On last night's Channel 7 news it was announced (a few minutes before a plug for today's Movie Festival!) that at long last, Lorraine Pyefinch has been declared mayor of the Bundaberg Regional Council. As I understand it, at this time only three of the 10 councillors have been declared: Wayne Honor in division 3, Ross Sommerfeld in division 7 and Judy Peters in division 9. Vince Habermann tells me that division 10 preferences haven't yet been allocated and aren't expected to be until today or tomorrow, so I would imagine it's the same for the other divisions and we still have a few days to wait before the rest of the council is named.

Congratulations Lorraine. We appreciate your participation in the SustainaBundy discussion list and we look forward to working with you and your new council.

Response from Rod Pearce:

Question 1. Resourse depletion is a serious and present problem that is already affecting all of us. We need to have much better modelling of both the physical ( eg land-use, topography,terrain, catchment areas etc ) and social landscapes ( eg current and projected population growth in the short and long term, transport needs( public and goods etc ). In other words we need to establish a social theory overlaying the physical which strikes the right balance in order to more efficiently utilise the finite resources available, and to properly consider alternative infinate resource use. Without a comprehensive regional plan that just wont happen. In order to realise desired outcomes, the new Council needs to set up a body, consisting of representatives from all interest groups to arrive at an effective strategy to manage resource depletion and other issues.

Question 2.Climate change is a major issue for all of us. There is an air of complacency surrounding climate change, which frankly, I find scary. For example, if we are to have a rise in sea levels of say 30-60cm in the next thirty years, that doesnt necessarily mean the rise will be linear (that is 1- 2cm per year ). Some years there will be no rise, some years it will be lower than the previous year, some years the ocean will rise dramatically. Extreme events and fluctuating unpredictable weather patterns further complicate the issue. Once again, we need an over all plan with strategies in place to best manage the future.

Question 3 Yes, of course it is a good idea but like the above issues, it cannot be effectively implemented in isolation. All of the issues mentioned and others as well have to be part of an overall strategy which regards each and every one of them as related to all the others.That will reqiure an enormous amount of co-operative action from all community sectors working together to a clear plan for the common good.

Cheers Rod Pearce.

Response from Lynne Forgan:

1. What are your thoughts on resource depletion and its potential effects on the Bundaberg region?

Things such as solar power, bio-fuels and water conservation need to be looked at. Recycling of as much waste as practical should be encouraged and practiced, eg sewer treatment plant effluent for irrigation use. Populations are growing, and with them the need for more energy and products, so we need to be as efficient as we can be with our resources – conserve, maintain, retain.

2. What are your thoughts on climate change and its potential effects on the Bundaberg region?

We need to operate in a way which places the least possible impact on the environment. The energy efficiency of the products available to do a job should be taken into account when they are being selected eg the humble light bulb. More investigation needs to be carried out on what we can do in all areas, keep the public informed of the outcomes.

3. Do you support the relocalisation of the Bundaberg region? (relocalisation means reducing consumption and sourcing daily needs as locally as possible. We believe this will reduce dependence on declining fossil fuel supplies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support our local economy and businesspeople)

Definitely. It makes sense to source things locally whenever possible, taking into account also the benefits to the local community and businesses.

response from Gail Anderson:

Resource depletion takes in minerals, oil, water and farm land.
We are all aware of the oil situation regarding its finite availability. Water will continue to be a problem unless we change our ways and habits due to the fact that we get the same amount of rainfall now as what we got centuries ago but our population has increased. Minerals are being found in areas that the general population could not have conceived many years ago. These three, water, oil and minerals, affect our farm lands. Water, by its limited availability; oil, by the fact that farm machinery uses it; minerals because some of the land mined could have been used for farming or grazing. I do realize investigations are ongoing to overcome all but it will take many years to either find newer ways to power our homes and industries, look at re-using our water( and sewerage) and find further uses for the minerals mined. Land is a resource for human needs, mainly food. Deplete our farm land and you start to depend on overseas food supply.

