Here's a summary of the public meeting of Sustainable Maleny, which was held last Satuday (18th August 2007) at the Senior's Room at the Maleny Community Centre. The next meeting will be held on the 15th September. Venue to be announced.

Incorporation of Sustainable Maleny Inc.

• We currently have an interim management committee of Robyn Harper, Shivanii Cameron, Elizabeth Campbell, Mark Gerrard, Barry Earsman and Michael Cole-King
• Mark and Barry will follow the process to incorporate:
  • Someone to contact Alan Harrington to ask about suitable rules
• We agreed on $10 annual membership ($15 family)
• Any suggestions on rules or structure to be emailed to info@sustainablemaleny.org

Solar Hot Water Drive

• 60 people signed up up before the cutoff, which entitles Sustainable Maleny members to a 30% discount for the next 6 months. That's only 3% off the top discount bracket!
• The Federal government have introduced a new $1000 rebate for systems over a certain size. That's on top of the existing 'RECS' rebate scheme.
• We agreed that from now on, to sign on to the Drive you must be a financial member of SM.

Visual Designs Needed

• Part of the agreement with Solahart was to request that participants display a sign or sticker. We need a good design that will make people want to display the sticker.
• We also need a general logo for Sustainable Maleny, suitable for printing in colour or black and white. Please send designs to info@sustainablemaleny.org

IGA Community Benefit Club

• Sustainable Maleny is now a registered community group.
  • You may ask to have your CB number at the IGA changed to Sustainable Maleny.
  • A portion of everything you spend at the IGA will be donated to Sustainable Maleny.
• Forms were distributed to interested people

Yandina "Time For an Oil Change" Course

Barry provided a summary of this course, which is being held every Saturday at the Sunshine Coast Energy Action Centre (SEAC), Yandina Permaculture Gardens. Participants are attempting to create an Energy Descent Action Plan for the Sunshine Coast. There are 3 members of Sustainable Maleny taking part. We hope to be able to apply some of the ideas from the course to our own Maleny-based plan.

For more info, visit http://www.seac.net, or drop by at Blue House, Yandina Permaculture Gardens, Yandina, any Saturday morning from 8am - 11am.

Sustainability Street Initiative?

Barry raised the possiblity of pursuing an idea which arose at the SEAC course last week. In this initiative, neighbours would be encouraged to form clusters which could organise sustainability on a local level, via:

• Buying groups
• Permablitz
• Trading of surplus
• Local 'growing plans'
• Micro-grid electricity systems
• Use "Tupperware parties" to spread successful examples

Contact him at barry@earsman.com if you're interested in pursuing this idea.

Food Trust – Bridge Creek Gardens

Michael C-K displayed a hand-made 3-D contour model of the gardens.
He and Michael Towsey explained various features of the land.

Recent progress:

• Trying methods of treating bamboo to be used to build enclosed gardens.
• Created garden beds from portions of old water tank, filled with soil, compost, mulch and prepared for planting
• Mowed grass to expose areas ready for making car park and for placing garden shed.
• Dug out recreation area under fig tree to make flat for fire place.
• Water reticulation system in place
• Received 200 seedlings donated by Max Henderson.

Around 6-12 volunteers gather at the gardens every second Saturday. All welcome; contact food@sustainablemaleny.org for more info.

Solar Photovoltaic Drive

Greg suggested a drive or buying group for solar electricity systems.

• Grid interactive
• Could get schools involved (eg Schools For the Future programme, Conondale Solar School)
• Woodford Folk Festival is trialling a new solar system this year
• We agreed to put this project on hold for now, as there are likely to be further developments in this area soon.
• In the meantime, Greg will prepare a brief summary of his idea to be placed on the website

Community Supported Agriculture:

• Mark Gerrard spoke about the concept of CSA
• Sandy Creek Organic Farm is currently the most local CSA
• A monthly subscription will entitle you to a good-sized box of organic fruit & veg
• Contact:
• Details will be put on Sustainable Maleny website

Obi Obi Parklands Concept

Michael Cole-King provided an update on this project.

• We should concentrate on getting Council feedback forms filled in.
• Volunteers needed to staff information desks and doorknock
• This Saturday 25th August 10am at RSL, there will be a public presentation of the Obi Obi Parklands concept. Pass it on!
• Visit main Obi Obi Parklands site for further info: http://www.obiobiparklands.com

Colin Salmond Presentation: Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Energy expert Colin Salmond treated us to a presentation about hydrogen fuel cells; how they work, their importance and role in an energy-scarce future.