Fossil free Unis — The Fossil Free Convergence 10–13 March

by editor | 12 Jan 2017 | AACSGaM, Energy, Event

The Fossil Free Convergence is a 3-day national gathering of students and their allies from across the country. Held in the iconic Blue Mountains from 10-13th March, it’s an opportunity to celebrate our wins, take stock of where we are, and launch into a year of new...

NERAM looks to the Sun

by editor | 12 Jan 2017 | Energy

The New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale this week connected to the power grid with one of the largest solar power arrays on any regional gallery in the country. The 240 panels installed on the roof of NERAM will provide up to 88 Kwh to offset the power used by...

Uralla Shire Recruiting a new Environmental Management Coordinator

by editor | 12 Jan 2017 | Event

Council is seeking the services of an experienced Environmental Management Co-Ordinator to join the Infrastructure and Regulation team based in Uralla. This position has responsibility for leading Council in the delivery of high quality environmental programs...

Wind turbine transportation via Armidale

by editor | 12 Jan 2017 | Energy

I am excited about the commencement of construction of White Rock Wind Farm, just west of Glen Innes. Lots of trucks will be travelling up from Newcastle to Glen Innes delivering turbine components over the next few months, via the New England Highway. I mean to plant...

Become a citizen scientist and make a difference

by editor | 12 Jan 2017 | AACSGaM, SLAM

The citizen science group called the Leard Forest Research Node conducts field work including noise and dust monitoring as well as koala habitat mapping and other ecological investigations around Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine and Idemitsu’s Boggabri...

December Party: Sharing finger food and jazz soundz at Central Park 6:30pm Thursday 1st Dec

by editor | 24 Nov 2016 | Event

Let’s celebrate members and volunteers for a great year of events and forums continuing our vision for Armidale to be a more resilient and sustainable town. It’s simple: bring a picnic blanket, some finger food and drink to share. The festivities will happen at...

Launch Solar Hot Water bulk buy: 10am Wed 30 Nov — Uralla Community Hall

by editor | 24 Nov 2016 | Energy, Event, SLAM, Starfish

Farming-the-Sun is launching the second bulk buying scheme for solar hot water. Their evacuated tube systems will be substantially discounted below retail prices. Wednesday, 30 November 2016 10–11am; Uralla Community Centre, 9 Hill Street, Uralla The launch...

North Coast Energy Forum 25 November 2016 Program released!

by editor | 24 Nov 2016 | Energy, Event, Starfish

North Coast Energy Forum Friday, 25 November 2016 ~ Coffs Harbour Here in this part of Australia, we like to think we are living in a clean, green part of the world. In some respects, maybe that’s true (is that the screech of cockatoos I hear outside my window?). But...

Armidale 100% Renewables Community Forum — 6:30pm Nov 21 Bowling Club

by editor | 21 Nov 2016 | Energy, Event

The 100% Renewables Roadshow is coming to Armidale and we want you there! An orderly transition to 100% renewable electricity is not only 100% doable, it will mean a better, fairer and cheaper energy system for all Australians. The Homegrown Power Plan is a policy...

The economic impacts of CSG: How will it affect you? community discussion in Narrabri with Richard Denniss

by editor | 21 Nov 2016 | AACSGaM, Event

A community discussion on the CSG industry’s potential economic effects on the region. The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri Tues November 29 6.00pm – 7.30pm With Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute John Hoffman, President of Miles Chamber of...

Please send us great photos to include on SLA bookmarks and postcards

by editor | 21 Nov 2016 | SLAM

Hi friends, we have purchased beautiful 100% unbleached recycled paper and now we need the images to print onto it. Please send me a high rez photo of an SLA event or one we have collaborated with, that has SLA faces. We have newly designed bookmarks with a...

Theater of Life screening at Belgrave Cinema by OzHarvest New England

by editor | 14 Nov 2016 | Event, Local Food

On Nov 14 OzHarvest New England will be hosting a very special film screening at Belgrave Cinema. The documentary, Theater of Life, follows current world number one chef, Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana) and Father Don Giuliana (parish priest of Greco) as they...

