Greening our community - City of West Torrens - SA.Gov.au

Regular eventsLife be in it Sport for All SummerSeasonEvery dayImmanuel College Sports Centre,Morphett Rd, Novar Gardenswww.sa.lifebeinitsports.orgRailroad Country Music ClubThird Sunday of each month, 1pm - 5pmSA Sea Rescue Squadron, Barcoo Rd, WestBeachAdmission $8 per person, light lunches from12.30 pm.Tel. Barry 8325 0193 / 0406 635 258Camden Community Op ShopRecently RenovatedMonday to Friday, 10am - 2pm7 Carlisle St, Camden ParkBargains galore: quality clothing, householditems, books and more.www.camden.org.auWest Beach Mini GolfOpen every day from October to Mayexcept Christmas Day, 10am - 5pmNight golf during November and DecemberCorner Hamra Rd and Military Rd,West Beachwww.westbeachminigolf.comCamden Community Woodwork ShopEvery Monday, Tuesday and Thursday,9.30am - 3pm7 Carlisle St, Camden ParkQuality handmade goods at reasonableprices, including bread/cutting boards,bowls, candle holders and raised gardenbeds.www.camden.org.auKeep Fit ExerciseEvery Monday and Wednesday,9.30am – 11amAirport Over 50s Club Inc, Coral Sea Rd,FulhamTel. 8353 5101Probus Club of Brooklyn Park IncMeetings fourth Monday every month, 10amAdelaide West Uniting Church, 312 SirDonald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn ParkNew members welcome - men and women.Friendly atmosphere of fellowship.Tel. Brian Dolman 8356 2507Page 2tpLockleys Ladies Probus Club MeetingsLockleys Hotel, 393 Henley Beach Rd,LockleysThird Monday each month, 10am – noonMeeting then morning tea, speaker orentertainment.Tel. Ruth Sykes 8234 3317Men’s ShedEvery Tuesday, 9am – noonSt Richards Anglican Church,1 May Tce, LockleysTel. Ron Ingleton 8356 3097Line dancingEvery Tuesday and Friday 9.30am – 11amMonday 8 October to Friday 12 October -feel free to come along and watch a demo.Airport Over 50s Club Inc, Coral Sea Rd,FulhamTel. 8353 5101Supervised Bridge SessionsEvery Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30amSea Rescue Squadron hall, Barcoo Rd,West BeachTel. Arthur Porter 8295 2121Men’s Probus Club of West Beach MeetingFirst Tuesday each month, 10amWest Beach Catholic Tennis Clubroom,Military Rd, West BeachTel. John Muller 8443 5126Plympton Sewing CircleSecond Tuesday every month, 10am – 2pmPlympton Community Centre,34 Long St, PlymptonNew members welcome – sewing includesmaking or altering clothes, needlework,embroidery, patchwork, craft objects. Bringown project, sewing tools and lunch. $4 fortea, coffee and biscuits.Tel. Sue 0417 832 924Seniors and Retirees VolleyballEvery Tuesday and Thursday, 5pm – 6pmWilliam Light School Gymnasium,Myer Ave, PlymptonFor women and men, new memberswelcome, no previous experience necessary,no cost.Tel. Alan Noble 8297 1150St Richards Bridge ClubEvery second Wednesday, noon – 3pmSt Richards Anglican Church ,1 May Tce LockleysTel. Dawn White 8443 7490West Torrens Weight WatchersEvery Thursday, weighing 9am - 10am,meeting 10am - 10.30amChurch of Christ Hall, Brooker Tce,CowandillaTel. Marion 8443 6506 or just come alongUlysses Motorcycle Club Social MeetingsFirst Thursday every month 8pm,6pm for meal2 Chief St, HindmarshTel. Ken Wagnitz 0417 353 389Arthritis SA – Weekly Book SaleEvery Saturday morning, 8.30am - 12.30pmCorner South Rd and Richmond Rd,Marleston.Bag a bargain, books from 50 cents -favourite authors, reference books, kidsbooks, romance novels, large print books.Tel. Sue Lear 8379 5711October‘My Journey’ Writing ExhibitionOpen Tuesday to Saturday until 14 October,10am - 3pmSt Richards Anglican Church,1 May Tce, Lockleyshttp://homepages.picknowl.com.au/strichNetball SA School Holiday ClinicsTuesday 2 October – Wednesday 3 OctoberNetball SA Stadium, 155 Railway Tce, MileEnd SouthHave fun while learning new netball skills,drills and techniques!NetSetGO! Come and Try, 5 to 7 years,Tuesday 2 October, 9am – 11am, cost $42.NetSetGO! Come and Try, 8 to 10 years,Tuesday 2 October, 2pm – 5pm, cost $52.NetballSkills! 