Sustainability Strategy

Hot topic at the moment is our Sustainability Strategy. Put simply, it is all about how we recognise the need for reducing our ecological impact on the environment.

Buildings (homes, offices, and industrial facilities) account for over 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. Most of these emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels to provide heating, cooling, and lighting and to run electrical equipment and appliances. The manufacture of building materials and products, and the increased emissions from transport of materials, people and waste, also contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

I'm suggesting that our strategy focus on reduction in burning of fossil fuels, emission of greenhouse gases, consumption of water and contribution to urban spread. The City's proposed strategy would recognise that these effects are relevant to all areas of Town Planning and to the Design, Construction and Operation of buildings, including waste disposal.

The intention of this Policy would be to:

• Encourage design that minimised life- cycle costs, including the use of materials that will maximise durability and longevity.
• Use resources efficiently by designing buildings that minimise energy and water use and optimise use of natural daylight and cooling breezes.
• Use environmentally preferable products, including, (but not limited to) those without toxic ingredients and those which contain recycled content.
• Create healthy indoor and outdoor environments for building occupants, users and communities.
• Minimise adverse impacts that development may have upon natural and built systems.
• Make buildings adaptable for future inclusion of innovative energy and environmental technologies as they become commercially viable.

It would be really good if others could add their thoughts by clicking on the "Comments" link below.

Como Beach Artwork

Wow, aren't the new art forms at Como Beach good? We've been watching the developments over the walkway and these new forms really add character.

There are some photos you can see by clicking here.

Even better, on one of these fabulous summer mornings, when the air is like champagne bubbles,take a walk and see them for yourself.

By the way, wasn't the Australia Day celebration quite inspirational?

The tree at the end of Thelma Street was impressive too.

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Water Use in Perth

Back in Perth after some travels I was thinking about water, that stuff we all need every day.

About a quarter (27 percent) of Perth's mains water comes from reservoirs. Another 56 percent is pumped from underground, where there are enormous freshwater reserves. The rest comes from a new seawater desalination plant in Kwinana. For a really good, and readable, summary of the city's water supplies and groundwater geology see this link.

Perth's tap water is healthy and safe. However, we do consume a lot of bottled water. Sometimes it is convenient to have a bottle, some people might prefer the taste, but we really don't need the bottled stuff for health. Choice magazine has a good discussion of bottled water. If you're concerned about your carbon footprint (the amount of energy you use) then bottled water might not be for you. Transporting little bottles by truck uses heaps of fuel.

For healthy water it's hard to go past what comes from the tap. By the way, don't think of drinking from a rainwater tank in the city unless you like all the stuff that deposits in your gutters, like lead and other stuff from petrol and diesel exhaust, lizard and seagull poo, airborne pollutants from industry, mould from old leaves and so on. Rain water also contains none of the minerals which are very important for kids teeth and bones.

However, from the point of view of health, obesity and activity, any water is probably a better choice than a sweet fizzy drink.

On the matter of water being scarce, we don't seem to have done much about this. We do like our lawns, but they are thirsty luxuries. Ever since someone invented the petrol mower we have surrounded our houses with trimmed grass. This consumes lots of water. Surely we could think about having less lawn and making use of native bushes like grevillea. Thoughtful use of pea gravel, ground cover, paving and appropriate trees can make a big difference. That way we'd use less water, reduce evaporation, have more native birds around the house and feel good. Oh, and spend less time mowing the lawn :-)

To add your thoughts, click on "Comments" below.

Como Beach Erosion

Once again the storms have been eroding Como Beach. See some photos by clicking here. Note the proximity of a bus and of bridge supports in the background.

The beach is a part of our identity. Erosion threatens the continued use of the Freeway, a vital part of our State's economy. Council has allocated sixty thousand dollars for immediate repairs but a much larger project of management is necessary. To do this properly we will have to negotiate with other stakeholders about shared funding.

I'm sure that good management will take into account the changing nature of river flows, historical layers of sediment in ancient beaches beneath and behind our present beach, artificial modifications already in place, boat traffic, wildlife habitat, needs of human users and other issues.

Have your say by clicking on "comments", below.

Moorditj Keila Partnership

Last week we saw a heartfelt presentation by representatives of the Noongar community, in support of the proposal to develop Community Partnership with the City. The main objectives of the Partnership are:

1. to promote greater understanding of Noongar culture
2. to collaborate on community events
3. to build relationships between the City and Noongar community organisations
4. to explore opportunities for an Aboriginal Arts Centre, church and hostel
5. to collaborate on support services for Elders, women, men, youth, children and families

The group would be based at Manning Hall and managed under auspice of Southcare. The City proposes to support Moorditj Keila in a number of ways. I completely support such partnership and believe that a sense of community is vital for the life of our City.

Have your say right here by clicking on the 'Comments' link below ;-)