FOOD, FARMING AND ART

PLASTIC PERVASIVE IN FOOD SUPPLY: NEW STUDY

Micro and nanoplastics are pervasive in our food supply and may be affecting food safety and security on a global scale, a new study led by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has found.

The study is one of the first to analyse the academic literature on microplastics from a food safety and food security risk viewpoint, building on past studies which primarily tracked plastics in fish.

It shows that plastics and their additives are present at a range of concentrations not only in fish but in many products including meat, chicken, rice, water, take-away food and drink, and even fresh produce.

CSIRO analytical chemist, food safety specialist and lead author of the paper, Dr Jordi Nelis, said these plastics enter the human food chain through numerous pathways, such as ingestion as shown in the fish studies, but one of the main ways is through food processing and packaging.

“Fresh food for example can be plastic free when it’s picked or caught but contain plastics by the time it’s been handled, packaged and makes its way to us,” Dr Nelis said.

“Machinery, cutting boards, plastic wrapping can all deposit micro and nanoplastics onto our food that we then consume. This study highlights the need to understand what plastic could end up in food to manage food safety and security,” he said.

Another important pathway for these contaminants to enter our agriculture system is through biosolids sourced from wastewater treatment.

Biosolids are a rich fertiliser for agricultural land, but they can contain plastic particles from many sources, such as from the washing of synthetic clothing.

These particles could build up in the soil and change the soil structure over time, which may affect crop production, food security and ecosystem resilience. For example, plastic materials can ‘trick’ the good bacteria in the soil into thinking they are the roots of plants, meaning the plants end up with less of the nutrients they need.

The study also discussed how additives in plastics that help make plastic work in our modern world can leach into our environment, potentially contaminating our food supply. Additives that make plastic flexible or resistant to UV radiation, for example, can include flame retardants, heavy metals, phthalates, hardeners or other chemical compounds.

There are currently no definitive studies that demonstrate micro and nanoplastics in the environment cause harm to humans, however more research is needed to fully understand health effects.

More research is also needed to better understand the effects of plastics and their additives on food safety and security as well as to develop better analytical techniques to monitor, assess and establish safe levels in food, drinking water and agroecosystems.

“The key missing information is determining safe levels of microplastics. We currently don’t know exactly what the microplastic flux through the food system is or which levels can be considered safe,” Nelis said.

He said there are things that consumers can do to help reduce micro and nanoplastics from cycling through the environment.

“On average Australians discard 100 kg of plastic waste each year, so use fewer plastics especially in the kitchen and wash your clothes a little less often, on shorter cycles,” Dr Nelis said.

CSIRO is on a mission to end plastic waste, with a goal of an 80 per cent reduction in plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030.

Mary Valley Artsfestival

The collective artworks from Gympie’s TAG artists bring a show of variety to Art on Yabba in June.

The exhibition opens on Saturday June 3 at 4pm at Imbil’s Wild Vine Café, next to the fine art gallery at 116 Yabba Road, Imbil, which offers viewing from 9am-2pm Thursday-Sunday. Art on Yabba is a fine art gallery operated by Mary Valley Artslink, which also hosts the annual Mary Valley Art Festival on July 20-23. Entries have now opened for the festival, which offers $13,000 in prize money, and close on 10 July.

New transport sponsor Masondale has doubled the prize money for the People’s Choice award to $1000. RJR Property is sponsoring the Best in Show award for $3000, and there is

$2500 for the Open winner from Gympie’s Bendigo Bank. Entry forms online at www. maryvalleyartfestival.com.au

Celebrate and recognise the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth

Everyone is invited to come, celebrate and support NAIDOC Week on the Sunshine Coast from 2-9 July. This year’s theme is For Our Elders. Across every generation, First Nations Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. Check out Council’s website for event details and more information.

Saddle up for country music festival

Chase away the winter weather blues with a warm dose of country vibes at Coastal Country Music Fest on 22 July at Venue 114. The sunset session will feature some of the industry’s freshest home-grown artists including Melanie Dyer, Andrew Swift, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Pete Cullen and Liam Brew. Tickets on sale now via venue114.com.au.Wat

Customer Contact

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Does your child like to draw?

Enter their native plants and animal art for a chance to win a share of $3000 in the Wild HeART Student Art prize. Entries close 16 July. Head to Council’s website for details.

