Thursday, October 16, 2008

Implement the WEP campaign and film

ALEC's Climate Action Group (CAG) presents their brand new short film:

Water in Alice Springs - (17 mins)
The Story Wall,Todd Mall
Thursday October 23rd 7pm / 8pm/ 9pm
"an engaging look at local attitudes to water and where our water comes from!"

Followed by Scott Ludlam's (WA Greens Senator)
Climate of Hope - 30 mins on climate change, nuclear power and the energy revolution

The film Water in Alice Springs marks the beginning of CAGs community campaign:
"Implement the Alice Springs Water Efficiency Program - WEP!"

Background to the campaign...
Does day sprinkling on public lawns dampen your sensibilities?
Did you know the NT government commissioned a Water Efficiency Study for Alice Springs way back in 2001?

At a cost of around $200,000 the study was over three stages and 6 years! Working closely with NRETA, P&W and the Alice Springs Urban Water Reference Group the Sydney-based Institute for Sustainable Futures developed a comprehensive plan for Alice Springs in 2007 called the Water Efficiency Program -WEP.

But all this effort and enthusiasm foundered over who would make the initial investment. The solution was to ask the Commonwealth for the dollars - and the application has languished there ever since. It would cost about $5 million over 3 years to implement these measure that can save 1/4 of Alice Springs' annual water consumption.
From NRETAS water wise website: "Alice Springs residents want a better, more cost effective solution than continuing to waste water. Installing more efficient fixtures, eliminating inefficient practices and repairing leaks not only reduces peoples' water bills but will also help delay the need for a new borefield and water supply infrastructure". A WEP involves the whole community from institutions to households.The start-up money would be recovered in several years. Save water, save power, save emissions and save public money that could be spent helping Alice Springs adapt to climate change.

Someone at P&W recently said "it's just about getting someone to commit to the future!".
The Climate Action Group is committed to the future.

Join us and say "Just do it".
For more information on the campaign contact Ruth Apelt CAG: ruthapelt [_"at"_] yahoo.com
To read the history and recommendations of the WEP: www.nt.gov.au/nreta/water/wise

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Water Week Activities Oct 19-25

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS AND SPORT
Do you want to know where our water comes from, how it’s managed
and how to be more waterwise? Join in these free activities to fi nd out.
Waterwise public bus tour
Saturday 18 October - bookings essential
Time: 8.45am sharp - 1.30pm, Where: Anzac Hill Car Park
See how our groundwater is managed and learn to save water in the garden
Light lunch provided at Alice Springs Town Council
Supported by Power and Water Corporation, the Alice Springs Town Council and
Geoff Miers Garden Solutions.
Greywater information night
Tuesday 21 October
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Where: Lot 4311 Chateau Rd
Discussions on products, NT approvals, installation, rebates and testimonies
Supported by Greenplumber - Flavell Plumbing
Rainwater tank information night
Thursday 23 October
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Where: Alice Springs Town Council, Andy McNeill room
Discussions on products, installation, rebates and launch of DKA
COOLmob’s Rainwater Tank Calculator
To reserve your place call the
Water Conservation Offi cer on 8951 9209
www.nt.gov.au/waterwise
National Water Week
activities in Alice Springs
every
drop
counts

Thursday, October 9, 2008

ALEC Update

Well...it’s been a busy week with the announcement that the Cameco/Paladin joint venture has been granted the rights to explore for uranium within our water catchment, a meagre 25 km out of town! It was great to see about 70 local people gather at the Council Lawns and march up Gregory Terrace to the Chief Minister’s office on Friday afternoon. This was within 3 hours after the NT Government’s announcement – a commendable and heartwarming effort by all involved. This was followed with a rally on Sunday morning where about 300 people gathered to hear and voice their opposition to the approval with a strong commitment to take action if necessary to stop the project. However, the uranium situation in Central Australia extends well beyond the Angela Pamela deposit. There are a number of exploration projects currently underway that are only 40-50km south of here. We must remember that if uranium mining starts in any of these areas the yellowcake will be trucked into Alice Springs, unloaded and trained up to Darwin.
There are a host of risks associated with this as well!
-----
If you want to get involved in the campaign, come along to the Alice Springs Angela Pamela (ASAP) Collective meeting this Thursday, 6pm at the ALEC office. Tonight we will be talking strategy, so bring your ideas or open mind to contribute to the campaign for the self-determination of our town and a nuclear-free future.
-----
The Management Committee and I conducted a strategic planning meeting on Saturday and resolved that the key foci for ALEC in the next 12 months will be:
- Water – conservation, efficiency and protection in conjunction with the Climate Action Group, COOLmob and other relevant agencies
- Community Resilience – community gardens, workshops, forums, skill sharing, networking and community engagement and;
- Providing organisational support for the ASAP Collective

