What does the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group do?

The recent AGM of TASNG provided an opportunity to reflect on the year that was and plan for the year that will be with a newly elected committee.

Chair’s Report – Lois Simpson, September 2022

Entering 2022 was like trying to accelerate with the brakes on, but our team was up to the task and as COVID barriers were removed, great advances were made. The dedication of our committee cannot be over-rated. It has been good to meet again in person, thanks to the management of the Hub, and to strengthen our partnership with CPPA and the Five Islands Sustainable Neighbourhood Group.

Over this difficult time, we supported the ‘buy local’ publicity campaign to help shore-up our local businesses. At the same time, we have connected with Council and other community groups to maintain and improve sustainable practices in our area.

With the abolition of single-use plastic bags imminent this year, Steve Dewar strengthened the campaign with local businesses, supermarkets and cafes to turn to suitable alternatives to both plastic and disposable items, especially take-away coffee cups. He also took the messages across Lake Macquarie, including coffee vans.

TASNG members manned a stall outside Woolworths to take the message to the people of Toronto.

Through Chris Murphy and Marea Buist, we have maintained a positive connection with the Hub Community Garden and applaud the group’s progress over the years. Marea has also encouraged Council to give more attention to footpath rubbish management.

Many thanks to Tricia Eldridge in her role as contact person and ‘digital director’, connecting us to our city and local community through emails and Facebook. Her role is invaluable in today’s world.

Nico Marcar’s interest in cycling and pathways has kept us updated with action and options from Council, such as the upgrade of the Greenway and the possibility of, and issues with, a pathway between Five Islands and Toronto. Nico and Lois have also looked into garden maintenance in The Boulevarde and swimming enclosures on the lake. Nico has also found time to review and draft an update our TASNG Action Plan.

Nico, Suzanne Pritchard and Lois Simpson have worked with the Toronto Action Group (TAG) to keep communication open with our West Ward councillors. We have been able to get updates on the foreshore revitalization project and to monitor development across Toronto. TASNG members continue to contribute submissions and feed-back on Council plans and strategies, including, recently, dog leash-free areas and plans for Puntei Park (aka Hampton St Reserve).

Again this year, wewe are so grateful to Suzanne for providing a vital link between TASNG and CPPA which has provided a partnership for projects, publicity and membership. Currently, with CPPA, plans are well underway for a jointly-organised car-boot sale and catch-up to bring our community together, with the theme of ‘reduce, re-use, re-cycle’.

We value our association with Five Bays SNG through Robyn Charlton and the chance to assist with the pamper care project and urban greening. We congratulate Robyn on the establishing of a native garden at Blackalls that will strengthen the green corridor west from Toronto.

TASNG has registered a wetland Landcare site by Fennell Bay bridge, where work will begin soon, now that flood levels have gone down.

It has been wonderful to work with you all this year. Thank you to every member of our group for the support you have given, each in your own way. Your will, your determination, your energy and your caring have been inspiring.

Election outcomes Chair: Steve Dewar, Assistant Chair Lois Simpson, Treasurer Tricia Eldridge, Secretary Nico Marcar, Assistant Secretary- Suzanne Pritchard.