FOCUS On Burnside - the news hub

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WELCOME.

This is our media hub of all things Burnside.

A hub for local news about people, businesses and happenings in our community.

You will see some beautiful photos of Wyfield Reserve, one of Burnside's biodiversity sites, at the top right of this page.



WELCOME.

This is our media hub of all things Burnside.

A hub for local news about people, businesses and happenings in our community.

You will see some beautiful photos of Wyfield Reserve, one of Burnside's biodiversity sites, at the top right of this page.


  • Fringe in Burnside

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    The City of Burnside is hosting a range of shows as part of the Adelaide Fringe. Check these out: adelaidefringe.com.au/fringe-lists/city-of-burnside

    Burnside Ballroom

    Telegraph Road - Glenn Skuthorpe presents Dire Straits

    Friday 3 March 7.30 pm – 8.45 pm Immerse yourself in some true classics with this music that transcends time. Tickets $21 - $28.

    A Class of Brass – Just Add Water

    Sunday 5 March 2 pm – 4.30 pm Campbelltown City Band. Sit back, relax with a cuppa and enjoy as we take you on a musical journey through a multitude of musical genres and styles.

    Burnside Library

    Rhapsody in Chicago Blues

    Sunday 12 March 3 pm Pianist Tim Barton

    Pepper Street Arts Centre

    Where the Wild Things Are Exhibition

    Tuesday to Saturday until 17 March The breadth of works includes stained glass, textile and mixed media sculpture, mosaics, painting, photography and more.

    The Regal Theatre Adelaide Fringe Events

    Ticket prices vary – concessions available - bookings at bit.ly/CoBRegal

    The Carpenters Songbook

    Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March 2 pm Experience all the hits from the world’s most successful brother and sister duo in this poignant and uplifting trip through the career of The Carpenters.

    Sounds of Simon: Simon & Garfunkel & Beyond

    Sunday 5 March 7.30 pm From his years as the visionary in Simon & Garfunkel through to his many solo hits, journey through one of the greatest back catalogues of all time.

    Ashes to Ashes – Tribute to David Bowie

    Saturday 11 March 2 pm and 7.30 pm A rare opportunity for Adelaidians to see Ashes To Ashes before they hit the eastern states to cement their status as Australia’s best and most authentic tribute to Bowie and his incredible and eclectic musical legacy!

    Flaming Sambucas present Abba Gold

    Friday 17 March 8 pm Celebrate all the greatest hits of the Swedish super group. This show is presented in an original story-telling way, and is guaranteed to touch your emotions and leave you with your spirits high.

    The Creedence Revival

    Saturday 18 March 7 pm Watch, dance and listen to a world class band belt out the Creedence Clearwater Revival songs we know and love.

    Read more stories in Burnside Focus newsletter, out this week.

  • Environmental Sustainability Scorecard 2021/22

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    Did you know that Council provided over 20,000 plants for public and private planting last year? And we’ve made great progress on reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint. Want to find out more? The information is included in Council’s annual Environmental Sustainability Scorecard.

    Important topics, such as tree planting, waste management and carbon footprint are all included. For each topic, baselines have been established. The baselines are a starting point, established in previous years, for comparison to the achievements in the last year. The Scorecard also includes other important achievements, like the Council being recognised as a Tree City of the World.

    For further information, a detailed Environmental Sustainability Report is published annually and is available at: bit.ly/CoBScorecard

    Read more stories in Burnside Focus newsletter, out this week.


    Environmental Sustainability Scorecard 2021/22. A high-level overview of City of Burnside achievements in key areas.

  • We’re too soft on soft plastics

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    Soft plastics include plastic shopping bags, bread bags and pasta bags. There are no longer collection points for soft plastics in Burnside. Previously, soft plastics were collected by the REDcycle program in Coles and Woolworths stores. Some Foodland stores also offered a collection service. But these services have been cancelled. Why? Because there was not enough demand for the recycled plastic – there was nowhere for it to go.

