now any asylum seeker who arrives in Australia by boat will have no chance of being settled in Australia as refugees.” As...

Armidale Aboriginal Community Garden

by editor | 18 Jul 2018 | Event, Garden, Local Food

Remembering Dark Town: Experimental History, Decolonisation and Archival Activism at Armidale Aboriginal Community Garden Presented by Dr Kate Wright Date: Thu 19th Jul 2018 12:00pm-1:00pm Location: Oorala Lecture Theatre, UNE, Building E22 Contact: Dr Sophia Waters...

Climate Matters: Black crate recycling system continues to achieve waste diversion goals

by editor | 18 Jul 2018 | Waste

Many people in the community have often asked me why we continue to use the black crate recycling system instead of moving to the co-mingled yellow lid recycling bins used by many other jurisdictions. At Council and with the support of our recycling contractor...

Plastic straw free Bello Winter Music Fest

by editor | 18 Jul 2018 | SLAM, Waste

Bellingen went plastic straw free for the Bello Winter Music weekend thanks to the efforts of Waste Not Bellingen. Thanks to all the amazing businesses that have pledged to reduce their single use plastics!

Future Learn: Volunteering with Refugees

by editor | 18 Jul 2018 | SLAM

I have done a free online course offered through Future Learn that I found very interesting and useful. While I have not done Volunteering with Refugees, I believe it will certainly have something helpful for those who choose to do it. It is a commitment of only a few...

July Forum: How can I help? 7:30pm

by editor | 3 Jul 2018 | Event, Meeting Minutes, Monthly Forum

With many new refugees now becoming part of our Armidale community, SLA is hosting a forum with the key players involved with their resettlement. Find out what’s happening, what’s proposed and how you can get involved and help. A panel of speakers will include...

SLA 2018 AGM 7pm

by editor | 3 Jul 2018 | Event, Monthly Forum

The AGM will be held before the July forum with office bearers elected and Convenors of Action Groups endorsed. A brief year in review by Action Group convenors and vision for the future year will be presented by the current convenor Iain MacKay. The AGM will start at...

Climate Matters: Armidale Community Garden

by editor | 3 Jul 2018 | Garden

Six years ago a group of enthusiastic volunteers took up the challenge of turning six abandoned tennis courts into a community garden. Armidale Community Garden lies just across the creek behind the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), and although still very much...

#PlasticFreeJuly #ReduceYourUse watch World Wildlife Fund video

by editor | 3 Jul 2018 | SLAM

Plastic. It’s become such an essential part of our lives, and the statistics are staggering. On average, Australians use 130 kg of plastic each year, but only 12% is recycled. More frightening still, up to 130,000 tonnes of plastic will find its way into the...

Petition to end deforestation in Australia

by editor | 3 Jul 2018 | Climate

Last week, the Wilderness Society wrote to the UN asking them to investigate the alarming deforestation crisis in Great Barrier Reef catchments — and it’s international news. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is the body set up to look after World Heritage...