11 - 16 Years, Wednesday 3October, 10am – 3pm, cost $72.www.netballsa.asn.auInner West BEC Business SeminarsYouTube for Business, Tuesday 2 October,4pm - 6pmIs the Price Right for Your Service? Thursday11 October, 9.30am - 12.30pmHow to Read and Understand MYOBReports, 18 October, 9.30am - 11.30amLinkedIn, Google+ and Other Social Sites,Tuesday 30 October, 4pm - 6pm30 - 32 Stirling St, Thebartonwww.bec.org.au/content/3Trading PostFriday 5 and Saturday 6 October,9pm - 3pmSt Richards Anglican Church,1 May Tce, LockleysTel. 8351 8280Every Generation BarbecueSaturday 6 OctoberAirport Over 50s Club Inc, Coral Sea Rd, FulhamEveryone is welcome - buy a ticket asnumbers are limited, cost $6, sausages,salads, tea, coffee, cake, cordial.Tel. 8353 5101

Bowls World ChampionshipsSaturday 24 November to Sunday 9DecemberLockleys Bowling Club,46 Rutland Ave, Lockleyswww.worldbowls2012.comChristmas Family Fun Day –Pan Rhodian Society of SASunday 25 November, noon til late afternoonMellor Park, corner White Ave and HenleyBeach Rd, LockleysTel. Barbara Langanis-Diakos 8355 6904Combined Probus Club of Novar GardenMonday 26 November, 1.45 pmSpecial guest speaker and afternoon tea.Tel. 8193 0106.West Torrens Historical SocietyChristmas Meeting - Transport in WestTorrensMonday 26 November, 7.45pmAn audio visual on the history of all modesof public transport within our district.Please bring supper.users.chariot.net.au/~wths/DecemberAustswim Free Seminars - MakingAquatics Easier for all our MatesSunday 2 December10.30am-12.30pm Thebarton SeniorCollege, 40 Ashley St, Torrensville1.15pm – 3.15pm Thebarton AquaticCentre, 1 Meyer St, TorrensvilleSuitable for carers, parents, friends or familymembers of people with a disability ormedical condition.www.austswim.com.auCamden Community Disability DiscoSunday 2 December, 1.30pm - 4pmCamden Hall, corner Carlisle St and CarltonRd, Camden ParkTickets $6Tel. Wendy 8376 0022Baby Boomers: Blast from the Past -Dinner and ShowSaturday 8 December, 7pmSA Sea Rescue Squadron, Barcoo Rd, WestBeachMusic, comedy and surprises, cost $89per person, including 3 course dinner andrefreshments.Tel. Barry 8325 0193 / 0406 635 258Page 4tpNine Lessons and CarolsSunday 9 December, 7pmSt Richards Anglican Church, 1 May Tce,LockleysTel. Fr David Covington-Groth 8351 8280Combined Probus Club of NovarGardens Christmas LuncheonMonday 10 DecemberImmanuel College Function Room, 32Morphett Rd, Novar GardensNew members welcome.Tel. 8193 0106Christmas Carols FestivalWednesday 12 December 2012, 6pm –9.30pmFood from 6pm, with entertainment from7.30pm including tenor Simon O’Loughlin,harpist, choirs and the Henley and GrangeBand, plus a visit by Father Christmas.Mellor Park, corner White Ave and HenleyBeach Rd, LockleysTel. Mary Linn 8443 6018Lockleys Community Twilight MarketFriday 14 December, 4.30pm - 8.30 pmSt Richard’s Anglican Church, 1 May Tce,LockleysTel. Carmel Barnes 0478 320 123Kids Christmas Service,Monday 24 December, 6pmMidnight Mass, Monday 24 December,11.30pmSt Richards Anglican Church, 1 May Tce,LockleysTel. Fr David Covington-Groth 8351 8280Christmas Day MassTuesday 25 December, 9amSt Richards Anglican Church, 1 May Tce,LockleysTel. Fr David Covington-Groth 8351 8280The Blackhats 2012New Year’s Eve PartyMonday 31 December, 7.30pm to 12.30amSA Sea Rescue Squadron, Barcoo Rd, WestBeachPre-paid tickets, cost $15 per head,bookings essential, BYO supper,bar facilities available, strictly no BYOdrinks.Tel. Barry 83250193 / 0406 635 258GetwiththeprogramSchool holidayprogramIf you’re looking forsomething to doduring the schoolholidays, join in theCouncil’s free schoolholiday program‘Get with theProgram’.To find out more visitwesttorrens.sa.gov.auor telephone8416 6228.What’s onTo advertise in theWhat’s on lift out sectionof Talking Points, sendyour information toTrent Chaplin, emailtchaplin@wtcc.sa.gov.au,phone 8416 6333.Copy deadline for theSummer issue is9 November 2012.

