A Water Saving Nation?

Living on the driest continent in the world, Australians are well aware of the importance of water. The current drought is the longest, most severe and damaging in Australia’s recorded history. So it’s no wonder that most Australians, whether they live in the country or the city, have learnt to appreciate a drop of rain. But are we actively trying to save water?

Researchers Professor Sara Dolnicar from the University of Wollongong, and Professor Anna Hurlimann from the university of Melbourne, set out to gauge public opinion on water conservation.

Crossfire caught up with Professor Sara Dolnicar earlier to find out what kind attitudes they unearthed.

Do have any water saving tips that wont break the budget? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

OzHarvest

How much food do you waste in your own kitchen? Imagine how much food restaurants and cafes are throwing out at the end of the day.

This is something Ronni Kahn thought about often and hard until she came up with a solution. OzHarvest is a food rescue charity. By picking up food waste from restaurants and redistributing it to charity groups they are helping feed the homeless and people experiencing disadvantage for free.

Ronni Kahn is the OzHarvest founding director and spoke to Crossfire about how she started this rescue operation and why she believes its not just about helping people but also the environment.

Perhaps turbines will attract UFO’s?

Last week you would of heard Crossfire discuss the idea of wind turbines in the South Coast region.

Slightly related, mostly not though, I found this video when I was surfing YouTube so I thought I’d just share it with you all simply out of interest and humour.

Enjoy.

Sublime Point walking track re-opens

The Sublime Point walking track was re-opened last week after receiving massive structural changes to ensure the safety of hikers.

Six years ago the track was closed because of a number of hazards, but since then new ladders have been installed and rocks have been secured.

NSW Premier Nathan Rees was one of the first to enjoy the newly opened track on the weekend.

National parks and wildlife area manager Andre Bianchi spoke to crossfire about the who, what and why of the tracks redevelopment.

Donate it, don’t dump it

Wollongong is working its way towards a greener community with the help of twenty-first century technology. Recycling is making a comeback. And it’s not just our landfills reaping the rewards.

Mobile phone recycling is a simple and effective way to reduce waste in landfills, conserve African habitat and land and clean out the drawers at home.

There are numerous campaigns around the world trying to raise awareness about the dangers of mobile phone waste and encourage people to get involved with recycling their old and unused handsets.

Programs such as the Australian Recycling Program also offer the benefit of not just recycling unusable phones, the reuse handsets in reasonable condition – delivering them to third world countries.

For more information about the universities recycling program and where to drop off your phones please visit the Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives Unit.

World at a Cross Roads

Activist from around the world will descend on Sydney this Easter weekend to discuss the international issues affecting us all, and possible solutions, at the Worlds at a Crossroads Conference.

Source: Resistance.org.au

Wollongong socialist representative and co-founder of Resistance, Jess Moore, will be speaking at the conference.

Jess explained to Crossfire that she believes this generation of youth can help Australia, and the world, address these social, environmental and political issues.

Meeting called to discuss transportation of nuclear waste

A public meeting was held last Tuesday to discuss the possibility of transporting nuclear waste through the Illawarra region. Representatives from The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), members of the South Coast Labour Council and local MPs attended the event. I spoke to the Secretary of the South Coast Labour Council, Arthur Rorris about the items raised at the meeting and whether Port Kembla is the definite destination for the nuclear waste.

Clean up Australia day a success for Wollongong

Clean up Australia day beings thousands of Aussies out each year to help pick up the trash cluttering our beaches and park leands. The Illawarra had its own success on Sunday when 1100 people turned out to help clean up more than 30 sites from Helensburgh to Dapto.

 

 Environment Education Coordinator for Wollongong City Council, Mike McKeon, says plastic bottles, glass and cigarette butts make up the majority of the trash collected. 30% of the garbage collected is recyclable. The council is still consolidating and sorting garbage but so far the Illawarra’s collection count is up to 12 tonne.

 

 

Australians have long been conscious of the need for a clean environment, especially in an age where global warming is already showig its effects, but more needs to be done do help reduce waste. Taking simple steps

such as using reusable coffee cups or photocopying double sided can help in reducing the amount of trash filling our landfills.

 

 

In agreement with Mr McKeon, The Clean Up Australia group says cigarette butts and tobacco related products are Australia’s biggest litter issue. Almost 50% of the trash collected from urban areas is cigarette butts.

 

Two United Diver Clean up Australia Day participants emerge from the harbour

 

Waterways are a primary focus of the Clean Up Australia Day, an estimated 7 billion tonnes of rubbish enters the world’s oceans each year, Wollongong harbour was no different. On Sunday the University diving club and United Divers scoured the Harbour floor picking up rubbish.

 

Des Peros of United Divers says everything from plastic to fishing robs can be found under the water. Marine debris is not only a pollution problem is also kills up to 1million sea birds a year along with thousands of other types of marine life.

 

 

The United Divers team on Sunday after cleaning up the Harbour

 

Listen to the report…

Clean up Australia Day: Notice

 

This Sunday the 1st of March is Clean up Australia Day. Wollongong has a long and successful history of getting involved and cleaning up the streets on the annual event and this year should be no different.

Families, individuals, friends and businesses can register on Sunday between 9am and 12pm at any of the 30 or so points across the Illawarra. Check the list for a registration desk closest to you.

Schools are getting a head start this year and will be doing their part on Friday. More than 40 schools in the Illawarra have registered to take part in Clean up Australia day.

Where you can register…

·        Helensburgh, Corner Parks and Junction streets – Royal National Park

·        Coalcliff – Surf Life Saving Club

·        Sandon Point – Surf Life Saving Club

·        Bulli – Slacky Creek, Beach end

·        Bulli – Bulli Tops

·        Woonona – McDonald’s Restaurant

·        Bellambi – Bellambi Point

·        Corrimal – Surf Life Saving Club

·        Mount Pleasant– Whipbird Reserve

·        North Wollongong– Puckeys Estate

·        Wollongong – North Beach

·        Wollongong – Belmore Basin

·        Wollongong – Flagstaff Hill

·        Wollongong – City Beach

·        Wollongong, Fisher Street – opposite Wollongong Public School

·        Wollongong – Tom Thumb Lagoon

·        Wollongong – Greenhouse Park

·        Figtree – McDonald’s Restaurant

·        Mount Kembla – Mount Kembla lookout

·        Berkeley – Boat ramp harbour (Saturday as well)

·        Warrawong – Adjacent to Illawarra Yacht Club

·        Warrawong, King Street – opposite Harvey Norman

·        Windang – Surf Life Saving Club

·        Tallawarra – Tallawarra Boat Ramp

·        Dapto, Gilba Road – near to water board gate

Are sharks a danger on our beaches?

Numerous shark attacks in the region have heightened fear around the creatures lurking in the ocean. I spoke to the General Manager of the Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol Harry Mitchell who monitors Illawarra and South Coast beaches about the increased media attention on sharks and whether there has been an increase in shark sightings this summer.

Interview with General Manager of the Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol Harry Mitchell