Environmental

How to get your home Bushfire ready

Published

4 months ago

9 January 2024

Liam

Shed with FSA Firecoat paint vs shed without in controlled real life burn situation Bushfire ready

How to get your home Bushfire ready

University of NSW & FSA Firecoat

With Australians being warned about one of the deadliest Bushfire seasons approaching, residents are being urged to get their homes bushfire ready now.

Lyn Gunter is the former Mayor of Murrindindi Shire; she was Mayor at the time of the Black Saturday fires in Victoria when 173 people lost their lives. “Coming into this summer’s Bush Fire season we need to be doing more to protect our communities. Australia is the most fire prone country on the planet and being prepared is one of the key ways to try to avoid tragedy.”

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Prof. Guan Yeoh from the University of New South Wales Training Centre for Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies, says Australians need to be better prepared for bushfires.

“Flame Security International and the University of New South Wales is developing ground breaking fire protection products with minimal environmental impact under the FIRECOAT brand,” said Prof. Yeoh.

Shed with FSA Firecoat paint vs shed without in controlled real life burn situation

The top tips to protect Australian homes from Chartered Professional Fire Engineer Ben Ignis are:

Clear vegetation and trees – Reducing the vegetation around your home is one of the most important things you can do when getting ready for bushfire season. The best place to start is to remove dead branches, leaves and undercoat. Depending on where you live though permits may have to be obtained. Contacting your local council is the best way to determine what can be cleared and what cannot.

Use the world first fireproof paint, FIRECOAT – Use FIRECOAT, the first paint to protect in extreme bush fire conditions. Paint you your house, sheds, decking, fences or any other property you need to protect. This product has been created in Australia in conjunction with world leading scientists and engineers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The non-toxic paint which has passed stringent testing both here and around the globe is a world first and now available for consumer purchase from Bunnings.

Pre-pack for an emergency and know your location – Pack an emergency survival kit for yourself and your family. This may include fresh clothing, which include portable battery-operated radio and waterproof torch with spare batteries, candles and waterproof matches, first aid kit and manual, at least 3 litres of water per person, waterproof bags ready for valuables, cash and ATM or credit cards, medications, and toiletries, mobile phone charger. Also, draw up an evacuation plan for family and pets that designates an assembly point, responsibilities, and transport. Not everyone responds calmly in a crisis, so regular practice of the evacuation drill with the whole family is important preparation.

Check windows and screens – Your home is your safe haven and a place that does not welcome fire. Fire can creep in though, quite literally through cracks in window and door fittings. Fire knows no boundaries and will spread itself wherever there is oxygen to nourish it, with your house no exception. Embers are the perfect size to billow into your home through gaps and crevasses in your windows and doors you may not have previously thought to cover. Assuage unwanted cinder with wire screens that are not only fire resistant but also block impinging fire threats. A good screen installation company will be able to fit out your windows and doors within a day.

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Related Topics:Bush Fire News Environmental News local news

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Environmental

NSW Government supports Northern Rivers green bin education

Published

1 month ago

17 April 2024

Liam

NSW Government supports Northern Rivers green bin education

North East Waste has received an $89,700 grant from the NSW Government to help educate Northern Rivers residents about what types of waste can and can’t go into FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins. The funding aims to ensure that food waste and garden waste such as plants stays out of landfill. It also aims to keep green bins free from contaminants like plastic.

Earlier this year, North East Waste and its member councils (Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed) announced that Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins should now only be used for food scraps and garden waste. This means that materials like paper, cardboard and teabags do not go into green bins as they can contaminate the final compost made from the organic content.

North East Waste Education Coordinator Linda Tohver said the assistance from the NSW Government would help councils to continue promote the right message and increasing awareness in the community.

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“The response from community has been positive so far, and we need to keep spreading the word,” Ms Tohver said.

“The messages are simple to follow and will help keep potentially harmful items out of our green bins so that we can create the best quality commercial compost from residents’ food scraps and garden waste.”

