Byron Shire Council has passed an ethical purchasing policy, the Echo carried the news on the front page.

This is a significant step forward in making sure that council tenders are not only judged on price, but also on the business practices of the companies tendering.

I addressedaddressed council regarding this policy at the February 2006 meeting where it was proposed, and made a submissionon the draftthat went on public exhibition. The two most important proposals I made, in that submission, made it into the final policy, i.e. extending the requirement for disclosure to companies in the same group, and allowing council to extend the matters requiring disclosure as it sees fit. My remaining suggestions related to specific matters I believed needed disclosure, but they can, where necessary be added in now.

I don't know if anyone else from Byron SVN made submissions, but it is good to see that emailed submissions can have an impact and effect policy outcomes.

Continue reading "Council passes an ethical purchasing policy"

The next gathering of the Byron Sustainable Ventures Network will be on Tuesday 18th at Sandra Heilpern's place in Byron, hosted by Giovanni Ebono.

Giovanni - formerly host of "The Generator" on BayFM is running for federal parliament for the Green Party, so it seems to me that this is an opportunity to bring green business issues to the front of the debate, i.e. not environment & community versus business, but working together.

Since the last event we've also had Ken's event at Ethos, and some interesting developments I'm involved with in the Green Building and Solar Power field.
Hope to see you here, before the usual spring break (when I go to the US).

As usual: 6 for 6:30pm; $20; BYO and let me know RSVP's as soon as possible;

RSVPs: (14) Giovanni Ebono (hosting) (Greens candidate; one-stop green ship); Mitra Ardron (organising) (Natural Innovation; Zelfo; Beyond Building); Tim Winton (Permaforest Trust); Ian Jones (Bionizer); Paul Spooner (BYS); Tom Jones (UK planner); Chris North (Apex Air); Ken McLeod (CEF); Alasdair Smithson; Dev (Painted Earth); Sally Mathrick (Sound Medecine); Arion Ocean (Architect); Wadzy(sustainble Cities and Farms); Sandra Heilpern

Apologies: Peter Cuming; Rachel Bending;

On Thursday 9th August we gathered over dinner at Mitra's house in Tyagarah.

The flu season seems to have hit and there were a number of last minute cancellations, present were Mitra Ardron - Natural Innovation (hosting, and organising);Ken McLeod - CEF; Katerina Nikolaidis - Natural Innovation; Deb - Painted Earth; Scott Larsson - Hampton and Larsson.

Topics discussed included:
* How much are customers willing to pay for greener products
* Councils - and their support or otherwise of sustainability
* Possible energy savings from using sawdust to generate heat
* Supply chains and ways to get costs down
* The unwillingness of businesses in Byron Bay to pay for the tourist infrastructure that they benefit from.
* Certification especially for small businesses

So the usual mix of business and politics

Following from their successful eco-lighting competition, Byron Sustainable Ventures Network and North Coast Climate Action Group are making an offer, to good to refuse, to Accommodation Businesses in the Byron Shire.

The winning business will receive a free energy audit conducted by Peter Westcott. He will work with the business to identify ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint and save money in reduced energy bills. Peter will then again for free, project manage any energy efficiency improvements the business decides on ˆ thereby taking the challenge out of managing electricians, plumbers and any other contractors needed.

Accommodation Businesses can do a lot to reduce their carbon footprint and their costs. Many have high heating, cooling, refrigeration and lighting costs which can be reduced while also making their services more attractive to tourists.

Businesses are a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, and global warming, and this competition is part of an ongoing effort by Byron SVN and NCCAG to help businesses do their part for the environment.

To enter this competition, download the simple application form from here

Entries should be emailed to mitra@mitra.biz before 20th August 2007.

Tim Winton of Permaforest Trust - an active participant in Byron SVN - asked me to forward this announcement.

Byron Bay, NSW - July 9, 2007. The Permaforest Trust, Centre for Sustainability Education, announces it will be training Post Carbon Professionals in its Accredited Permaculture Training (APT™) program in Byron Bay, starting in March 2008.

Climate Change, Peak Oil and other limits to growth, such as declining water availability, are raising awareness for the need to move beyond the fossil fuel era. Australia and the world are now entering an era of post carbon transition. According to founder and trustee Tim Winton, the Permaforest Trust's 2008 Accredited Permaculture Training Certificate 4 and Diploma courses have been specifically designed to create skilled leaders in community based Post Carbon sustainability initiatives. The program offers a comprehensive range of training in hands-on skills combined with cutting edge theory for creating positive change.

Tim Winton, a sustainability educator for the past decade and regular speaker on the topic of Post Carbon Transition, says:

"We are shifting our focus in the Byron Bay program so that students can actually participate in preparing the Byron community for post carbon transition. In their course work our students will be learning by engaging in projects, such as community gardens, developing energy descent action plans and community climate change initiatives, as resources for the community. As far as we know a comprehensive course like this hasn't been offered anywhere in the world. Jobs are now opening up in local councils and government funded projects, allowing our students to undertake this work in other communities. Facilitating positive change for Post Carbon transition is a large part of our overall approach."

Byron Bay is renowned for its forward thinking environmental initiatives, and Mayor Jan Barham welcomes the new program, stating:

" The Permaforest Trust's new Byron Bay based Accredited Permaculture Training Program is a great opportunity for the community to learn about adaptation to peak oil, climate change and other growth related issues. With its focus on facilitating community post carbon transition the training program can act as a real catalyst and it will help to continue Byron's position as a national leader in positive alternatives for sustainable living."