Climate change has been happening for ages but we never thought about it. Again I believe the increased population of the world and its food, water and travel needs are part of the cause. One only has to look at the past century with inventions we now take for granted, such as petrol/electric mowers, washing machines, high powered jet aeroplanes, trains, buses, army/navy/airforces aircraft, ships and vehicles, electric lights etc. All causing gradual climate change.

Relocalisation is a good idea but I believe it will not work totally. Yes, farm gate produce buying is good but will not sustain the farmer and his family. He needs to have his produce bought by many people and this requires getting it into shops or large markets on a daily basis. Some fruit and vegetables must come from other areas because not all can be grown in any one place. The meat, fish and dairy products are in the same boat. Some farm families have their own meat grown and butchered to eat themselves. The remainder must go to market. Fish catches are not always sold only locally. It depends on the catch and the buyers. We all buy dairy products from the shop, rarely from the farm gate. Then you have clothing, shoes, cosmetics, glasses, hearing aids etc.
Again some things are made locally and sold locally but we all buy imported (by road,plane or train) goods.

I do not know the answer to the problems but I believe we will find different methods and ways to overcome them.
Gail Anderson.

Today I received a phone call from Maurice Chapman, Burnett Shire deputy mayor and division 6 councillor candidate, in response to my email asking candidates for their positions on resource depletion, climate change and relocalisation.

He said, "as a mature age person, I plead innocence on the speeding up of resource depletion." He indicated that in relation to climate change, the council is already doing what it can within the confines of council requirements, which he must abide by. And he said that "the relocalisation of the Bundaberg region is what really interests me, I've always grown small crops and sold them at my front gate and at markets around Bundaberg so I'm already doing that." In my email I listed the many community organisations and businesses that our readers, subscribers and contacts are a part of, and on the phone Mr. Chapman said that as a current councillor he already has relationships and has dealt with many of them directly.

He asked if there was someplace he could send me some information on these topics, in written form. I provided our post office box but let him know that if he wanted to respond via email I would be able to provide the information more easily to our readers. He answered that he prefers to respond more personally.

I will post any information he provides.

Andi Hazelwood
SustainaBundy

Hi Andi,

Thank you for your invitation and the chance to respond to your questions. I've taken this opportunity to express my views on these issues.

1. What are your thoughts on resource depletion and its potential effects on the Bundaberg region?

I would have to focus on water. We used water tanks when we lived over in north Bundy and I thought they were very effective. I believe people should utilize this some how regardless of the size of their property. Also be highly recommended in new construction. I have seen enough laws governing the peoples personal property and would suggest it be voluntary. I believe the people in this area are intelligent and are keen to work together to prosper as a community. In the future build desalination plants to secure the ability that this area could sustain and increase the production of food and water. If I saw the need I would be in favor of a nuclear power system to ensure the stability of this community. It’s clean and it’s safe. Oil spills are disastrous and it takes a long time for oil companies to compensate the area that has been effected.

On the subject of oil. I have worked in one of the largest oil fields in north America for the past eight and a half years. Although some fields are at their peak and some on the decline others have been discovered. There will be oil reserves for the future. The problem is the time it takes to develop and deliver the product to the refineries. Also the lack of new refineries to process the oil for an increasing world population becoming more dependent on this source of energy. Plus the oil companies obsession to make their money for the stock holders. Regardless of the oil supply, communities have to prepare for the 21st century and stop thinking in 20th century transportation methods.