Citizen science group calls for Dept of Planning to lift veil of secrecy on low frequency noise from collieries

by editor | 14 Nov 2016 | AACSGaM, SLAM

A citizen science group based in coal-afflicted Maules Creek, NSW, claims the Department of Planning and Environment has failed to validate low frequency noise modelling that it uses in planning decisions, resulting in harm to rural communities near coal mines. The...

November Forum: David Curtis — Culture and the arts in sustainability

by editor | 8 Nov 2016 | Black Gully, Event, Monthly Forum, SLAM

SLA is holding a very special forum on Thursday November 10th at the Uniting Church Hall at 7pm. Former Armidale resident, ecologist, artist and social activist, Dave Curtis, will be joined by five artists to talk about their project for Saturday’s Black Gully Music...

6th Black Gully Music Festival at NERAM 10am–10pm Saturday 12 Nov

by editor | 8 Nov 2016 | Black Gully, Event

The sixth annual Black Gully Music Festival once again presents a rich program of local music, four world-class ecoartists, activities for the whole family, an artists and makers market and great food stalls. It’s free as always and only works because of...

Solar power bulk-buy UPDATE: Last chance to access full renewable energy credits

by editor | 8 Nov 2016 | Energy, Event, Starfish

EESS advised us today that the cut-off date for receiving the full renewable energy credits is close of business, Wednesday 9 November. If you have already placed your deposit you are in this first bulk-buy group. Congratulations! If not, and you would like to be,...

Seeking your feedback on NSW’S environmental future — ends 16 Dec

by editor | 8 Nov 2016 | Energy, Event

Office of Environment and Heritage want your feedback on the Draft Climate Change Fund Strategic Plan and A Draft Plan to Save NSW Energy and Money. We’ll be using your feedback to develop three action plans for investing up to $500 million over five years...

EPHEMERA Art of the Impermanent — Meet the Artists

by editor | 2 Nov 2016 | SLAM

Five talented eco-artists will be in residence at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place (ACCKP), the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) and on site in and around Black Gully in the weeks leading up to the Black Gully Music Festival. Community members...

First block of solar power bulk-buy installations to begin

by editor | 28 Oct 2016 | Energy, Starfish

We have just received confirmation that enough deposits have been received for installations of the first bulk-buy block to begin in November. Delivery of the panels is expected by mid November and installations are scheduled to be completed before the summer holiday...

Can you help us #RaiseTheReef by watching and sharing our latest video? — Tim Flannery

by editor | 27 Oct 2016 | Climate

It’s one of the greatest environmental catastrophes our country has ever seen… and yet somehow, it’s fallen off the political agenda! Earlier this year there was plenty of media coverage about coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef – but recently, things have gone...

Our future doesn’t have to be dismall — The Good Anthropocene

by editor | 27 Oct 2016 | Starfish

It is rare to hear environmental scientists sounding positive about the future. But that’s exactly what’s happening now with an international group of researchers. Because over the past two years, they have been gathering examples of positive initiatives of various...

ESCAPE to New England starts today! 20 Oct to 12 Nov

by editor | 20 Oct 2016 | AURG, Event, Garden, Local Food

Environment Science Community Arts People Entertainment This spring, Escape to New England. From the 20th of October to the 12th November Armidale and surrounding areas emerge from the cold of winter to present a program of events and activities based on the...

RSVP to have your say in the region’s future vision

by editor | 20 Oct 2016 | Event

Community members are invited to be part of the process determining Armidale Regional Council’s future vision. 6pm to 8pm Tuesday 25 October 2016 Armidale Town Hall, Rusden Street, Armidale SLA people put some effort into getting aspects of sustainability into...

Woodland Week 2016: Sat 29 Oct – 12 Nov

by editor | 20 Oct 2016 | Event

A series of activities focussing on grassy woodlands and the plants and animals that live in them. We’re proposing five activities: Scanning with spotlights: nocturnal ecology at Thalgarrah field studies centre; Behold the bugs: invertebrate surveys of local...

Register — Energy Opportunity Workshop in Uralla 5:30pm Wed 2/11

by editor | 20 Oct 2016 | Energy, Event, ZNET

The NSW Solar Bonus Scheme is coming to a close at the end of the 2016 year. In order to make the transition to un-subsidised feed-in tariffs as smooth as possible for Scheme customers, the NSW Department of Industry in collaboration with the Office of Environment and...