Student environmental activists march on Port Lincoln Council chambers to have their pleas for a greener future heard

Taking to the streets with teachers in tow, these young environmental warriors are demanding a better waste management system for their regional town. Read their letters.

Junior environmental activists have marched on their city’s council chambers armed with 86 handwritten letters addressed to the chief executive demanding change.

The Port Lincoln Junior Primary School Year 2 students raised their concerns with the town’s lack of public bin facilities and green-waste systems on Monday.

The sixteen classmates met with Port Lincoln Council Deputy Mayor Jack Ritchie who praised their sustainability efforts at school and spoke about his home composting system.

Deputy Mayor Jack Ritchie, Port Lincoln Junior Primary School teacher Brooke Strange and the Year 2 students pose with their hand written letters. Picture: Micaela Stark

Students Zander and Sana read their letters highlighting the council’s green waste statistics and demanding “we need green waste bins now!”

Zander reinforced his message and passion for the project announcing to the room that the students were “not playing a game” on the Deputy Mayor.

Behind the passionate petition was an Adelaide teacher making her mark on the young students and their environmental awareness.

University of South Australia education graduate Brooke Strange, who moved to Port Lincoln last June to take up six month teaching contract but stayed after falling in love with the Eyre Peninsula town, always knew she wanted to embed sustainability into her practice.

“It means a lot for these guys to be heard – they’re very passionate,” Ms Strange said.

Students approached Deputy Mayor Ritchie armed with questions regarding waste management, recycling and composting

“It’s so important to teach sustainability to our students as issues like climate change are more relevant than ever and we will need their help to look after the planet.

“Giving them opportunities like writing to the council allows them to feel empowered about the positive change they can make in their community.”

One of 86 letters written by Port Lincoln Junior Primary School students.

A second letter addressed to the Port Lincoln Council chief executive.

Ms Strange introduced the students to sustainability through her STEM curriculum allowing them to dive deeper into the importance of looking after native Port Lincoln plants and animals.

The school has also established a recycling program which she said all of her students participate in.

“They’re so passionate about environmental issues and often take initiative and clean up the litter around the yard,” she said.

The students are concerned about the lack of public bin facilities and green-waste systems in the area.

Students Zander and Sana read their letters. Picture: Micaela Stark

“They are currently helping me to plant a school garden.”

According to the council’s 2017 kerbside waste audit 59 per cent of content in the residual waste bins was either compostable materials or garden organics.

Mr Ritchie was impressed by the students pitch which he said was “brilliantly delivered” and confirmed council have already identified opportunity to enhance the current waste system in its planning.

“This will certainly be something considered based on the young peoples appeal and within the open space strategy and the annual business plans and can be used as further information that will feed into the Waste Management Review and Strategy that council be creating before the end of the financial year,” he said.

Mr Ritchie went on to raise the students concerns and mentioned their letters to Mayor Brad Flaherty at Monday night’s council meeting.