A quick update form ZNET to all our Members and Affiliates and we hope you are safe and well.
Last Friday, ZNET had the opportunity to meet with NSW Minister for Energy & Environment, Matt Kean, and our local Member Adam Marshall. This was a great chance to update them on ZNET projects on sustainable firewood, energy efficiency and water security. Carol did a great job presenting the new project “Uralla – Let’s Talk About Water” which will consult with our community on options for water security, commencing in August. This will help ensure all options are on the table as Council works toward improving future water supplies for the next drought. We were joined by the Mayor, Mick Pearson, Kate Jessep, our brand-new GM, and Terry Seymour from Council.
The Elephant in the Woodland project is progressing well with another two sustainable firewood suppliers added to the list this year. You can find their details on our website. We are hoping to kick off with a new round of biodiversity assessments in September as the weather warms up and we can undertake COVID-19-safe outdoor activities. Unfortunately, indoor activities are still too risky, so we have not been able to continue with our regular curtain making workshops – we are all missing them! We are now well into winter and my door curtains are still in a box waiting to be completed 😊
Our exciting new is the new project initiated by the ZNET Plus on water security. We have secured funding to undertake a community consultation on options for water security. We are partnering with the Global Water Institute at UNSW to deliver several consultation activities so our community can express their options and values for different ways of securing water supply – rainwater tanks, bores, recycling, etc. Keep an eye our for the various activities that will allow community feedback ranging from online surveys to face to face meetings, focus groups and workshops. Plus, some school activities….
For those of you who have had a Home Energy Review in the past there has been a google questionnaire sent to your email account. If you have not already done so it would be greatly appreciated if you could spare five minutes to fill it in. If you have not received it please contact Trish at projects(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)zneturalla.org.au
Now is not a good time for our AGM given the increase spread of COVID-19 but we will endeavour to hold the meeting as soon as we safely can. If the delay is for too long, we will look at doing it by Zoom if that is feasible and within Association rules.
Cheers,
Sandra
Keep washing your hands and stay safe! 🙂
Sandra Eady
President Z-NET Uralla
A few words from ZNET Plus:
As Sandra has noted we are very excited to be bringing internationally recognised expertise to Uralla as we partner with UNSW and the Global Water Institute on the Let’s Talk Water project. The best information at the time helps us make the best decisions at the time, so we look forward to working with both the Uralla Council and community on this critical issue of Water Security.
Covid 19 has certainly slowed down ZNETPlus community activities, as it has with many other groups in town. However, we are starting to take a few tentative steps where we can.
Firstly, we are pleased to be working with Julie Hicks from the Ladybird Nursery at the Uralla Community Garden in encouraging residents to learn more about growing food locally.
- There will be monthly get-togethers on the last Tuesday of the month 10am-12md where we learn by doing and helping Julie with garden activities.
- The first one is on Tues 28th July 10am-12md
Then on Sunday August 23rd 10.30am -12md there will be a
- Tour of the Community Garden where we can learn about building good soil and the innovative water saving measures being implemented. (you may have noticed lots of big logs and piles of mulch!) We look forward to seeing you there J
Our postponed tour to Banded Bee Farm is now scheduled for Sunday September 27th 10.30am-12.30pm.
- This is an inspiration for how to turn a barren windswept area into an abundant food growing oasis. Entry will be by gold coin donation. Check on FB for reminders as you won’t want to miss this!
Lastly, on the last Saturday of the month, outside of Little Birdy, we are back to inviting anyone with spare veggies or produce to come along to sell, swap or buy. Banded Bee Farm and the Community Garden will both have tables as will the Lazy Magpie. We are hoping to ‘grow’ this into the Uralla Local Food Producers market so our local community has access to fresh, affordable seasonally grown food. One step at a time……Spring is not far away so time to start thinking of preparing for plantingJ
The next market is Saturday July 25th 9.30-12md
Let’s keep Uralla Healthy and Well
See you soon!
Smiles,
Carol Shantal
ZNETPlus
