The Mayor's Column
From foreshores, reserves and other bushland to our own backyards, Mosman is caring for the environment in a variety of innovative ways as residents are enthusiastically adopting more and more actions towards a sustainable lifestyle.
Council is committed to sustainability and continuous environmental improvement and provides a range of environmental seminars and services to residents of Mosman, such as a recent seminar on ‘how to create a water-wise eco-friendly garden’ and the Sustainable Living Expo. The Expo showcased such things as water tanks, compost bins and the Council’s new mobile recycling bins. We are tackling the problem of illegal dumping and littering. Bushcare regeneration groups are thriving and gardeners are encouraged to plant water-wise natives – something Council is also doing in our own bushland areas.
Water efficiency and re-use are being encouraged and Council recently amended its stormwater policy to reflect this. In the development approval process the use of rainwater tanks is being encouraged, instead of simply detaining the water for release into the stormwater system at a later time. I am told that these initiatives are now leading to residents coming up with some very exciting ideas for using this water.
Council’s newly-formed Sustainability Advisory Group, which includes community members and invited experts, is developing a range of environmental solutions for both Council and the community to embrace. The Group will provide expert advice on ways Council can help residents improve their environmental performance, and importantly assist in the revision of greenhouse gas emissions reduction initiatives.
Council has also embarked upon a number of significant projects to reduce its own water consumption including the Every Drop Counts program promoted by Sydney Water; and developing a water savings plan in amenities blocks in a number of ovals / reserves, as well as the Civic Centre. Retrofits include AAA rated showerheads in the shower blocks, flow restrictors on taps and urinals, and reducing the flush time in urinals.
Water re-use is a high priority in the new Drill Hall Common project that is providing all-weather netball courts at Georges Heights, and will even be used on Rawson Oval, whilst stormwater is be captured to irrigate Balmoral Oval, and our staff are looking at a way to capture water to irrigate the lawns along The Esplanade.
Additionally, the Master Plumbers Association has been invited to speak with residents at an upcoming free community seminar on water conservation, details of which I will put in my column in the near future.
We can all do our bit to reduce our water and energy consumption, so why not take a look at the environment section of Council’s website for some practical suggestions, tips and useful links.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
