Keeping Toronto Sustainable

The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG) continues to bring grassroots action to life, with a host of community-focused projects gaining momentum this winter.

Waste and recycling remain a hot topic, with the group welcoming the new North Belmont Community Recycling Centre. However, questions remain over the fate of items collected at Awaba—members are seeking clarity to ensure local recycling efforts aren’t going to waste. The group also flagged broader waste issues, highlighting the impact of takeaway coffee cup waste and challenges with soft plastics nationally.

Graffiti vandalism in the Toronto CBD—particularly over the June long weekend—prompted strong advocacy from TASNG, with member Joanna Schumacher reporting and following up with Council and local businesses. The group is pushing for faster action through Lake Macquarie City Council’s Graffiti Hot Spot Program. TASNG are attempting to organise prompt graffiti removal with Toronto businesses working together encouraging businesses to be vigilant about new graffiti incidents.

Pamper Care efforts have reached new heights, with 28 individuals supported with pantry items and winter warmers through the Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre in June. The weekly Tasty Truck food event also had a record 24 attendees—demonstrating the ongoing need for informal food networks and local generosity.

Green thumbs were busy at the Awaba Road garden and Crocodile Point Landcare site. Volunteers cleared weeds and identified a rogue Camphor Laurel for removal. Meanwhile, the Fennell Bay site is recovering from storm damage, and a spring replant is on the horizon—with hopes of rabbit-proofing new plantings.

Looking ahead, the group’s AGM is set for 13 August, 5pm at The Hub, and members are encouraged to renew or join for just $5.

Key advocacy priorities include graffiti response times, tobacco plant management at Toronto Pool, and broadening local recycling options—topics that will be raised at a meeting with the Mayor later this month.

TASNG continues to prove that community connection and sustainable action go hand in hand. Get in touch torontoareasng@gmail.com

TASNG Talk

The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG) has been shortlisted for a LakeMac Award for Environmental Leadership. This nomination recognises TASNG’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the wetlands under the Fennel Bay bridge every 2nd Wednesday, their commitment to reducing graffiti, with the group currently pursuing a grant for a mural along the passageway to Aldi as the next phase of the anti-graffiti campaign. 

TASNG has a long history of supporting Cleanup Australia Day and campaigning for recycling bins at fast food restaurants. 

TASNG is planning a meeting with the new Mayor to push for more accessible recycling (e.g. soft plastics, fabrics, e-waste, cardboard and polystyrene, and even toys among other products) in most suburbs, with the aim to reduce waste and lower our emissions.

TASNG continues with its education campaign to the public about the Circular Economy and Recycling, working with police, Council and businesses to try to keep Toronto clean, graffiti free and safe, landcaring near the Fennell Bay bridge (Crocodile Point) and advocating for better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

We are always keen to have new members and friends. Annual membership is only $5, donations are always welcome.

We also support access to the Chronicle by extending its distribution to Kilaben Bay and Toronto. Contact Nico (Secretary) for membership forms, torontoareasng@gmail.com and bank account details are;

Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group, BSB 650 000, A/c no: 505782001. 

TASNG have a landcare site Crocodile Point (TASNG)

The group meets on 1st and 3rd Wed of the month

8:30 - 10am meet under the Fennel Bay Bridge.

TASNG Talk:

The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG) was formed in 2011 and covers Coal Point, Kilaben Bay, Carey Bay and Toronto east of The Boulevarde. It is one of 10 such groups under the Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance across Lake Macquarie.

Over the years many projects - including plastic-free cafes, the footpath along Brighton Ave from Ambrose Street to Jarrett Street, fire-retardant garden at Toronto fire station and the Awaba Road verge garden- were completed and many submissions written on development proposals. We work closely with the Coal Point Progress Association.

TASNG continues to educate the public about the Circular Economy and Recycling now that Council has changed its bulk waste system and NSW Government looks likely to extend its ban on some plastic packaging and plastic-lined takeaway coffee cups. Hundreds of signatures have been collected on our petition to make recycling more accessible and create jobs from recycled products.We have sold (recycled) household items collected from bulk waste throw out and other sources at the Toronto Lions Market.

We regularly help clean up around Toronto during Clean Up Australia Day and have joined in the campaign to save the turtles from Fennel Bay to Dora Creek during the big Lake cleanup in May.

TASNG has improved Toronto in many ways, especially over the last year. With support from Origin (through the Eraring Investment Fund), businesses and Council we have removed a lot of graffiti and installed stunning aboriginal prints at Goodsir Place, near Coles. A celebration of artists’ works was held at The Hub with 35 attendees.