This amalgamation is a very big deal, it will determine if the leaders of communities have looked far enough into the future to manifest a plan, that can be shaped like clay to sustain a life style that will be first class. Using technology that will have the ability to withstand the storms and stumbling blocks cast in front of it.
If candidates and voters are depending on local knowledge to pull this community through. I can say only that this is new territory and it requires thinking outside the box.
I was born in Annadale N.S.W and raised in Seattle Washington. In 1963 I went to the world’s fair where they developed the monorail system for transportation. It just ran in the CBD area. 43 years later at ten times the cost, they are now realising the numerous financial benefits and efficiency that comes from this mode of trasportation. It is now being extended to serve the outer communities to take the load off the freeways. Freeways that have become so congested that they are almost useless during peak travel time now days. You can see the same problem developing in Brisbane. Road construction and maintenance is very expensive considering the high cost of fuel. In most cases it renders big highway projects, obsolete before they are ever completed and is only a short term solution. Although for some reason we keep thinking building wider roads is the answer. From my experience I can tell you it is nothing more then a burden that the tax payers will have to absorb. I have seen not millions of dollars but billions of hard earned dollars wasted on old technology for transportation. The importance of this information is that we don’t make the same mistakes. Because a city without the ability to have an affordable and efficient mode of transportation will not be able to compete and sustain an acceptable level of commerce to serve and support it’s population.

2. What are your thoughts on climate change and its potential effects on the Bundaberg region?

I believe that the climate has been changing for thousands of years and sea levels have been rising. If what I read is correct there used to be a land bridge connecting Alaska to Russia, and Tasmania at one time was connected to the mainland of Australia. Scientists have determined that we went through an ice age and I have no reason to disagree with them. I just think now it’s melting. I’m sure we have something to do with it by burning our fossil fuels. Regardless of what the causes are and the effects it has on the Bundaberg region. We will have to deal with natural disasters from fires, floods, and wind. My family and I have had to endure a natural disaster. It is emotionally and physically demanding. The effects it would have in Bundaberg could be devastating. The community should always have a emergency plan in place. More importantly, people should not depend on the local government to be there to assist them straight away. We should be prepared to have food, water and a plan for shelter for several days until everyone has had a chance to secure their family and property. We should be ready to engage in a community plan that will be well thought out and realistic.

I think there are a lot of tough decisions to be addressed on this topic and the public needs to ask the right questions of it’s future councillors. I think the voters will need to look at the candidates for their particular region to determine how well they will work together as a team. For the development of the entire area, as well as representing their particular district. I feel fortunate to have lived and worked in many different areas and the knowledge that I can bring to the table would be of great value for the future and success of this region.
It will take hard work from not only councillors but from the whole community.

3. Do you support the relocalisation of the Bundaberg region? (relocalisation means reducing consumption and sourcing daily needs as locally as possible. We believe this will reduce dependence on declining fossil fuel supplies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support our local economy and businesspeople.

Yes I do. However I believe we have to be careful when it comes to some of the new technology. All of the reports coming out from scientists are not conclusive. When it is broadcast over the web, TV, and radio we are only catching short segments that can lead to knee-jerk decisions and expensive mistakes. One example is: the more environmentally friendly Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.(ulsd) I have read reports on it and it’s not all that impressive to me. It is estimated to lose 30% of its efficiency.The low sulfur content allows micro-organisms to grow in the diesel and it clogs the fuel filters. The engine manufacturers have made design changes so that the engines only burn ULSD. This increases the lifting cost per barrel of oil. Refineries have had to modify their equipment to make it.
The end result is that we could burn 30% more diesel, which will in turn waste a lot of hard earned money and tax dollars. This is at a time when we want to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. I can not over emphasise the importance of this new Bundaberg region to be guided with leaders that will take into account the whole region and not just their respective division. So that the people willing to prosper in this area will have an equal opportunity to succeed in their endeavours.

Thanks for your time and im looking forward to the opportunity to answer any further questions regarding these elections.

Daniel Hevenor.

response from Robert Bromwich:

Greetings Andi - responses to your question below:

1. What are your thoughts on resource depletion and its potential effects on the Bundaberg region?
Resource depletion is one of the issues that will impact how Australians - and those in the Bundaberg region - live, work and play in the medium term. From peak oil to other fossil use (coal etc), critical decisions need to be made on how best to manage - and conserve - all resources for future generations.