If you would like to discuss any of these projects or get involved please email me at: info@alec.org.au or call me on 08 8952 2497
---------------
ALEC has a blog
The weekly updates will be posted to this blog and hopefully in time will become an ALEC Community (cyber)Space for organising, networking and communicating ideas.
Check it out:
http://aridlandsec.blogspot.com/

On Leave...
I will be on leave between Wednesday October 15 and November 4. I will post to the blog but will not be able to send group emails. If you have events that you would like to have publicised, email me and I can post it to the blog but the ALEC Updates won’t be emailed until November 5.
Have a fun October

Jimmy

‘Our first task is to create a shadow economic, social and even technological structure that will be ready to take over as the existing system fails’ – David Ehrenfield

Greens Gathering

Greens Gathering
We would love more people to get involved in the Greens in Alice Springs and for more people to be informed about issues affecting life in Central Australia. To encourage this we have decided to have a Green gathering every second month on the second Sunday of the month. This will be a social event with a time to meet other Greens members and learn more about a particular issue. The first one will be happening this Sunday (12th October):
Date: Sunday 12 OctoberTime: 5pm - 6pm
Venue: Telegraph StationFocus Issue: Angela-Pamela exploration license - what happens now?What to bring: drinks/snacks to eat and share, something to sit onKids, friends, non-members VERY welcome.Hope to see you there!Lisa Hall on behalf of the Alice Springs Greens

Native Plant Sale at Greening Australia

Native Plant Sale at Greening Australia Nursery .
Happy Healthy Plants
Looking For Good Homes.
11th October 9am - 12pm.
Charles Darwin University
off Grevillea Drive 2nd Entrance ... then follow the signs...

Beyond Nuclear Initiative News



1. There will be a Senate Inquiry into the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Bill.

This Bill put forward by Senator Scott Ludlam repeals the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act of 2005 and the amendments to that legislation made in 2006.

The highly undemocratic law, rammed through by the Howard government, allows the federal dump to be forced on the NT despiteopposition from Traditional Owners, the broader NT community and the NT Government.

Submissions are due by Friday 31 October.

Information about the Inquiry is online here: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eca_ctte/radioactive_waste/info.htm

You are strongly, strongly urged to make a submission to the Inquiry!

Send your submissions to:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Australia
Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
Fax: +61 2 6277 5818
Email: eca.sen@aph.gov.au

Hearings will be held in mid-November, and if enough submissions are received from the Territory, it is a possibility that a hearing will be held in Darwin and/or Alice Springs.

The report will be due in early December.

--------------------------------------

2. Angela Pamela Exploration License granted late Friday afternoon we had news that the Angela Pamela license had been granted. It was heartening to see the immediate community response- within 3 hours, 80 people were assembled on the Town Council Lawns and marched to the Chief Minister's office for a community speak out.

On Sunday, hundreds of people attended a rally and the ASAP collective spent the rest of the afternoon faxing the 143 messages that were written to the Mines Minister, Chief Minister and Environment Minister in the NT and federal Environment and Resources Ministers to reiterate that while the NTG says yes, Alice Springs says NO !

---------------------------------

Links to some media articles:

Alice ALP Branch fights uranium licence
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/08/2385307.htm?site=alicesprings

NT Government defends uranium exploration decision http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/07/2384315.htm

Alice Springs uranium mine gets exploration approval http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/03/2381698.htm?site=alicesprings

NT 'ignored community over uranium project'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/03/2381883.htm?site=alicesprings

Uranium mining won't affect Alice water: Henderson http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/06/2383116.htm?site=alicesprings

The Alice Springs Angela Pamela collective will be planning a number of community events to keep momentum around this issue, and to begin challenging the large number of other uranium exploration licences pending, or already granted.

Stay tuned for more information about nuclear free picnics and other upcoming events.

---------------------------------

Media Release
October 3, 2008

Community group condemns approval of uranium exploration

The Alice Springs Angela Pamela (ASAP) collective has branded the NT Government decision to allow exploration at known uranium deposits Angela and Pamela ‘a blatant disregard of community concern and opposition’.

The uranium deposits are situated only 25 km from Alice Springs and within the water catchment boundary for the town.

“This decision from Darwin is extremely disappointing, because the local community has spoken loudly and clearly that exploration at these sites is not welcome,” stated Natalie Wasley, from the ASAP Collective.

“950 people signed a petition calling for this license not to be granted and hundreds of people have attended public meetings and rallies to show their opposition.”

