Read full articles here

  • CEC is now a CDS Donation Partner

    What does that mean ?

    Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) increases the recycling of drink cans, bottles and cartons and reduces Victoria’s litter by offering a 10cent refund for returning drink containers for recycling.

    The 10cent refund can be recieved in cash at some over the counter refund spots, vouchers for participating stores, Electronically tranferred to your bank account or donated.

    There are four types of refund points Over the Counter (OTC), Reverse Vending Machines (RVM), Depots and Pop Ups.

    As a Donation Partner Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) can now recieve donations from this program.

    How to return containers for refund

    • Collect eligible containers (Look for the 10cent refund on packaging)
    • Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible (leave lids on and do not crush)
    • Visit your local refund point to return your containers some popular points in Cardinia Shire are: SES Emerald(OTC), Cardinia Club(RVM), CDS Depot 100 Bald Hill Rd Pakenham, Koo Wee Rup Cnr Rossiter Rd and Station St(RVM), Club Officer(RVM), Mc Bride Street Cockatoo(RVM) for a full list of retun locations visit https://cdsvic.org.au/locations
    • Download the app from Apple Store or Google Play Store for electronic payments and donations

    More information on the scheme can be found here https://cdsvic.org.au/

    How to donate your refund to Cardinia Environment Coalition

    We will greatly appreciate any donations made through this program which we will use to provide more environmental education and awareness to the community.

    To donate your refund to CEC either look up Cardinia Environment Coalition in the Dropdown box for donation partners on the app, enter our Zone ID: C2000055770, scan the Barcode below or add to your Apple or Google Wallet

  • April 2025 Newsletter
    April 25Download
  • Weed Watch: Rubus species aka Blackberries

    There are many species of Rubus that can be invasive the most common and present in our local area are the European Blackberry: Rubus fruiticosus ssp aggregate

    The Blackberry is a large woody shrub that is incredibly invasive and spreads quickly, the fruit is a popular meal for birds, foxes and other mammals which means the seeds are dispersed widely there can be up to 80 seeds in one blackberry so it is important to remove plants before they fruit.

    Methods of removal are Digging out, spraying with herbicide or cutting back to main stem as close to the ground as possible and then painting with herbicide.

    Botanic Name: Rubus fruiticosus ssp aggregate

    Common Name: Blackberry or European Blackberry

    Origin: Europe

    Flower Colour: White

    Flowers: November – March

    Photo Credit: Linda Sijpkes

    Indigenous Lookalike:

    Sometimes mistaken for Blackberry the Native Raspberry, Rubus parvifolius grows widely around the local area a distinct difference is the pink sometimes red flowers, the Native Raspberry also has a smaller leaf than the Invasive Blackberry.

    Also sometimes referred to as Small leaf bramble, Rubus parvifolius grows aprox 0.6-2mH x 0.5-3mW and prefers well drained soil in a semi to fully shaded position

    Botanic Name: Rubus parvifolius

    Common Name: Small leaf Bramble, Native Raspberry

    Origin: Australia

    Flower Colour: Pink to Red

    Flowers: October - February

    Photo Credit: Linda Sijpkes

  • March 2025 Newsletter
    March 25Download
  • Weed Watch: Agapanthus praecox

    Agapanthus praecox aka African Lily is an incredibly invasive plants that invades bushland, gardens and roadsides competing with our indigenous orchids, grasses, lilies and groundcovers.

    Agapanthus is a herbaceous perennial that grows from a rhizome, the stems have between 20-40 flowers each and each of these flowers can contain up to 100 seeds

    The best method of removal is to remove the entire plant by hand by digging up and ensuring all the roots are removed, however these plants are often in very large clumps that are difficult to handle.

    If you are unable to remove them it is important to remove the flower heads before they seed, Agapanthus usually flower between November and February

    Another undesirable feature of the Agapanthus is that is can attract an abundance of snails and slugs to your garden

    Botanic Name: Agapanthus praecox

    Common Name: African Lily, Lily of the Nile

    Origin: South Africa

    Flowers: November - February

    Photo Credit: Linda Sijpkes

    Some good Indigenous alternatives to Agapanthus are:

    Botanic Name: Dianella tasmanica

    Common Name: Tasman Flax Lily

    Origin: Australian Native

    Plant Family: Asphodelaceae

    Flowers: August - February

    Indigenous plant that grows 0.6-1.5 m H x 0.5-2 m W, Likes moist soil, semi shade to full sun, great food for caterpillars and birds, also good for frog habitat

    Photo Credit: Yarra Ranges Shire website

    Botanic Name: Lomandra longifolia

    Common Name: Spiny Headed Mat Rush

    Origin: Australian Native

    Plant Family: Asparagaceae

    Flowers: September - February

    Indigenous plant that grows 0.5-1 m H x 0.5-1.2 m W , scented yellow flowers, food for caterpillars and birds, nectar for butterflies and habitat for frogs, prefers well drained soil in a full sun part shade position.

    Photo Credit: Vic Flora website

    •