2. What are your thoughts on climate change and its potential effects on the Bundaberg region?
Climate change will be one of the most challenging issues that will confront policy makers in the medium and longer term. Potential effects for the Bundaberg region include rising sea levels impacting those who reside on coastal locations (including Moore Park), the ability for farmers to grow crops (including those at Welcome Creek and Gooburrum), envriomental impacts (being at the southern end of the Barrier Reef)

3. Do you support the relocalisation of the Bundaberg region? (relocalisation means reducing consumption and sourcing daily needs as locally as possible. We believe this will reduce dependence on declining fossil fuel supplies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support our local economy and businesspeople)
I endeavour to purchase as much produce locally as possible - the benefit of residing in the Bundaberg region is the abudence of farmers (and others) that provide opportunities for locals to purchase fresh produce at the farm gate - not by transporting it across vast distances using chemcials and fertilisers (resulting in loss of soil fertility).

Robert Bromwich
Independent candidate - Divison One
Bundaberg Regional Council

Hello subscribers,

As you know, nominations for Bundaberg Regional Council closed two and a half hours ago. As it stands now, we don't have any information yet on candidates for divisions 2, 3, or 7. I just spoke to the Electoral Commission and they said they'd have all nominees listed on their website tomorrow. In the meantime, if you know of any candidates that are not listed on this page please be sure to let me know about them - I'll add them and invite them to participate in our sustainability discussion! Yesterday I added Lynne Forgan to our list and sent her an invite, she is another candidate for Division 10.

While I know this is a very busy time for all of the candidates, I hope each of them will find time to provide their responses to our questions and let SustainaBundy members, subscribers, supporters, friends and contacts know where they stand on the issues of resource depletion, climate change and relocalisation. It is important to help the voters make informed decisions, and again I thank the candidates who have already provided their input.

We'll be attending the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce function this evening and look forward to meeting some of you there!

Andi Hazelwood
SustainaBundy

response from Mal Forman:

Mal Forman’s Response to Sustainabundy’s Candidate Questions.
1) When considering resource depletion we have to remember that we as humans are an adaptable species. The general farming community in the Bundaberg region is a good example of adaptation as they have undergone necessary changes as the weather patterns alter over time and resources such as water become scarcer. As the issues of climate change and resource depletion come to the forefront of our everyday lives, more and more people are becoming aware of its impacts on the things in life we enjoy and depend on. Fishing and farming are two of the biggest industries in this region and it is up to us as a community to utilize what resources we have in a holistically efficient and sustainable manner.

Personally, I grew up on farms and have learnt first hand the importance of water conservation and use. I am an ardent supporter of water re-use and have been involved in investigating all avenues to recycle our waste water from councils STP’s for use on farms etc. I encourage the use of water tanks and have 2 x 5,000 gallon water tanks at home and have our own household sewerage treatment plant and all waste water is treated and used on our gardens. Likewise, as chairman of Bundaberg Christian College, we have our own STP and WTP and have won a couple of Australian Environmental Awards. I have tried to get council support to promote and to have new houses provide the ability to have gray water recycling systems connected to their houses.

2) The greater Bundaberg region, like all other areas, will unavoidably feel the effects of climate change in the coming years. This will be a challenge for the newly formed Regional Council as development pressures persist along our sensitive coastline. Planning and operational practice within council will undergo a new phase where departments share their expertise to best inform regional council business. From a potential rise in the sea level, to highly variable storm patterns, we as a council and as a community will need to prepare ourselves for change and aim to reduce our output of emissions in the mean time. The potential for more carbon-neutral technologies does exist and it is just a matter of time before things like hybridized vehicles and low power lighting becomes the norm.

I have encouraged Bundaberg City Council to re-visit its Vehicle Fleet Policy and investigate changing to and including hybrid and other types of carbon-neutral vehicles. Also, the City Council has commenced a program to reduce the use of electric power.

I have changed my home lighting over to low power lighting and have had Solar Hart hot water since building our home some 28 years ago.

