The Tweed's precious environment will be in the spotlight this Sunday at the popular World Environment Day Festival to be held in Murwillumbah.
Postponed earlier in the year due to wet weather, the festival will be held on Sunday 17 July from 10 am to 3 pm at Knox Park, Murwillumbah. The festival promotes sustainability and protection of the natural environment with live music and performances, environmental speakers, demonstrations, information stalls and food.
Council's Environment and Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Water and Wastewater teams will be at the event showcasing a range of programs and services – with lots of giveaways.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said the event provided a great chance to come together at a local community gathering for a clear purpose.
"It's never been more evident that taking action on climate change and protecting our environment is vital," Cr Cherry said.
"We would like to invite people along for a friendly chat with our team to see how we can work together to create positive change in the Tweed. You can visit Council's stall to contribute to a new Conservation Strategy for the Tweed or learn how to help protect Glossy Black-Cockatoos, Bush Stone-curlews and the rare Albert's Lyrebird.
"Times have been tough lately, so we'd also love our community to pick up some free things to help the hip pocket. Council staff will be giving away complimentary kitchen caddies, compostable liners, shower timers, and native species planting guides. You can also bring the kids to decorate reusable shopping bags to take home and go into the draw to win prizes."
Residents can also save money with Council's residential water saving rebate and get up to $100 back when you install eligible water-efficient showers and tapware.
With electricity prices soaring, Council's sustainability team will be on-hand with smart power saving tips to help residents get their power bills under control.
Community members are encouraged to visit Council's stall and share any actions they're taking at home to save money on power bills to be in with a chance to win one of 5 home energy assessments. These assessments will see an expert visit your home and provide tips on how it can be made cosier for less cost.
Council's biodiversity team will also be available to discuss how landowners can apply for funding to help look after native habitat, how to control weeds, how to encourage native fauna to flourish in the backyard and which native plants to grow to promote habitat resilience to climate change.
Chat to Council's team members on the day to:
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Get involved as a citizen scientist and learn about the Tweed's amazing diversity
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Learn about vulnerable and threatened native species the Glossy Black-Cockatoos, Bush Stone-curlews and the Albert's Lyrebird and how you can help protect them
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Learn about the Northern Rivers Feral Deer Alert program and how to report feral deer sightings
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Help create a new Conservation Strategy for the Tweed – vote for your favourite plant or animal of the Tweed, fill in a survey and share your stories and experiences
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Join the Land for Wildlife or Backyard Habitat for Wildlife programs
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Spin the water wheel, answer a water efficiency question and pick up your free shower timer
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Find out simple tips to reduce waste - check how you can recycle right, compost better and maximise food recycling through your green bin
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Fun family activities - design your own reusable calico shopping bag
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Pick up your free kitchen caddy and compostable liners
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Sign up to Council's quarterly Environment and Sustainability and Wild Life e-newsletters
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Sign up for our National Tree Day planting event to be held on 31 July.
Other highlights of the festival include: Hoopla Circus and kids workshop, music from Luna Junction, Felicity Lawless and Black Rabbit George (from Tijuana Cartel), Loose Content (winners of the 2022 Bluesfest busking competition), The Pitts Family Circus and many speakers including forest ecologist Robert Kooyman plus more.
Come and enjoy this free, family-friendly, COVID-safe event. It's a 'waste-wise' event so BYO bottle and mug.
Visit the Caldera Environment Centre's website or Facebook page for up-to-date festival information.
Find out how Council looks after the Tweed environment at tweed.nsw.gov.au/environment, or for recycling tips go to tweed.nsw.gov.au/waste-recycling, or for water saving tips visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/water-savings-restrictions.
The World Environment Day Festival is sponsored by Tweed Shire Council.