Council has budgeted more than $8.6 million for road works throughout the city in the next financial year.Keeping our city a great place to liveCouncil has earmarked almost $15million for maintaining our city’sinfrastructure and facilities during thenext year.Good infrastructure, such as roads,footpaths, drainage and sport andrecreational facilities are vital to ensuringour city is a great place to live and work.In West Torrens, our infrastructure assetsare valued at $454 million.HighlightsThis year some of the major projectsCouncil will undertake include:• $2 million for the reconstruction ofManchester Street at Mile End, includingthe road bridge.• $4 million for construction works of theMile End Cowandilla Outfall DrainageSystem.• $660,000 for part reconstruction ofSaratoga Drive at Camden Park.• $530,000 to develop a new pocketpark and car park at Richmond Oval andland adjacent to James Congdon Drive.• $550,000 for a new toilet block andchange room facilities at Lockleys Oval.Drainage worksThe following is a breakdown of wheremoney will be spent in the next financialyear.• $150,000 for minor drainage upgradesand replacement works.• Ashburn Avenue Reserve, Fulham.ProjectCost• Frank Norton Reserve, Torrensville.Drainage works $2,825,000• Helenslea Avenue Reserve, BrooklynSport and recreation works $1,895,000 Park.Road, bridge and pathway works $8,600,143 • Michael Street Reserve, Lockleys.Land and building upkeep $1,580,000 • Nobel Avenue Reserve, Lockleys.Total $14,900,143 • Britton Street Reserve, WestRichmond.Note: External grant funding for capital workstotals $1,008,839.• Rex Jones Reserve, North Plympton.• Additional gym equipment on theWestside Bikeway.Council will also spend $165,000 for someminor reserve upgrades including installinggazebos at Lindfield and Golflands reserves,various fencing and bollard work, lighting,turf replacement and general furniturereplacement, drinking fountains, barbecuesand pathway upgrades.Around $230,000 for work to the RiverTorrens Linear Park will occur this yearincluding pedestrian lighting, generalfencing, pathway upgrades and reservefurniture replacements.• $500,000 for the ongoing upgrade ofthe Mile End - Cowandilla drainagesystem plus $750,000 for ancillaryworks such as landscaping and power.• $200,000 to connect the West Beachdrainage system to the Mile End -Cowandilla detention basin.• $775,000 for the Brown Hill KeswickCreeks stormwater management plan.• $150,000 to upgrade the box culvertin Marshall Terrace to a bio-infiltrationsystem.• $300,000 to upgrade stormwaterdrainage along Railway Terrace, MileEnd South.Sport and recreation worksCouncil has allocated $700,000 to replaceand upgrade various playgrounds including:• Apex Park Reserve, West Beach.Other recreation works• $60,000 to reseal and reconstructsections of Westside Bikeway.• $210,000 for irrigation system upgradesat various reserves to meet SA Waterguidelines.Continued p11Page 9tp

Road reseal/rehabilitation and kerb and gutter program2012-13AshfordAlexander Ave (Farnham Rd to HerbertRd)Farnham Rd (Alexander Ave to MarlestonAve)Camden ParkAlbert Place (Albert Ave to Clifton St)Cromer St (Patricia Ave to Penong Ave)Fashoda Ave (Fitzroy Ave to Whelan Ave)Patricia Ave (Inkerman Ave to Clifton St)Paricia Ave (Morphett Rd to Inkerman Ave)Queens Rd (Gunnawarra Ave to Anzac Hwy)FulhamAyton Ave (Gault Ave to Huntington Ave)Chippendale Ave - service roadHalsey Rd (Crace Rd to Lowry St)Halsey Rd (Fitch Rd to Crace Rd)Hunter St (Good St to Halsey Rd)Louise Ave (Carolyn Ave to end)GlandoreRuthven Ave (Albion Ave to Wellington St)Ruthven Ave (St Georges Ave to Albion Ave)St Georges Ave (Madden Ave to Leaney St)St Georges Ave (Ruthven Ave to MaddenAve)Stuart St (Anzac Hwy to Waymouth Ave)Waymouth Ave (Madden Ave to Stuart St)Waymouth Ave (Stuart St to Beckman St)Glenelg NorthCoorilla Ave (Shannon Ave to Ulinga St)Iluka St (Wongala Ave to Alkira Ave)HiltonTalbot St (Sir Donald Bradman Dr toDavenport Tce)Kurralta ParkBeauchamp St (Basnett St to end)LockleysBalmoral St (Lancaster St to Douglas St)Barrow Crescent (Dartmoor St toCastlebar Rd)Castlebar Rd (Torrens St to FranciscanAve)Clyde Ave (Mamande Crescent to