    While soft plastic recycling had some good outcomes, there were also concerns about the recycling systems.

    On average, the soft plastic recycling programs dealt with less than one percent of the plastic consumed by Australians each year.

    We use too much plastic, especially packaging. Soft plastic recycling allowed manufacturers to promote their packaging as ‘recyclable’, making consumers feel better about buying their products. But most of that plastic was not recycled and there was never the capacity to recycle it all.

    Soft plastic was sometimes added to asphalt or concrete. While these uses did give the plastic an extra life, it was downcycling, which means some value of the material was lost. Recycling systems should try to maintain the value of materials, like recycling glass back into glass, allowing the process to be ongoing. Downcycling loses value and degrades materials, limiting their future usage.

    The removal of soft plastic recycling will concentrate efforts on reducing plastic waste, rather than pretending we can deal with the waste. We can all play a part. Buy products with less packaging (eg buy in bulk), or products with compostable packaging. Many supermarkets now have compostable bags for fruit and vegetables.

    We can advocate for manufacturers, state and federal governments to reduce the use of unnecessary plastic. The South Australian government has banned some soft plastics (see www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au). The federal government could legislate that all soft plastic packaging must include some recycled materials, creating an instant market for the soft plastic in circulation. The UK Government took another approach, introducing a tax on plastic packaging with included less than 30 per cent recycled materials.

    The issues with soft plastics can all be solved by working together for positive outcomes.

    We can still put rigid plastics in the yellow bin. Rigid plastics include things like margarine and strawberry punnets. They are recycled and turned back into containers and other plastic products. If you need assistance identifying materials for recycling, call the Which Bin helpline, 1300 137 118, or visit the website: www.whichbin.sa.gov.au

  • Safer Streets in Burnside

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    Have Your say on 40 km/h

    engage.burnside

    Read more stories in Burnside Focus newsletter, out this week.

  • Old and Young Combine

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    The Shed participants (all 65 years or older) are working on relacquering small wooden chairs for a local child care centre.

    Karen Bray is Team Leader of the Wattle Room for babies and toddlers at the Conyngham Street Community Children’s Centre. The small wooden chairs the children use are cleaned often and the lacquer was starting to wear away. “The little ones often spill food on the chairs and the worst culprit is wet Weet-Bix!” she says. “We have to scrub it hard and that wears away the lacquer. I drive past The Shed every day and started thinking maybe they could help.” Karen approached Shed Coordinator Evan Reay and he readily agreed to help.

    Evan visits the Centre every Friday and collects two or three chairs and takes them back to The Shed then returns the following week to swap them over. “The group love it,” says Evan. “They are sanding back and re-varnishing the tiny wooden chairs for the children.”

    The project has been so successful it will expand to include a few other similar chairs and tables in the rooms for older children.

    The Shed volunteer Keith Karp says he thoroughly enjoyed doing the job for the children. He is a retired locksmith and used to “working with very small things”. The wooden chairs were polished and varnished and “came up really well”, according to Keith.

    Pic: Two-year-olds Mabel and Frans with Shed volunteers Peter, Pat and Keith, Child Care Director Tessa and Educator Lucy.

    Read more stories in Burnside Focus newsletter, out this week.

  • Conyngham Street Dog Park Update

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    The Conyngham Street Dog Park is the only dog park within the City of Burnside and caters to dogs of all sizes and their humans. Following a number of requests made over the years by members of the community seeking improvements at this site, community consultation was undertaken in late 2021 to gain feedback on the future of the dog park.

    This initial consultation received 445 valid responses, of which 70 per cent of the respondents requested the dog park be split into two sections; one for small dogs and one for all dogs. Other suggested improvements were additional drinking fountains, seating, shelters, bins and landscaping. The small dog area will allow for owners of smaller and older dogs to enjoy a calmer environment to visit.

