Learn How to Live Greener and Save Money
Living more sustainably is easier with the help of Lake Macquarie City Council’s free sustainable living workshops.
Council’s Manager Sustainability, Alice Howe, said the sustainable living workshops are always popular with residents.
“These free hands-on workshops will help residents save money and help the environment,” Dr Howe said.
“Workshop topics give residents the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge on growing food, native gardening, and habitats in the backyard.”
Places are limited and bookings are essential. Book your place now by calling 4921 0333.
| Workshop | Date and Time | Location | Description |
| Backyard Gardening – Grow Your Own Food | Saturday 25 March 10am – 1pm |
Windale PCYC, Lake Street, Windale | This brief introduction to backyard gardening will cover aspects of permaculture design and garden set-out as well as propagation, and planting schedules to ensure a variety of food for your family. It may well be a start towards a resilient future for you and your family. |
| Gardening With Natives | Saturday 22 September 1pm – 3pm | Council Administration Centre, Main Road, Speers Point |
Learn how to use native plants to create a beautiful garden. Find out which natives suit your garden and how to keep them looking great! |
| Make Your Own Backyard Habitat | Saturday 20 October 1pm – 3pm |
Council Administration Centre,
Main Road, Speers Point |
Learn about the importance of backyard habitat for local native animals, and discover how to create a frog pond and possum nest box in your own backyard. |
Love Food Hate Waste
Did you know that food waste makes up nearly 30% of the average garbage bin in Lake Macquarie? When these food scraps decompose in landfill they produce harmful greenhouse gases, not to mention the money that we are throwing away.
Follow these five tips to reduce your food waste:
- Plan your meals and write a shopping list
- Measure your serving sizes correctly
- Store food correctly
- Use your leftovers creatively
- Recycle your food scraps ina compost bin or worm farm
To learn more about reducing food waste go to www.arrr.com.au/avoid
Home Composting Trial a Success
Lake Macquarie residents who took part in a home composting trial reduced their food waste by 1 kilogram a week.
The trial involved auditing bins in September 2010 and October 2011.
Council’s Manager Sustainability, Alice Howe, said before the trial about 22% of the participant’s bins was food but 12 months later, it had decreased to 12%.
“The trial was initially conducted to see if there was enough interest from residents to roll out a citywide home composting program to address the need to decrease waste to landfill, particularly food and garden waste.”
Residents learnt about composting through workshops held at a local Bunnings store.
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