Regional workshops empowering eco-communities

The Department of Environment and Conservation NSW in partnership with the Local Community Services Association (LCSA) has held a number of highly successful regional workshops on Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities across NSW in 2006.

Results of the workshops include:

• Hunter region centres will produce 2000 sustainable living starter kits for distribution to encourage water, energy and chemical reduction in the community. Energy Australia will be supporting the region with the donation of 4000 energy saving light globes.
• The South Coast region has produced 1000 starter kits to distribute at sustainable behaviour workshops. The Shoalhaven City Council will supply sink strainers, vouchers for half-price compost bins as well as butt canisters and car litter bags.
• Marrickville, Canterbury and St George regional neighbourhood centres and environmental groups have come together to promote sustainability. An artwork depicting family activities in the Valley will be produced and used on banners and postcards. Workshops on waste and energy reduction will also be held.
• At least 10 Workshops will be held across the government areas of Liverpool, Fairfield and Bankstown in Sydney's South West. Topics will include the steps needed to reduce waste, energy and chemical use through the use of environmentally smart products such as shower timers, florescent light globes and reusable shopping bags. Councils will provide resources and information.
• On the Mid North Coast workshops will be conducted to educate the community about eco-friendly ideas including information about reducing chemical use, water and energy. Information will be provided to the community on how they can be involved in environmental projects.
• The seven participating centres in the Central Coast region will be providing workshops under the guidance of a trained educator on eco-community/home sustainability practices.
• Energy Australia has also provided the Sustaining Eco-friendly Communities project with 10,000 five packs of compact florescents to distribute through the workshops.
• Each of the centres participating will complete an Environmental Management Plan.

With more workshops planned for the year, centres will be contacted over the coming weeks regarding the project.

> More information

Website:Âlivingthing.net.au