OUTDOORS
Cooran leads race to zero emissions
H OW TO STAY S A F E D U R I N G M AG P I E SWO O P I N G S E A S O N MAGPIE breeding season has begun across the Sunshine Coast and residents are asked to remain tolerant of this protected and iconic native animal when walking or riding near Magpie nests. Sunshine Coast Council Natural Areas Conservation Officer Tyron de Kauwe said magpies were very clever, remembering faces in their neighbourhood. “Magpies are pretty amazing birds and in fact only 10 per cent of breeding males will actually swoop,” Mr de Kauwe said. “Magpies will often stay in one area for up to 20 years. “When they walk around with their head tilted, they are actually listening for prey and are capable of hearing earthworms and larvae moving underground. Mr de Kauwe offered the following tips on staying safe during swooping season. “Swooping begins once the eggs are hatched and ends once the chicks have left the nest, which is about six to eight weeks,” he said. “When you see male magpies defending their territory, understand they are merely defending their young. “Move quickly through the area but do not run. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses or use an umbrella. Dismount and walk your bike and where possible, walk in groups – or avoid the area altogether. “Don’t act aggressively towards them as they have a very long memory, and this will just encourage further defensive behaviour in the future. “Most importantly though, take a moment to appreciate the complex carolling of one of Australia’s most iconic birds—our humble magpie.”
ZERO Emission Noosa(ZEN) has been tracking how different postcode localities are moving towards the goal of zero community emissions for Noosa by 2026, and in this article we focus on the village of Cooran which makes up postcode 4569. The name Cooran is derived from the Gubbi Gubbi word meaning ‘tall’ or ‘high up’ and is also a name they give to the Moreton Bay Ash tree. ZEN met up with Avid Marshall who is president of the Cooran Hall Committee to find out more about the town. Avid told us the hall is the oldest in the Noosa Shire being built in 1906, with the first meeting of the Noosa Council being held there in 1910. Whilst the official name is the Cooran Memorial School of Arts, Avid likes to transform it to ‘School of Hearts’. He says that best describes the context of the hall being the vibrant hub of the eclectic, inclusive community, featuring live music and theatre events, private functions, workshops, classes, community gatherings and more. Avid’s particularly passionate about the Cooran Acoustic Nights, which are held every six weeks, and have been running continuously for 32 years apart from a COVID enforced break last year. “It’s an institution, a supportive environment where we have a range of performers from seasoned professionals all the way through to people who are getting up on stage for the first time.” Avid’s also proud of the hall’s solar system and energy efficiency improvements.
The grant-funded solar system has been running for 10 years and they’ve never paid an electricity bill since, even though they now have air conditioning. All the lighting’s been switched to LED, and Avid’s pride and joy is the recently installed state of the art LED stage lighting. We also met with the folks from Cooran Earth Rights who are dedicated to protecting the local environment. Their crowning achievement has been the extinction of the coal and gas exploration lease following their amazing door-to-door survey which found 98% of locals wanted Cooran to be free from coal and gas field exploration. Noosa Council followed up with a similar declaration for the shire and with local member Sandy Bolton’s advocacy, the State Government decided not to renew the exploration permit. The group’s still active, last meeting chatting about the proposed bike path to Pomona, quarry traffic, green thumbs, community groups, plans to grow and networking within the community. Spokesperson Ann Gardiner proudly told us, “Cooran is currently generating 46% of its electricity from renewables. 56% of homes have rooftop solar and 42% of businesses. This is reducing our CO2 emissions and making Cooran a cleaner and greener place to live. Living in one of the sunniest parts of the world it makes sense to generate as much solar power as we can. It saves the consumer money and saves the planet emissions. Well done
Avid Marshall
Cooran - if we can keep up the steady pace of solar installations we will be on track for Zero Community Emissions by 2026.” Fellow Cooran Earth Rights member and local resident, June Norman, is equally passionate telling us, “I installed solar on my home nearly two years ago. Whilst it has reduced my power bill significantly my motivation is to reduce my carbon footprint so that I lessen my great grandchildren’s adverse experience of climate change. By my calculations the solar installation will pay for itself within four years. I’m very proud that Cooran is leading the Noosa region with the uptake of renewable energy.” Use your favourite search engine to find more about Cooran Acoustic Nights, the Cooran Hall and Cooran Earth Rights. Further details can be found at zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au/4569
OFF GRID LIFEST YLE EXP O COUNTDOWN IS ON EXHIBITORS are designing their stalls, workshops are being created, speakers are booked in and all lights are GREEN to go on the first ever Off Grid Lifestyle Expo. Imbil Showground on the weekend of September 11 and 12 is the place to be between 9am and 4pm. 60 exhibitors (including at least one tiny home) have already booked in and as we get closer, that number will swell. We include solar power, composting toilets, Super Dooper Poo, bees, permaculture, fire pits, blacksmithing, knife sharpening, wildlife carers, massage, an apothecary,
singing bowls, native plants, and seeds to name a few. Live music will be playing on the stage so bring a blanket and a hat then loiter for a while and enjoy. Coffee and food vans are waiting to serve their delicious offerings including fritters, crepes, vegan, fish and chips and frozen fruit ice-creams. Our plan is to go ahead unless QLD Health implement a lockdown. In this situation, the event will be postponed to a later date but will still proceed. Tickets would be refunded or moved at the request of the purchaser. We will be doing
our utmost that this event will not be cancelled. Tickets are $10 per day or $15 for the weekend. Under 16s are free. Tickets are available online at Humanitix or on the day. Information available at www. offgridexpo. com.au or phone Di on 0419 224 628
BILL FRANCIS
land management
Broad Acre weed control
4WD Slashing Covering ALL AREAS w.francis.landmanagement@gmail.com Page 46 | Your Local Lifestyle September 2021
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