We are now entering the Nyungar season of Birak (Dec & Jan) , the season of the young. This is a time of hot and dry weather, with easterly winds blowing during the day and south-west sea breezes in the afternoon, signalling the start of first summer.
Look out for reds and oranges as the Moodjar (WA Christmas Tree) and Melaleuca paperbark trees are in bloom.
For many young animals this is a time of growth as baby Kooboolong (frogs) complete their transformation into adulthood, fledgling birds venture from their nests and reptiles can be seen shedding their old skins.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology and Derbal Nara.
Photo: Moodjar tree flowering in RR8 corridor taken by Adam Peck, 2022. |
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All I want for Christmas is...used! The silly season doesn’t have to be so silly when it comes to waste.
Did you know that the amount of waste we produce increases by 30% at Christmas?
In Australia, nearly 5 million tonnes of food go to landfill each year, and you can bet a lot of that is over the festive season.
Let’s curb the trend and practice a more sustainable season!
Shop wisely when it comes to food, avoiding packaging wherever you can and thinking about meal prep and leftovers to avoid unnecessary food waste.
When it comes to gifts, gift memories and experiences over stuff! Whether tickets to a snorkelling adventure or vouchers for a nice restaurant, you can prevent a lot of waste by choosing to gift experiences. Also consider the treasures you can find on the second-hand market, not just gifts but also Christmas decorations and that stunning Christmas party outfit!
Share your ideas and successes with your friends and family and help spread the sustainable message to create a more earth-friendly Christmas! |
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Future Homes Expo 2022 The Future Homes Expo 2022 is being held in Bush Court at Murdoch University on Sunday, December 4, 11am-4pm.
Entry is FREE and includes innovative and ground-breaking businesses showcasing all aspects of Future Homes today, plus a full schedule of public talks and lunchtime entertainment. There will be food and coffee vans available.
Guest presenters include Hamilton Hill's own sustainability expert Chris Ferreira from The Forever Project who recently showcased Perth’s most unusual backyard subdivision with a home open attracting 300+ people.
The Expo launches the World Renewable Energy Conference and is brought to you by the Sustainability Practitioners Network. |
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Christmas on the Green Bring in the festive season at our well-loved event and it's free for the whole family.
We are bringing back the Sustainable Makers Tent! There's no need to book; just come in and take a seat and get crackin'. Create an art piece with upcycled materials or Make recycled handmade paper with pressed flora. Our Christmas on the Green event is carbon neutral! What does that mean? The carbon emissions released by Christmas on the Green (from attendee travel, food consumed and onsite power generators) have been offset by investing in planting mixed native trees and shrubs throughout Western Australia.
Saturday, 3 December 2022, 4.30-8pm |
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Pop Up Volunteering Information Hub If you have time to spare and a few skills up your sleeve, why not consider becoming a volunteer? Volunteering can help improve health and well-being and bring community together.
The City's Volunteer Resource Centre will be popping up in the Success Library to answer all your volunteering questions. With over 80 volunteer roles available locally, we can help you find the one that suits you. |
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Ageing Well Event 2023 - Stall Holder Registrations The Cities of Cockburn, Fremantle, Melville and the Town of East Fremantle are inviting stall holders for the Over 55’s Ageing Well Event - Wednesday 22 March 2023
Register by 31 January 2023.
Hurry spaces are limited. For more information contact csc@cockburn.wa.gov.au or phone 08 9411 3877. |
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Keep cool and save money this summer Over the hot Perth summer energy use increases dramatically. Making small changes at home to use less energy reduces your impact on the environment, increases resilience to climate change and also saves you money on your energy bills. Set your air conditioner to 24°C. Every degree lower on your air conditioner can add up to 10% to your electricity bill. Between 5-9pm limit the use of washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. Plan to use these in the morning or middle of the day instead. Use pool pumps during the middle of the day. Shade windows from harsh east and west sun. Take advantage of 'the Doctor' - open doors and windows to let the afternoon sea breeze cool your home. The City offers Free Home Eco-Audits & DIY Audit Kits to help you identify ways to reduce you water and energy use. |
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Modern Cloth Nappy Workshops Are you thinking about using modern cloth nappies and don’t know where to start?
Join Kam Andrews 'The Nappy Guru' to learn about using and maintaining cloth nappies. Kam will demonstrate different cloth nappies available and explain the benefits of each.
Residents who attend the workshop get up to 60% subsidy to try cloth nappies using the Nappy Guru’s library service, or a $50 rebate for new cloth nappy purchases. Registrations are essential.