end)Corona Ave (no 15 to Clyde Ave)David Court (Matt St to end)Kenton St (Henley Beach Rd to KellettAve)Kenton St (Kellett Ave to Noble Ave)Page 10tpMain St (Duncan St to end)Matt St (Peter St to Michael St)Noble Ave (Kenton St to Franciscan Ave)MarlestonCommercial St (Grove Ave to no 12)Commercial St (No 12 to Bruce Ave)George St (Bakers Rd to Sarah St)George St (Sarah St to South Rd)Harvey St (Stirling St to Barwell Ave)Major Ave (Moss Ave to Bakers Rd)Mile EndClaremont St (King St to Ballara St)Ebor Ave (Cowra St to Norma St)Falcon Ave (Cowra St to Norma St)Falcon Ave (Tarragon St to Cowra St)Gladstone Rd (No 29 to no 57)Gladstone Rd (No 57 to South Rd)Gladstone Rd (Railway Tce to no 29)Grey St (No 5 to end)Grey St (Rankine Rd to no 5)Lurline St (Falcon Ave to South Rd)Norma St (Falcon Ave to Ebor Ave)Rose St (Dew St to Parker St)Rose St (South Rd to Taylors Lane)Mile End SouthRosslyn St (Sir Donald Bradman Dr to userch 90)NetleyBaroda Ave (Harvey Ave to Concord St)Baroda Ave (No 25 to Harvey Ave)Harvey St (Streeters Rd to Baroda Ave)Montgomery St (Harvey Ave to Harris St)North PlymptonLehmann St (Errington St to end)Mackay Ave (Birdwood Tce to EdwardDavies St)Novar GardensMontreal Ave (St Andrews Crescent toHoylake St)Old Dr (Cygnet St to end)Old Dr (No 13 to Cygnet St)Sandison Tce (Willoughby Ave to PineAve)Willoughby Ave (Cummins St to SandisonTce)PlymptonErrington St (No 37 to Gardner St)Gray St (Anzac Highway to Urrbrae Tce)James St (Durant St to Urrbrae Tce)James St (Tilden St to Durant St)Lindsay St (No 58 to Belgrave St)Maynard Dr (Elizabeth Ave to Anzac Hwy)Neston Ave (Errington St to Gardner St)Osborn Tce (Marion Rd to no 366)Raffles Cres (Errington St to Colorado Ave)Raffles Cres (Charles St to Wokurna St)Stanley St (Wokurna St to Clayton Ave)Williams Ave (Anzac Hwy to Birkalla Tce)RichmondBartholomew St (Lucas St to Richmond Rd)Kingston Ave (Junction with Deacon Ave)Kitson Ave (Marion Rd to Sanders St)Kitson Ave (Sanders St to Chambers Ave)Lane St (Chambers Ave to Sanders St)Martin Ave (Albert St to end)Redin St (Weaver Ave to Brooker Tce)Weaver Ave (Bickford St to Lane St)ThebartonAnn St (West Thebarton Rd to end)Brown St (West Thebarton Rd toBallantyne St)Dew St (George St to Light Tce)Lowe St (Ballantyne St to Bennett St)Neville Rd (Dove St to George St)Stirling St (End to West Thebarton Rd)Winwood St (Holland St to end)TorrensvilleClifford St (Ashwin Pde to Meyer St)Elizabeth St (Keith St to Hopson St)Hardys Rd (Ashwin Pde to end)Hayward Ave (Meyer St to Ashley St)Jervois St (North Pde to Ashley St)Torrens St (Ferris St to Rankine Rd)UnderdaleHurtle St (Golden Glow Ave to Sherriff St)West BeachMiami Ave (Todoroff Ave to Rio Vista Ave)Southern Ave (No 16 to Kevin Ave)Southern Ave (Pacific Pde to no 16)West RichmondMorley St (Ralph St to end)Passmore St (Marion Rd to Norwich St)

Grassedopen spacePeacock AvenueNMilner RoadWest AdelaideFootball ClubAs part of Council’s major works this year we are looking at developing a ‘pocket park’ near Richmond Oval. This concept plan shows what itcould possibly look like.Maintaining our assetsFrom P9Road, bridge and path worksMore than $8.6 million will be spent on thefollowing:Road maintenance.....................$4,421,951Road reconstruction...................$2,282,630Other road works.......................$1,148,000Footpaths.....................................$747,562Road maintenanceCouncil maintains more than 294 kilometresof local roads and 669 kilometres of kerband gutter.In our city there are a number of significantroads showing signs of pavement distress,largely due to increases in traffic numbers.Council undertakes ongoing risk assessmentson roads and each year allocates funds tothose most in need of repair.This year we will spend $4,421,951 onroads, kerbs and gutters, with majorreconstruction programs to be carried outon Manchester Street at Mile End, FisherPlace at Mile End and Saratoga Drive,Camden Park.Other road works• $150,000 for localised road failure andrehabilitation work.• $30,000 for bus shelters.• $50,000 for minor traffic managementwork such as stop and give way signsand pedestrian kerb ramps.• $150,000 for bicycle managementschemes.