Garden Practice
Awareness Program
In July 2008 Council introduced a garden
awareness and rebate program to help residents
to maintain their home gardens. The program
was in response to the drought at that time
and to comply with Level 3 Water Restrictions
imposed by the State Government.
Good winter rains in 2010 resulted in reservoirs
reaching optimum levels and the lifting of Level
3 Water Restrictions. Consequently at its meeting
in August this year, Council voted to suspend
the Garden Practice Awareness Program (Home
Garden Water Wise Rebate Program) as from
31 August. Council has retained the option to
reinstate the program should Level 3 Water
Restrictions be reintroduced in the future.
Over the last five years Council has provided
over $25,000 in assissting residents to maintain
and enjoy their gardens and support
water conservation.
Cooling your
home efficiently
As the weather starts heating up, it’s the perfect
time to think about how you will keep cool at
home this summer. To help keep your home
cool, shade windows in the day, especially on the
north, east and west sides of your home.
If you have insulation installed in the ceiling and
walls, this can help to reduce amount of heat
entering your home. The cooler you keep your
home naturally, the less your cooling appliances
will need to work, keeping your energy
costs down.
Ceiling and pedestal fans are the cheapest type
of cooling appliance to run and can also be
used to compliment other cooling appliances.
Evaporative coolers have low running costs
and are well-suited to the dry South Australian
climate. They typically use 50% to 75% less
energy than refrigerative air conditioners, but
also use water.
Refrigerative air conditioners have higher
running costs, so try setting the thermostat as
high as you feel comfortable with. Every 1°C
lower can add 10% to the running costs of your
appliance. If you’re purchasing a new cooling
appliance, look for an energy rating label, or ask
your retailer about the ongoing running costs.
For more tips on energy efficient cooling and
how to calculate an appliance’s running costs,
visit sa.gov.au/energy or call the Energy Advisory
Service on 8204 1888.
SA Health offers advice about staying healthy
in extreme heat online at sahealth.sa.gov.au,
or copies of their extreme heat guide can be
obtained from local libraries, medical services,
community centres or by calling 8226 7115.
Ten Tips for Christmas
Yes, it’s that time again - the silly season has arrived! The
holiday season is a very busy time for everyone, involving
many celebrations and parties. It is also a time of high
consumption, where we find ourselves buying more food,
drinks, catering supplies… and don’t forget all those presents!
This can sometimes result in more waste being produced than
usual - uneaten food from big celebrations, wrapping paper,
product packaging and even unwanted presents.
Here are the top ten ideas to reduce waste sent to landfill over
the Christmas holidays.
1. Avoid junk mail. This time of year, we tend to be
bombarded with junk mail enticing us of what to buy for
‘that perfect Christmas gift’ or the latest special. Place a
‘No Junk Mail’ sign on your letterbox.
2. Use reusable dinnerware for parties, rather than
disposable plates, cups and cutlery. If you must use
disposable, use compostable party ware, which can be
placed into your green bin for composting once you’re
finished with it! You can purchase compostable tableware
from Eco Party Box:
3. Remember to put food waste of all kinds into your kitchen
organics bio basket and green-lidded organics bin. For
information on kitchen organics recycling, visit the
council website.
4. Purchase experiences, rather than gifts, or purchase gifts
with recyclable or minimal packaging.
5. Adopt the Kris Kringle or Secret Santa idea, where one
present is received and given, rather than many. This will
reduce unwanted gifts and save money.
6. Collect your 10c bottles and cans for recycling.
Use the money for some of the holiday expenses.
7. Save and reuse good wrapping paper, or make your
own at home.
8. Recycle your wrapping paper and cardboard boxes in the
yellow recycling bin.
9. If you have a living Christmas tree, after Christmas,
break your tree into pieces and put it into the green bin.
Alternatively, buy a reusable fake tree.
10. Plan ahead to prevent food wastage and buy in bulk to
reduce packaging.
