At last BREAZE's vision and Strategic Plan, Ballarat Beyond Carbon, for a carbon positive future has been developed and endorsed by the BREAZE committee. At our Reflect Review Renew workshop in late February (see below), 25 BREAZErs refined the plan and discussed what we need to do to achieve our ambitious goal of zero emissions by 2020.

The Ballarat Beyond Carbon Action Plan has also been prepared to help us keep focused on our priorities to achieve zero emissions by 2020.

The Second Big BREAZE Brainstorm 2011

An enthusiastic and energetic group of over 100 BREAZE members gathered in early February to plan out the actions for the year.



Below is a list of activity and action ideas that was generated on the day. The big challenge now is to make them happen.
If you are interested in being involved in any of the ideas below, please contact the BREAZE office and we can put you in touch with the right people.
Some of the items below have people that have signed up (look for the list of how many next to each heading), while some ideas do not have any interest as yet.

Let's make 2011 a year of extreme action, stand up and be part of the big picture today!

Engaging Government

Population – What is Sustainable for Ballarat?
Working with Council
Letter-writing
Litter
Engagement and Re-Empowerment (5 people)
Fruit/Nut Tree Planting (streets growing and sharing food)
Hard Rubbish
Collection of Compost
Tree Planting Activity Group (Ballarat Environment Network)

Community Engagement and Education
Conferences/Forums/Monthly Seminars (3 people)
Sustainable Living Expo (3 people)
Reveal what is happening in Ballarat re sustainability
Screen monthly films on environmental sustainability issues (link with Ballarat Permaculture Guild)
Promote BREAZE to: (3 people)

• Business
• Agriculture
• Housing industry

How to get the people who most need it involved...

Retro-Renewables

Wood Pellets for Home Heating Projects (currently an action group meeting about this – contact office for more info)
Biofuel (2 people)
Bicycle Energy (2 people)
Zero Emission Neighbourhoods (ZEN) (part of Smart Living project – contact office to get involved)

Biodiversity

Re-Indigenising Ballarat and Environs (Smart Living Centre/BEN)

Food

Food (1 person)
Sustainable Eating for Health

Transport

Vehicles/Transport
Bike Racks and Shelters at Bus Stations (1 person)
Water conservation

Reflect, Review, Renew Workshop

Held in Feb 2010:

BREAZE has an ambitious goal to achieve zero net emissions for the region by 2020.  We are developing a plan, Ballarat Beyond Carbon, to help us achieve this goal and to understand BEAZE’s role and the steps we need to take to get there.

BREAZE highly values the input of members. The Big BREAZE Brainstorm in April 2007 was the first time we came together to discuss ideas – what was important to us and how we wanted to get involved.  In mid 2008 we had a second workshop with our Action group members.

The BREAZE Committee invites you to get involved with our 2010 planning day “Reflect, Review, Renew" to:

• Reflect on what we have achieved
• Review our plans for the future; and
• Renew our action plan and commitment to get involved.

Workshop Details

When: Sunday 28th February, 1 - 5pm

Where: Banksia Room, BEST Community Development, 20 Victoria St, Ballarat

RSVP: Wed 24th February, email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 5329 1730.

Here are links to background information that may be useful:

• BREAZE’s history and what we have achieved
• Annual Report 2008-09
• Cutting Emissions in the Ballarat Region
• Engaging with our community to reduce emissions; and
• Key recommendations - Climate of Change project.

The team at BREAZE is really looking forward to getting our teeth into 2010, and we really hope to get as many members involved as possible.  It will be great to see you at Reflect, Review, Renew on the 28th Feb!