We hold fortnightly landcare sessions to rehabilitate the wetlands adjacent to Fennel Bay bridge. We continue to support Coal Point Landcare, the Hub Community Garden and the development of the new Toronto Foreshore. We are in communication with Council about possible natural sculptures along our Greenway, the importance of increasing visibility of the wheel stops along The Boulevarde to keep pedestrians safe and we have participated in Council’s Resilience Project to prepare our area for climate change events such as bushfires and storms.

We continue to canvas for better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in and around Toronto and for shared pathways from Booragul to Toronto and heading down to Rathmines along the foreshore.

We also support the Five Bays SNG’s Pampercare project which provides food and counselling services at Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre.

All our efforts are through volunteering. We are always keen to have new members and friends. Annual membership is only $5. We also support The Chronicle by extending its distribution to Kilaben Bay and Toronto. However, this requires financial commitment.

Please consider joining TASNG and/or providing a donation or helping to deliver The Chronicle to assist us in continuing this distribution. Contact Nico (Secretary) for membership forms and bank details at torontoareasng@gmail.com.

TASNG April Update

TASNG has been in contact with Council about making the vehicle ‘wheel stops’ in The Boulevarde shopping precinct more visible. We are aware that a number of people have tripped over these and fallen, and sadly, one person is believed to have died. We suggest painting them a bright colour. A petition seeking such a change has been submitted to Council. In addition, Councillors have been appraised of this request and we understand that this matter will be raised at a Council meeting. We are waiting on further Council feedback.

Come cycling on Sunday mornings

A local group is looking for more cyclists on Sunday mornings. We meet outside Double Take cafe in Toronto (7 am during summer) and cycle between 40-50 km. Our group has greatly diminished in number over the years. We’re mostly ‘old farts’ and not too fast (average just over 20 kph). Contact Nico (0418 967 158).

TASNG Update

On Sunday December 17, it’s a “Trash and Treasure” stall at the Lions Market to prove that we can all Repair, Reuse, Recycle. 

TASNG members will be selling items in good condition that would have gone to the Awaba Tip after the recent and last regular Bulk Collection in our area for a small fee. We’ll also be promoting the local “Buy, Sell, Swap” Facebook sites and Recycling places that we all can use to stop being a throwaway society.

The locally-sewn Boomerang Bags will be for sale and there’ll be information to help you prepare your Bushfire Plan for a dangerous summer season.

Other TASNG projects on the go include continuing to remove local graffiti and install aboriginal art in their place. TASNG members will also be making a submission to the NSW Government’s “Plastics Next Steps” to reduce plastic pollution in our society.

Have a great Xmas and 2024 and we are looking forward to seeing you at our “ Trash and Treasure” stall at the next Lions Market!

Cheers, Steve Dewar (Chair TASNG)

Annual TASNG Report 2023

Chair's Report 2023 - Steve Dewer

The Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group was held on 13th September and the elected committee bore a striking resemblance to last year’s dedicated crew.

Steve Dewar - Chairperson, Lois Simpson - Deputy Chairperson, Nico Marcar - Secretary, Trish Eldridge -Treasurer, Joanne Rees - Assistant Secretary

After a big change in the leadership, it was a hard act to follow Nico, Lois and Trisha.

TASNG’s efforts to improve our natural environment are crucial after COVID. Led by Lois, major improvements are happening to sustain and maintain the Toronto West Welcome garden and to clear out invasive plants from the wetlands opposite Toronto Lions Park, called “Crocodile Point” by our group.

We have supported Boomerang Bag making through Toronto library’s Make and Mend program. Trish and Lois have supported our campaign to reuse material and avoid plastics.

Nico and Steve attempted to change the habits of McDonalds Toronto customers about recycling on Clean Up Australia Day. We will continue to advocate to avoid plastics and promote recycling.

Lois continued to advocate for our community’s safety to get the painting of the parking bollards in the Boulevarde attended to after many accidents, and it looks like success is on its way.

Joanna has brilliantly led our anti-graffiti campaign and congratulated Toronto businesses via the award letter prepared by Suzanne. We have put in a grant application to the Eraring Community Grant for Awabakal painting prints on the Toronto Dentist’s wall and High School mural extension in Cook St. The Awabakal link is so important as Biraban Land Council supported our call for a Biraban & Threlkeld memorial on our Toronto foreshore reserve.

