The South West Greenhouse Alliance Committee (Greenhouse Alliance) is created by the South West Sustainability Partnership Inc. (SWSP) as a standing committee of the Board.
The Greenhouse Alliance is established to support and advise the Board of SWSP on issues and projects related to greenhouse emissions and abatement across south west Victoria. Its primary objective is to achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the region. It will work collaboratively with other SWSP Committees and groups with similar interests in the wider community.
Each SWSP Member may nominate a person to the Alliance. Other organisations or people who are not part of an SWSP Member may be coopted subject to the agreement of the SWSP Board.
The Alliance will be chaired by a Member nominated by the SWSP Board.
The Alliance through its members and any employed project staff will:
1. Develop and oversee projects and activities funded through the DPI, DSE and other Government agencies.
2. Seek out, develop and manage other projects funded or co-funded by other parties.
3. Approve reports and accountability statements for the SWSP Board and other bodies as required from the above activities.
4. Undertake activities that enhance community awareness of the sources, impacts and methods of reducing greenhouse gases.
5. Undertake other activities as referred to it by the SWSP Board.
Finances related to projects overseen by the Alliance will be maintained as separate accounts within the framework of the SWSP accounts. The Alliance will oversee management of relevant project funds and report to the SWSP Board.
1. The Alliance will meet at least 5 times per year, normally bi-monthly.
2. The Alliance will determine its own meeting processes.
3. Minutes of all meetings will be kept and copies forwarded to the SWSP Board together with advice and recommendations.
Many local residents in the South West region of Victoria have expressed concerns about the lack of guidance and direction on sustainable living. In response to this, the South West Sustainability Partnership have proposed a ‘Smart Living Expo’ focusing on educating local residents about sustainable living and measures they can put in to practice to help reduce their environmental footprint.
The expo is scheduled to be held on Saturday November 15th 2008 at Deakin University’s Warrnambool Campus. Special keynote speaker for the expo will be Mr Don Burke from the hit show, Burkes Backyard! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, or exhibiting at the expo, please email or telephone Chelsea on (03) 5561 3311.
To find out more about the Expo visit the Smart Living Sustainable Lifestyle Expo Website.
The Greenhouse alliance is currently in negotiations with training providers to run an energy auditor training program in the south west. This training will allow members of the local community to undertake energy assessments of local residential properties and make recommendations to improve domestic sustainability.
If you are interested in undertaking such training or in having an assessment done on your home, please contact the greenhouse project coordinator.