October 23, 2009
The state conference of the Local Government Association in Tamworth from this weekend will be as clean and green as its delegates and visitors can make it.
The LGA, which represents the interests of mainly metropolitan and larger regional councils across NSW, will meet in Tamworth from Saturday until next Wednesday (Oct 24 to 28).
As part of its commitment to a clean and green philosophy, the LGA finalised a special event sustainability guidelines policy last year – designed to reduce the impact of its annual conferences on the planet.
As part of that, Tamworth will see some environmental initiatives, and in some unusually high profile places, like the dinner table. The LGSA says it is committed to environmental sustainability at its events and conferences and Tamworth will have a greener face.
President of the LGA Councillor Genia McCaffery says the LGA has worked closely with TRC to create and implement some new and exciting sustainability initiatives.
“We’re taking real action to achieve real results – things like implementing a waste reduction policy, using locally sourced produce and encouraging group transport between conference venues.
“While they may be small steps, they will make a huge positive impact on our environment.”
Initiatives in place to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" at the 2009 LGA Conference include such things as the use of glasses and water jugs rather than bottled water. The city’s conference venues will be powered by green energy. The major sponsor for the event is Country Energy.
When it comes to eating, the conference tries to be as green as it can too - washable plates, recycling bins, no plastic water bottles, no plastics, bamboo plates and wooden knives and forks will all be on the menu for Tamworth.
It’s all about maximising the use of biodegradable and recyclable items. The conference mantra extends to lighting too - and turning off lights in areas of conference venues when they’re not in use, more use of natural lighting and ventilation during the day, and business printers and copiers will use double sided printing capability and recycled paper.