3) Council is aware of the need for all walks of society to reduce their fossil fuel consumption and prepare for the inevitable moment when we have surpassed peak oil supply. The Bundaberg region has a very diverse agricultural and industrial community, which will strengthen our ability to ‘relocalise’ and exist as a more independent and sustainable community. We have weekend markets, ‘farm-door’ produce outlets, and various retailers that specialize in local produce, all of which will continue to embrace a

sense of independence in the greater Bundaberg region. I believe it is necessary to encourage the use of bio-fuels and ethanol and develop plants to produce these fuels in our region.

It is exciting to see that the Bundaberg Regional Council will have its own Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Departments which will deal with issues pertaining to climate change and other broader environmental and sustainability matters.

Mal Forman
Email: malf@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
Mob. 0418 797 007

response from Mal McCullough:

Hi Andi,

Being a co-author of the Bundaberg Region Social Plan (2006), and having held many individual and groups interviews and reviewed written submissions for the plan, I have gained quite an insight into the environmental issues that face our region.

One of my main recommendations from the Plan was the creation of Community Implementation Boards of which one stand alone area was ‘Environment’. This group would bring all the environmental stakeholder groups, such as yours, together to develop uniform strategies that would inform Council of future environmental directions. Unfortunately though launched at the end of 2006, the Bundaberg City Council decided not to develop ‘any’ of the Implementation Boards and let the hard work of the community in developing the Social Plan go to waste, including that of the Environment Implementation Board.

The Plan recognises the Environment as an Economic Driver.

As co-author of the plan, my beliefs and strategies to improve our environment across the region is well documented. If we do not commit to ensuring eco-friendly development for our region, we ‘will’ end up another Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast and of that there is nothing surer. My statements are not just a last minute response in the hope that I have the right answers to get elected, they are in print within the Social Plan and have been since 2006.

Andi, I am sure that you and your members will recognise my commitment to the strategies, as outlined below, that will assist Council and the communities of the region move toward a more sustainable, responsible and planned development of our region.

Below is the extract from the Plan, I have amalgamated some outcomes with goals and strategies to make it more easily read.

The Environment Implementation Board would be a 10 member board sourced from members of the community.

The purposes of the Implementation Boards where to:

• Improve coordination of relevant sector stakeholders services.
• Enhance communication between sector stakeholders and the general community.
• Provide high levels of community engagement.
• Develop a whole of government approach of the stakeholder issues.
• Encourage high levels of cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders.

The main goals outlined in the Regional Social Plan, in relation to Environment:

Adapt planning and regulations to encourage ongoing environmentally and sustainable development.

• Encourage the implementation of local environmental standards on developers such as all new houses have facilities like solar hot water, water tanks etc.
• Lobby State Government for water rebates outside of the South East Corner.
• Investigate opportunities for new housing or business developments that have public open space and public meeting places.
• Encourage whole of Government approach to replace above ground power to underground.
• Inclusion of wildlife corridors in the Council planning scheme in new parks and bush land, and creek lines.
• Establish a regional competition that promotes environmentally friendly housing design.
• Develop a list of local native plants for planting in all public spaces/reserves and new estates.
• Continue to work with conservation groups to map current remnant vegetation.

Develop ongoing community awareness of the importance of environment and amenity.

• Assist in the promotion of community awareness of high value environment projects.
• Improve general visual amenity that encourage wellbeing in the community.

Develop stronger relationships and engagement in the community on environmental issues.

• Greater levels of engagement by community members in environmental care.
• Great collaboration between Council and environment groups.
• Support community organisations to be responsible for the development of small environmental areas.
• Continue to develop an Adopt A Park Community Garden program.
• Promotion of the value of bushland and preservation issues.
• Create public awareness of the local noise controls such as keeping of animals and operating machinery.
• Investigate the need for an Environmental Project Officer to assist Community Groups and raise environmental awareness in schools, and development of positive liaison between groups and Council.
• Partnership with environment agencies to promote high levels of environmental consciousness for marine assets.

