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Where can you get your favourite native animal painted on your face, a free bag of compost and get that pesky weed identified all in one place? The popular World Environment Day Festival – that’s where!
The free community event will be held on Sunday 16 July from 10 am to 3:30 pm at Knox Park, Murwillumbah. The festival is hosted each year by the Caldera Environment Centre and focuses on protection of the natural environment with live music and performances, environmental speakers, demonstrations, kids’ activities, information stalls and delicious food.
Council will be showcasing a range of programs and services – many that residents might find surprising, highlighting the depth of Council’s commitment to protecting the Tweed’s environment.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry encouraged the community to come along to the free event – not only for a great day out for everyone but to also give some attention to the environment that we all call home.
“Events like these are a fantastic way to bring the community together for a fun celebration, while also highlighting the need to protect our beautiful Tweed environment,” Cr Cherry said.
“This year, Council’s friendly teams are looking forward to engaging and chatting with the community about weed identification, helping the community get their Sustainability Award nominations in, promoting our tap vs bottled water challenge and helping people to choose emission-free travel options with a free bike workshop.
“We are encouraging everyone to come out and join us – we need to work together to ensure our internationally significant environment is passed on to the next generation.”
Activities on offer include:
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Free entertainment – including Luna Junction Gypsy Folk for the Environment, Kizuna Japanese Taiko Drummers, The Pitts Family Circus, Hoopla Circus and Kids Caring for Country Dance Group
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Speakers and demonstrations – on topics including ending native logging, plastic pollution solutions, EV's and powering our future, earth building, native bee gardens, glossy birds and forensic wildlife photography
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Free face painting for kids – choose from one of our endangered native wildlife species pictures, including the koala, Albert’s Lyrebird, giant barred frog, Richmond birdwing butterfly and spotted-tail quoll
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Council mascots – Winnie the Waterdrop and Kooee Koala will meet and greet the kids
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Weed identification – Council in partnership with Rous County Council will showcase some of the Tweed’s nastiest weeds. Need help to identify a particular weed? Or need help with weed control methods? It’s your one-stop weed shop!
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Bike maintenance education and workshop – do you know how to fix your bike? Do you know how to change the tube in your tyre? Get into active travel by looking after your bike! An experienced bike mechanic from Murwillumbah Cycles will be on hand from 10 am to 12 pm to provide a demonstration of basic bike maintenance and answer questions
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Sustainability Awards nomination support – are you a person or business owner who is a local sustainability champion? We love your work! Council staff will be available between 1 and 3 pm to answer questions and provide support for nominations for the 2023 Tweed Sustainability Awards
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Climate Ready Tweed – small actions make a big difference! Tell us what you’re doing to take action on sustainability in your home, workplace or community. Register for the upcoming Community Action Network event to build capacity in local communities and networks
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Launch of new portable water filling station - Get free tap water refills - it’s good for you and great for the environment. Helping the community to avoid single-use plastic water bottles
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Get involved in the taste test: tap vs bottled water challenge – can you taste the difference? Recent lab results show the Tweed’s tap water equals the quality of bottled water
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Target 160 campaign – find out how you can save water at home and in your business and get a free shower timer to help you save water
- Only flush the 3 Ps down the loo – did you know tissues can’t be flushed? Ask the team all your toilet and pipe questions.
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Free compost – pick up your free bag of compost made from the Tweed’s very own organics!
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Take the ‘Three Bin Challenge’ – which piece of rubbish goes where?
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Take the ‘Community Recycling Centre Challenge’ – find out what you can drop off for FREE at our Community Recycling Centres across the Tweed
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Reusable prizes to be won – get involved to win and chat to the team from North East Waste for the latest information on waste and recycling in the Tweed and Northern Rivers.
Visit the Caldera Environment Centre’s website for the full program or check their Facebook page for up-to-date festival information.
Find out how Council looks after the Tweed’s environment at tweed.nsw.gov.au/environment, or for recycling tips go to tweed.nsw.gov.au/waste-recycling or water saving tips visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/water-savings-restrictions.
World Environment Day is sponsored by Tweed Shire Council. For further information on what Council is offering at the festival, contact Debbie Firestone, Program Lead – Climate Change and Sustainability on 02 6670 2400.
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