Helle will be working with Nico on getting more shared pathways in Westlakes and it looks like Toronto to Teralba is a priority, while we wait for a Kilaben Bay to Rathmines link.

Our partnership with Coal Point Progress Association is so important, especially through the Chronicle, thank you Suzanne. We had a wonderful carboot sale at Carey Bay last October, supported by the community, although we would have liked many more people. We will have a Trash and Treasure Reuse/Recycling stall at Lions Market in October!

Chris has kept us up to date with the amazing Hub Community Garden and we thank the Hub for allowing us to use the Hub for our meetings. We did have a Repair Cafe there in March. A moderate success but we would have liked more repairers.

Finally, we continue to support the wonderful work of Robyn at Pamper Care, so important during the Cost of Living crisis.

Thank you everyone…Steve

Boomerang Bags - Sew Sustainable

Are you interested in joining a new Boomerang Bags community?

Can you sew a straight line or use an iron? Do you have fabric you can donate? Do you want to help prevent used fabric going to landfill and be part of the circular economy?

Join the volunteers of Toronto Sustainable Neighbourhood Group for a free social sewing morning at the Toronto Library “Make and Mend Space”. Making bags from rescued fabric to share with others.

2023 Dates and Times

• Saturday 14 October 2023 9:15am - 11:30am
• Saturday 11 November 2023 9:15am - 11:30am
• Saturday 9 December 2023 9:15am - 11:30am

Location: Toronto Library, Brighton Avenue, Toronto

Why do Sustainable Neighbourhood Volunteers do what they do?

TASNG Update- July

The next meeting of the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group will be  9/8/23
2nd Wednesday of the Month
5-6:30pm 

The Hub, 97 The Boulevarde.
 All Welcome. 

Local initiatives of the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG) include:

1. Advocating for Shared Pathways with priority Toronto to Booragul, but not forgetting Kilaben Bay to Rathmines;
2. Advocating to LMCC and Biraban Land Council about planning for a Biraban/Threlkeld memorial as part of the Toronto Foreshore Planning later this year;
   
3. Setting up a major display at the new Landcare and Sustainable Living Centre (umali barai-ku) for“Plastic Free July” to encourage people to reduce their purchase of all plastics, reuse of containers, and recycle plastics where available;
4. Maintaining the garden established on Awaba Road at the entrance to West Toronto and the wetlands opposite Lions Park;
5. Helping the Boomerang Bags group at Toronto Library, second Saturday of each month;
6. Supporting the Pamper Care project at the Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre by collecting food during the current rental crisis;
7. Advocating for the community against the overdevelopment proposal for apartments at Cary St adjacent to McDonalds;
8. Participating in resilience meetings about climate change preparation through Ausgrid and Toronto to Teralba area meetings;
9. Launching an anti-graffiti campaign in Toronto, acknowledging support from Toronto police and local businesses with Certificates of Appreciation and applying for a Clubs Grant to set up Awabakal mural displays at Goodsir St Toronto where graffiti was removed.

Pamper Care Report 

A HUGE, HUGE thank you to those who supported Pamper Care with cash and product. It is really appreciated.

Again, tin June we had a high turnover of clients needing support. Thirty one people, including those with cats, needed mainly food assistance.

Once again, Pamper Care funds subsidized some of the OZHarvest intake. At Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre’s OzHarvest day, held ona Thursday, at least 12 people have attended each week, coming in for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Ausgrid resilience workshops

About 30 residents from Lake Macquarie have attended three workshops since April (with one more in October) to assess options for Ausgrid to implementstrategies to improve the resilience of infrastructure and community responses during severe weather events.

Along with Port Stevens and Central Coast, Ausgrid is submitting a proposal to the Australian Energy Regulator to spend about $200M in support of these and other initiatives.

Current focus areas for Lake Macquarie are: protection of high vegetation areas from east coast lows, reduced outage time and frequency for most customers, development of a blackout plan, an Ausgrid liaison person shared between the three Councils, energy resilience, small mobile generators (also for mobile phone towers) and communications targeting vulnerable customers.

Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood News

An update from the TASNG Chair -Steve Dewar

The TASNG team have been very active over the past few months, helping out around our community!

We have tackled the graffiti on the wall of Toronto Dentists and are looking into an aboriginal mural for the space!

We have mounted a campaign to get McDonald’s to have recycling bins and recycling labels on drive-through and delivery meals.