Encourage the ongoing development of the creation and use of bio fuels.

• Encourage and establish the development of bio diesel industry in the region.
• Investigate the running of Council fleet vehicles on bio fuels.

Encourage greater uptake of recycling and appropriate waste management.

• Promote a whole of Government approach to increasing the uptake of recycling within all sectors of the community.
• Continue to promote the benefits of high levels of green waste recycling and composting across the community.

Improve the efficiency of water use.

• Set standards for approving the use of grey water systems for use on lawns and gardens.
• Develop local subsidy scheme that encourages residents and business to invest in rainwater tanks and efficient water use devices.

Thanks for the opportunity to inform you and your members of my environmental platform.

Regards

Mal McCullough

It's About A Regional Community!

Mr. Mal McCullough
m.mccullough@queenslander.net.au
www.queenslander.net.au
P.O. Box 527
Bundaberg, Qld, 4670
Ph: +61 (07) 4151 5122
Fx: +61 (07) 4151 5127
Mb: 0438591211

Hello Andi

Thank you for your email and as a candidate for Mayor of the new Bundaberg Regional Council I have provided the following personal comments in relation to the questions you have raised.

I suppose I should start by saying that I believe I can demonstrate a long-term personal commitment to resource minimisation and the use of alternative technologies. My family has enjoyed hot water heated via a Solarhart for nearly 20 years. Our family has been involved in the recycling program in Bundaberg city since its introduction (first as a voluntary scheme) in the early 1990s. Our home is fitted with 2 rain water tanks (which are plumbed inside). We have installed skylights into dark areas of the house to minimize the need for lights during the day. We have batts in our roof to improve insulation. We live on an acreage and have an onsite sewerage treatment plant - the treated water is used on our gardens. We recycle our Christmas Cards. We are about to get a new kitchen installed and I will be getting a gas stove this time. Our family car is a hybrid.

I confess that my guilty pleasure is to watch our big screen TV with the airconditioner going in summer; and we have a 16year old who doesn't seem to understand the concept of "turn of the lights when you leave the room" - so there is still room to improve. But I believe we do more than many families in trying to limit our consumption. At the end of the day, individuals have a responsibility to examine their own activities and make choices about their energy consumption.

From a public governance point of view, there appears to be growing recognition in both Federal and State Government of the potential risks to our future economic viability due to the increase in fuel prices; the political instability of existing oil producing regions and the impact of human activity on our environment. The appointment of a specific Minister (for Climate Change and Sustainability etc) at both Federal and State levels to develop long-term strategies is welcome, but whether this will also come with appropriate funding for local communities to implement these strategies is an important question. Bundaberg is fairly typical of most cities of its size and has made some inroads into developing sustainable practices - eg. I believe our waste management strategy is well advanced and of a high standard. But there are obviously areas that can be improved and the amalgamation of 4 councils with varying standards offers us an opportunity to develop broad strategies that will be consistent across the region as well as offering economies of scale for the cost effective delivery of initiatives.

Here are some issues that I would like the new regional council to consider:

1. Improved planning policies for new residential developments with a preference for well planned developments that encorporate strategies such the use of sustainable techniques in building, open space and streetscape design; better management and where possible, recycling of stormwater and waste water; and better transport options (including established bikeways and footpaths); to name a few. Development of a new planning scheme for the new council area has to begin very soon after the election - actually the process has already started with senior staff from each council meeting regularly to document current practices. The draft plan will require considerable public consultation and care to ensure that the best "bits" of the four existing plans are preserved. Issues such as the preservation of valuable farming land and sensitive ecological areas and the limitation of "out of sequence" development proposals while balancing the demand for and cost of new housing are of major concern. I expect that the State Government will then develop an overarching Statutory Regional Plan for the Wide-Bay Burnett which reflects the new council plans.

