A household action guide to a
cleaner – greener
Forbes Shire

How individuals can make a
difference to their local environment



Compiled by Marita Sydes and Len Reade
for the Forbes Urban Landcare Group and the
Forbes Shire Council’s Environment Advisory Committee.

2004

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


We would like to thank the Parkes Urban Landcare Group and the Parkes Shire Council for allowing us to base this publication on the ‘Green Thumb Enviro Guide; How Parkes Residents can make a difference to our Environment’.

Information for this booklet was contributed by members of the Forbes Urban Landcare Group and the Forbes Shire Council’s Environment Advisory Committee.

Cartoons by Patrick Driver.

The guide was printed and distributed by the Forbes Shire Council.


DISCLAIMER


Information in this booklet is intended as a guide only and was up to date at the time of publication.

It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that any methodology adopted or adapted from this booklet is suitable for the purposes intended.

The authors and publishers cannot take responsibility for the misuse or abuse of any of the information in this publication.



A household action guide to a
cleaner – greener
Forbes Shire

How individuals can make a
difference to their local environment



FORBES URBAN

LANDCARE GROUP INC.


Compiled by Marita Sydes and Len Reade
for the Forbes Urban Landcare Group and the
Forbes Shire Council’s Environment Advisory Committee.

2004


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

WHY PRODUCE THIS GUIDE?


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

The primary objective in producing this personal action guide was to provide all residents within the Forbes Shire with ways that they can help in the sustainable use and management of resources within their local environment.

More specifically the aims of this guide are to allow Forbes’ residents to take direct action in protecting their waterways, conserving water, reducing waste production, encouraging recycling and enhancing the local environment.

If everyone adopts at least a few of the suggestions in this guide we would all be contributing to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle in Forbes.


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

BACKGROUND


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

The production of this guide was possible through the cooperation between Forbes Urban Landcare Groups and the Forbes Shire Council’s Environment Advisory Committee. The aims of both groups are discussed briefly below.

FORBES URBAN
LANDCARE GROUP INC.

Forbes Urban Landcare Group is a volunteer organisation dedicated to doing what we can in our community to protect and preserve our local environment.

Through Landcare, the local community including; businesses, schools, local industry, people within the township and farmers are working together to effectively use and manage our natural resources:- with the overall goal of promoting and enhancing a sustainable and productive environment.

As a group, the Forbes Urban Landcare Group works on projects aimed at restoring and improving the local environment.

Activities undertaken by the group include; tree plantings on reserves and other sites, protecting remnant vegetation, improving drainage and water quality and community education.

For more information on the activities of the Forbes Urban Landcare Group, or to get involved with the Landcare group and their activities please contact the Forbes Urban Landcare Group c/o PO Box 823, Forbes.


The Forbes Shire Council’s Environment Advisory Committee is a committee that discusses and advisors the council on local environmental issues.

The committee has representation from elected councillors, Forbes Shire Council staff, members representing local community interests and local state government representatives.

The purpose of the committee is:-

· To enable council and the community to work together for the benefit of the environment.

· To provide a forum that will allow frank and open discussion on all issues relating to the environment.

· To make recommendations to Council on environmental issues.


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

Please keep this guide in a safe and easy to find place for your quick reference.

It may also be an ideal reference booklet for school
projects and assignments.


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SALINITY AND RISING WATER TABLES 1

