100 GREEN ACHIEVEMENTS

PROVIDE INFORMATION ON LOCALLY INDIGENOUS PLANT SPECIES WITH RATE NOTICES
Achievement	Target Date	Description	Progress	Further Information

ACHIEVEMENT: Local people have information readily available that will allow them to choose to plant indigenous plants and to choose plants that provide habitat for indigenous birds and animals.

TARGET DATE: June 2003

PROGRESS: Some.

DESCRIPTION: Organise for a list of locally indigenous plant species distributed with rate notices. This will allow residents to make choices to plant indigenous and other plants that encourage native fauna to find new homes again. Wise planting choices will also reduce the water consumption of gardens.

This policy is being considered as one of a number to be included in Growing Green, a 50 year plan for the City of Melbourne's Parks and Gardens. David initiated Growing Green nearly two years ago, which has undergone public consultation and public meeting processes. Further information can be found on the page A 50 Year Plan For Our Parks and Gardens - 'Growing Green'

Two exciting websites providing good information in this area are:

The Gould League page provides an excellent link to their Sustainable Schools program at: http://www.gould.edu.au

The Flora for Fauna site provides an interactive step-by-step program where you can select for birds and animals you want to attract, and also provides tips on reducing water consumption and maintenance needs: http://www.floraforfauna.com.au/index.asp

The Aubudon Society provide an interesting American equivalent of the Australian Flora for Fauna site, with good ideas you can adapt to Australian conditions for increasing biodiversity on your own property.

FURTHER INFORMATION: The details on the Flora For Fauna and Gould League sites were referred to me by Peter Brown, General Manager, Lort Smith Animal Hospital.