An aging population is not a problem: it is the true wealth of nations

As Theodore Roszak said: “An aging population is not a problem: it is the true wealth of nations.” 

Gardens can be a source of particular solace, sanctuary and delight for the elderly. 

A group of GAF volunteers have been holding regular working bees at Lawrenny Court, where many residents have much loved beds and borders, but find maintenance a challenge.  If someone is unable to look after their garden, it is converted to shrubs - not the same as beloved flowers, herbs or vegetables. We work convivially for an hour and a half, then are given a splendid afternoon tea.

The next working bee is Saturday May 18th at 2.30pm. 

Meet at the Lawrenny Court hall, 131 Hill St. Bring tools and gloves. 

Please RSVP to Miriam (text/phone: 0400 480 908 or email: my_mort@hotmail.com) so we can plan work and catering.

Your solar payments are under threat

WHEN is supporting this Tasmanian campaign to protect the feed-in tariffs currently enjoyed by householders supplying renewable energy to Aurora.  Here is a letter received from Save Solar Tasmania:

Subject: Your solar payments are under threat

Dear fellow Tasmanian

The future of solar power in Tasmania is under threat.

From 1 January next year, Aurora will cease to exist as a retailer and the household and small business customers (that’s you) will be sold to one of two private retailers. Solar PV owners in Tasmania currently receive around 27c for each kWh they export under Aurora’s tariff 31. But there won’t be an Aurora next year! Despite repeated requests, submissions and lobbying, all that the Minister for Energy, Bryan Green will say is that there will be a ‘fair and reasonable’ feed in tariff and the government is still taking advice on the issue. The ‘fair and reasonable’ tariff paid to customers in Victoria is 8c/kWh. In NSW no feed in tariff is mandated, some retailers pay nothing for the power fed into the grid, and some pay just 5.2c!

What does this mean for you?

If you are an existing solar owner: it means right now there is no certainty over the future of the payments for the clean safe energy you are generating and feeding into the grid.

If you are a Tasmanian that hopes to one day install solar on your roof: it means that while your investment will help you lower your own power bills, you are likely to get a much lower price for the excess energy you create – effectively subsidising the big power companies!

Sign the petition to ensure current and future Tasmanian solar owners receive a fair price for the solar power they feed into the grid: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/savesolartasmania

All this is why Save Solar Tasmania - a new alliance of businesses, householders and community groups - has come together to call on the State government to act urgently to safeguard investment in Tasmania's solar homes.

We are teaming up with the soon to launch Solar Citizens project - to bring together the 10,000 solar homes in Tasmania, as well as everyone who one day hopes to go solar - to tell the Tasmanian government to give solar a fair go.

Sign the petition here: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/savesolartasmania

For most Tasmanians using the power of the sun to generate energy just makes sense. Solar brings many benefits including new jobs, reduced wholesale power prices and new generation of clean safe energy. It helps build a network of renewable energy generation across a range of sources (solar, wind, hydro) and enhances Tasmania’s reputation of being clean and green.

We look forward to working with you to ensure a strong future for solar in Tassie. Please sign and share the petition today. We will keep you up to date with our Tasmanian campaign and you will also receive news on the national Solar Citizens campaign.

Regards,

Jack Gilding

On behalf of Save Solar Tasmania

WHEN is keen to hear from West Hobartians with solar PV installed.  It would be good to build a local network so that we can share our experiences and perhaps some better practices.  Pls contact Di Elliffe at whenvnet@gmail.com.

New Tassievore workshops coming up in Hobart

Science in the Kitchen Garden Workshops Series - Chemistry of Cooking 

Monday, 20 May 6-8pm

By understanding the basics of chemistry and physics as it applies to food we can utilise the very best aspects of cookery.  Maximising taste and nutrition in fresh food, developing fat free cooking techniques and creating consistency.  Made possible by an Inspiring Australia Grant.  Tickets available from: http://chemistryofcooking.eventbrite.com  Venue: Sustainable Living Tasmania 1/71 Murray Street, Hobart. Cost: $10, $5 Conc, by donation for SLT members.
 


Science in the Kitchen Garden Workshops Series - Tasmanian insects: pests or guests? 

Saturday, 20 July 10am-1pm 

Led by celebrated environmental scientist Elizabeth Daley, this workshop will teach you to identify insects likely to establish in Tasmanian food gardens. Explore environmental modifications for successful growing including attracting populations of predators at the desirable stages of their life cycles and fostering environmental conditions for healthy plant growth. Supported by an Inspiring Australia Grant. Venue: Sustainable Living Tasmania, 1/71 Murray Street, Hobart. Cost: $10, $5 Conc, by donation for SLT members.

There is also a facebook event for these workshops - https://www.facebook.com/events/452876008123770/. 

Contact: Lissa Villeneuve
Project Manager and Festival Director

1st floor, 71 Murray Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000
phone: (03) 6234 5566
direct: (03) 6281 9362
fax: (03) 6234 5543

Draught Busters get going

In the last few days the Draught Busters in West Hobart project has kicked off in great fashion.   On Wednesday night the meeting room at Sustainable Living Tasmania was full, as twentyone would-be Draught Busters met and mingled.

