Environmental Groups and Communities

Educating, connecting and mobilising community to realise a regenerative local future for the Tamar Region

The City of Launceston supports the work of the local group, Sustainable Community Working Group (SCWG). The group was established by Tamar NRM, and is supported by City of Launceston, Plastic Free Launceston, George Town Council, Transition Tamar, and West Tamar Council. 

SCWG's mission is, "A partnership of organisations and individuals, working together to benefit the sustainability of the Tamar region. Through connection, education and mobilisation, SCWG aims to positively impact our sustainability with the key themes of education, community, environment, health and wellbeing, and economy."

The Sustainable Community Working Group organised the Sustainable Living Festival in 2021. The event was a great success, and was even awarded the Community Event of the Year Award at the West Tamar Council Australia Day Awards, as well as being acknowledged as a Finalist in the Launceston City of Commerce Awards.

Follow the Tamar NRM Sustainable Living Tasmania Facebook page for upcoming news and events.

PFL is a working group of Tamar NRM. Working to reduce single use plastics. 

Businesses, community groups, schools and individuals can reach out to request a workshop/ information session.

Each day single use plastics (used once than thrown away - plastic straws, water bottles, bags, take- away food containers and cling wrap, to name a few) are disposed of into landfill or make their way into land and marine ecosystems. Apart from visual pollution along our roads and waterways, plastics also cause long term environmental problems as they break down into smaller and smaller pieces.

A lot of plastics are not recycled and many plastics bags, purported to be degradable or bio-degradable, either simply break down into smaller plastics pieces or require more than your back yard compost to decompose them.

Plastic Free Launceston asks you to take responsibility for this material that will be around long after we are gone. When shopping, ask for an alternative, choose an alternative and use an alternative to help change behaviours that rid the planet of useless single use plastics.

Follow the Plastic Free Launceston Facebook Page to learn more.

The City of Launceston supports the work of the local group, Plastic Free Launceston (PFL). PFL is a working group of Tamar NRM that work to reduce single use plastics. 

The Rotary Club of Youngtown and Rotary Club of Kings Meadows have secured $35,000 in funding through the Tasmanian Community Fund for an extension to their existing building to house the new Launceston Tool Library, and the Council has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Youngtown club to make the project a reality.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said that when complete, the Launceston Tool Library would provide a new service to the community, reduce resource consumption, and divert waste from landfill.

A Tool Library works just like a book library, but instead members borrow tools and equipment (e.g. power tools, hand tools, garden tools, sports and camping equipment etc.). Tools and equipment are donated or collected, tested and tagged, and then catalogued to create an online inventory that allows members to borrow for a short term period (e.g. up to 7 days with an option to renew). An annual fee is paid by members which covers the cost of tool maintenance, leasing fees, utility bills, marketing, insurances etc. A Tool Library aims to be financially sustainable.

The Tool Library aims to provide Launceston an opportunity to reduce resource consumption, divert waste from landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to social equity, build community resilience and offer a great way to learn new skills and engage with the community. The management of the Launceston Tool Library will be the responsibility of The Shed (VCWC).

In October 2020, the City of Launceston commenced a partnership with the Kings Meadows Men's Shed to start Launceston's first Tool Library. The objective of the project is in line with the circular economy principle of keeping products and materials in use, and the sharing economy in promoting the sharing of under-utilised resources. 

Transition Tamar is part of an international movement of local communities coming together to support local communities as they build a sustainable future

The transition movement has been growing since 2006. It is about communities stepping up to address the challenges they face by starting local.By coming together, they are able to come up with solutions and nurture a caring culture.

In practice, they are supporting entrepreneurship, re-imagining work, re-skilling themselves, building better connections and support networks. 

"Transition Tamar is based in the gorgeous Tamar Valley Region in Northern Tasmania, where we are working to create a more resilient community in response to the climate and ecological emergencies facing us. Through adaptation via skill-sharing, sustainable living, localised food production, circular economies and regenerative development – if it is good for the community and the planet we are for it! Join with us and our project groups as we evolve a more connected and resilient Tamar Valley Region for all of us."

Follow Transition Tamar on Facebook or their website for the latest updates or email transitiontamar@hotmail.com to make contact.