Jimmy Cocking from ASAP added “The NT Government has shown contempt for concerns about the potential environmental and social impacts of having a uranium project so close to Alice Springs.”

“The NT government and companies have tried to talk up possible economic benefits for the region, but local residents, pastoralists and tourism operators will be adversely impacted if this project goes ahead”.

“The decision to allow exploration at Angela and Pamela is extremely disappointing, but the ASAP collective will continue to foster broad community alliances to oppose uranium exploration and mining at these deposits and throughout the NT.” Natalie Wasley concluded.

Contact:
Natalie Wasley 0429 900 774
Jimmy Cocking 0423 511 931

-------------------------

3. Central Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (CANFA) meeting

The inaugural CANFA meeting will be held at Blatherskite Park (Members Bar) from November 7-9, 2008.

CANFA is a regional version of the annual Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) meeting, which was recently held near Darwin.

All community members are welcome to attend and discuss a range of topics including:
Radiation and health
Uranium exploration
Uranium mining
Water
Climate Change
Nuclear waste

There will be a special session on Angela Pamela, details TBA.

Guest speakers at the meeting include:
Dr Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation Donna Jackson, Top End Aboriginal Conservation Alliance Dr Hilary Tyler, Medical Association for the Prevention of War

For more information, to attend or assist in organising CANFA please contact:
Natalie Wasley, 08 8952 2011, natwasley@alec.org.au

------------
Beyond Nuclear Initiative
Uranium Project

natwasley@alec.org.au
08 8952 2011
0429 900 774

Desert Community Seminar and Workshop

The Desert Knowledge CRC is proud to host a unique seminar and workshop featuring internationally-renowned author and thinker Margaret J Wheatley on how to lead and organise desert communities.
“No one discipline, institution, or specialisation can answer the questions that now confront us. We all must draw from many different perspectives to reweave the world,” Margaret says.
In her co-authored groundbreaking 1996 book A Simpler Way she explores the question: Could we organise human endeavour differently if we understood how Life itself organises? For more information see: http://www.margaretwheatley.com/biography.html
DKCRC research has found that certain rules govern the way deserts and all life in them, human included, operate and this has profound significance to the way we organise our communities, livelihoods and industries. Margaret will deliver a seminar on leadership in desert communities, followed by an interactive workshop focusing on:
• How science is finding what indigenous peoples have known all along—the basic building blocks are relationships
• What makes for a healthy community
• What kind of leadership works to mobilise a community
• The core principles for working in a community.
The event is open to partners and associates of the DKCRC, and the public, but please book as we anticipate heavy demand and seats are limited.
Media are welcome to attend and cover the event.
Where: Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza, Barrett Drive, Alice Springs
When: Monday 3 November 2008, 11:00am start for seminar with the workshop running from 1:30pm to 5:00pm. A light lunch will be provided.
Bookings: Renee Westbrook, 08 8959 6041 or renee.westbrook@desertknowledgecrc.com.au
RSVP: By close of business, Friday 17 October 2008.
The workshop will be streamed live, from this page: http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/publications/conferencestreaming.html

DKACOOLmob News National Water Week October 19-25

National Water week October 19th- 25th
Do you want to know where our water comes from, how it’s managed and how to be more waterwise? Join in these free activities to find out.
Waterwise public bus tour
Saturday 18 October - bookings essential
Time: 8.45am sharp - 1.30pm, light lunch provided. Where: Anzac Hill Car Park
See how our groundwater is managed and learn to save water in the garden
Greywater information night
Tuesday 21 October
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Where: Lot 4311 Chateau Rd
Discussions on products, NT approvals, installation, rebates and testimonies
Rainwater tank information night
Thursday 23 October
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Where: Alice Springs Town Council, Andy McNeill room
Discussions on products, installation, rebates and launch of DKA COOLmob’s Rainwater Tank Calculator
To reserve your place call the Water Conservation Officer on 8951 9209
www.nt.gov.au/waterwise

Water audits
Why not celebrate National Water Week by booking a water audit with DKA COOLmob? Audits take about an hour and cost only $10. Find out where your water goes and prioritize water saving actions for your home. Your friendly auditor will bring a rebate information pack too.

New Greenhouse Friendly Action Booklet
Grab your copy of the revised Greenhouse Friendly Action Booklet. Available from the Arid Lands Environment Centre or for download here. This edition includes information for Tennant Creek as well as Alice Springs.

Position: 8CCC Station Manager

Position : 8CCC STATION MANAGER

Applications due 24th October 2008. Post to 8CCC Board of Management PO Box 4185 Alice Springs NT 0871 or email to 8ccc@netspeed.com.au.