Wonderful way to get healthy in 2023

Have you registered for Council’s low-cost Healthy Sunshine Coast program? The 2023 program has kicked off and includes meditation, family yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi and so much more. For information and to register, visit Council’s website.

One for the calendar

Watch Council’s 2023-24 annual budget being delivered online or at Sunshine Coast City Hall Chambers - 22 June at 9am. It will be followed by the Ordinary Meeting at 11am.

Ten days of fun for everyone

Horizon Festival is back from 25 August to 3 September. From the coast to the hinterland, enjoy 10 days of free and ticketed art events, live music, theatre and circus, comedy, family events and more. Visit horizonfestival.com.au to book.

Learn more about dog safety

Dog Safety Week, 3-7 July, is the perfect time to talk to children about dog safety and maybe learn a thing or two yourself about responsible pet ownership. See Council's website for details.

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CR WINSTON JOHNSTON DIVISION 5 – SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL

Fee relief for people in temporary housing: Council will continue to waive permit fees for those having to temporarily live in a tent, car, caravan or mobile home who, due to extenuating circumstances, find it difficult to pay. Council recognises the impact of the housing crisis and increasing cost of living pressures and the importance of providing reassurance to vulnerable people who are living in temporary accommodation Information on Council’s website can assist applicants in understanding and navigating the approval process.

Grants for rural property owners - open now!

Rural landowners within Division 5 can apply for financial help to complete on-ground environment projects on their private property, with Sunshine Coast Council’s Landholder Environment Grants now open. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for projects like bush regeneration; reducing sediment loss on farms; control of environmental weeds; modifying non-boundary fencing to make it wildlife friendly; revegetation of degraded areas; and to establish vegetation corridors and buffer zones. Read the Landholder Environment Grant Guidelines at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/grants to submit your expression of interest before 14 August 2023.

Keep an eye on my Facebook page for the latest Division 5 news and information. Visit www.facebook.com/winstonjohnstondivision5scc

TED O'BRIEN FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FAIRFAX

Supporting Volunteers: Volunteers are the backbone of our community and they deserve our thanks and support. Sociologists like Hugh Mackay point to the Sunshine Coast as a region that has the highest levels of ‘social capital’, evidenced, in part, by the number of residents who volunteer their time to help others. We should be justifiably proud of this commitment to our local community and that’s why I was delighted to secure funding of $66,000 to support local volunteers under the latest round of Volunteer Grants.

Congratulations to the 34 community groups in Fairfax who will share in this funding, including: $1,500 to Kenilworth Arts Council; $1,295 to St Vincent de Paul - Eumundi; and $2,400 to Gheerulla Hall and Recreation Association.

Community Pharmacies: A number of community pharmacies on the Sunshine Coast are under threat due to Labor's new policy on dispensing medicines. My Coalition colleagues and I have called for the government to guarantee that its new policy will NOT: harm the viability of community pharmacies; adversely affect medicine supplies; and increase medicine stockpiling and wastage. If you’re visiting a community pharmacy, please be conscious of the pressure they’re under. Some pharmacists are worried about the sustainability of their business and many staff worry about the future of their jobs.

Thank a First Responder Day: Wednesday 7 June is Thank a First Responder Day, when Australians come together and show appreciation for our police, ambulance and emergency service workers. Please take time to join me in thanking them for the vital service they provide to our community.

CR DAVID LAW DIVIDION 10 - SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL

Major Grants: One hundred local community organisations, all striving to improve lives in the region, have gained support through Council’s latest Major Grants round. They will receive a share of almost $600,000 to deliver a range of top-notch community initiatives. I’m looking forward to seeing many of these projects come to life. The range of events, projects and activities receiving funding is testament to the vibrant and diverse region we live in. Several local community groups reaping the benefits include Kenilworth Hall Show and Recreation Ground Association Inc. receiving $7000 towards the 2023 Kenilworth Show & Rodeo in September (be sure to pencil this into your diaries now) and the Mary Valley Community News Association Inc receiving $7500 towards the purchase of a new computer with a large screen, capable of necessary professional software design applications, a laptop for portable reporting, and air-conditioning.

NAIDOC Week: Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023 on the Sunshine Coast with a range of events from July 2. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders. Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. Check out Council’s website for event details and more information.

Don’t forget if you have any questions please contact me at email: david.law@ sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and follow my Facebook page for regular updates: @ DavidLawDivision10.

