ENVIRONMENT and COMMUNITY STALLS

Alphington Fairfield Appropriate Development Association Inc. or AFADA, is a community association formed in 2017 to address inappropriate development along Heidelberg Road between Merri and Darebin Creeks (excluding the AMCOR redevelopment site).

So far there have been three applications lodged for high-rise developments on Heidelberg Road:
- 13 storey development on the corner of Heidelberg Road and Chandler Highway (the former YMCA site)
- 9 storey development at the 7-Eleven site
- 8 storey development at the Home of Lights site

Just recently the community and AFADA won a case at VCAT to limit the 9 storey development at the Home of Lights site to 5 storeys and substantially protect the amenity of the neighbourhood.

Also AFADA works in closely with other resident associations to "swap notes" and is part of the Yarra Residents Coalition.
AFADA is also lobbying the Yarra and Darebin councils to get in place a structure plan for Heidelberg Road so that there are appropriate height controls and protection of neighbourhood amenity in Alphington and Fairfield. Work will commence on this structure plan in early 2019.

Considering our association is based on volunteers, we limit our focus specifically to high- rise developments, however our intent is to be a centralised knowledge base so that residents can be informed, seek guidance and resources when required.
Our website is: www.afada.org.au
Email address: info@afada.org.au
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BirdLife Melbourne is the Melbourne Branch of BirdLife Australia. BirdLife Australia was created in 2012 from the merger of Birds Australia (BA) and Bird Observation & Conservation Australia (BOCA). For more than 100 years, these two groups have been powerful advocates for native birds and their habitats. Now, we have united as an independent, not-for-profit organisation with one important aim: creating a bright future for Australia's birds. BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving outstanding conservation results for our native birds and their habitats. With our specialised knowledge and the commitment of our Australia-wide network of members, volunteers and supporters, we are making a real difference for Australia's birds. Visit our stall at the Festival with bird oriented handouts, a looping slide show of local birds, kids activities and for any bird related questions.
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Darebin Climate Action Now is an independent, non-party-politically aligned group of local citizens of all ages - campaigning for a safe climate future. They campaign actively in Alphington, Fairfield, Northcote, Preston, Reservoir and Thornbury.

Darebin Clmate Action Now works to:
- educate and inform the community about the urgency of the climate crisis.
- urge Governments at all levels to recognise a climate emergency and act accordingly.
- urge you to become informed about climate change and the crisis facing all humanity.
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The Darebin Parklands Association (DPA) is an award-winning environmental friends group that cares for the Darebin Parklands, a 33 hectare bushland reserve on the border of Alphington and Ivanhoe. Home to echidnas, flying foxes, native fish, 70 species of birds, and even the occasional kangaroo, the Darebin Parklands are one of Melbourne's best urban bushland reserves. The DPA's goals are to protect and improve the bushland character of the parklands, maintaining it as a wildlife haven and a place to appreciate nature.

The Darebin Parklands Association is an environmental friends group, founded in 1973 by a passionate group of local residents. The DPA was instrumental in establishing the Darebin Parklands. Today, the DPA works with the Darebin Creek Management Committee to protect and improve the bushland character of the park, maintaining it as a wildlife haven and place to appreciate nature. The DPA offers lots of opportunities to get involved - from regular clean-up and planting events to the Junior Rangers program.

To find out more about DPA and our activities, please visit www.dpa.org.au and visit our stall at the Festival.
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The Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC). MCMC's primary purpose is to ensure the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and the ecologically sensitive restoration, development and maintenance of the Merri Creek and tributaries, their corridors and associated ecological communities. The Merri Waterwatch program supports a number of community groups undertaking water quality monitoring in the Merri Creek and
Yarra River as well as running educational activities at local schools and community events.

Come join Merri Creek Management Committee staff and meet some live wetland creatures
- discover the fascinating tiny world of waterbugs; aquatic insects, soft and hard bodied creatures that call our creeks home. Come meet our live spotted marsh frog and join in our froggy activities and games. Make a clip on Sacred Kingfisher to take home!
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The Alphington Paper Mill Action Group (APMAG), represents the broader community surrounding the AMCOR site in Alphington. APMAG constructively influences local, state and federal government, and potential developers to adopt a quality, world leading model of socially, environmentally and economically sustainable living in the development of future uses for the site, integrated with the local community. Visit our stall at the Festival to find out more and to get involved in APMAG.
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1st Alphington Scouts in true scout fashion will have an adventurous activity for the kids to enjoy. They will also have information about the activities of the 1st First Alphington Scout Group. The 1st Alphington Scouts have opportunities for all ages with the Cub Scouts (age 7-10) meeting on a Wednesday evening, the Soucts (aged 10-14) on a Tuesday evening, the Venturers (aged 14-17) on Thursday evening and the Rovers (aged 18-16) on Monday evenings. The Scoutt Call is in Adams Street, Alphington and further information is available by emailing 1stalphington@scoutsvictoria.com.au.
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The Yarra Riverkeeper Association was founded in 2004 by a group of passionate community members who were keen to see river protection measures in place. Since then, the organisation has grown to focus on river advocacy, research and education. The Yarra Rivekeeper Framework is built around our motto: 'Our Yarra, healthy, protected and loved'. Our aims are to protect the Yarra from mouth to source, to revitalise the river and to foster love for the river by current and future generations.