What CAN go in your green bin	What CAN NOT go in your green bin
Fruit and vegetable scraps	Fibre-based products (bamboo, cardboard, paper etc)
Meat and bones	Paper towels, serviettes, tissues, napkins
Seafood and shells	Compostable or biodegradable products (excluding AS 4736-2006 kitchen caddy liners )
Pasta, bread, rice and cereal	Vacuum cleaner dust
Eggs and dairy products like cheese	Washing machine and dryer lint
Loose tea leaves and coffee grinds	Pet poo and poo bags
Garden waste (leaves, clippings, weeds etc)	Tea and coffee bags
Council approved compostable kitchen caddy liners that comply with AS 4736-2006 and the paper used to wrap food scraps.	Treated wood and timber
	Plastic

For more information, visit here. The ‘Let’s Get our Scrap Together’ campaign is proudly supported by the NSW Government.

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Environmental

Never bin your batteries – just B-cycle them

Published

2 months ago

27 March 2024

Liam

Community Recycling Centres (CRC) B-cycle

Never bin your batteries – just B-cycle them

Advertorial by Newaste

Batteries disposed of in bins are causing fires in waste trucks and facilities across the country, endangering workers, damaging equipment and wasting a valuable resource that could otherwise be recovered.

To prevent battery fires occurring – Never bin your batteries!

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Here’s how to dispose of batteries safely:

Remove from appliance
Tape terminals with clear sticky tape to prevent short circuiting
Place in ventilated glass container and drop off promptly at your nearest B-cycle drop-off point

One of Richmond Valley Council’s Community Recycling Stations, located at the Council Administration Office in Casino where small quantities of handheld batteries can be dropped off for recycling.

B-cycle drop off points are available at many large local high street retailers. To find your nearest, visit bcycle.com.au/drop-off/

Alternatively, you can drop them at one of the regions 8 FREE council run Community Recycling Centres (CRC) or for very small quantities drop them at one of the 30 small council drop off stations (CRS) spread across the region in libraries, community centres and council administration centres. To find out more contact your local Council or visit www.newaste.org.au/crc

Community Recycling Centres (CRC)

This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy

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Environmental

LAND NEAR DRAKE VILLAGE SITE RETURNED TO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY

Published

2 months ago

20 March 2024

Liam

LAND NEAR DRAKE VILLAGE SITE RETURNED TO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY

The NSW Government will return a large parcel of land near Drake Village west of Tenterfield to the local Aboriginal community following a successful land claim.

A total of 104.4 hectares of Crown land across two adjoining blocks at the western edge of the village will be returned as freehold land to the ownership of Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council following the land claim by the NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC).

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council have a right to lodge land claims on Crown land.

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Land claims must be assessed against non-discretionary statutory criteria in the Act, including whether the land was lawfully used or occupied at the time of the claim, or was needed for an essential public purpose.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: “The return of this land to the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council will ensure the future of this important site can be put to productive use for the benefit of the local community.”

“Returning land to Aboriginal people provides tangible economic, social and cultural benefits to Aboriginal and broader communities and we are pleased to see a positive resolution for this land.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The resolution of land claims such as this is a key aspect of Closing the Gap, empowering Aboriginal people and communities.”

“It delivers on several Closing the Gap targets including supporting economic participation for Aboriginal communities and maintaining the connection of Aboriginal people to land and water.”

The NSW Government will return a large parcel of land near Drake Village west of Tenterfield to the local Aboriginal community following a successful land claim.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“With the return of this land, we pay our respects to the Traditional Owners, the Ngarabal people, alongside the Jukembal, Bundjalung, Kamilaroi, Githabul and Wahlubul peoples who share a connection to the area. We are proud and privileged to share a rich local history.”

“Through acknowledging the past and our local Aboriginal communities’ connection to Country we will all benefit from deeper cultural understanding, which forms a stronger foundation for a more prosperous future.”

Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Michelle Nagas said:

“The approval of this land claim is very exciting. It involves a substantial block of land close to Drake Village which provides strong opportunities.”

“We will have discussions with the land council and consultations with the community on future use of the site.”

NSW Aboriginal Land Council CEO Yuseph Deen said:

“The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) congratulates the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council on the return of country to Aboriginal hands.”

“A key strategic goal of the NSWALC is pursuing economic self-determination, independence and prosperity for Our people.”

“Central to this is land acquisition and activation; securing the highest and best use returns and generating ongoing benefits fosters prosperity for Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Aboriginal communities.’

“This is particularly important in rural and remote areas of NSW.”

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