Permaculture is a linking discipline which incorporates effective design strategies and an understanding of natural patterns and principles in order to support the development of sustainable human habitats and communities. Renowned environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki has stated: "What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet."

The Permaforest Trust specialises in sustainability education, networking and the creation of open source resources for ecological, cultural and personal transition to a lower carbon future. It offers Austudy approved Certificate IV and Diploma in Accredited Permaculture Training, providing skills and strategies for peak oil, climate change and other challenges associated with limits to growth.

For additional information see www.permaforesttrust.org.au

Details are attached on a Sustainble Futures Expo in Ballina,

Its two day - with one for students, and the other for the public.

sustainable futures expo.doc and sustainable futures expo presenters.doc

On Thursday 21st June we met at Elaine Seiler's place in Montecollum

A smaller group this time, but we had some really interesting discussions, with topics being whether, and which non-toxic paints are up to scratch, globalisation - what exactly do we mean by it, and what should/should not be globalised, also some stuff on non-toxic pools, and other issues with green buildings, and probably other topics in conversations I wasn't part of.

Elaine Seiler (ReGenesis, Hosting); Mitra Ardron (Natural Innovation, Organising); Tim Winton (Permaforest Trust); Anne McCoy (ReGenesis); Helena Norberg Hodge; Ian Jones (Bioniser);

Apologies: Justin Toohey & Therese; Joel Fleming; Christina Covington; Madeleine Faught

The next meeting hasn't been announced yet - sometime at the end of July.

On 31st May, we met at William's place in Byron Bay.

We had an interesting conversation, discussions included how do you pick the good ideas from the really bad ones, and also the Cool Business program and competition done in collaboration with North Coast Climate Action Coalition.

Wadzy had brought the model of his "Egg" project, as seen in the Echo on 5th June which announced that the first one would be built at Mullum high school.

- Mitra

Present: William (Hosting); Mitra Ardron (organising); Wadzy (Sustainable Cities and Farms); Ken McLeod (Creative Edge Facilitators); Elaine Seiler (ReGenesis); Scott Larsson (Hampton & Larsson); Justin Toohey; John (artist); Mark+Jenny; Giovanni; Michael Weatherhead; Marti Carstairs; Helio (Airport2Byron);

Apologies: Paul Benhaim; Christina Covington; Amber Wilson; Peter Cuming & Eshana; Rob Moussalli;

For our April gathering we met at Melissa Hirsch's home in Sunrise.

Simeon Michaels told us about his kayak from Sydney to Hobart to draw awareness to the issues around Gunn's planned pulp mill in the Tamer Valley. The mill is being sold to the public on the grounds of jobs, despite its environmental damage. The chair of the inquiry into the mill resigned due to undue pressure from the ALP state government, and the second threatened for the same reason. When Gunns threatened to withdraw from the process because it was being too thorough the state government took it over and is considering pushing the mill through without any public hearings or enquiry into the environmental damage that locking in wood supplys for 30 years will cause. Sim's focus of his paddle has been on showing how jobs are linked to the environment, how the benefit from tourism of a clean Tamer valley exceeds that from one massive, polluting, pulp mill. www.paddlewithsim.com.

Robert Rosen from Rainforest Rescue talked about their new project to use Carbon credits to regenerate rainforest in this area. Benefiting the environment both through the carbon sequestered, the biodiversity created. They have been working with people such as SCU to get a handle on the amount of carbon actually stored in bio-diverse forest soils.

Kirstie Fisher of Sustainable Futures told us about their council health check up, and the change of focus of Sustainable Futures from a planning consultancy to one focussed on supporting councils in their sustainability.

Rachel Bending of Slingfings made a suggestion that we meet earlier, and to have the more formal part of the meeting towards the beginning of the evening. There was general agreement to try this at least for winter.

William offered us his house for the next gathering of the Byron Sustainable Ventures Network which will be on Thursday 31st May at the early time of 6pm

Present: Melissa Hirsch (FiberArt - hosting); Mitra Ardron (Natural Innovation - organising); Jannine Barron (Natures Child); Rachel Bending (Slingfings); Simeon Michaels; Catherine Somers (Spellwear); Wadzy (Sustainable Cities and Farms, BayFM Generator); Kirstie Fisher (Sustainable Futures); Robert Rosen (Rainforest Rescue); Robert Moussalli (Best Organic Business); William (Stirling Solar); Justin Toohey (J.Toohey & Assoc); Therese Toohey;

"Position Available with Rainforest Rescue
Program Manager - Philanthropy

Full time position

Rainforest Rescue is a not for profit organisation committed to saving our rainforests for current and future generations. We are experiencing an increase in community support in the form of substantial donations leading to expansion of this important role.

We are seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced people for this position to be based in our Mullumbimby office. You will have a track record in working with donors in a philanthropic environment or success in selling high value services in a corporate setting. Your confident, mature attitude, intellect and quality presentation will be important attributed in this role.

If you are passionate about conserving our rainforests and protecting the natural environment and would like to work for Rainforest Rescue please request the selection criteria and respond with a cover letter and copy of your resume. Applications close 30th of March

For further information contact Kelvin Davies, Executive Officer, Rainforest Rescue Email: kelvin@rainforestrescue.org.au, phone: 02 6684 4360 and visit www.rainforestrescue.org.au