Old skool sustainability

Bridgewater School for Seniors recently met with the Brighton Council sustainability team to find out more about local environmental projects. There was a high level of interest, with complex questions put to the Climate Change Resilience Officer, Alison Johnson, and Graduate planner, Kelly Min, in a series of sessions.

There are a range of sustainability projects happening in the local area that involve Council, groups such as MONA, and the community, from street tree plantings, land care groups, to climate change impacts modelling, electric vehicle charging station infrastructure and waste recycling. If you are interested in being part of the local Sustainability Network, please get in contact.

For further information on Brighton Council’s sustainability program or for speaking opportunities please feel free to get in touch at: alison. johnson@brighton.tas.gov.au

The following topics were discussed:

• High energy bills and possible sources

• How to save money on electricity costs

• When it makes sense to invest in rooftop solar

• Renovations – what to consider

• Soft plastics and what to do with them (because they are currently not recycling in Tasmania – they go in the garbage bin)

Street trees and the urban landscape they can ask questions and explore their interests and passions. I feel so privileged to watch the growth among the students. Through their hard work, dedication, connection, kindness and friendship, these bright young people have essentially created a small community of their own. Recently, after almost two years as an educator and tutor, I advanced into a learning facilitator role, helping other volunteers get as much from it as I continue to, and to give as much back to the fantastic students who eagerly race through the doors every week. This Learning Club and The Smith Family creates such positive change for these students and the community. I am forever grateful, changed and lucky to be a part of it.

Many of the discussion points are in the Home Energy Audit Toolkit guidebook. If you would like to reserve this free resource, please see Brighton Council reception or phone 6268 7000. School for Seniors meets fortnightly at the Bridgewater Library on Tuesdays from 10am. A range of guest speakers will attend each session for discussion and a chat.

To learn more about The Smith Family, express interest in volunteering or to make a donation, you can visit www. thesmithfamily.com.au.

Hard and Green Waste Collection

Week beginning Monday 24 April, 2023

Brighton Council offers a FREE Green and Hard Waste collection service to help residents dispose of unwanted items and green waste. Waste must be placed on the nature strip the night before the collection date and must be able to be listed safely by two men. All hard waste items must not exceed two metres in length.

• All items such as tree branches and cuttings must be tied in 20kg or less bundles and a maximum of 1.5m in length and 20cm in diameter.

• Loose materials must be bagged.

• Items such as rubble, soil, rocks and concrete will not be collected.

• Vehicle tyres, fridges, freezers and mattresses are no longer accepted as part of these collections. All these items can be taken to the Waste Transfer Station for a fee.

Hard Waste And Green Waste Are To Be Kept Separate

Please do not endanger Council Staff by leaving out broken glass, asbestos and chemicals. This service is only available to residents who currently receive kerbside collection.

For more information, please contact the Brighton Council on (03) 6268 7000 or www.brighton.tas.gov.au/property/waste/ admin@brighton.tas.gov.au www.brighton.tas.gov.au