Children come out to

Let’s make sustainable living a resolution for the new decade

Climate change, commonly known as global warming has been debated in the political, scientific and business community since the late 1990s with scientist heralding the end of world due pollution and over use of natural resources. However, global warming or “Global Climate Change Movement” as we now call it has been thrust at the forefront of the public sphere since mid 2019 with well-known activists such as Greta accelerating the conversations across the globe. By: Sanjana Suryawanshi

Australia has staged its own impressive climate change protests across its major cities. Sydney saw its iconic Hyde Park filled to the brim with protestors, both old and young asking our national leaders to make a conscious effort to address the climate crisis that we now face.

With the terrible bush fires that welcomed the new decade in Australia followed by wild storms, hails and flooding within the first two months of the New Year, the reality of climate change has been cemented not only in this country but across the globe. While this has put pressure on our political leaders to step up and take action, it has left many a young person feeling helpless as there seems to be no way forward. It seems as if manufactures continue to produce at an ever increasing speed, we as a society continue to consume those said goods just as quickly while our farmers, youth and the

planet suffers. With the lack of initiative from the government and multinational corporations from around the world, it does make one wonder if there is a sustainable future or if we are all just heading down a path towards destruction.

So to challenge the feeling of helplessness, I along with a few friends decided to see if we can reduce our carbon footprint and the pollution we create as a human being. Since I spent a majority of time at work, I rallied together a few

work friends, all from the ages of 25-35 (because really it is our future and we were the only people concerned) to do a sustainability month together. Our aim was simple – try and opt for sustainable choices in our day to day lives. However, the question was how would we measure success? So we decided to capture the daily rubbish we created as individuals. Here’s a shot of the daily rubbish I created that was non-recyclable or non-compostable. This was a snap shot of my 8 hour work day.

The next step was my grocery shopping for the week. Here’s how a normal 2 day’s worth of grocery looks.

This exercise helped me stop, think and reflect. It made me realise that despite being conscious of the harm we are doing to our environment, I as an individual did very little to actively contribute towards sustainable choices. Yes I take my own shopping bag to the super market, but it made me question – Is that enough? Another big realisation was the use of single use plastic. Plastic has become so ingrained in our daily lives that it is invisible to us. Yet this is single handedly creating the worst type of pollution while successfully endangering our marine and land flora and fauna.

The experiment now was to consciously make better choices. Armed with keep cups and Tupperware, it seems possible to live sustainably. Reflecting on the 29 days of sustainable living has highlighted that the major stumbling block for most people is the convenience. The convenience of ordering coffee online and picking it up on the way to work or running into the closest Woolworths for lunch and grabbing the first thing you can. Time management becomes really hard especially when work is stressful.

The second major stumbling block is cheap alternatives and sustainable packaging. No matter what supermarket you walk into, all fruits and vegetables are packed in plastic. For those that are not, there is no paper bags to put them in (unless its mushrooms). While it is easy to say that businesses listen to their customers, it is hard to put that pressure on businesses when you can’t afford the alternatives.

The third stumbling block is the lack of clear information and communication on how to recycle. It is only now becoming a common knowledge that recycling must be washed out before they are put in the bin to avoid contamination. Most packaging also is very vague with the recycling, having the standard symbol of a man throwing rubbish in the bin. Does that mean the packaging is recyclable? Does it go in the red bin or the yellow? Most packaging is also tough to recycle as different parts go into different bins, so unless you take the time to read it, you are probably not differentiating your rubbish.

The fourth stumbling block to sustainable living is the price tag. This is something almost everyone can relate to. In an economy where job stability is questionable but where you are also expected to dress for your next role, it’s often hard to find a comfortable middle. Most sustainable and ethical clothing are often too expensive, even if you order it online. The strain on the finance is felt even more keenly when you are a young working professional or have a family to support. Sustainable living often takes the last thing to be taking into account.