For more information contact 8CCC on 8ccc@netspeed.com.au or ring 0427 527771.

INVITATION- Heaslip Arid Zone Research Scholarship

Emily Treagust, the 2008 winner of the Heaslip Arid Zone Research Scholarship, will present the findings of her project. The aim of the project was to develop a predictive equation to estimate the amount of carbon stored in standing dead mulga trees. This topic is very timely given that there is increasing recognition that Australia’s rangelands have a role to play in carbon accounting and perhaps even carbon trading. A predictive equation was successfully developed for use in central Australia and the biggest tree measured in this study was found to contain approximately 46kg of above-ground carbon.

The Heaslip Arid Zone Research Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior student from St Philip’s College and is designed to expose students to all the skills required to take a scientific research project from concept stage through to final promotion. The scholarship also helps to educate young people about the local arid environment.

The scholarship is generously funded by
Grant & Jan Heaslip of Bond Springs Station

The presentation will be held at the Fred McKay Centre

St Philip’s College, Schwarz Crescent, Alice Springs

3.30 pm on Friday 10th of October 2008

Afternoon Tea Provided


RSVP Oriel
Phone 8950 4502
Email Oriel.Clarke@stphilips.nt.edu.au

Alice Solar City

ALEC is a proud member of the Alice Solar City Consortium Alice Solar City is very much aligned to our objective of creating healthy futures for arid lands and people. The $37 million, six year program is part of the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative and aims to explore how technology, behaviour change and new approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future for Australia. Elements include residential, commercial and large scale solar trials.

Alice Solar City provides the residents and business operators of Alice Springs with free energy surveys, financial incentives to save energy, and advice on solar energy and energy efficiency. So far over 260 residents have signed up to the program. After the launch of the commercial services program on 30 May, 25 business operators have also expressed interest in participating, with the first business energy survey conducted at the YHA last week.
Congratulations Alice Springs!

To find out more or to sign up just drop into the Smart Living Centre at 82 Todd Street (next to Bojangles) and have a chat with their friendly staff or visit the website http://www.blogger.com/www.alicesolarcity.com.au or call 8950 4350.

Member Advertisement: CARTRIDGE WORLD

THE environment is on everyone's minds, but some aspects of modern technology conflict with it.Locally owned Cartridge World Alice Springs is dedicated to the three R’s -- reduce, reuse and recycle.Millions of printer cartridges are thrown away across Australia each year, but reusing and recycling them is an alternative.Laser print cartridges account for more than 90 per cent of all throw-away cartridges and each one can take 450 years to decompose.With increased use of office printers, the demand for print cartridges has grown enormously.About 3.4 litres of fuel is used to produce one new laser cartridge.Recycling cartridges can save about 10 million litres of oil in Australia.To reduce the production of these mass-produced cartridges overseas, it is essential that cartridges are reused as many times as possible.The plastic and metal components within the cartridges can be reused many times -- the plastic alone has a lifespan of 400 years.Even if you do not reuse, others do.Cartridge World Alice Springs always requires cartridges for reuse, and when they can't be reused any more they will be recycled.By reusing and recycling, we can reduce the importation of cartridges while creating jobs for Australian remanufacturer’s.Refilling and remanufacturing, not only helps the environment but creates employment for local people, as this we produce locally.We can refill & remanufacture most ink and laser cartridges in store. It produces a top quality, reliable product and there is a 100 per cent money-back guarantee.Cartridge World in Alice Springs is one of more than 1300 Cartridge World stores world-wide.The Alice Springs store services the region including Yulara, Tennant Creek and each of the surrounding borders, with a free local delivery and pick-up service within Alice Springs.Using a recycled cartridge helps save the environment and makes a saving for the consumer.Contact Cartridge World, in Elder Street, on 8953 8700.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Greens Gathering - ASAP

We would love more people to get involved in the Greens in Alice Springs and for more people to be informed about issues affecting life in Central Australia. To encourage this we have decided to have a Green gathering every second month on the second Sunday of the month. This will be a social event with a time to meet other Greens members and learn more about a particular issue.

The first one will be happening this Sunday (12th October):
Date: Sunday 12 October
Time: 5pm - 6pm
Venue: Telegraph Station
Focus Issue: Angela-Pamela exploration license - what happens now?
What to bring: drinks/snacks to eat and share, something to sit on
Kids, friends, non-members VERY welcome.
Hope to see you there!
Lisa Hall on behalf of the Alice Springs Greens

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Protest against Angela Pamela

Unfortunately we are one step close to being a Uranium mining town

The Angela Pamela license to explore for uranium 21km from Alice Springs has been granted:

http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/news_media_archive_article.cfm?newsid=404&ws=1

Over 100 people gathered yesterday and another protest is planned for tomorrow.