We hosted a stall at the Wellbeing and Health Festival recently held at the Toronto Foreshore. We are supporting Biraban Land Council to get a Toronto Foreshore Biraban/Threlkeld Memorial.

We are clearing the invasive species from the Endangered Ecological Community at ‘Crocodile Point’, adjacent to Fennell Bay Bridge.

Finally, congratulations to Woolworths for getting rid of the 15 cent plastic bags. We are monitoring other shops that are still giving out single use plastic bags. Compostable or biodegradable plastic bags still take years to break down!

Graffiti Blasters - Joanne Schumacher

To help in tackling graffiti around town TASNG have commenced an Anti-Graffiti Campaign, promoting the importance of a graffiti-free neighbourhood. Graffiti is costly to a business’ presence, is destructive to property & sends a message that the community is not concerned about its neighbourhood.

A community meeting highlighted that individuals and local businesses were concerned and active in keeping our neighbourhood graffiti free by removing graffiti quickly, helping in maintaining a safe, secure & attractive environment.

For more information about graffiti removal supplies contact our local businesses, The Paint Place and Mitre 10.

TASNG events a plenty

The TASNG team has started the year full steam ahead taking up the challenge with McDonalds to get recycle bins on site, (as most of their wrappings are recyclable), securing resources to tackle graffiti in the town centre, liaising with Council and Biriban LALC to have local hero Biriban more significantly recognised in the Foreshore Masterplan, supporting the very enthusiastic sewers of Boomerang Bags sessions at Toronto library (next session is 13/5/23) and hosting a Repair-It café at the Hub.

Happening at The Hub (97 The Boulevarde)

Repair-It Café at The HUB- Saturday 18 March 10am-1pm

Is it TOO GOOD TO WASTE? Do you have any clothing, textiles, toys, small electrical items, carpentry or small furniture in need of repair? Bring it along and see what it takes to whip it back into tip top condition. Free Tea/coffee and light refreshments too.

You can keep up to date with where the Repair -it crew are by connecting with the Repair-It Facebook page. More info about Repair-it is on the Sustainable Alliance's website

Plant and Garage Sale- Saturday 25th March 8am-noon

Textile Tasters- Learn a textile craft - Wednesday 12 April 

Wet Felting and Sashiko textile crafts $18/session and all materials provided. More info at https://www.amandadonohue.org/workshops

Pamper Care

February was a HUGE month for Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre (WNC) and Pamper Care. While the Centre was operational for 20 days in February, Pamper Care had 25 people in need of pantry food assistance. This is up from last February by 35%.

Your continuing support is greatly appreciated. Pantry items can be dropped at WNC, 80 Hayden Brook Road, Woodrising. Open Monday - Friday

Financial donations are also welcome directly deposited to: Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance | BSB 637 000 | Account number 724181724 | Description - “Pamper Care”.

Sustainable Neighbourhoods Gathering -
Saturday 1 April, 2-4pm

Landcare & Sustainable Living Centre, umali barai-ku, 80 Toronto Rd, Booragul

Get together with Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteers from around Lake Macquarie for an afternoon to catch up and plan for a productive 2023.

Hear about what other Sustainable groups are planning, identify and develop our projects and priorities for 2023.Get together face to face for some cake and conversation.

All welcome. RSVP essential by 29 March. https://events.humanitix.com/sustainable-neighbourhood-gathering-april2023

Are you prepared for fires and floods?

On Saturday 11 February there’s an opportunity to see how your property will stand up to a natural hazard using a ‘Simtable’, a sophisticated “digital sand table” that displays high quality models of natural hazards such as bushfires and floods.

The Simtable will be the conversation starter at the members morning tea sign-up being co-hosted by the Coal Point Progress Association (CPPA) and Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG) at Progress Hall, 197 Skye Point Rd Coal Point, 10am-noon.

The Simtable works by showing a simulation of how a hazard moves across and impacts a landscape. Because it uses local maps and data, the Simtable provides a highly realistic demonstration of how individual properties and the broader community may be affected, improving our community’s awareness of these hazards and how best to prepare and respond, in this climate changing world we’re in. If you want to do a deep dive into your property an RSVP is essential.

The event is also an opportunity to join your local community organisations CPPA and TASNG. Membership forms will be available and morning tea will be provided.

Please RSVP for catering purposes using the link or you can register by phone/SMS 0438 596 741 or email cppasecretary@gmail.com.