Are you aware of salinity? 1

Wurgle- who am I and what do I tell you? 1

What is it to be waterwise? 2

Waterwise in the garden 2

Waterwise lawn areas 4

Waterwise in and around the home 4

Rainwater and re-use of greywater 6

HEALTHY WATER AND WATERWAYS 7

Where does your stormwater go? 7

The Drain Is Just For Rain 7

Reducing pollution of our water from the garden 8

Reducing pollution of our water from inside the home 9

WASTE MANAGEMENT 9

Reducing waste generated 10

Re-use whatever waste you can 10

Recycle where possible 11

PLASTIC BAGS…. DO WE REALLY NEED THEM?? 11

BUYING GREEN OR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS 13

REDUCING GREEN WASTE IN LANDFILL 13

Composting 14

Worm farms 15

Organic mulch 16

GET ENERGY SMART 17

Things to consider in a new home or a home renovation 18

GREENER BUSINESS TIPS 19

ENCOURAGING NATIVE ANIMALS AND PLANTS 20

Plant locally native species 20

Plant animal friendly gardens 20

Nesting boxes for wildlife 21

See the benefits 21

LOCAL SERVICE DIRECTORY 22

Australia Post Shop 22

Batteryworld 22

Bernardis and Sullivans IGA supermarkets 22

Daroobalgie Landfill Waste Depot 22

Enjo 2

Forbes TV and Video Repairs 2

Lachlan Valley Building Recyclers 2

Salvation Army Red Shield Family Store 2

St Vincent de Paul Store 2

Sunshine Club Opportunity Shop 3

Twin City Recyclers 3

Woolworths 3


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

SALINITY AND RISING WATER TABLES

Page 7


A household action guide to a cleaner-greener Forbes shire

Are you aware of salinity?

Did you know that, just like in rural areas, overuse and pollution of our precious water resources leads to not only excess water bills but also rising water tables and salinity problems in urban areas.

Urban salinity is a growing problem in many towns, including Forbes, which can cause costly and unsightly damage affecting the whole community.

While salinity in rural settings often lead to loss in productive lands, in an urban environment salinity can be equally as devastating. In some cases urban salinity can lead to the degradation of infrastructure such as road surfaces, kerbing, water and sewerage networks, as well as rising damp and fretting of brickwork in buildings or even difficulty in growing some plants and lawn in certain areas.

In this booklet you will find many simple steps that individuals can take to help reduce the impacts of salinity in Forbes through the better use and management of our water. With more efficient and conservative use of our water, we as a community should be able to reduce the amount of water contributing to our rising ground water and salinity problems in the shire, particularly within the urban areas of Forbes itself.

Wurgle- who am I and what do I tell you?

Have you seen me in the paper?

Wurgle is a water use monitor for the town of Forbes.

The figures given on Wurgle are the actual weekly water use and the long-term weekly average water use for the month we are currently in.

If we are using less water than the long term weekly average Wurgle will smile, if more he will be sad.

So, next time you see Wurgle in the paper, be sure to see how we are going as a town on water usage to the week.

What is it to be waterwise?

Being ‘waterwise’ means being aware of how we use water, both in the home and the garden. It also means being aware of where the water we use ends up.

Follow some of the tips below to conserve and protect our precious water resources.

Waterwise in the garden

Between three fifths (or 60 percent) of total household water consumption is used on the garden.
Fortunately there is a lot that home gardeners can do to conserve and protect our water resources whether they have new gardens, established gardens, vegie patches or rosebeds.

§ Watch the weather. Check the forecast for rain, showers or hot weather approaching and water accordingly. In the warmer months water in the evening or early in the morning to prevent evaporation.

§ Plant waterwise species. Select species that do not require heavy watering and that are well adapted to the local climate and environmental conditions, especially with respect to hot summers and drought tolerance.

§ Regularly check soil moisture before and after watering to see how wet the soil is.

§ Try growing drought tolerant Australian native plants instead of water thirsty exotic species. It is better to replace plants that die from lack of water with more hardy species than continuing to use more water than is necessary on the garden.

§ Where possible use evergreen trees and shrubs in your garden, these drink water all year ‘round and therefore help to control the rising watertable.

§ When planning or planting your garden, group plants that have similar water, soil and light preferences.

§ Add organic matter (eg compost, blood and bone, or manure) to the soil; it will improve the soil so that it holds more water at the same time as adding nutrients for use by the plants.

§ Water deeply - at weekly intervals rather than every day. This will encourage your plants to establish deep roots and some degree of drought tolerance.

§ Save water with tap timers and trigger nozzle attachments for the hose and/or install water saving watering systems; eg drippers or pop up sprinklers that allow even precise watering and deliver water efficiently. Tap timers also help to prevent taps from being left on.