• $68,000 for lighting along AfricaneRoad, West Beach.• $100,000 for ancillary bridge works inWest Torrens.FootpathsCouncil maintains 626 kilometres offootpaths. An audit was undertaken in2011 and this has provided us with valuableinformation to plan and schedule upgradesand new works.We have developed an ‘Installation of NewFootpath Priority System’ which prioritisesthe most pressing areas where newfootpaths are needed. Priority footpaths areconsidered to be on:• local, collector and arterial roads that donot have a footpath on either side• local roads where a footpath is requiredon both sides of the road due to highpedestrian demand (ie bus routes,schools, shopping centres).Under the Disability Discrimination Act,Council must provide a footpath on at leastone side of all roads for the safety andaccessibility of pedestrians. Local and majorcollector roads which carry more than 3,000vehicles per day should have a footpath onboth sides.The footpath schedule of works for this yearis broken down as follows.Footpath renewal: $310,715This includes work to Bruce Avenue andCommercial Street Marleston; RichmondRoad, Keswick; Sir Donald Bradman Drive,Lockleys; Walter Street, Thebarton.New footpath construction: $236,847New footpaths will be constructedalong Coral Sea Road, Fulham; IngersonStreet, West Beach; Norwich Street, WestRichmond; Railway Terrace, Mile End South;White Avenue, Lockleys.Footpath remediation: $200,000Upgrading of footpaths along arterial roadsacross the city.Land and buildingsCouncil maintains a number of buildingsand land for community use. This yearwe have allocated $1.58 million for workincluding:• $20,000 for asbestos removal.• $25,000 for Disability Discrimination Act(DDA) upgrades.• $90,000 for electrical upgrades andan additional $40,000 for upgrades toThebarton Oval and Kings Reserve.• $75,000 for fire system upgrades.• $200,000 for ongoing buildingcompliance upgrades.• $60,000 for solar systems for St Martinsand Lockleys Oval Football Club.• $240,000 for upkeep works to Counciloffices and the Hamra Centre Library.• $90,000 for fencing work at LockleysOval.• $50,000 for repairs to the formerRailway Museum site.• $180,000 for upgrade work to StMartins.Page 11tp

Airport WardCr Garth PalmerRole of Development AssessmentPanelsIn recent months I have had calls fromresidents concerned over the type, sizeor styles of housing developments beingestablished in our ward.All councils now have two distinct planningroles, but complementary:• To plan for the future developmentof an area - councils have to makedecisions on the most favourable formof development in their area as thedesignated relevant planning authority(as defined by the Development Act).• To act as a planning authority to assessdevelopment applications.In May 2004, the State Governmentintroduced a Bill to establish a DevelopmentAssessment Panel (DAP).The vast majority of development planningapplications are decided upon by Councilstaff under delegated authority, whilethe remianing are dealt with by the DAP.The DAP, comprising seven members,(three members can be councillorsor staff personnel), three appointedexternal members with extensive practicalknowledge and experiences in a broardrange of areas of urban and regionaldevelopment, and an independentchairman with qualification and experiencein urban and regional planning, has theCouncil’s delegated authority to grantor not grant consent to larger and morecomplex planning applications.Can I view a panel meeting? Generally thepanel makes its decisions in public. In somecircumstances, however, as provided for bythe Development Act, the meeting, or partof it, may be held in private.Key issues/implicationsWhile there may be a degree of subjectivityin an application of planning policies andopinions between panel members maydiffer, the final decisions made are binding.An applicant can appeal to the Enviornmentand Resources Court, which generallyrequires legal representation.While Rosalie and I are not DAP members,I am happy to discuss the matter in greaterdetail. Please give me a call on 0416 292 498.CelebratingeverygenerationEach year SouthAustralians get togetherto celebrate