After introductions from Margaret Steadman, Rebecca Boyle led the trainee Draught Busters through the Materials Guide which has been developed specifically for this project.  We all learnt heaps about the quality draughtproofing materials which are recommended by experienced draught busters here in Hobart. People were enthusiastic in seeking ideas and sharing their own experiences.  Rebecca draw on her extensive professional experience in this field and related some entertaining stories from the draught busting front line :)

Di Elliffe then outlined next steps in the project and presented the Draught Buster toolkits which contain a selection of specialist tools which will be required.   Participants formed into 5 groups, based on existing friendships and neighbourhood proximity.   Members of each group will share a toolkit amongst themselves and will also help each other out as required.  There was quite a buzz in the air as everyone headed home, already planning how to address their draughty doors and windows.

On Sunday, Anna invited us into her draughty house to learn more in a hands-on workshop.  Rebecca did an excellent job under pressure (!), showing about twenty trainee Draught Busters how to cut and install Surround Draught Strip, Door Bottom Draught Strip, Adhesive V-flex Tape, Broad tape, Draught Sausages, Chimney Balloon, and Foam Gap Filler Rod.  Phew!

Surround Draught Strip on front door

Door bottom draught strip

Adhesive V-flex strip

Suround draught strip on sash window

Surround draught strip on awning window

Draught Busters are now in action all over West Hobart, stopping the cold autumn air leaks in their houses one gap at a time.  About 30 houses will soon be Earning Their Stars in reducing their carbon footprints and enjoying increased thermal comfort.

There are still opportunities to get involved, just contact us at whenvnet@gmail.com.

Save Solar Tasmania - launch tomorrow

Save Solar Tasmania is a new alliance of businesses, householders and community groups established to promote Tasmania’s opportunities in small and medium scale renewable energy.

The group will be holding a press conference on the steps of Parliament House Hobart at midday tomorrow (Thursday 11 April) to urge the Government to provide guarantees for customers on the existing feed-in tariff and to establish a public consultation and review process that sets a fair price for solar and other small renewable energy technologies in Tasmania.

The group was formed because in the rush to privatise Aurora’s retailing activities, the government has created uncertainty which is jeopardising the future of the solar industry in Tasmania.

A press release and details of the new website established to support the campaign will be circulated tomorrow morning. Existing background information is available at http://waterworksvalley.com/solar/

The press conference will provide an opportunity for the media to talk to members of the group including:

·         solar installation companies

·         householders who have installed solar panels and those who are contemplating installations but are concerned about possible changes to the feed-in tariff

·         businesses that are developing small and medium scale wind and hydro projects.

Come along if you are interested!

Future of West Hobart Oval (recreation area)

A motion calling for the development of a master plan for the West Hobart Oval ('The Rec'), in consultation with the local community, will be going to the Hobart City Council Parks Committee.  The text of the motion is printed below.

If anyone would like to encourage members of the Parks Committee to support the motion please contact them:
Jeff Briscoe (Chair)  jbriscoe@netspace.net.au
Peter Sexton  ptsexton@tassie.net.au
Helen Burnet  helenburnet@netspace.net.au
Bill Harvey  billharvey@iinet.au
Marti Zucco (who has proposed the motion)  ald_zucco@netspace.net.au


Text of the motion:

Motion:      That:     1.    A report be prepared that considers developing a master plan for the West Hobart oval community recreation area.

(i)                The report address the following issues:

·          The impact of any the new development to the area

·          The governance of the area

·          The specific needs of the residents school and other users

·          Potential traffic & parking issues and other relevant traffic management strategies to enhance pedestrian movement and safety in the general area.

2.    Consultation occurs with the community, in particular the local schools, and other organisations.

Rationale:     To consider all the uses of the area and the future direction of the use of the land and facility so that the local community and school have a clear understanding of what the future of the area may be

Ride to School Day, Friday March 22

Who rode to school today?

 We did!

It was the annual Ride 2 School day last Friday, and despite the wet weather, Goulburn St Primary School had an excellent turnout.

Well done to the staff and teachers, especially the sports teacher Mrs Sullivan.

Vegie spotting in West Hobart

This morning I spotted this wonderfully well organised and productive vegie patch in a front garden in West Hobart.   It's immaculately looked after and well protected from birds (and perhaps envious passers-by?).

I love the row of plump pumpkins on the right!   And just out of shot is the compost bin, so this gardener is clearly recycling the kitchen scraps to feed the soil.  What a great job, and I bet the vegies taste great!

URGENT: Tasmanian Solar Feed-in-Tariffs at risk

West Hobartians, please take note:
The Tasmanian government is restructuring electricity retailing in this State, to take effect from 1 January 2014. Associated with these changes it is highly likely that the existing fair feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar panels and other small renewable energy technologies will be reviewed and lost or reduced.

The most immediate way that communities can take action is to make submissions to the Energy Reform project right now.  Even a short email of support for the retention of existing feed-in tariff is useful – you do not have to write a detailed submission.

If you have solar PV installed on your roof or are thinking about doing so, you should read this very informative summary of what is happening here: background information PDF.

And then make a submission!  The deadline is only two days away - no need to make it overly complex.  There is an outline of what you might like to say at the end of the above document.