Hello readers, Kenilworth Connectors is a group of people who join together in a shared value of community. We are interested in ideas, conversations, and solutions on how community works together and connects. We have been involved in creating Xmas hampers to help families through a tough Covid season, Barbed wire BBQs with the tag line of tough conversations/strong connections, an all community mail out of “You Are Not Alone” fridge magnets, and a yet to be dug community garden #“Help us grow”

Our founding bodies have been from Caloundra Community Center and Safe talk suicide prevention. There is a strong correlation between connected communities and improved mental health. So what do we need from you? Come along to our next meeting at the Kenilworth Hotel on the 14th of June at 6pm to meet up and discuss innovative ways to stay connected and involved in our town.

Ben brought the opportunity for us as a group to put in an 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) to create a Community Led Safe Space in partnership with Roses in the Ocean. This would give us support and resourcing of $20,000 every year for 3 years.

This would be a project where we source a location, set it up and staff it with volunteers who have had a lived experience of Suicide. (The term ‘people with lived experience of suicide’ refers to people who have experienced suicidal thinking, made a suicide attempt, been bereaved by suicide or cared for someone who has experienced suicidal distress.)

This would require the establishment of a core working group and in turn a roster of volunteers to 'staff' the space. The space can be a Library, Cafe, School, Church hall etc and it is advised that the space would be open after hours, when other services aren't available.

There was positive support for the idea, along with some concerns as to 'will people come?' and 'where will we do it?' Please be in touch if you have ideas or would like to be involved.

~ Suzie Hopkins & Ben Burns

Contact: ben@calcomm.org.au

KENILWORTH MARKETS TURNS TWO!

Let’s celebrate. Kenilworth Market is turning 2 years old on July 1st and we are having a family fun day. Save the date!

You’re invited to join our lovely stallholders on the day and have some fun in the park. We will have giant games, like Lego and Connect Four, to play. All the family can join in tug of war games or enjoy the side splittingly fun belly bounces. There will be all sorts of fun outdoor things to do for all ages.

In the last two years we have survived covid and flooding as well as enjoying glorious sunny days in the park. We want to express our grateful thanks for the support from the local business community and the Sunshine Coast Council. Thank you too, to all the visitors and locals who support the market and the small businesses who trade with us.

It’s going to be a fun family celebration so bring everyone. Grandma, Aunty Ethel, the kids, the cousins three times removed and definitely bring the dogs. It will be fun for everyone and there are plenty of seats to rest on in between the festivities.

Follow us on Facebook at Kenilworth Market or on Instagram as kenilworthmarket_qld to check on what’s happening. See you then or any Saturday morning at Kenilworth Town Park. 8:00 am until 1:30 pm.

~ Cheryl Boyte

Presidents Report

Here we are already into June, middle of another year and what a busy one it has been for many of us.

May I congratulate the “Gourmay Mary Valley Food Festival” on its community coverage of events and look forward to its continual success. The Kenilworth Tasting Festival held at Kenilworth Dairies was a most enjoyable day, held in conjunction with the Kenilworth Markets & Foodie Stalls. These kinds of events attract more visitors to enjoy what we have to offer in our Hinterland.

3rd & 4th June saw Kenilworth Quilt & Craft Circle holding their Annual 2 Day Show, where many of our local Ladies have an opportunity to display their creations & participate in Challenges judged by “People’s Choice”. I am personally involved with this Group and it has been a wonderful way of meeting people and engaging in community activities.

MVCNews Association has been successful in receiving a Grant from Sunshine Council through Funding Program for the upgrade of IT equipment. Congratulations to editor Sam on her role in addressing and submitting the funding application.

Several Communities have requested an increase to the distribution of the MVV, showing a greater need in access and public display. This can only be more attractive to those wanting to advertise and for those submitting community news & articles. We are seeking interest in Sponsorship of a “Community Fun Page” for Puzzles, Quotes, Short Notices, Recipes, Classifieds etc. Have any ideas let us know please!

Unfortunately we are losing our Secretary – Vanessa at the end of the year and thus, her Position will be Vacant. Please consider taking up a Volunteer Role vital to our community and it is not overly time consuming.

If you want more news to read, submit an article or Letter to the Editor. To keep up to date with what is happening and coming within the Community we need to publish it, promote it and appreciate it. So I invite you to get involved!

Yours Until Next Report,

Barbara Smith ( President) barbannesmith60@gmail.com