Media Release

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

Get snapping for the Mayor’s Urban Ecology Photo Competition

There are plenty of Moonee Valley residents who put their green thumbs to good use in the garden, but now we’re hoping to see them clickingand snapping for the Mayor's Urban Ecology Photo Competition.

The competition is being run in partnership with Essendon Camera Club and is now open for entries.

Mayor of Moonee Valley, Cr Jan Chantry launched the competitionwith a challenge to residents.

"As an inner-city area, Moonee Valley is lucky to have such a range of ecological diversity and this is a great chance to showcase the beauty that is hidden in our parks, reserves and back yards," Cr Chantry said.

“I can’t wait to see what people discover in their little corner of Moonee Valley to photograph.”

All photos will be judged on how wellthey show local plants and animals, and how well they are taken. It’s not the biological quality of plant or animal that will be judged, but the photographic quality.Photos must be taken in Moonee Valleyand can include nature found in parks, streets, gardens and even on buildings.

The competition has four themes (Backyards, Parks and Reserves, Water and Waterways, Streetscapes) and three categories:

  • Open category – open to everyone 18 years and over
  • Secondary category – open to those aged between 13 and 17
  • Primary Category – open to those aged 12 and under

Prizes will be awarded to a winner and runners up for each theme within each category.Winners will receive an Apple iPad Mini and runners up will take home a book voucher valued at $50. Winning photos can also be featured in Council publications – so the whole of Moonee Valley can enjoy the creativity on display.

Full details of the competition, as well as entry instructions, can be found at mvcc.vic.gov.au/EcoPhoto

Essendon Camera Club is offering photography workshops for would-be participants with some great tips on how to most creatively capture their images.

The workshops will cover the following topics:

  • Three elements of a good photo
  • Getting the best out of your camera
  • Composition

The workshops will be held on Saturday 10 May. Free registration is available online at mvcc.vic.gov.au/EcoPhoto

Draft Urban Ecology Strategy

The photo competition coincides with the release of Council’s Draft Urban Ecology Strategy, which is open for public consultation from 1 April till 16 June.

Cr Chantry said the strategy has been developed to guide Council in enhancing the natural environment.

“We’ve noticed in our conversations with the community that there is a growing interest in putting more vegetation right across our suburbs. The emphasis is moving beyond parks, with people wanting our streets, roads, carparks and buildings to also provide greenery, shade, food and habitat,” she said.

Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Cr Shirley Cornish said it used to be considered that the inner urban areas had almost no valuable plants and animals, but now there is a stronger emphasis on maintaining and developing urban ecology.

“Our community’s connection to nature can be achieved in many ways, and applying a holistic approach to our ecological future will enhance our precincts, meeting places and residences.”

“This strategy encourages environmental eco systems that we can all enjoy, even as urbanization continues. We’d love to hear resident’s feedback and have their support as we move together towards this goal,” Cr Cornish said.

Residents can read the draft plan and provide feedback by visiting mvcc.vic.gov.au/UrbanEcology. The consultation concludes at 5pm Monday, 16 June.

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Letitia Duncan, Media and Communications Team Leader
Mobile: 0408 570 106; Email:

mvcc.vic.gov.au | 9243 8888

9 Kellaway Ave – PO Box 126 Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

/mooneevalleycc