Hills Independent HILLS 31 October 2023 | Page 20

HORNSBY HAPPENINGS

HORNSBY HAPPENINGS

Hornsby Shire Council ’ s native plant giveaway program blooms again

Hornsby Shire Council is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Native Plant Giveaway Program this October , inviting all residents of Hornsby Shire to participate and nurture their local environment by booking an appointment to collect four free native plants .
Including native trees , shrubs , edible and flowering plants — many of which are locally indigenous — the plants are grown by staff and volunteers at Council ’ s Warada Ngurang Community Plant Nursery in Pennant Hills . Species on offer also include plants that thrive in pots and shade , making them suitable for balconies or smaller gardens .
During the previous Native Plant Giveaways held in Autumn 2023 , the program saw residents from 921 households attend , collecting a total of 4,571 native plants — an overwhelming level of enthusiasm that Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock AO says highlights the deep-rooted commitment of Hornsby Shire residents to protect and nurture their local environment .
“ Everyone in Hornsby Shire is proud of the lifestyle that our native forest habitats and greenspaces afford . This program is a great way to further that and to sow the seeds for future generations in the Bushland Shire ,” said Mayor Ruddock .
“ I encourage all residents to book an appointment to come along to Warada Ngurang , collect some native plants and learn a few things about plants and wildlife from some of our expert nursery staff and volunteers while you ’ re there .”
There will be three Native Plant Giveaway days scheduled throughout the month of October , including weekdays and weekends to accommodate all residents ’ schedules :
• Saturday , 14 October 9am – 2pm
• Wednesday , 18 October 9am – 12pm
• Saturday , 21 October 9am – 12 pm For additional information about the Native Plant Giveaway Program and to book your plant collection appointment , please visit : hornsby . nsw . gov . au / plants .

RFS urges Hornsby / Ku-ring-gai to Get Ready for bush fires

The RFS is calling on all Hornsby / Kuring-gai residents to join RFS volunteer firefighters this Get Ready Weekend and
prepare for the bush fire season . RFS Superintendent Matthew
O ’ Donnell said residents in the Hornsby / Ku-ring-gai area are invited to meet their local brigade and to find out how they can prepare themselves and their properties .
“ Following years of wet weather and prolific vegetation growth , the risk of fire is returning along with drier and warmer conditions ,” Superintendent Matthew O ’ Donnell said .
“ Get Ready Weekend is an opportunity for Hornsby / Ku-ringgai residents to do their bit to prepare and protect their family and properties in the event of a fire .”
Superintendent Matthew O ’ Donnell said there are five simple steps you can take to reduce your bush fire risk , like clearing flammable items from around your home and mowing your lawns . 1 . TRIM overhanging trees and shrubs . 2 . MOW grass and remove the cuttings . Have a cleared area around your home .
3 . REMOVE material that can burn around your home ( e . g . door mats , wood piles , mulch ).
4 . CLEAR and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home .
5 . PREPARE a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home .
“ It ’ s likely bush fires haven ’ t been at the
front of mind these last few years , so now is the time for residents to start thinking about what they need to do to get ready ,” Superintendent Matthew O ’ Donnell said .
“ Preparing for bush fires is easier than people may think . Have a five minute conversation and ask yourself if threatened by fire , when will you go , what will you take and where will you go ?
“ We ’ ve seen the devastating consequences that bush fires can have , so it ’ s important that people right across the Hornsby / Ku-ring-gai area live bush fire ready – by knowing their risk , having a plan , and getting ready .”
Find out more about making a bush fire survival plan at www . myfireplan . com . au .

Berowra Car Boot Market returns

Following the success of the popular Car Boot Market in June , Berowra will once again become a destination for residents looking to declutter some of their preloved items , as well as those who are searching for a bargain , when Hornsby Shire Council hosts a second market on Sunday 29 October .
The market is part of Council ’ s Second Hand Hornsby initiative , which also includes an innovative service on Council ’ s website allowing residents to advertise their garage sales and plan their day of visiting sales across the Shire .
Council is encouraging locals to reduce the number of items sent to landfill , by instead opting to give their unwanted items a new lease on life . Some of the items that will be on offer at the Car Boot Market include
clothing , toys , furniture , books , sporting equipment and other household items .
Mayor Philip Ruddock has called on the local community to get involved in the fun-filled initiative and by doing so , playing a part in helping conserve Hornsby Shire ’ s environment .
“ This spring , I encourage residents to take this fantastic opportunity to come together , whether buying or selling , and experience the fun of car boot markets ,” Mayor Ruddock said .
“ The Car Boot Market is an initiative which is environmentally , socially and financially rewarding , and will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill .” Berowra Car Boot Market will run from 9am-1pm at the Berowra Community Centre .
Limited parking is available , and the event is a short walk from Berowra train station .
Second Hand Hornsby aligns with Council ’ s Waste Matters Strategy and is part of several initiatives to assist Council achieve its goal of diverting 80 per cent of
community waste from landfill by 2030 .
For more details and to register for Berowra Car Boot Market visit hornsby . nsw . gov . au / carbootmarket .
18 ISSUE 100 // OCTOBER 2023 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT