HE
The Word on the Weather: Gungahlin records a cloudy, dry March.
ON
ENVIRONMENT
By Darren Giles Weather conditions across Gungahlin during March were generally warm and cloudy, but rainfall remained below average. Nights were mild, with an average minimum of 12.2 degrees, the same as in March 2006. The warmest night for the month occurred on March 4, when the temperature was a sticky 20.7 degrees, while on March 31, it dropped to a cold 5.0 degrees. Days were generally warm and cloudy, with an average maximum of 26.0 degrees; down slightly on the average of 26.8 degrees recorded last March. The highest temperature for the month was a hot 34.0 degrees, on March 4, while on March 30 cloudy skies and gusty NW winds combined to keep Gungahlin’s maximum temperature to just 15.9 degrees. Winds at the Weather Centre averaged at 3.4 km/h during March, with the strongest gust for the month 45.1 km/h from the NNW, recorded on March 24. Rain fell in Gungahlin on 9 days during March but, overall, the total for the month was a disappointing 37.3mm. This compares to the 33.3mm of rain that fell on 5 days during March 2006. Falls in other parts of Canberra was also disappointing, with 35.4mm recorded at Canberra AP, 29.0mm at Tuggeranong and 53.3mm at nearby Tidbinbilla. Gungahlin’s total rainfall so far in 2007 stands at just 83.6mm, well down on the 119.2mm that fell over the same period last year. Gungahlin Weather Centre www.gungahlin.net Around Canberra – March 2007
Gungahlin Canberra AP Tuggeranong Tidbinbilla
Ave Min 12.2 12.6 12.6 11.0
Ave Max 26.0 25.8 25.8 25.3
Low Temp High Temp 5.0 34.0 3.9 35.1 2.8 33.7 7.2 33.0
Rainfall 37.3mm 35.4mm 29.0mm 53.3mm
Canberra’s April outlook:
Current indications are for a slightly warmer and sunnier April than normal across Canberra. Daytime temperatures should average at around 21 degrees, and nights at 6 degrees. Despite the sunnier than normal outlook, rainfall prospects are good. Canberra is likely to receive around 65mm of rain for the month, well up on the longer term average of just 48mm
Factory farming AUSSI ACT
pigs...
The Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs is currently under review. A ‘public consultation’ on the draft Code occurred in mid-2006, but very few even knew about that opportunity to express their views. Both the current Code and the draft revised Code permit cruel pig industry practices. The federal and State Agriculture Ministers will make a decision in April on the draft Code - and therefore the conditions pigs can be kept in for decades to come. It is important that the Ministers know what you think about factory farming of pigs before they make that decision. Below is a suggested letter which may assist you to write to your own State or Territory Minister. It will be more impressive if you write your own letter, in your own words, but the following is provided to assist you. Please do it for the pigs.
The ACT Government offers subsidised GardenSmart water tune-ups to ACT residents for only $30!* February/March 2007 Issue No. 28
During the GardenSmart visit, a qualified horticulturist provides practical advice about garden design, plant selection, watering, maintenance and much more. GardenSmart participants also receive a $50 rebate on water-saving products for the garden. For more information call ActewAGL on
6242 1111 or visit www.thinkwater.act.gov.au apply. Available only to AC T proper
ties con
nected to
The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) is a partnership of the Australian Government, the States and Territories that supports schools to work towards a sustainable future. The AuSSI is a whole-of-school approach, to improve the school’s management of resources and facilities including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials. It also addresses educational, social and economic issues associated with the sustainable management of a school and the school community. The national website is www.deh.gov. au/education/aussi
What is the AUSSI ACT?
Saving water in your garden made easy!
ions *Condit
What is the AUSSI?
. ACTEW Corp oration’s water network
03.2007-05
Dear I know that the draft ‘Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – The Pig’ is being reviewed, and that as a member of the ‘Primary Industries Ministerial Council’ you will decide on the housing and husbandry conditions that will affect the lives of millions of pigs. Unfortunately the draft revised Code does not provide any significant improvements. Both the current and proposed Code of Practice denies pigs’ behavioural and physical needs due to the prolonged confinement for particularly the breeding sows kept in tiny stalls and farrowing crates. That extreme confinement and painful mutilations inflicted upon piglets - such as tail docking and teeth clipping, are unacceptable to me. As a consumer I will choose not to purchase products from factory-farmed pigs, and I know that other Australians will take the same action as they learn of the conditions pigs’ are subjected to. Please reject the draft pig Code and instead introduce enforceable standards that will provide pigs with the opportunity to express their natural behaviours. These sensitive and curious animals deserve your consideration. Yours sincerely, Federal: The Hon Peter McGauran, MP Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Parliament House Canberra Peter.McGauran.MP@aph.gov.au New South Wales Hon. Ian MacDonald, MP Minister for Primary Industries Parliament House Macquarie Street, Sydney. NSW. 2000 macdonald.office@macdonald.minister. nsw.gov.au Australian Capital Territory The Hon. John Hargreaves, MP Minister for the Territory and Municipal Services Legislative Assembly, Civic Canberra ACT 2600 hargreaves@act.gov.au
AuSSI ACT is the name of the AUSSI being implemented in ACT schools. The AuSSI ACT is managed by the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) in partnership with • ACT Department of Education and Training • Catholic Education Office • Australian Independent Schools Association A Sustainable Schools Coordinator works closely with schools to encourage a whole school approach, set measurable social, educational, environmental and economic outcomes and develop a school environmental management plan (SEMP). The AUSSI ACT website is www. sustainableschools.act.gov.au
AUSSI ACT Pilot in 2006 The AUSSI ACT began as a pilot in 2006 which was a cross sectoral initiative involving Department of Education and Training, the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools Thirteen government and seven non government schools were involved in the 2006 ACT pilot Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) In 2007, the initiative is open to all ACT schools The Sustainable Schools Initiative has five focus areas: curriculum, water, waste, energy and biodiversity and complements the new Curriculum framework for ACT schools Preschool to year 10 The twenty pilot schools were supported to conduct water, waste and energy audits and to use the information from the audits to develop a School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) Schools include the following in their SEMPS: -
Principals message School vision Curriculum Waste Water Energy Biodiversity Community Partnerships Purchasing
Schools were also offered professional development for staff on educating for sustainability aligned to the new ACT Curriculum Framework.