Sunday, 19 February 2023, 10am-12pm |
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Plastic Free Workshop Learn about the history of waste, the problems today and the key to waste avoidance. This plastic free event is an interactive workshop suitable for the whole family.
During the workshop we will look into the life cycle of plastic waste: Where it comes from The resources it takes to create it Where it ends up How we can move to a circular economy to reduce plastic waste pollution. Saturday, 11 February 2023. 10am-11am |
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Be a responsible snorkeller The Coogee Maritime Trail and Omeo Wreck is home to some incredible sealife, and was recently showcased on the National Geographic article Why Western Australia’s coast rivals the Bermuda Triangle.
This summer the City is once again asking visitors to take care when visiting the site. Please don't stand on or touch the wreck as it damages its structure and slows down reef growth. If you're not a confident swimmer take a flotation device like a pool noodle and always be courteous of people around you. Do • Explore with your eyes, not your hands • Take photos • Stay calm, quiet and move slowly • Collect Litter
Don’t • Climb, stand or rest on the wreck • Remove pieces of the wreck • Leave rubbish behind • Touch wildlife
Together we can help #ProtectTheWreck |
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Gardening in a heat wave As the frequency of very hot days is on the rise, the risk of plant heat damage increases. To help protect your garden from our hot summer: Use mulch. Applying a layer of mulch to your garden will reduce evaporation, adds nutrients to the soil and reduces weed growth. Pick a lighter colour mulch and the chunkiest you can find, as this will take longer to break down, reduce heat and help with drainage. Create shade. In the short-term, temporary shelters made from shade cloth or even a beach umbrella erected to shield vulnerable plants can help them through the worst of a heat wave. In the long-term, plant trees that will grow to develop a canopy protecting understory plants. Hand water before a heat wave. You can use a watering can or hand-held hose on any day of the week, target the base of the plant, limit water use, and water the night before. Plant local species. A native garden suited to a hot climate will not only be waterwise it will look attractive and provide year-round flowering. Garden bore sprinkler changes:
In response to climate change and to protect our groundwater, the State Government has made changes to bore watering days. From 1 September 2022, bore owners can water two days per week. To learn more, visit the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s website. |
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All the latest from the corridor... Rehabilitating Roe 8 (RR8) conducted archaeological surveys in 2019, in consultation and with participation of local Nyungar Elders. At a recent meeting the Elders agreed to the public release of the results, which are accessible on the RR8 website. We thank all involved for assisting with this important work.
RR8 events have finished up for the year, thanks to all who attended. Look out for more events in 2023 by signing up here. The first event will be a talk by native bee expert Dr Kit Prendergast, followed by a hands-on bee hotel building session, this event is sure to be popular! |
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Sustainability News All the latest news from Cockburn on everything Climate Change, environment, sustainability, waste and recycling.
Image: Engineered fringing reef at CY O'Connor Beach.
Cockburn is WA's age friendly Local Government for 2022 - The City of Cockburn has been named the WA Age Friendly Local Government of the Year at the 2022 WA Seniors Awards, in recognition of its commitment to the wellbeing of its ageing population.
National commendation for City's Renewable Energy Program - The City of Cockburn’s Renewable Energy Program which reduces carbon emissions by 73,000 tonnes annually, has been highly commended in the 2022 Local Government Professionals Australia Awards for Excellence.
Cockburn's Aussie first reef to double in size - The City has received a $600,000 grant from the Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program (CERMP) which is part of the Australian Government’s National Emergency Management Agency funded by the Emergency Response Fund.
Cockburn recognised at 2022 WA Planning Excellence Awards - The City of Cockburn was a finalist in two categories of the award – in the Climate Change and Resilience category for its ground-breaking Climate Change Strategy, and in the Improving Planning Processes category as a joint finalist with Development WA for the Salt Lane residential project at Shoreline in North Coogee.
Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre consultation recognised - The City of Cockburn’s collaborative consultation for its highly anticipated Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre has received the Judges' Encouragement Award at the International Association for Public Participation Australasia (IAP2) Core Value Awards for 2022.
Dedicated volunteers recognised at annual awards - Passionate locals and organisations who contribute many hours to improving our community every week – often daily – have been recognised at the City of Cockburn’s annual volunteer awards. Including the Turtle Tracker citizen science program who were awarded second place in the Cockburn Volunteer Organisation of the Year award.
Iconic Coogee Beach Jetty has new access ramp - A new wheelchair and pram-friendly ramp has been installed at Coogee Beach Jetty, improving access to the shoreline just in time for the busy warmer months. |
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