Our Environment
Refundable containers
Boomerang Alliance is a National collective of supporters of new “green jobs” through reusing precious resources instead of them becoming an environmental piece of junk!
In Boronia..We formed AFROCAB (Australians for Refunds on Cans and Bottles) in 2005, in order to represent the views of Australians who want something done about the growing number of cans and bottles that litter our country.
We believe that the only proven solution to this problem, is a can and bottle refund system, similar to that which operates in South Australia and many other countries.
AFROCAB is now joined with boomerang alliance for a National strategy.
EPA
The Environment Protection Agency is the authority for taking legal action with regard to protection of the Environment against pollution, contamination, destruction and degradation.
A representative of CCS attended the open house evening in Maroondah recently,armed with a few local concerns, we have been heard, regarding water quality and concerns at two “local to the region” quarries, regarding air quality and water diversion.
explore report here Open House Ringwood Report
It’s main focuses are Air, Water, Land, and the urban environment. Most people are aware of the ability to “dob in” an offender who is throwing litter, or driving a horrendously smokey vehicle. There are in fact slips of paper, that can be kept in the glove box of the car, for filing a report, if you feel so inclined.
The past few years, has been light on for news of prosecutions, in the media, and so there has been an impression that the EPA has not been “doing much” Many cases take quite some time for information to get to the stage of prosecution. The EPA has a newish chairman who is reinvigorating the agency, and we can expect to see a more open and focused EPA.
The newsletter click for the EPA newsletter
Also there is a publication of recent prosecutions, one of which is of great interest to us in Maroondah, as it involves our local water authority.
EPA prosecutions summary – brief snippets of cases since 2001
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/compliance-enforcement/enforcement.asp
Yarra Valley Water prosecuted in March 2011, for environmental hazard in Warrandyte, compensation to Darebin Creek Management committee.
Email Council
for litter, waste, not booked collection, dropped branches, abandoned vehicles,nature strip issues, unlawful advertising etc
for a by law inquiry or waste collection
maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au
Freecycle goods
The UpperYarraValley Freecycle™ group is open to all who want to “recycle” that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too! It is designed mainly for those people who live within the Yarra Valley Local Government Area (LGA). For those of you like myself, who have no idea what that means, this is a link to a map showing towns in the area. LGA
One main rule: everything posted must be free. This group is part of The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Check out freecycle.org for other cities and info on the movement! E-mail UpperYarraValleyFreecycle-owner@yahoogroups.com for questions or improvement ideas!
