News
Solar Hot Water Bulk Buy
Latest News - Launch and Community Sessions
(added 10 September 2011)
The Bulk Purchase will be launched Sunday 11th September to co-incide with Sustainable House Day -2pm-4pm at Sarah and Andrew's house, 141 Wells Parade, Blackmans Bay.
Sustainable Living in Kingborough Website: www.slikinfo.org
The community information sessions have been scheduled for:
Margate
Monday 31st October 7.30-9.00pm, Margate Hall, 1744 Channel Hwy, Margate
Blackmans Bay
Wednesday 2nd November 7.30-9.00pm, Blackmans Bay Hall, 24 Ocean Esplanade,Blackmans Bay
Taroona
Thursday 3rd November 7.30-9.00pm, Taroona Community Hall, Batchelor Way, Taroona
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Sustainable Living in Kingborough (SLiK) is the successful recipient of a Kingborough Council Community Grant to employ a Project Manager for a Solar Hot Water Bulk Buy.
The idea for the bulk buy came as a result of a community survey that was conducted during the past 6 months.
The cost of heating water is, on average, 30% of your electricity bill, and with the price of electricity escalating, having a solar hot water system could ultimately lead to huge savings and a short payback period.
Applications for the Project Manager position close this week. Once the Project Manager is employed, SLiK will hold information nights in Taroona, Kingston and Margate with representatives from the preferred solar hot water retailer/installers on hand to answer questions about purchasing, installation and financing - this will take place in mid to late October.
In order to select the appropriate system for the bulk purchase, we need some extra details from people who are interested in being part of the bulk buy. Please register your interest using this survey monkey link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/93L9V5J
and let SLiK know your preferences. Don't forget to enter your contact details!
For more information, email:
Sarah Lowe at slowe141@gmail.com
A SLiK website will be available by the end of August for further information.
Potential suppliers, installers and purchasers will be able to make contact with the Project Manager directly through this portal.
(added 19 August 2011)
Mobile phone tower proposal
From Jill Hickie, President Taroona Community Association (added 29 July 2011)
On Monday night, 25 July, Kingborough Council met and considered the issue of the proposed lease of land in Taroona Park for a mobile phone tower. They resolved that they refuse to enter into the lease for a mobile phone tower at Taroona Park. The Council voted unanimously on the motion with no opposition.
There were more about 30 Taroona residents and interested individuals in the public gallery attending the meeting - our presence was felt strongly. Over 120 representations were submitted to the Council and many lobbied councillors on this important community issue. This shows the power of the community in sending a strong message.
Members of the Tinderbox community were also present at the meeting. They are dealing with a planning application for another 35 metre tower next to Tinderbox Nature Reserve.
Given this growing social, health and environmental issue, the Council is going to be encouraged to develop a policy that mobile phone towers are sited to minimise their impact on community and environmentally sensitive locations. Further work is also needed on reviewing telecommunications legislation with regards to the Telecommunications Low Impact Determination 1997.
Meanwhile the TCA has offered to work with the Council, Optus and Telstra to find a more suitable location for a tower to service this area of Taroona.
Read Council minutes on the unanimous vote (Page 6/31 or numbered page 289)
Proposal for mobile phone tower - Taroona Park
(Added 4 July 2011, updated 11 July 2011)
Kingborough Council has recently advertised a notice to lease 40m2 located in the Taroona Park at the rear of the Taroona Fire Station. The notice can be accessed through the Council web site. However there was no information given on the notice regarding the intended purpose of the lease.
Through contacting Council officers the TCA has been informed that Telstra and Optus have applied to Council to lease 40 m2 of land within the fire station compound for a 30 m high mobile phone tower. The Tasmania Fire Service has been part of negotiations and it is understood that the TFS is happy with its location in the brigade compound.
The proposal is a two part process and is in its early stages:
1) Lease of land - Council advertises intention to lease the land which is a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act 1993. Objections to the lease of the land are to are to be lodged with the Council by 18 July.
2) Planning application - When the advertising period is complete, the objections will be considered by the Council. Telstra and Optus will then submit to KC a planning application. This usually has a statutory period of 42 days. Objections to the tower can be made in this phase.
The TCA is aware that there are a broad range of views regarding the environmental health impacts of mobile phone towers and electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) and that a number of residents from Nubeena Crescent and Kelvedon Ave are concerned about the proposal.
The committee wants to ensure that residents in the local vicinity are aware of the proposed lease of land and the Telstra/Optus tower so that you will have the opportunity to object to the proposal individually. We also will aim to provide a platform for informed community discussion around the issue to determine what action we will take as a group.
Sustainability Taroona
A new Sustainability Taroona group is to be established. Click here to read about the results of the sustainability workshops held in May.
(Added 27 June 2011)
Child Health Clinic Building
The building is now to be managed as a space which the community can hire. It is managed by the Community Hall Management Committee.
(Added 24 August 2011)
Kingborough Council has called for expressions of interest for the use of the old child health clinic (the small weatherboard building next to the children's playground and the community hall.)See today's Mercury newspaper public notices (Page 47), or phone Council's manager community and Recreational Services on 62118190. Submissions due by June 10, 2011
(Added 21 May 2011)
Congratulations to Dr.Simon Grove
our local scientist, who launched his new book, The Seashells of Tasmania, at Fuller's Bookshop on Sunday 1st May, 2011
Buy Simon's Book from from any good book store, or order online from the Field Naturalists website: http://www.tasfieldnats.org.au/Publications.html
See Simon's website on the Molluscs of Tasmania: http://www.molluscsoftasmania.net/
(Added 1 May 2011)
Congratulations Joan Humble, Taroona Miniature artist
Joan is the first Australian to be admitted to the Miniature Artists of America.
Joan's website is here:
(added 12 February 2011)