positiveageing.The ‘Every GenerationFestival’, held everyOctober, brings togetherpeople of all ages and from all walks oflife to highlight how generations can worktogether and have positive experiences andinfluences in their communities.Council will be celebrating this month-longfestival when it hosts a Festival event at itsaged care facility, St Martins.Working in collaboration with students fromthe Crumbs teenage cooking program, agroup of 10 young people will cater andhost a morning tea with the residents of StMartins. This event will demonstrate howgaps between generations can be bridgedwith something as simple as food.To find out what other events are beingheld, visit www.cotasa.org.au.I recently had the opportunity to attend thetwo day Enviro Conference here in our ownConvention Centre on North Terrace. I canreport that the scope of waste managementis quite impressive and that much is beingdone by industry to recover resources andreturn them to the environment as a newand useful material. I am told much of therubble from the Adelaide Oval demolitionhas already been returned to the oval inanother form as fill or other useful matter.So as the world’s economies wake up tothe need for greater resource efficiencies,Australia’s built environment and resourcemanagement are looking for opportunitiesto save energy, save water, be more efficientwith resources and improve levels ofproductivity and skills.And as the world wakes up to therealities of climate change, Australia’sproperty and construction industry iscounting the environmental cost of abuilt environment that is responsiblefor more than 23 per cent of Australia’sgreenhouse gas emissions, not to mentionPage 12tpKeswick WardCr Helen Scotcherland degeneration and natural resourcedepletion.Since the Green Building Council ofAustralia (GBCA) launched the first GreenStar tool for offices in 2003, Australia’sholistic environmental rating system forbuildings has focused on design andconstruction of new and refurbishedbuildings. Today we have more than 400Green-Star rated buildings around Australia,including more than 50 with six star greenstar ratings, representing ‘world leadership’.Buildings such as office towers, shoppingcentres, hospitals, schools, industrial sheds,apartment buildings, convention centresand many more have undertaken green starcertification. In fact more than six millionsquare metres of building space has beengreen star certified.Measurement is the first step towards betterenvironmental management and outcome.Without best practice benchmarks fornew or existing buildings, property ownersand managers are unable to set base-linesand targets before embarking on new orupgrade projects.As a Member of the City of West TorrensDevelopment Assessment Panel, I get toreview many and various developmentapplications. Very few that I see have anyor little consideration for sustainable energyrequirements. When I question this deficit,I am told that it is not in the planninglegislation and so we should dismiss theissue. I have had the pleasure of seeingone energy and resource efficient homerecently built in Plympton. Sure, there isan extra up-front cost, but the long-termbenefits are substantial and well worth thecost consideration. I applaud the ownersof that property for their initiative andenvironmental concerns.I have also seen the development in SturtStreet, Adelaide known as ‘Christie Walk’.The Christie Walk project was designed totest and demonstrate the processes, plansand principles contained in the EcologicalCity vision of Urban Ecology Australia(UEA), a not-for-profit association forenvironmental education. It was conceivedas a piece of future ecocity.The design brief was based on energyefficiency, the use of renewables and a highoverall ecological performance allied to userparticipation in the design and developmentprocess. It is intended to set the parametersfor a project able to demonstrate boththe physical and organisational aspects ofcommunity and ecological development.As many of the homes being constructednow have a life span of only 40 - 50 yearsas advised to me by Council engineers, Iencourage new home builders to carefullyconsider the options that are available tothem today.