    Based on the feedback received, a concept design was prepared and consultation on the concept design was undertaken in mid-2022. We received 197 responses of which 83 per cent were in support of the proposed plans. In line with Council’s resolution on this matter, these works will now be progressed. It is anticipated that on-ground works will commence around May/June 2023.

    Please visit https://engage.burnside.sa.gov.au/conyngham-street-dog-park-concept-plan

    Read more stories in Burnside Focus newsletter.


  • Art Group Celebrates 100th birthday!

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    A local Sketch Club is celebrating their 100th anniversary with an exhibition at Pepper Streets Arts Centre in March and April. The Sketch Club – Life Drawing group meets every Thursday night at Hubbe Court, Burnside. Drawing from the unclad life model began at the Royal South Australian Society of Arts in August 1923 and the Sketch Club have been practicing their drawing skills at Burnside for over 35 of their 100 years. Current convenor Sandra Earle-Russo says they are always looking for new members and models. “We have members ranging in age from their 20s to 90s and we have an equal balance of men and women,” Sandra says.

    One of the earlier members of the club was well known local artist Dorrit Black, after whom the Pepper Street Arts Centre café is named. One of Dorrit’s original pieces is one of more than 70 artworks as part of the exhibition. The club is also holding a larger exhibition at the Royal South Australian Society of Arts gallery in October.

    Anyone interested in joining the group as an artist or a model can call Sandra on 0405 139 377.

    Read more stories in Burnside Focus newsletter, out this week.

  • Autumn Focus Out This week

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    The autumn issue of Focus newsletter is being delivered to letter boxes this week by Australia Post.

    In this issue meet our Citizens of the Year, see pics from the Citizenship Ceremony, get an environmental update and learn about Safer streets in Burnside.

  • Your Neighbourhood Budget Nominations 2023

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    $35,000 is available to spend on projects in your neighbourhood. Tell us how you would spend it to benefit the Burnside community.

    Have you ever thought of great and creative ideas that would improve your experience at your local park? Can you suggest improvements to community spaces or buildings in Burnside?

    Your Neighbourhood Budget is a participatory budgeting process. Council is seeking nominations from the community for projects to be completed on community land such as parks, reserves, road verges and community centres in the City of Burnside. These projects will be installed and maintained by Council in conjunction with you.

    What is Participatory Budgeting?

    Participatory budgeting is a different way to manage public money, and to engage people with local government, by giving community members the chance to vote on how to spend part of a public budget.

    Every year the community contributes to the creation of Council's business plan and budget via the Annual Community Survey (in November) and the Annual Business Plan and Budget engagement process (in May).

    Your Neighbourhood Budget is another opportunity for the community to have a say in how some of their rates are spent.

    In 2023/24 $35,000 has been allocated towards the implementation of small projects on Council land. Council will construct all successful projects, in line with the community's submission and in conjunction with the successful applicants.

    What kind of projects are eligible?

    Capital projects subject to certain criteria are eligible. However, design work and research is not. Creative ideas or suggestions that will improve the community experience of a public place are eligible.

    Some possible ideas include defibrillators, little libraries, possum boxes and native bee hotels.

    Be creative - all suggestions are welcome.

    To review the assessment criteria see engage.burnside.sa.gov.au or the documents in the Related Information section to the right of screen.

    How will my application be assessed to go into the voting stage?

    Council staff will review your application against the assessment criteria. Council will also need to take into account any impacts on the local area and community. If submissions do not meet the criteria, Council staff will work with you to improve your submission. Submissions must pass these criteria to progress to the community voting stage.

    How are the winning projects selected?

    Each resident/ratepayer will be able to select their four favourite ideas that they want installed. The most popular projects that fit within the $35,000 budget will be delivered by Council.

