Armidale Men’s Shed Open Day

by editor | 6 Mar 2018 | Event

We have passed one year at our new location – almost settled in! We are now in a position to make greater use of these facilities and to build the role of the Armidale Men’s Shed as a significant location for arts and crafts and for men’s health. We seek to hold a...

Join UNE SMART Region Incubator for RISE

by editor | 6 Mar 2018 | Event, UNE

Are you interested in tourism in regional Australia? Sitting on an idea that could take our region to another level? We need you! UNE SMART Region Incubator is putting out the call to anybody with a brilliant idea for tourism innovation to be part of RISE – a two day...

An abandoned mine becomes a world-first solar and storage project

by editor | 6 Mar 2018 | Energy

It was a forgotten town, deserted in the dust. Kidston – once a working gold mine – closed for good in 2001, leaving two big holes in the ground – nothing but scars on the landscape, in the words of 5th generation local, Miranda Ryan. But what may...

March social forum: Green drinks invitation

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | Event, Monthly Forum

This fun, social idea came out of the 10 year celebration/future forum last November — We are inviting sustainability interest groups together for a social gathering called ‘Green Drinks’. To be honest the original idea was by Dave Carr organising similar get...

Friends of the ABC (Armidale) AGM and public talk

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | Event

Armidale branch of the Friends of the ABC will be holding their Annual General Meeting Thursday, March 1 at 6 pm in Kent House (141 Faulkner Street, Armidale). We extend an invitation to all those who are interested in the importance of independent public...

University tree planting near ‘goat track’ footbridge

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | AURG, Event

UNE Life, Armidale Urban Rivercare Group and The Armidale Dumaresq Lions Club have joined forces to put on an event to get trees in the ground. A similar very successful event was held last year. A likely student turnout of 100 is anticipated. These are the event...

Community Power Agency is hiring!

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | Climate, Energy, Event

Are you passionate about community energy? Do you want to help ensure all Australians can access the benefits of clean energy, no matter where they live or how much they earn? Are you an experienced project manager? We are seeking someone to come and work with the...

UPDATE: 7th block of solar power bulk-buy now open

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | Energy, Starfish

We’re excited to announce that the 7th solar power bulk-buy block is now open! We’re just as excited to report that the program is looking very likely to sail past its goal of installing 1MW of high quality solar power throughout the region in the next few...

Video: Groningen — the world’s cycling city

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | Transport

Groningen decided in the 1970s to enact policies to make it easier to walk and bike, and discourage the use of cars in the city centre. By pedestrianising some streets, building cycle tracks everywhere, and creating a unique transportation circulation pattern that...

Arding Community Member Awarded John Winter-Irving Bequest

by editor | 26 Feb 2018 | SLAM

Local Arding Landcare Group member, Chris Duncan, has been recognised as the 2017 recipient of the John-Winter Irving Bequest. Chris Duncan and her husband David are working with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and the Arding Landcare Group to conserve and...

Add my name: Save UNE habitat trees

by editor | 13 Feb 2018 | Event, SLAM, UNE | 3 comments

This statement of concern was drafted by 30 members of the UNE community at a recent meeting to discuss habitat tree removal on the UNE campus. If you care about native wildlife and the beauty of the UNE campus, please add your name to this statement. This statement...

This coming Thursday is D-Day for Leard Forest

by editor | 13 Feb 2018 | AACSGaM, Event

This coming Thursday is D-Day – i.e. destruction day, when the annual bulldozing period commences at the Leard State Forest. We do not have volunteers for the critical days of Thursday and Friday this week. We recognise that it is difficult for people to come...

Towards a Healthier Macleay River

by editor | 13 Feb 2018 | AACSGaM, Event

You are invited to attend a meeting of interested community members on Saturday 17th February at the Wicklow Hotel (Cocktail Room), 87 Marsh St, Armidale from 2 – 4pm, to discuss impacts on the health of the Macleay River and the possibility of forming a partnership...

