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We all have those things around the house that we just haven’t gotten around to getting rid of. Old mobile phones, spare cords and chargers, empty printer cartridges and for some reason those old x-rays from 2004. All of it just taking up space in some cupboard draw that you say you’ll get to at some point.

To help you with this, the City of Burnside has introduced the Re-use and Recycling Hub to help you dispose of your old items that can’t go in the red waste or kitchen bin.

Containing toxic materials or certain metals these items cannot be thrown away in the usual way due to their environmental impact. Other household items like light bulbs, eyeglasses, loose CD’s and DVD’s, small e-waste and blister packs can also not be put in the red bin and need to be disposed of properly.

With approximately 9 in 10 Australians owning a mobile phone it is estimated that only 20 per cent of no longer in use phones are recycled correctly. This means the other 80 per cent end up in landfill, making mobile phones one of the largest contributors to e-waste in Australia.

This new free drop off point located at the Burnside Civic Centre allows anyone to bring in items that are unable to be included in red waste bin collection and dispose of them. Quick and easy.

Larger items, like televisions, microwaves and computers can be disposed of at the e-waste drop of location at the City of Burnside depot.

All items disposed of are secure and anonymous. However the City of Burnside recommends residents factory reset or wipe any digital devices of personal information before disposal.

For the full list of items that can be deposited into the Re-use and Recycling Hub, as well as how the items will be re-used or recycled, visit our website.

The Hub is accessible during Civic Centre business hours.

In this episode of Burnside Highlights we look back on the massive success of the Environment & Sustainability EXPO on Saturday, provide an update on our upcoming budget for the 2024/25 financial year and much more.

Last night Conservation SA hosted their 2024 SA Environment Awards – devoted to spotlighting the state's most dedicated environment champions.

In what is an incredible achievement, City of Burnside Coordinator Conservation and Land Management Dr Mark Ellis won the Pelzer Prize in a highly competitive and decorated field. Green Adelaide's prestigious Pelzer Prize is awarded to those who have gone above and beyond to restore landscapes, create habitat for wildlife, connect people to nature, or clean up our parks, beaches and waterways.

Since 2013, Dr Ellis has led the City of Burnside’s Conservation and Land Management Program. Through this program, he leads the management of 130 hectares of reserves and is actively involved in the management of the Council’s urban biodiversity sites. Dr Ellis also develops detailed management plans and guides restoration works by skilled contractors, staff and volunteers.

You might know Dr Ellis through his work at the City of Burnside Biodiversity Nursery and the Native Plant Giveaway program (now open for orders), one of the city’s most in-demand annual initiatives. Dr Ellis is also responsible for the restoration of Michael Perry Botanic Reserve, converting the previously weed-infested historical site into a beautiful hub of over 350 native floras.

Burnside at Work: Dr Mark Ellis and the Biodiversity Nursery

Dr Ellis has made a substantial contribution to the restoration of landscapes in urban Adelaide. As a champion for indigenous landscapes and botanical beauty, Dr Ellis has contributed to the restoration of hundreds of hectares and created beautiful places for people to enjoy.

Congratulations to Dr Mark Ellis the 2024 Pelzer Prize winner!

Dr Ellis will be speaking at the 2024 Burnside Environment and Sustainability Expo on 15 June at the Burnside Civic Centre. Talking all about the Native Plant Giveaway and Biodiversity in Burnside, Dr Ellis will be speaking on the main stage from 1.20 pm.

For more information on the Environment and Sustainability Expo, visit our website.

Left to right: Green Adelaide Pelzer Prize winners James Smith (2023), Dr Mark Ellis (2024) and Jill Woodlands (2021).

Green Adelaide's Pelzer Prize.
Awarded to Dr Mark Ellis

Dr Ellis leads a community tour through Michael Perry Botanic Reserve

Did you know the City of Burnside has a fund dedicated to helping residents care for regulated and significant trees on private property?

It is the Regulated and Significant Tree Assistance fund, also known as RASTA.

Following a successful application to Council, a reimbursement of up to 75 per cent of the work, capped at $2,000 per tree, can be made in relation to approved works. Consideration for funds up to $3,000 may be given, at the absolute discretion of the Council. Factors to consider will include cost of the works and the amenity or ecological value of the tree.