PROTEST THIS SUNDAY Oct 5th: Flynn Church lawns 10.30am

You may also want to find out more about ASAP and join the No Alice U-Mine facebook group

Thursday, October 2, 2008

From the Coordinator

It's starting to heat up and a busy couple of weeks ahead for all of us.

Don't forget the Landcare AGM on Sunday morning.

The Going Green Workshop Series may be of interest to some of you.

There's been a potentially large gain on the waste dump issue, with a senate inquiry being instigated by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam (see below).

If you don't have the time to volunteer for ALEC you can make regular tax deductible donations through our new direct debit, recurring credit card system from www.egive.org.au. See DONATE on the right for more info.

Also, Ngapartji Ngapartji tickets are selling fast so don't forget to book yours and tell your mates to get in quick before they get snapped up by conference delegates! Araluen Box Office for tickets 8951 1122.

That's all for now.

Enjoy your week and be good to our Mother.

Jimmy

'All things are possible once enough human beings realise that everything is at stake' - Norman Cousins

How to Lead and Organise Desert Communites

The Desert Knowledge CRC is proud to host a unique seminar and workshop featuring internationally-renowned author and thinker Margaret J Wheatley on how to lead and organise desert communities.

"No one discipline, institution, or specialisation can answer the questions that now confront us. We all must draw from many different perspectives to reweave the world," Margaret says.

In her co-authored groundbreaking 1996 book A Simpler Way she explores the question: Could we organise human endeavour differently if we understood how Life itself organises? For more information see:
http://www.margaretwheatley.com/biography.html

DKCRC research has found that certain rules govern the way deserts and all life in them, human included, operate and this has profound significance to the way we organise our communities, livelihoods and industries.

Margaret will deliver a seminar on leadership in desert communities, followed by an interactive workshop focusing on:
. How science is finding what indigenous peoples have known all along-the basic building blocks are relationships . What makes for a healthy community
. What kind of leadership works to mobilise a community . The core principles for working in a community.

The event is open to partners and associates of the DKCRC, and the public, but please book as we anticipate heavy demand and seats are limited.

Media are welcome to attend and cover the event.
Where: Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza, Barrett Drive, Alice Springs
When: Monday 3 November 2008, 11:00am start for seminar with the workshop running from 1:30pm to 5:00pm.
A light lunch will be provided.

Bookings: Renee Westbrook, 08 8959 6041 or
renee.westbrook@desertknowledgecrc.com.au
RSVP: By close of business, Friday 17 October 2008.
The workshop will be streamed live, from this page:
http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/publications/conferencestreaming.html

Inquiry into the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Bill

As you may know, there will be an Inquiry into the Commonwealth Radioactive
Waste Management Bill, put forward by Senator Ludlam last week.

Information about the Inquiry is online here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eca_ctte/radioactive_waste/info.htm

This Bill put forward by Senator Ludlam repeals the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act of 2005 and the amendments to that legislation made in 2006.

Submissions are due by Friday 31 October. You are strongly, strongly urged to make a submission to the Inquiry! Send your submissions to

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts
Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
Australia
Phone:+61 2 6277 3526
Fax: +61 2 6277 5818
Email:eca.sen@aph.gov.au


Hearings will be held in mid-November, and if enough submissions are
received from the Territory, it is a possibility that a hearing will be held
in Darwin and/or Alice Springs. The report will be due in early December.

Alice Springs Landcare Community Field day

Alice Springs Landcare

Greening Australia and Alice Springs Landcare are pleased to invite you to a community field day on the banks of the Todd River this Sunday 5th October.

Meet at Casa Nostra carpark 9am. Write this in your diaries now!

Activities: rubbish removal, maintenance of past plantings and buffel control around remnant vegetation and Old Red Gum Trees.

Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle, mug, rug/chair, gloves and any spare tools. Supervision and training provided on the day

Hang around afterwards for a BBQ and the inaugural Annual General Meeting of Alice Springs Landcare.

This is the chance you have been waiting for to get your hands dirty and help look after the unique environment of Alice Springs.

Enquires:

Ben Kober

Urban Landcare Officer Alice Springs
Greening Australia NT (Ltd)
PH: (08) 89532882
FAX: (08) 89527434

Native Plant Sale

Native Plant Sale at Greening Australia Nursery.

Happy Healthy Plants Looking For Good Homes.

11th October 9am - 12pm. Charles Darwin University
(off Grevillea Drive 2nd Entrance ... then follow the signs...)