Albury-Wodonga Sustainability Alliance

• The Border Eco-living Program (BELP) is a six month training program to help locals reduce their environmental footprint. The first training program commenced in August 2007 and concluded in December 2007. Twenty participants attended the monthly meetings to discuss topics such as conserving energy, water and fuel as well as green shopping, eating and finance. A similar program will run this year.

  Contacts  Lou Newman 60416057 piplou@ozemail.com.au Karen Tymms:60560049 dtymms@hotmail.com

• The Eat Local Food Program (ELF) aims to enable more people to eat local food produced either by individuals, community gardens or from local farmers. Another initiative is to give home gardens a permaculture ‘make-over’, otherwise known as a ‘Permablitz’, to provide the best opportunity for gardeners to grow their own produce. 

• Contact: Charisse Venables 6026 4111 charisse.venables@bigpond.com

• Wodonga and Albury Towards Climate Health (WATCH) is an apolitical lobby group which aims to communicate with people in positions of power in our community and encourage them to take urgent and appropriate action to address climate change. WATCH has contacted Council CEOs in Albury and Wodonga and both Federal MPs and is continuing to engage in face to face discussion with them on this issue. A letter-writing group will be formed early in 2008.

• Contacts: Jenny Davies 6020 8275 colesdavies@hotkey.net.au Lizette Salmon 6059 4185     lizettejohn@iprimus.com.au

• The Eco-Buildings Group wants buildings in the Albury-Wodonga area to demonstrate better sustainability features such as optimal orientation and grey water readiness. The Group organised a meeting at the Wodonga Council Chambers.in November 2007 on ‘Water savings in the home’. Information was provided on water-saving devices, rainwater tanks, grey water systems, council guidelines and how to access government rebates. A similar meeting on ‘Energy‘ is planned for this year. 

•  Contact: Dennis Black 6024 9873 d.black@latrobe.edu.au

• The Bulk Purchase Group intends to increase the installation of solar hot water systems by negotiating a bulk purchase deal for residents. They have plans to expand the program to rainwater tanks and photovoltaics and put out a survey through City Life to determine the level of local interest. This group recently amalgamated with the Eco-Buildings Group. 

• Contact: Marian Steele 6020 8663 phillipandmarian@bigpond.com

• The Sustainable and Active Transport Group is an advocate for sustainable transport and promotes cycling as a means of transportation in the local area. Their first action will be to form a Bicycle Users Group for commuters.
  

• Contact: Karen Retra kretra@csu.edu.au