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. 

Learn more about The Launceston Tool Library based in Kings Meadows here. 

The Launceston Tool Library is a place where all members of the community can come and borrow tools to make or repair items in and around their homes or gardens.

In 2021, the Launceston City Council approached the Veterans and Community Wood Centre in Kings Meadows with the idea to establish a Tool Library run by Volunteers from the Men’s Shed and members from the wider community. The objective is to build more sustainability and sharing into our community by promoting the sharing of under-utilised resources and keeping products and materials in use in line with the circular economy principle.

The idea is for individuals to pay an annual membership fee, allowing them access to the list of tools on the website and to place a reservation request to borrow items from the library for up to 7 days.

The Launceston Tool Library has been established with the very generous support from many organizations, businesses and individuals such as Launceston City Council, Tasmanian Community Fund, Australian Government Grants program, and the Rotary club of Youngtown.

www.launcestontoollibrary.com.au
1/33 Numanina Ave. Kings Meadows Launceston, 7249 Australia
0400180807

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.