Another piece of good news – renewable energy for much less than the wholesale electricity price!

by editor | 13 Feb 2018 | Energy

The ambitious renewable energy-focused power retailer Powershop Australia has signed a huge deal for the output of a 200MW solar farm and two big wind farms, after being “stunned” by the low prices offered after it went to market for proposals last year. “We have...

Expert report: Improve home energy standards or risk bigger bills, more emissions

by editor | 13 Feb 2018 | Energy

The Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project is an industry-led initiative seeking improvements to the energy requirements in the National Construction Code. This Interim Report – The Bottom Line – household impacts of delaying improved energy requirements...

Save UNE habitat trees — campaign’s next steps

by editor | 7 Feb 2018 | Event, UNE

When: Wednesday 7th February 13:00–14:00 Where: Lewis Lecture Theatre University of New England Come along and bring your friends! for a summary of what’s happened so far in the tree removal program, fact check UNE management response, and the next steps in our...

Progressive Cinema: The Shock Doctrine

by editor | 7 Feb 2018 | Event

This film is a documentary adaptation Naomi Klein’s 2007 book, The Shock Doctrine. It shows how monopoly finance capitalism used natural disasters, war and terror to crush resistance and establish its dominance. Based on breakthrough historical research and four...

Sapphire Wind Farm community co-investment to proceed in 2018!

by editor | 7 Feb 2018 | Energy, Starfish

We’re grateful to everyone who participated in our Community Investment Testing survey. With your strong interest in this survey and through our series of public events, we received pledges of $5.4 million from 337 community members, with 80% of pledges coming...

South Australia Delivers Global Leadership in Smart Energy

by editor | 7 Feb 2018 | Energy

National President Steve Blume with Premier Weatherill at today’s announcement The South Australian Government has today announced plans for the world’s biggest virtual power plant, rolling out 50,000 home solar and battery systems across the State. The rollout...

#Time2Choose Rally for Clean Water, Clean Air and Clean Energy!

by editor | 7 Feb 2018 | AACSGaM, Event

Throughout history, there are some rare and powerful moments that build the power of the people and shift the course of our collective futures. 24 March—exactly one year before the next NSW election—will be one of those moments. On this day NSW will be at a...

February Special Forum: Sustainable Living by Design

by editor | 30 Jan 2018 | Energy, Event, Garden, Local Food, Monthly Forum, SLAM | 2 comments

Sustainable Living Armidale is beginning 2018 with a very special forum at a special location and earlier time. When: Thursday 1st February Time: 6pm Where: 93 Brown St, Armidale – come down the driveway and around the front to the deck While having an eco house goes...

Save Armidale Mall Rally — 11am Sat, Feb 3rd

by editor | 30 Jan 2018 | Event

You are probably aware of the recent proposal to make changes to the Mall. Many groups have used the Mall for community and/or political rallies and demonstrations, and for community celebrations. As concerned citizens you may wish to participate in Council’s...

AURG Working Bee Sunday 11 February

by editor | 30 Jan 2018 | AURG, Event

Our next working bee will be on Sunday 11 February and we are planning for a planting session in a new block that Bruce is preparing beside our previous site behind the Phil Wheaton Oval. Details for working bee are as follows: Time: 8.30 am Date: Sunday 11th...

Lost Plot Community Garden Port Macquarie

by editor | 30 Jan 2018 | Garden, Local Food

During the recent Social Developers Network workshop, I visited the Armidale community gardens and met Jo Leonie. I thought you may like to see how our community garden works here. It’s called The Lost Plot and has come a long way since starting about 4 years ago....

Taking stock of the war on our wildlife

by editor | 30 Jan 2018 | SLAM

Australia’s record of protecting our plants and animals at both a national and state level is poor, with another 134 species added to the threatened list in the past seven years. In NSW, the problems are likely to worsen, not least because of the inaptly named...