2. Expansion of the existing Bundaberg City waste management strategy to include the other 3 shires - this may take some time as it will need careful analysis to ensure cost effectiveness and available resources. We have already negotiated a contract to take over the collection of Burnett's waste and have been accepting recycleabe materials from Kolan for some years. But the program should ideally cover the new council area. This will increase the volume of recycled materials, reduce waste ending up in landfill and eventually lead to the closure of old remote/inefficient landfills and approriate rehabilitation of those sites. With the opening of the new landfill site at Cedars road, Bundaberg will soon begin rehabilitating the existing landfill site in University drive.

3. Increased use of recycled water for farming irrigation purposes - Bundaberg already does this on a small scale and previous attempts to expand this has not attracted interest from farmers. But as bulk water prices increase and availabilty of supply dwindles for farm use, this may become more viable. Recently a subdivision was approved on the South side of Bundaberg that will collect its own stormwater; treat it, then recharge the underground acquifer - the success of this technique will be closely monitored and if successful, could provide an alternative to the current discharge of untreated stormwater runoff into creeks and rivers. We also provide raw product from the sewerage treatment plans that is recycled into a soil conditioner ( to be used in farming etc). I would like to see these initiatives expanded as technology improves and systems become more cost effective.

4. Reduction of paper waste. Despite the widespread use of computers, Bundaberg city is unfortunately still heavily reliant on paper-based internal communication means (memo's; photocopies etc). With the introduction of a new enterprise-wide computer system that will be accessable across the 4 councils, I would like to see increased use of electronic communication means - emails; electronic diaries; websites; intranets etc. with a resulting reduction in consumables.

5. Fleet management - Bundaberg has already introduced a formal asset management system which has reduced maintenance costs and improved the standard of fleet across council. Council has already introduced the option to choose 4 cylinder cars instead of 6 when replacing staff cars - and I would like this expand to also include hybrid options (as these cars become more readily available on the market and hopefully more affordable). I am also interested in the use of biofuels and have had discussions with a producer near Brisbane who is conducting trials with several councils in SEQ. If successful and economically sensible, I would support the use of such fuels in our area. The same for ethanol fuels.

6. Energy efficient lighting and design. Bundaberg has already introduced a light replacement program in its own council buildings so new and replacement fittings are more energy efficient. New council buildings should be designed to be more energy efficient. E.g. the plans for the new airport terminal already includes roof water harvesting for use in toilets and on gardens; natural ventilation and lighting; and timers and automated systems to ensure airconditioning and lights are used sparingly.

7. Transport - This financial year Bundaberg will spend around $400,000 on expansion of the multimodal pathway network designed to encourage greater use by pedestrians and cyclists (50:50 funding from State Govt). I would like to see this program continued. We are also about to undertake a trial of cycleway road markings (painted laneways with bicycle symbols etc) to alert motorists. Bundaberg's flat terrain makes it very suitable for a bicycling. We have also started upgrading several bus stops to ensure they meet new disability access provisions.

8. Promotion of locally produced food and goods. There are a number of ideas that I have regarding how we can better promote our local products - making it more accessable to our community and reducing the need for expensive transport and refrigeration costs. Our area is one of the richest agricultural regions in the country.

9. Community involvement. Bundaberg city already sponsers a number of groups who are active in protecting our enviroment (e.g Friends of Baldwin swamp), tree planting projects etc or encourage use of alternative forms of transport (e.g. the mad cycologists annual bike ride from Bundaberg to the Port). I would like to see this financial and inkind support continue and if possible increase. We also support a community group who recycles timber goods extracted from the waste stream. I also see there are more opportunities in educating our community on sustainability - eg School programs where students do an audit on their home energy usage etc; or providing more information via councils website etc on how individuals can make a difference. Low cost intiatives that would raise awareness and community involvement.

Andi this list is not exhaustive - just some of the main points I would like to highlight and I hope that I will have the support of the new council that is elected in March to pursue these initiatives.

Regards,

Lorraine Pyefinch