By planting native species in your garden you increase the chances of attracting native fauna as well, like the Rainbow Lorikeet.Spring - a great time to get in the gardenSpring has sprung. The days are now getting longer and warmer- making it a great time to get out in the garden.Locally indigenous plants are often overlooked, but can addcolour and life to any garden. Locally indigenous plants canbe adapted to a variety of styles and settings, and are gainingincreased popularity among home gardeners. Why not considerincorporating some local natives into your garden?The ‘Native Plants of West Torrens’ brochure is a greatcompanion for your next visit to a specialist nursery to help chosefrom the many species which can be planted in your garden.This easy to use reference separates species based on growthforms such as groundcovers, grasses, trees and shrubs to makeit easier to choose what kind of plant will complement yourgarden.Whether you are looking to give your garden a make-over, orincorporate some sustainable species into your existing garden,this brochure will give you the informaiton you need to get youon your way.Pick up the Native Plants of West Torrens brochure from thedisplay in the foyer of the Hamra Centre Library, 1 BrookerTerrace, Hilton or Council’s Civic Centre, 165 Sir Donald BradmanDrive, Hilton.Did you know?Throughout winter and spring, native plants in our parks and bushlandcome alive with vivid displays of flowers and berries. A common sightis Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) which is Australia’s floral emblemand can be easily spotted with its masses of golden flowers.Prior to European settlement in 1836, Adelaide was a ‘biodiversityhotspot’ due to the high proportion of native flora and faunasupported by the region.More than 725 species of native plants are known to have occurredin the region, with 21 different vegetation associations rangingfrom open forests and woodlands to coastal dunes and salt marshescovering the area now occupied by metropolitan Adelaide.Following the arrival of Europeans, the landscape was rapidlyaltered. Continued urban development has led to the clearance of97.3 percent of Adelaide’s original vegetation (as at 2001) and thesignificant loss of biodiversity, with most locally indigenous flora andfauna populations now extinct or threatened. Help preserve someof Adelaide’s local plants by incorporating them into your garden athome.Community challenge is on for energetic travellersAs part of OPAL’s active travel campaign, anumber of community challenges are beingdeveloped to encourage local residents toswap one car journey a week with an activetravel activity.The first challenge will be held on 14 Octoberin Thebarton, followed by Brooklyn Park on18 November, Kurralta Park on 17 February,Torrensville on 17 March and Hilton on 7April. Each challenge will last four weeks.Local residents in each area will be askedto sign up to the competition to replaceone car trip a week with an active methodof travel. This method can include walking,cycling, scooting or some other form ofphysical power.“In the past, residents may have drivensome distance from their homes to alocation to do their shopping, howeverwe’re hoping that by actively travellingpeople will choose shopping precinctscloser to their homes,” West Torrens OPALProgram Coordinator Dan Cowley said.A range of prizes will be up for grabsfor those taking part in the communitychallenges.To find out more log onto OPALlivelocal.orgor contact Vanessa Green on 8234 2992.Page 13tp