The fifth and the most concerning stumbling block is our dependence and love for plastic or non-compostable packing. I realised this when I went to grab a coffee with my keep cup but just wanted the take away cup because it felt better. Our emotional and sensory connection with pretty bags, layers of packaging weather for sensory reasons or for the perceived hygiene reasons often makes us blind to how we may be damaging our environment.

However, not all is lost! There are still practical changes that you can make to contribute in a small way to the environment. The first is to read your labels and understand how to recycle better. Information is available at your fingertips in this digital age, so let’s spend that train ride researching ways to live sustainably. Secondly, make a habit of choosing sustainable over convenience. Make sure you walk the entire aisle before you select your grocery or carry your own containers to a restaurant to pack any take away. Embarrassing? Sure, but definitely a trend setter. Third but the last, activism. Use your voice as a customer and creator of social content to share your thoughts and tricks on sustainable living to encourage others. Use your ability to write to demand better packaging from producers. Because if there is enough demand (or threat of brand damage), brands will listen!

So take a moment to stop, think and reflect. What can you do, in your daily lives to make a small conscious step towards sustainable living? Is it growing your own vegetables or talking the family on a walk to the local shopping centre rather than walking or carrying your own bottle of water? No change is small enough. Every small change will have an impact, the biggest being teaching the next generation on how to live life differently.

Is your property Heritage Listed?

In New South Wales, there are different types of statutory listings for Local, State and National heritage items. A property is a heritage item if it is: - By: Mitu Gopalan

1. Listed in the heritage schedule of local council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) or regional environmental plan (REP); 2. Listed on the State Heritage Register (wherein the register places items of particular importance to the new people of NSW are listed); or, 3. Listed on the National Heritage List which is established by the Australian Government to list places of outstanding heritage significance to Australia.

They are governed by the statutory regulations. In NSW, legal protection is enumerated in the Heritage Act 1977 (Amended 1998) and the Environmental Planning and Assessment 1979. Places are enumerated on the national heritage list of Protected and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999.

The benefits of places that are heritage listed not only reveal the story for the Australian past, they safeguard and enrich our present and future. Accordingly, it retains our limited heritage resources. NSW has two main types of Heritage Listings, known as Heritage Items and Conservation Areas. Heritage Listings flag that a place or object have heritage significance. Four main statutory lists contain Heritage Listings for places that are significant locally, state-wide, Australia wide and worldwide. Heritage places from all four lists collectively demonstrate the unique history and achievements of the people of NSW and Australia. These heritage places of NSW not only reveal the story of Australia’s past, but they also safeguard and enrich your present

agreement which can attract land tax, stamp duty and local rate concessions. You are unable to knock down and rebuild a heritage listed property. It, however, has no legal restriction on the sale or leasing of properties, though its options may be limited; 8. Maintenance of heritage items and gardens does not require formal agreements. This does not include the adaptive reuse of a heritage item for another use.

and future. By listing it, we are providing a balance framework for managing change. Listings keep heritage places authentic, alive and useful.

If you wish to find out where a place is listed, please proceed to search under the ‘online heritage database’. This database includes over 27,000 items listed on local council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) or on the State Heritage Register. However, if you need information on a heritage listing when you wish to buy or sell a property, you will need to apply for a certificate under the LEP for a Section 149 Certificate or under the NSW Heritage Act 1977.

Community registers and listings tell us about places that are of heritage significance, but they do not provide legal protection. It includes national trust register, the royal institute of architects register, the art deco society register, etc.

Advantage of owning a heritage list of property includes: - 1. Protection of an item; 2. Requires local council to consider effects of any proposed developments in the area surrounding the item or conservation areas; 3. It confirms a heritage status that is a source of pride for many people; 4. The assessment process reading to listing often unearths new information on the history and style of an item or place; 5. Heritage listing provides certainty for owner’s neighbours and intending purchasers; 6. It explains why certain suburbs, towns, villages and rural properties are sought after; 7. Listing on the State Heritage Register also enables its owners to enter into a heritage

If you wish to find out whether a property is heritage listed, you can search the heritage schedule to the local council’s LEP or search the State Heritage Register. You could also go to NSW State Heritage Inventory online.

