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Home>Environment>Sustainable Communities Program
An exciting new green living project, The Sustainable Communities Program, has been introduced in the Mitchell and Strathbogie Shires. This innovative, workshop based education program is designed to give residents, local business and organisations the tools and confidence to take the right steps in making their communities more sustainable.
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Sustainable Communities Program
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Soil Management
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Want to make sustainable changes in your home or workplace and don’t know where to start?
A new program to promote the advantages of incorporating environmentally friendly practices into our existing lifestyles has commenced in Mitchell and Strathbogie Shires and Puckapunyal Military Area - The Sustainable Communities Program. The workshop based project is an exciting opportunity for everyone to take practical action and to reduce your ecological footprint to create a more positive future.
By introducing simple changes to your homes and workplaces, you will reap the benefits by saving money on electricity and water bills, reduce the amount of resources you use and feel positive about your actions.
At the workshops low-cost, sustainable and practical advice will be offered - from installing water saving devices, home composting, worm farming and sustainable gardening, installation of rainwater tanks, solar panels and even draught proofing doors. Many local residents are starting to build, retrofit and renovate their homes to be more sustainable. Be inspired by what your neighbours are doing by joining the Sustainable Homes Tours.
Based on the successful Sustainable Homes Program, this three year project is one of the first to be offered outside metropolitan Melbourne. Funding is through the Victorian State Government’s Sustainability Fund under the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord.
The program complements our commitment to keeping environmentally sustainable resource use at the top of community and Council agendas by helping to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, potable water consumption and landfill waste.
Project partners include:
• Resource GV
• Goulburn Valley Water
• Yarra Valley Water
• BEAM Mitchell Environment Group
• Department of Defence
With links to the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Violet Town EcoLiving Centre and the Sustainable Homes Program
Workshops
Practical workshops are being held over the next three years covering five key environmental themes;
• Energy
• Water
• Biodiversity/Sustainable Gardening
• Waste Reduction
• Sustainable Travel
Expert presenters in their field will provide you with practical information and the tools and confidence to begin implementing low-cost sustainable practices. Local residents will be able to share knowledge and advice at the workshops.
The workshops began mid 2009 and are complemented by free Sustainability Kits, self audits and surveys to help measure the changes that participants have adopted.
Subsidised compost bins and worm farms were made to available to residents in April 2009 and proved a big success. Residents will be offered this rebate again next year.
Register your Interest
To receive Sustainable Communities Program updates on the workshops, activities and advice download the Registration of Interest Form above.
Case Studies
The views expressed in each case study article reflect their respective authors and do not necessarily express the views of Mitchell Shire Council.
For SCP Case Study 1CLICK HERE
For SCP Case Study 2CLICK HERE
Are you creating a Sustainable Home? If so we would love to hear from you so that we can share your story and experiences with others. If you would are interested in being a case study, please contact Cathy Koning. See details below
For further information: Cathy Koning Sustainable Communities Coordinator
Phone 5734 6357 or email cathyk@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au
Australian Government Rebates
For the latest Australian Govenment Rebates CLICK HERE
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