RSVP 

https://hub.givar.com/connect/org/coalpointprogress/campaigns/simtable-simulations-for-fire-and-flood-preparedness-members-morning-tea

TASNG Update February 2023

GRAFFITI VANDALISM 

Report, Remove, Prevent

Ever wondered what you can do about unwanted graffiti? In November a TASNG community discussion session came up with these actions.

Report

• Report graffiti you find on your property, community buildings & facilities like bus stops & benches and another person’s property to: Service NSW Graffiti Hotline 1800 707 125 and/or NSW Police Force Community Portal on-line,
• Take photos of the graffiti to attach to your report

Remove

• Cleaning up graffiti quickly is the best way to stop more graffiti; the perpetrator is less likely to do it again if it’s only there for a short time
• Contact Council for information on the Graffiti Hotspot Program

Prevent

You can help stop people doing graffiti on your property by:

• Putting up night lighting & CCTV security camera so people doing the wrong thing can be seen and reported
• Cleaning up graffiti as soon as possible
• Planting hedges or climbing vines so it’s harder for people to reach your walls

Boomerang Bags

Join the volunteers of TASNG for a social sewing morning at the Toronto Library’s “Make and Mend Space”. We’ll be making bags from rescued fabric to share with others.

At the first meeting, Saturday 11th February,9:15-11:30am, we’ll discuss bag patterns and the distribution of bags in the community.

Rescued fabric and sewing machines will be provided, however any donations of material are appreciated.

The Boomerang Bag days are the second Saturday of the month: 11/2/23, 11/3/23, 13/5/23, 10/6/23, 8/7/23

Register to attend any of the events.

Pamper Care

Pamper Care has been helping those in need in the 2283/2284 postcode area, with pantry food and personal care items since 2017. So far this year 15 local people have sought food relief from the pantry.

You can donate personal care and pantry products at the Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre, 80 Haydenbrook Drive, Woodrising Monday-Friday.

Car Boot Catch Up Wrap Up

It was a glorious sunny day, the 40 car-booters rolled onto Puntei Park and seamlessly set up their displays, the sausages sizzled and the coffee van brewed. There were bargains to be had, conversations a plenty and it was indeed a community catchup.

Thank you to all who participated and visited.

Feedback from the day was it would have been nice to have more people attend the event and the location was hard to find, but overall a great event worth doing again, and TASNG and CPPA are indeed thinking about that prospect.

 

TASNG Update – Steve Dewar - Chair

Outcomes of the Graffiti community meeting held on 9 November included an anti-graffiti campaign commencing 2023 possibly involving murals by High School students and by the Awabakal aboriginal group and the 1st graffiti removal success from the wall of the Toronthai restaurant. This is a great initiative by one of our members Joanna Rees.

The Awabakal aboriginal group is keen that more prominence is given to the historic, unique connection between Reverend Thelkeld, soon to be seen as an SBS Documentary, at the Toronto Foreshore redevelopment. We can support them in their efforts.

One of our biggest projects is the Landcare site opposite Lions Park at Fennell Bay bridge, nicknamed “Crocodile Point”, led by Lois Simpson. We have cleared many invasive weeds so far! The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday 8:30-10am

We have also held initial discussions with the franchisee and manager of Toronto McDonalds to run a campaign on recycling fast food material, particularly home delivery material by Menulog. Also, we have had discussions with Stanley Tang, head of sustainability for Costco, Australia and New Zealand, about similar issues of recycling and over-packaging. Hopefully, a campaign to educate the public about recycling at these 2 venues can occur next year!

A Big Community Weekend

The last weekend in October is looking to be a wonderful celebration of community with two family friendly events happening, the Coal Point School Fete on Saturday 29 and the TASNG/CPPA Car Boot Catch-Up on Sunday 30 October.  

It may seem like ages since we’ve gathered as a community, out and about, and it may even feel a bit strange, but both activities are outdoors, there’ll be lots of room to spread out, (but if anyone is unwell it’s best practice to stay at home, living with COVID is everyone’s responsibility).  

Whilst the event organisers have their fingers, toes and everything in between crossed for wonderful weather it appears that climatic uncertainty is also the new norm. The Coal Point P & C will be making their call on Wednesday as to whether the weather will impact their plans, the Car Boot Catch-Up will make the call on Saturday. Social media and websites are where you’ll find out if the events are going ahead. 

Facebook pages to check include Coal Point Fete, Coal Point P&C, Toronto & Westlakes community notice board, Toronto NSW and community notice board, Coal Point Progress Association and Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group.