All applications must be reviewed prior to works being conducted.

Recently, a resident in Skye was assisted by the RASTA fund to help retain a significant tree being strangled by ivy. The resident was informed by an arborist that if the ivy was not removed, the tree would die. Through the RASTA fund the resident was able to retain the tree and ensure longevity for years to come. The tree is now flourishing and ivy-free.

With the new financial year beginning on 1 July, the RASTA fund will be replenished. Funds are limited.

To fill out an application visit bit.ly/CoB-RASTA-fund.

Skiing in Burnside?!

In 1978, there was an investigation into the possibility of establishing a grass ski run at Chambers Gully. The City of Burnside’s Recreation Team considered the idea after receiving advice that the natural grassed hill on Council land was an ideal location. A private developer showed interest in the project, which included plans for a mechanical chair lift, parking lot, toilets and a kiosk. However, the project did not proceed.

Photograph: Debra Herde demonstrates grass skiing at Chambers Gully as part of a newspaper article from the Sunday Mail, 21 May 1978.

In a significant milestone for fostering inclusivity and understanding, the City of Burnside proudly announces the successful completion of its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), known as the Reflect RAP.

Initiated in November 2022, the Reflect RAP is a testament to the city’s commitment to supporting the national reconciliation movement, guided by Reconciliation Australia.

Crafted as a comprehensive framework, the Reflect RAP outlines specific deliverables to foster respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Integral to its mission is the raising of awareness regarding the rich heritage and culture of the Kaurna People, the Traditional Custodians of the land of the City of Burnside.

The Reflect RAP can be accessed on the City of Burnside’s website.

The culmination of this endeavour was marked on 5 March 2024, as the RAP Working Group confirmed the achievement of the Reflect RAP. The City of Burnside is proud to have achieved its Reflect RAP goals and has forged strong partnerships in the process.

Among the accomplishments are:

• Commemoration of National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week through hosting well-attended community events and activities, including cultural awareness training, weaving workshops, cultural walks, Author Talks and an Aboriginal language workshop.

• Inclusion of an Acknowledgement of Country to the City of Burnside website.

• Adoption of an Anti-Racism Statement on 25 July 2023.

Additionally, the City of Burnside proudly unveiled Nguyanguya Muri (meaning Reconciliation in Kaurna language) an artwork designed by prominent Aboriginal artists Allan Sumner and Sarah Bates at the City of Burnside Civic Centre and the creation of Yaitya Kumartapi (meaning Indigenous Keeping Place), a collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander books and audio-visual material in Burnside Library for the community to borrow.

Reflecting on the journey, the City of Burnside acknowledges the significance of the challenging and emotive discussions that transpired during the planning and implementation phases. However these conversations have served as catalysts for meaningful progress toward genuine reconciliation. Cultural awareness training was provided to equip Council Members and staff with an empathetic understanding of Aboriginal culture, heritage and values in relation to contemporary society.

City of Burnside CEO Chris Cowley said completion of the Reflect RAP had been an important step.

‘It has been a privilege to work closely with our Kaurna representatives, Mayor, Council Members and staff to deliver the projects contained in our Reflect RAP as we progress on our reconciliation journey.’

Left to right: Mayor Anne Monceaux, Cr Kerry Hallett, Lynette Crocker and Jeffrey Newchurch.

Indigenous smoking ceremony held during a cultural walk in Michael Perry Reserve.

An inhabitant of Burnside’s reserves and wetlands, a native frog has recently been classified as a new species.

Thanks to scientists with the Australian Museum and community amphibian enthusiasts associated with the FrogID Project, the Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingii) native to south-eastern Australia, has been found to consist of three geographically isolated species, not a single species as originally thought.

Found along the southern parts of NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, the Brown Tree Frog can be found thriving in urban gardens and parklands.

Following the study which included audio analysis and DNA testing, the Australian Museum found the three species evolved from a common ancestor over two million years ago.

Two recordings from the FrogID project, recorded in the City of Burnside, were used in the acoustic analysis for the project – one from an unknown property near Bell Yett Reserve and another from near Willowbridge Reserve.