The Yarra Riverkeeper Association speaks for the Yarra, Melbourne's own beautiful, resilient, iconic River. The Riverkeeper boat is permanently moored in the Yarra and patrols the River.

"We advocate for the River: for green spaces, for water quality, for biodiversity, for the birds, animals, insects and reptiles along the River, for good planning decisions, for the tributaries, for the parklands, for appropriate recreation; and for an understanding of our river and its role in the life of the city of Melbourne. We lobby governments and we educate the community. We tell the story of the River." - Andrew Kelly, Yarra Riverkeeper
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The Alphington Community Centre is our neighbourhood house located in the heart of Alphington and has been active in the local community for the past 33 years through activities, support and events. The Centre has three indoor areas available for meeting, programs and activities, and the recently established Shed, where our Men's Shed group meets and other hands-on and creative programs are run.

This year we are teaming up with the Yarralea Children's Centre to run some creative and fun activities for the kids, including "Paint the Wetlands" and bush jewellery and art.
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Sea Shepherd Australia is a non-profit conservation organisation whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

Sea Shepherd Australia uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems, Sea Shepherd Australia works to ensure their survival for future generations.

We are most famous for our whale defence campaigns, conducted in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, however, since 1977, Sea Shepherd has embarked on over 200 voyages covering many of the world's oceans and defending and saving defenceless marine life all along the way. We also have run many successful land-based campaigns and have active onshore chapters in 40 countries around the world. We currently have eight large ships and fourteen campaigns underway in the Faroe Islands, Honduras, Costa Rica, Florida, Australia, Scotland, Japan, Italy, Mexico, France and the Antarctic.
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West Alphington Residents Inc (WARI) represents the special interests of people living and working west of the former Amcor Paper Mill in Alphington. WARI is totally supportive of APMAG and SAFCA - who for so long have been a voice for the local community seeking change that is in harmony with the Alphington village character.

WARI too seeks sustainable development of the former Amcor site - one that addresses community concerns about housing density, building heights, inadequate open space and community facilities. WARI feels strongly that the traffic management plan proposed is hopelessly inadequate.

WARI calls for the long promised new Chandler Highway bridge to be built east of the current bridge to reduce the impact of increased traffic and noise on local residents and built before the Amcor site is re-developed.

WARI has been on the front foot in speaking to the media and lobbying State and local government on issues of concern to the local community with nearly 2000 residents signing a petition seeking a scaling down of the Amcor development and for the Chandler Highway bridge chaos to be fixed before plans are approved. For more information www.warinc.org.au
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Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
ANTaR Victoria is a non-partisan, non-government organisation campaigning for justice for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with a focus on Victoria. They work in solidarity with Australia's First Peoples.

ANTaR Victoria is based on Wurundjeri Country in the suburb of Fitzroy. They acknowledge the ongoing sovereignty of all language groups, clans and family groups.

ANTaR Victoria focuses on issues such as Treaty, land rights, justice and healing through educating the non-Aboriginal community. This includes speaking at schools, businesses and events about being an effective ally to First Peoples. They also offer guidance to those wishing to acknowledge, support and celebrate the First Peoples of Australia.

Along with these broad objectives, ANTaR Victoria is currently focusing on two main areas. Victorians for Treaty is their campaign broadening the community understanding and support of Treaty.

The second major focus is the election scorecard. The scorecard examines how Victoria's major parties address the inequality between First Peoples and the wider community.

ANTaR Victoria works closely with Aboriginal organisations and local reconciliation groups.
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Country Women's Association of Victoria - Alphington Branch
The CWA in Victoria is currently celebrating its 90th Birthday, and the Alphington Branch this year celebrated its first! The CWA is a self-funded volunteer philanthropic organisation for country and city women, with a focus on friendship, personal development and advocacy "to improve conditions by community service more especially as they affect the welfare of women and children". Our group enjoys many and varied interest and activities, and have raised significant funds for local and national charities and organisations in our short existence. We meet on a Monday evening at the Alphington Community Centre. Come and visit us at Music From The Wetlands, purchasing a refreshing fruit skewer, and learn more about the CWA in Alphington.
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