§ Mulch all garden beds – mulching can reduce evaporation by up to 75% - use straw, newspaper, bark chips, pebbles, or recycled green waste etc. Mulch will also help to reduce rainfall run-off from your soil.

§ Water around the base of your plants, not on the leaves.

§ Control weeds as these take water from your plants.

Waterwise display gardens

While you’re thinking about being Waterwise why not visit the councils Waterwise Garden displays at Apex Park behind the playground and at Stokes Park in Elgin Street opposite the hospital.

Or for more ideas about what species grow well in your local area, see what others are growing in your neighbourhood. There are some wonderful waterwise gardens planted at private homes in the shire.

Waterwise lawn areas

Watering lawns is a major contributor to urban salinity. In particular, over-watering of lawns contributes directly to high water tables – bringing to the surface salt that can damage house foundations and corrode pipes.

Below are some tips to maximise lawn watering efficiency.

§ Reduce grassed areas - this will save on mowing time and save water. Replace unused lawn areas with groundcovers, well-mulched garden beds or pavers.

§ Take the grass catcher off the mower – leave clippings on the lawn as they make good mulch and help retain soil moisture.

§ Limit watering the lawn - only water if your lawn is showing signs of stress such as loosing colour.

§ Don’t cut your grass too short. Longer grass will mean that the soil surface is shaded, reducing loss of water through evaporation.

§ Use organic fertilisers like ‘Blood and Bone’ to improve the water holding capacity of the soil as well as adding nutrients.

§ Never water lawns in the heat of the day. Water early in the morning or in the evening.

Waterwise in and around the home

Despite Australia being one of the driest inhabited continents our household consumption of water is one of the highest in the world. Our overuse of water has caused major salinity problems in both urban and rural areas.

You’d be surprised how much water everyday activities consume. The average household uses around 900 litres of water every day. Washing machines use about 150 litres, dishwashers 50 litres and long showers can use 200 litres.

Heres some really easy ways to reduce water use in the home.

§ Only operate full dishwashers and washing machines. Where possible, match the setting on the washing machine with the amount of laundry to be washed.

§ Turn off taps when cleaning teeth or shaving – save 5 litres water.

§ Store drinking water in the fridge rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.

§ Repair all dripping taps – a continuously dripping tap can mean up to 600 litres of water is wasted a day.

§ Install dual flush toilet, check the cistern for leaks, and avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Alternatively reduce the water used for each flush by placing a brick, litre bottle of water or a partly filled wine bladder in your cistern.

§ Plug the sink when rinsing vegies or plates etc.

§ Get water saving shower heads and taps, or take a bath – a half filled bath uses less water than a long shower.

§ Look for appliances that reduce water use. Showerheads, dishwashers, washing machines and toilets with high water efficiency are rated AAA and higher. Front loading washing machines save on water, energy and detergent.

§ Use a broom instead of the hose to clean paths and driveways.

§ Use the water meter to check for leaks in the plumbing and appliances.

§ Use pool covers to reduce evaporation.

§ Use a bucket and not the hose to wash the car.

§ Direct water from air conditioners onto the garden.

Rainwater and re-use of greywater

Two simple ways that you can help with the conservation of our precious water, especially in times of drought or low water storages, is to supplement your water supply with rainwater or through the re-use of grey water.

Rainwater tanks

Installing a rainwater tank is a way you can top up your water supply. See council for further information on the installation of rainwater tanks on your property.

Grey water reuse

Grey water is household wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet waste. It comes from the kitchen sink, dishwasher, bath, shower, hand washbasins, the washing machine or the laundry trough.

If you are wishing to reuse greywater in the long term, reuse should be in accordance with the grey water reuse policy and as required by legislation (contact your local council, the EPA or NSW Health department for details of the current regulations and/or restrictions).

There are restrictions on the use of greywater. For example, greywater from the shower cannot be directly diverted onto garden through permanent changes to the plumbing of the building without prior approval. For up to date advice contact your local council.

However, some general guidelines for greywater reuse follow;