Students take up active challengeCowandilla Primary School students arereally taking up the OPAL challenge of‘Think Feet First. Step, Cycle, Scoot toSchool’ with 20 students receiving ‘new’bikes to help them be active when theytravel.South Australia Police (SAPOL) donated 20bikes to the students on 17 August to helpthem learn road safety and to promoteindependent travel.The cycles were once part of SAPOL’s RoadSafety Centre program, which taughtchildren how to ride bikes and abide byroad rules.A new safety centre, to be opened nearBonython Park later this year, saw SAPOLinvest in some new cycles, which meantthere was a surplus of bikes for theprogram.Sergeant John Illingworth, of the SAPOLRoad Safety Section, said it was importantthat children knew not just about roadsafety, but also about good bicyclemaintenance.Safety first - use an off road pathThe City of West Torrens has a number ofshared paths which can be used by cyclistsand pedestrians for recreational purposes.The paths are a great way for people tomove around our city, and people who usethem can feel safe that they are not havingto negotiate road use with other traffic. Thepaths have been purposely built for off-roaduse.Cyclists and pedestrians who use thepathways are asked to respect other usersand to ensure that they keep themselves,and others, safe. The following informationprovides a guide for bikeway users.Cyclists• Where possible, wear bright clothingso you can be easily seen and alwaysmakes sure you wear your helmet. It isan offence not to wear a helmet whenriding a bicycle.• At night use lights (both front and rear)and wear reflective clothing.• Be aware of others using bikeways andmake sure you always keep to the left.• When passing another cyclist orpedestrian, slow down, ring the bike’sbell and call out ‘passing’, ‘overtaking’or a similar word to alert the person infront that you are overtaking. Make sureyou ring the bell within the person’searshot and ensure that they haveenough time to move as far to the leftPage 14tp“These bikes have still got plenty of miles inthem,” Sergeant Illingworth said.“It was important to us that they were putto good use and this program ensures thatis going to be exactly the case.”In addition to the ‘new’ bikes, the childrenalso received brand new helmets and locksfor their bikes, purchased by OPAL as partof the program.“Since the 1970s the rate of active travelin Australia has declined significantly, withalmost 55 per cent of young people walkingto schools in 1970 compared to less than20 per cent today,” West Torrens OPALProgram Coordinator Dan Cowley said.so that you can overtake. Be aware ofpeople who may have headphones andare listening to music.• Before overtaking, check who isbehind you and coming towards you,then overtake on the right hand side.Overtake safely and remember thatbicycle traffic must give way to foottraffic.• Ride at an appropriate and safe speed.• Ride single file.• Respect other bikeway users.Walkers/pedestrians• Wear light or bright coloured clothingand at night consider wearing reflectiveclothing and carrying a torch.• Keep to the left of the bikeway and beaware of other users.“Think Feet First. Step, Cycle, Scoot toSchool focuses on supporting people tobe more active by walking, cycling orscooting to school or to other places in theirneighbourhood, such as the local park orshops.“By using your feet for travelling insteadof a vehicle, the greater reduction therewill be in environmental damage caused bygreenhouse gas emissions.“Most children, when asked, would love towalk, cycle or scoot to school and many ofthe students who are receiving their bikesare already very enthusiastic about ridingthem to school.“This program has been a great opportunityfor OPAL to partner with local agencies andprovide opportunities for the community toactively travel.“Our ultimate aim is to encourage andsupport more students to use active travelby walking, or riding their bikes or scootersto school.”The City of West Torrens has many off road paths that can be used by pedestrians and cyclists.• Be aware of approaching cyclists – bothin front and behind – as sometimes theirapproach may not be heard (especially ifyou are wearing headphones and listeningto music) and keep as far left as possibleso they can overtake on your right.• Before passing others on the bikeway,check who is behind and in front of youand overtake on the right hand side.• If walking a dog, please ensure theanimal is kept on a leash and that anyfaeces are collected and disposed of.• Respect other bikeway users.Council also asks that people comply withany signage that may be on the bikeways(especially with regards to dogs) and to usebins provided for any litter. If a bin is notreadily available, please take your litter withyou.