    Applications open on Monday 27 February 2023 and close Friday 7 April 2023. Voting will be online via engage.burnside.sa.gov.au

    Things to keep in mind

    Council will be available to provide guidance and advice to help you with your submission. It is important that you consult with Council's Projects Community Engagement Officer, Joe Marchington, for information about the location you select for your project, and the costs of materials, by phone on 8366 4200 or jmarchington@burnside.sa.gov.au

    Please encourage your neighbours to vote from 22 May - 16 June 2023 online at engage.burnside.sa.gov.au

    Who can apply?

    Everyone is encouraged to submit a suggestion. All that is required is a clever idea that meets the criteria. Individuals, community groups, schools and businesses are all eligible to apply.

    Voting is only open to City of Burnside residents and ratepayers.

    How do I apply?

    1. Discuss your idea with Council's Projects Community Engagement Officer, Joe Marchington on 8366 4200 or jmarchington@burnside.sa.gov.au
    2. Once you have all the background information, complete an online suggestion form at engage.burnside.sa.gov.au

    Key dates to remember:

    Applications open Monday 27 February 2023

    Applications close Friday 7 April 2023

    Voting opens Monday 22 May 2023

    Voting closes Friday 16 June 2023

    Winning projects announced July 2023 on engage.burnside.sa.gov.au


  • Thanks to our Burnside CFS volunteers

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    As Adelaide faces a heat wave this week spare a thought for the many men and women who volunteer with the Country Fire Service (CFS).

    Most of the City of Burnside area is leafy suburbia with no direct bushfire risk. However on the eastern extremes of the Council area is the Mt Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District. This area extends along the foothills of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, one of the most fire prone areas in the world due to the Mediterranean climate and the characteristic hot summer months.

    Burnside CFS Captain Grant Davis says they will be looking for new recruits later this year. “Applicants must be physically and mentally fit, live within 3 km of the station and be able to respond to emergency incidents,” Grant says. “It is important that applicants live or work close to our station as our aim is to have the fire appliance mobile to an incident soon after a 000 call. You must also be 18 years of age.”

    Vacancies are advertised on the Burnside CFS Facebook page but Grant says you can register your interest at any time at https://burnsidecfs.org.au/join-us/

    New members undergo a period of in house training on Thursday nights to prepare them for firefighting. “This includes appliance and equipment location training, safety and procedure training and area familiarisation,” says Grant. “New recruits then attend a three day (Friday night and weekend) course run by the CFS to obtain their qualification to start attending incidents.” After that members attend weekly training on a Thursday night along with specialist training in areas such as breathing apparatus, road crash rescue and Hazmat incidents.

    A recent recruit is new Australian citizen Jose Nevares of Tusmore. Jose came to Australia from his native Peru in 2003 to study Year 12 at Eynesbury College. He completed a Marketing and International Business degree at UniSA and now works as an IT Product manager in private business.

    After gaining residency he felt he wanted to contribute more to his adopted country and could not vote unless he became an Australian citizen. He achieved this at the Ceremony in Hazelwood Park on 26 January. “It is a huge honour,” Jose says. “This great country has accepted me in an official way.”

    He also wanted to join the CFS but did not live in the vicinity of a brigade until three years ago. COVID put a hold on recruitment but as soon as he could, he applied, undertook his probation and is now a qualified firefighter with the Burnside brigade. He has attended various incidents of car accidents, fires and trees down. He helped fight a large blaze on Gorge Road at Montacute last month which burnt 45 hectares and at one stage threatened to cross the road and head towards Paracombe and Castambul. Jose, 37, says the CFS is a well-trained and disciplined group. “Safety is paramount,” he says. “We have excellent training and supervision and personal protection equipment (PPE).” Jose works from home three days a week and is available on call for any CFS callouts.

    Burnside CFS currently has 40 members representing a mix of the Burnside community, including corporate professionals, other emergency services workers, business owners, students and a range of both male and female members.

    Jose receiving his citizenship certificate from Mayor Anne Monceaux.

    with partner Hannah-Claire

    and with his CFS colleagues.

Page last updated: 15 Mar 2024, 12:00 PM