Is one of Australia’s worst weeds growing on your property?

It’s the time of year when many weeds are actively growing – so the perfect time to undertake weed control on your property (actively growing weeds are easier to
kill).
Weeds can cause major problems on pasture and bushland blocks. They have the potential to spread quickly within and beyond the property, into local waterways and into our fragile bushlands.
One weed which is becoming of increasing concern is Boneseed, a South African shrub which was introduced into Australia in the late 1800’s. It has spread from gardens to become a damaging environmental weed.
Luckily for Western Australia – Boneseed hasn’t done the environmental damage it has in the east. However, it is a declared plant – meaning that landholders are required to eradicate it from their properties. Boneseed was recently identified in Bedfordale – growing along the Neerigen Brook.
Boneseed is an erect, woody, evergreen shrub growing 2-3 m with fleshy leaves that have a white cottony down. The bright yellow daisy-like fl owers have fi ve to eight petals growing in a cluster at the branch tips. Flowers appear late winter to early spring. The good news is Boneseed is relatively easy to kill, and if you think it is growing on your property, help to identify the weed is available the Department of Agriculture.

Clean Up Australia

Clean Up Australia on March 4th came to Bedfordale this year and saw two sites in operation. We would like to thank all those who helped and participated in this much needed day of cleaning up our beautiful roadsides.
One site was based at the community hall on Admiral Road, manned by our wonderful volunteer fire fighters and members of the Bedfordale Residents Association. Residents helped to fill a good number of bags, particularly along the Albany Hwy.
The second site was at the community hall on Churchman Brook Estate, where 4 hard working residents collected 15 bags of rubbish and some larger items.
These two sites have been registered to repeat the event next year and we do hope we can improve on the start we have made in 2007. Look out for a reminder in the Blurb next year!

Ideas for Greenhouse Gas reduction

(A big thanks to the local resident who wrote this. We welcome articles of interest from other Bedfordale residents too - ed. )

The greenhouse gas problem is real, and potentially a major threat if you listen to some.
Each family can make significant reductions in carbon emissions with some simple actions. The level of reduction depends on the level of effort we are willing to make. I would like to share some of the actions we found work.
If you want to make no changes to your household power usage, but want to produce no carbon emissions, you can sign up to Greenpower with Synergy. This guarantees the equivalent power you use will be produced from wind, solar or other renewable sources. This costs the average house about $3 per week, a small cost to cut all the carbon emissions from the electricity you use.
Some simple changes to the house can reduce energy usage. The biggest impact is insulation in the ceiling (minimum of R3) and in the walls (can even be blown into double brick walls). Both these are ridiculously inexpensive for the improvement they make. Tiling or laying slate on the floors, or having a polished concrete slab add ‘thermal mass’ and help hold the temperature stable in the house. After insulating the house and tiling the floors, our house has maintained a very stable temperature. We only used the air conditioner ONCE this summer, when it was 47c on the back verandah. It also looks like we are going to use a lot less wood this winter. Shading and curtains that seal windows well also reduce heat gain in the house in summer and heat loss in winter.
The hot water heater guzzles energy (electricity or LPG). After installing a water-saving shower head we reduced LPG usage 40%, about $400 per year, and a heap of carbon. Water usage also dropped from 20L / minute to 7.5L / minute in the shower – a bonus.
Other changes require more effort, cost and / or changes to lifestyle. Some examples are;
Solar hot water systems, photovoltaic systems to produce your own electricity (cheaper to sign up to Greenpower), downsize the car, use the car less, get a hybrid car, buy food grown locally (cuts transport), turn off equipment / appliances on standby, and recycle. Many suggestions are on the Government websites and all reduce energy usage.
Each household can make changes to cut carbon emissions. Our household has found it fairly easy, and a lot of fun, to make dramatic reductions in carbon emissions and save some money too.

Bungendore Park

Mrs. Stanborough send out on behalf on the Bungendore Management Committee a letter drop to neighbours of Bungendore Park on weed control accompanied by a colour brochure and another brochure on off-road motor-bike activity.

There has been some positive feedback from the neighbours to the Management Committee on these matters.

If you need further information please contact me on telephone 9399 4371.

Regards

Guenter Best

Councillors Corner update

TRAFFIC LIGHTS – BEDFORDALE HILL ROAD

After receiving information from Main Roads WA that the traffic lights would be finished by June 2007, we now have details that they will be completed this “calendar year”.

I should remind everyone that traffic lights are a Main Roads responsibility but I have kept across this issue because it is an important one to us all locally.

ARMADALE - CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD)
You will all have notice the progress in the CBD with major alterations to the two larger shopping centres ie Armadale Shopping City and Armadale Central. We certainly will end up with a large range of shops to service our shopping needs. Target should be open in a month or two and Woolworths are expected to be open in December. Big W to follow in 2008.

One disadvantage with this new development is the current shortage of parking in the CBD. When the centres are complete and when the ARA builds parking on the western side of the railway station there should be sufficient car bays for us all. In the meantime, could I prevail on everyone to continue to support our local traders because they are suffering through no fault of their own. They deserve our support during this tough time.

STREAMCARE PROGRAM
The City is to continue its Streamcare Program this year to assist those landowners who have waterways flowing through there properties. Many landowners currently participate in the program but it is available to all owners of properties with waterways, even if the waterway is seasonal.

The Streamcare Officer can assist with advice on weed control, herbicides, property planning and revegetation of the stream banks with appropriate plants.

If you are interested in joining the program, please contact Corinne Omacini, Environmental Officer with the City on telephone 9399 0111

NEW POLICY and MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
There is an ongoing review of City Policy to ensure that Policies are meaningful and current. A number of changes have been made to Policy and Management Practices in recent times.

The most recent policy changes are :

• Lighting on Sporting Reserves
• Hire of Halls and Buildings
• Provision of Goal Posts and Structures
• Financial Investments
• Legal representations

If you have any questions on these or other Policies please feel free to contact either of us.

Regards,

Guenter Best 9399 4371
Bob Tizard 9497 3469