10 cents can change the world

Today saw Greens MLC, Colleen Hartland, present over 4000 postcards to "the Minister for the Environment" supporting the Greens Container Deposit Legislation.

Gavin Jennings, Minister for the Environment, wasn't available so young Ewen stood in for him. Even before the legislation was introduced to parliament Minister Jennings indicated the government would not be supporting it.

In a rally on the steps of parliament, people came to hear Colleen speak about the benefits of a Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). A CDS puts money into the hands of community groups (the scouts in SA make $1 million a year!), uses less raw materials to make new containers, creates less greenhouse gas emissions, means much less recyclables in landfill and far less litter in our environment.

Last Thursday, Liz Ingham (Colleen's Electoral Officer), presented the benefits of a Container Deposit Scheme to a group of interested people in Warburton, the night was organised by the Upper Yarra Greens.

Julian Guess - Convenor of the Upper Yarra Greens, me and Liz Ingham - Colleen Hartland's Electoral Officer in Warburton. People were very supportive of the scheme, the benefits of restaurants having a financial incentive to recycle received a great response.

Today's rally on the steps of parliament to support the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme. The Shire of Yarra Ranges supports the introduction of drink container deposits and recently voted to gain the broader support of all Victorian municipalities at the upcoming MAV State Conference.

94% of Victorians support a Container Deposit Scheme and if the legislation is successful it will see 83% of containers recycled, as it captures all those drinks consumed away from home. The Greens have conservatively estimated that the introduction of a CDS will mean $390,433 more dollars in Yarra Range's budget per annum.

Earlier this week Greens Senator, Scott Ludlum, introduced a federal bill for Container Deposit Legislation.

If you want to see 10cent refunds on drink containers contact your local MP and ask them to support the legislation.

10cent deposit on drink bottles, cans & cartons - hear all about it in Warburton

94% of Victorians are in favour of a container deposit legislation, yet the state government is not yet behind legislation proposed by Greens upper house MP Colleen Hartland.























I invite you to come and find out more about the 10cents deposit campaign and the benefits of this legislation on Thursday May 14th, at the Wild Thyme Cafe in Warburton.

Key speaker for the night will be Liz Ingham who is Colleen’s electoral officer and also a regular columnist for Earth Garden magazine. I’ll also be there to talk about the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ perspective.

Find out
how the proposed legislation will work
how Yarra Ranges Shire Council and local community groups will benefit
how much litter will be reduced and
how to get involved

If you can’t make it on the night but still want to be involved you can join the campaign electronically.

yarra ranges deliver message on logging

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Yesterday the people of Warburton presented the Premier with a recycled cardboard forest with messages from across the Yarra Ranges community concerned about logging of Melbourne's water catchments.

The people went to Parliament to highlight the plight of Melbourne's water catchments.

The forest 'grew' on the steps of Parliament and a 30 metre scroll was unfurled with even more messages to the Premier urging him to stop the logging of our catchments.

"Dear Mr Brumby, Our community wants logging in water catchments to stop, this is the will of the people. Cr Samantha Dunn, Shire of Yarra Ranges."

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There is no doubt the momentum on this issue is growing. The people of Melbourne need to know their catchments are being compromised by logging activities. I congratulate the Warburton community for bringing their message to the city.

Water is precious, we cannot afford to further compromise supply by logging our catchments.

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Me and Colleen Hartland (Greens MLC for the Western Metropolitan region) enjoying the forest scene on the steps of Parliament. "

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Today in Parliament, Greg Barber (Greens MLC for the Northern Metropolitan Region), applauded the seven councils who oppose logging in catchments "I commend those municipalities that have joined together to oppose logging in Melbourne’s mountain forest water catchments, led by Cr Samantha Dunn of the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Seven councils have joined this push — the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Bayside City Council, Whitehorse City Council, Moreland City Council, Port Phillip City Council, Yarra City Council and Knox City Council — representing 800 000 Melburnians."

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To read the full statement on hansard visit http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard/pdf/Council/Feb-Jun%202008/Council%20Feb-Jun%202008%20Daily%2015%20April%202008.pdf