The two newly classified species are the South Australian Tree Frog (Litoria calliscelis) which is found in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide coastal plain (including Burnside) and the Kangaroo Island Tree Frog (Litoria sibilus), which as the name suggests, is found solely on Kangaroo Island.

Kensington Gardens and Magill Councillor Kerry Hallett is a member of the FrogID Project and said frog population growth in the area was a positive sign.

‘It is a sign the water is clean and the environment is flourishing.’

Cr Kerry Hallett at Kensington Wama. Inset: South Australian Tree Frog (Litoria calliscelis).

Inset image credit: Tom Hunt via iNaturalist.

Dog registration is due on 1 July and must be paid by 31 August 2024.

It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dog is registered, and failure to do so will result in a late fee of $15 and a possible unregistered dog expiation of $170.

DACO is the database of dogs and cats that reside in South Australia. It is also the South Australian dog and cat breeder registration system.

All dogs and cats must be microchipped and all dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed – unless owned by a registered breeder. Cat owners may register their cats with Dogs and Cats Online (DACO). There is no fee for cats within the City of Burnside.

The microchip will help Council to reunite you with your furry friend if they are lost.

DACO will send all dog and cat owners registration notifications in early July using the communications method the owner chose when first registering their dog/cat. This will be by\ letter, email, or SMS. Remember to check all the details on your renewal (addresses, telephone numbers etc) and update accordingly online. You can also change your preferred renewal option online on your DACO account. If you chose to be notified by email be sure to check your spam/junk mail. If no notification is received, please check with DACO, or contact Council as your dog and/or cat must be registered.

To assist owners with the registration and renewals, DACO has detailed videos at www.dogandcatboard.com.au/dogs-and-cats-online/ If you are experiencing any difficulties with the renewal of your dog/cat registration, or do not receive a renewal notification, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Experience team on 8366 4200. We are here to assist you.

Dogs born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed and microchipped.

Council will be contacting owners whose dogs are not desexed and microchipped to remind them of their responsibility to do so.

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is any electrical item with a cord, battery or switch that is broken, unrepairable or no longer useful.

E-waste includes items such as televisions, computers, phones, kitchen appliances, hair dryers, vacuums, stereo equipment and more.

E-waste cannot be placed in any kerbside bin.

This is for several reasons, including fire risks, particularly for items with lithium-ion batteries. It cannot be recycled through the Council bin collection and is classified as contamination. Contamination increases the costs of managing waste. Lastly, it is banned from landfill as it contains hazardous materials, including heavy metals such as lithium and lead.

You can recycle e-waste through drop off locations.

There are now numerous sites where e-waste can be dropped off around Adelaide, usually free of charge. It is recommended to call the site before delivering your e-waste, to check on charges, opening hours, and what you can drop off. Below is a list of some e-waste sites:

• Electronic Recycling Australia Unplug N’ Drop

o Rotary Club, St Peters. Opening hours: Saturday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm. Accept small to medium items.

o Some Bunnings such as Edwardstown and Windsor Gardens. Accept small to medium e-waste, excluding batteries.

o For more locations, visit: www.electronicrecyclingaustralia.com.au

• TechCollect

o Officeworks at Keswick and Trinity Gardens. Accept all televisions, PCs, laptops, tablets, printers and computer accessories.

o For more locations, visit: www.techcollect.com.au

• Campbelltown Waste Depot, 6 Newton Road, Campbelltown. Opening hours:

Monday - Friday 8 am – 3 pm. Accept televisions, computers, and printers, along with some hazardous waste.

• City of Burnside Depot, 528 Glynburn Road, Burnside. Storage cage is placed in car park immediately outside of the gate. Opening hours: the fourth Monday of each month (except public holidays), between 8 am and 11.30 am.

Batteries can be recycled for free at over 200 selected retailers, such as Foodland, Drakes, ALDI, Coles and Woolworths. Visit www.bcycle.com.au/drop-off and search your suburb for your nearest drop off location.

It is important to recycle e-waste to ensure waste management costs are reduced and the value of resources are maximised. The recycling process also creates jobs in South Australia and reduces landfill.

To find out more about e-waste visit www.burnside.sa.gov.au/e-waste.