October Edition:Layout 1 - the Caroline Springs Community Update.

Council responds
to new dog
legislation
Melton Shire Council has been swift in
responding to recent new State
Government legislation to more effectively
regulate the keeping of restricted breed
dogs.
Green Living Tips – Soap Nuts
Written by Gavin Webber, author www.greeningofgavin.com
Have you ever wanted to wash
your clothes with a natural product
that was not harmful to the
environment? Well look no further
than Soap Nuts!
somewhere that you need to
smash them to make them work
better. The packet comes with a
little cotton bag, in which I put 5-7
soapnuts, which last for about 4
washes.
Council has initiated measures to
complement the intent of the new
legislation.
Melton Shire Council Mayor, Cr Justin
Mammarella JP, said: “Council is
committed to protecting the community
from dangerous dogs and to enforce its
powers in the identification and regulation
of restricted breed dogs including, but not
restricted to, American Pit Bulls.”
Council is aware there have been reports
from other municipalities that some people
are releasing their restricted breed dogs
on to the street rather than meeting the
strict regulations designed to keep these
animals in check.
Cr Mammarella: “Council encourages
owners to voluntarily surrender their
unwanted restricted breed dogs to the
Melton Pound and has waived the fee for
such surrenders.
“Since December last year, Council has
been undertaking a proactive doorknock
program across the municipality to locate
and identify unregistered animals
including restricted breed dogs. This
proactive doorknock program will be
ongoing.”
The amnesty to register restricted breed
dogs will end on 29 September 2011
meaning that after this date any
unregistered restricted breed dog can be
seized by Council officers and
subsequently destroyed.
Anyone believing they know the location
of an unregistered restricted breed dog
can phone the dangerous dog hotline on
1300 10 10 80 between 8am and 6pm and
the details will be passed on to the
relevant municipal Council.
For more information on the registration
and housing of cats and dogs contact
Melton Shire Council on 9747 7200.
They contain large quantities of
saponin in their shells and act as
a natural detergent. The reason
they are considered eco-friendly is
not only because they are a
natural resource but also because
they are antimicrobial and
biodegradable.
They have been used for washing
for thousands of years by native
people in Asia as well as Native
Americans. Used as natural
soaps, they have also been known
to cure eczema and psoriasis
caused by chemicals in regular
laundry detergent and since they
are hypo allergenic, soap nuts do
not harm the skin or trigger any
allergic reactions. The soap nuts
can also be used as shampoo to
fight dandruff and head lice (nits).
I now use them to wash clothes,
especially my cheese cloths after
a cheesemaking session. They
are so simple to use. The nuts
were still whole, and I read
After a bit of smashing, I throw
them into my front loading washing
machine.
I add white vinegar as the rinse aid
for the cheese cloth as I have
found that it kills any bacteria and
dissolves any cheesy residue. I
set the washer to cold water and
for a 30 minute express wash.
The verdict? Well, the cheesecloths
smelled nice and fresh, and
clean enough to use in the next
cheese making session.
Why wouldn't you use soapnuts? I
think they are easy to use and
cheaper to buy than even ecodetergent!
When you have fully
used the soapnuts over and over,
you simply put them in the
compost bin and waste water from
your washing machine can be
used on the veggie patch.
Call me a convert!
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