Many thanks to Altitude Real Estate for supporting the Car Boot Catch-Up.

Graffiti in Toronto

TASNG have organised a guest speaker to facilitate a community discussion on Graffiti in Toronto for their November monthly meeting.

Constable Sharmala Whitehead of NSW Police will give a talk on the measures available to address unwanted graffiti and following on will be a Q & A session to discuss solutions and options.

Anyone who has been impacted by unwanted graffiti and community groups interested in helping to address the issue are encouraged to attend.

Wednesday 9 November, 5:30-6:30pm, The Hub 97 The Boulevarde. All Welcome.

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.

AGM for the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group

 

AGM for the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG)

Notice is given of the intention to hold the Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group on:

Wednesday 14 September,

5pm at The Centenary HUB,

97-99 The Boulevarde Toronto.

The September monthly Ordinary meeting will follow the AGM.

Notwithstanding the impacts of Covid, there has been much happening with TASNG and the Sustainable Alliance. We look forward to an exciting year ahead in which we can improve and encourage sustainable living across the Toronto area and our city.

We would be delighted to see you at the AGM and would welcome your input to our activities and projects, either as a regular attendee or on a casual basis. You can join TASNG for $5 here

Nico Marcar - Secretary TASNG

AGM Agenda

1. Welcome – Acknowledgement of Country
2. Attendance & Apologies
3. To confirm the Minutes of the AGM held on 13 October 2021.
4. Reports
1. Chair
2. Treasurer
5. Election of Office bearers - To elect an executive committee
1. Chair
2. Assistant Chair
3. Secretary
4. Assistant Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Nominations for each of these positions should reach the Secretary at least ONE week prior to the meeting date but will also be accepted at the AGM. Please email torontoareasng@gmail.com.

6. To determine an annual membership fee.
7. To conduct any other business as required.

TASNG Update

Become a TASNG member 

Becoming a member of TASNG is one way of supporting the group to promote sustainability in our community (current members are covered till 30 June 2023). It’s as easy as downloading, completing and signing the once-off form, and emailing it back to Nico at torontoareasng@gmail.com. TASNG membership form- $5/individual.

Cycling Feedback- Nico Marcar.

Thank you to the five persons who have so far provided considered responses to my June Chronicle article. Feedback indicates that less experienced cyclists would certainly be more likely to ride if it were safer to do so. All responses are important. Please contact Nico with your views at torontoareasng@gmail.com.

Car Boot Catch-Up

TASNG and CPPA are planning a community event to meet your neighbours, have fun and put into practice some of TASNG’s aims, to recycle and reuse unwanted household items (This is not a market for new items).

The car boot catch-up also aims to support local community groups and businesses to showcase their activities and services.

The venue will be Puntei Park (The Old Pony Club) at Carey Bay, a great expanse of parkland with some special bushland bits to explore with a Landcare Treasure Hunt

There will be face painting and a drumming workshop, plenty of room to fly a kite and have a picnic.

Registrations for ‘Car-boot’ spaces will be available in August.

If you would like to volunteer to assist in the planning of this community extravaganza, a meeting every fortnight, please get in touch with Nico via TASNG, torontoareasng@gmail.com.

This event is proudly supported by Lake Macquarie City Council.

Safe cycling in Westlakes? Your views matter!

 Cycling Campaigner- Nico Marcar

The only significant shared path around Toronto is the Greenway track between Toronto and Fassifern Station. There is no off-road link through the 80kph Woodrising stretch to Booragul and to the shared paths through and beyond the Five Islands bridge. Nor is there any off-road connection through the hilly 80kph stretch to Rathmines Peninsula. 

Unfortunately, it will be very expensive to build the necessary off-road connections north and south. Although these connections form part of the Principle Bicycle Network in Council's 2021 Cycling, Walking and Better Streets Strategy, they are not designated as high priority, and Main Road is noted as the NSW Government’s responsibility. Though Council is aware of the issues, Toronto/Westlakes remains in limbo. Whilst there are some longer, alternative routes, you cannot currently cycle safely on the shorter 80kph stretches. 

The Toronto Action Group is willing to take up the issue and has already raised it with two of our Ward councillors and Council staff. As a starting point, we need to know more about actual and potential demand for cycling. 

Do you currently cycle for commuting, leisure or exercise? Would you take up cycling or cycle further if there was more safe infrastructure? What do you see as the main impediments to cycling locally? We'd like to hear your views. Please contact Nico at torontoareasng@gmail.com.