An interim heritage order can be made by the minister on recommendation of the Heritage Council to provide ‘breathing space’ of no more than 12 months, during which a full heritage assessment can be completed. As outlined above, approval must be gained from the heritage council when making changes to a heritage listed place. Approval is also required if you are excavating any land in NSW where you might disturb an archaeological relic.

However if you wish to excavate and disturb land which is heritage listed, you would need to make an Application to the Heritage Council if you will be disturbing or excavating any land in NSW that is likely to contain archaeological remains.

There are two types of applications, which includes: - 1. Section 60 Form; and 2. Section 140/144 Archaeological Permit and Variation Form seeking permissions.

There are many places that the community has identified as being important. However, in order to keep these special places for future generations, care needs to be provided. Looking after a place that retains the value that makes it significant to us is known as ‘conservation’, and it is our duty to conserve the heritage listed properties.

If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors on 02 8917 8700

Beware of Deception!

Today in the media and in soap operas we are presented with lies, deception and fake-ness everywhere. It seems to be the norm, ‘the new normal’That is something we need to question right at the start. Everything from fake news, fake relationships, fake produce, fake business… What is not fake nowadays? What can we rely on? By Aruna Ladva

Deception and the fake seem to be everywhere we go. When we buy flowers, they are not all as fresh as they look. When we buy oranges in crates or Medjool dates in boxes, often the big and best ones are at the top, the smaller ones at the bottom. Does it really pay to deceive others?

Deception is an act or a statement, which hides the truth intentionally for personal gain or advantage. So, for example, there could be a sign that says: “Buy one! Get one free!”But then, as you get closer, you are told to read the fine print… and then you find out that that was not what they meant at all!

When we aim to deceive, it gets us nowhere! Every lie told just simply creates more distrust in humanity. As my mother often said, this is just ‘false economy’. We are unlikely to go to that store ever again for oranges, and we will certainly choose our Medjool dates one by one… probably somewhere else. So, it is not really profitable.

I recently found an article from the BBC which covers just about everything I want to say about deception. I’m attaching the link: http://www. bbc.co.uk/ethics/lying/lying_1.shtml

Research has found that we all lie several times a day. From small lies to big ones… I tell someone who asks about my health that: “I’m OK”, when I’m not feeling the best. We tell a friend that she looks lovely in that new dress, when inside we are feeling: “I wouldn’t wear that colour or style!”

We can also deceive ourselves. This can be a dangerous place. Self-respect is the key to truth and trust. If I have an ample supply of selfrespect, then I will not be afraid of telling the truth. I can speak the truth tactfully, and must be considerate of the feelings of others. I have to be clear in my intentions. If I lack self-respect, I am likely to lie to my mother, my wife or husband, to my children… for fear of what they will think of me. If I am not feeling good about myself, if I am lacking self-respect, then this will spill over into other areas of my life, and my relationships will suffer.

Trust and honesty are the bedrock of a healthy individual, family, society, culture, nation and the world. We have to begin now. That means at every moment we have to be honest, as honest as possible without hurting another - and definitely not to deceive.

In the story of the ‘Widow’s Mite’ from the Christian Bible Jesus taught that there was more power in the widow’s mite than in the centurion’s large donation. Why?This was because the purity of the widow’s heart was of greater value than the show created and the money given by the Roman soldier.A mite at that time was worth less than a penny and so was of no real monetary value in itself. However, the power of the widow’s love and the pure intention in her offering from the heart made the donation powerful and worthy. The soldier’s donation had a lot of ego attached to it. Also, how pure was the source of his earnings?

If I earn a penny by deceiving another, that will never be blessed money. I will not sleep well at night. I will be sick from using that money. Earning money in that way will not make me happy These are all signs that there is deception in my actions.

It’s Time… first of all to be honest with our own selves. If I lie to myself, then how can I be honest with anyone else?

Adapted from Aruna Ladva web page: itstimetomeditate.org