We hope that as you browse our site, you'll find useful information and web links that inspireyou to take positive steps to green your home, workplace and life. Geelong's historical reliance on heavy manufacturing means that our economy and communities are facing a challenging transition as we adapt to the impacts of climate change and a low carbon future.
Geelong Sustainability Group aims to support and encourage residents and local organisations to make this transition. We want Geelong to be more resilient, more innovative, more connected - more sustainable!
Many talented and skilled people have joined our network. Our membership includes parents, educators, gardeners, artists, social workers, builders, architects, business people, designers, local government employees, scientists, health professionals etc.
Thanks to all those who made the Permablitz at Monica Winston's house on Sunday 5 May a productive community event. Thanks also to the sixty or so who made our first ever Geelong Sustainability Drinks such a success. Read about all these and more in our blog.
Our next event will be the June Geelong Sustainability Drinks at Beav's Bar (details to be announced very soon).
It's great to be connected! It's even better to be involved!
Current initiatives
1. Living Greener Community Courses
Geelong Sustainability Group has received a grant from Future Proofing Geelong to develop and deliver two Living Greener courses over the coming months. These courses will provide participants with knowledge and practical skills to enable them to assess their carbon footprint and to evaluate options for making their home more sustainable.
Course 1: The getting started Living Greener course will focus on helping people to begin the journey to a lower carbon future. It will mainly focus on saving energy (and money) at home, understanding electricity bills and assessing the energy efficiency of household appliances. It will be delivered in 4 x 2.5 hour sessions. Cost $20
Course 2: The Green Your Home course will cater for people who are looking to retrofit their home and will focus on building structure/design and major fittings. It will be a practical course delivered in 6 x 2.5 hour sessions. Cost $30 ($15 for health care card holders)
So whether you’re just getting started on your living greener journey or ready to get serious, GSG has a course for you. They’ll guide you on how to cut your power bills, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, and live more comfortably in your home.
Refer to the Events section for more information or download the brochure.
2. Reclaim Victoria's Environment Campaign
Geelong Sustainability Group is co-operating with Environment Victoria to help obtain signatures for their Reclaim Victoria's Environment petition. The petition puts pressure on the Victorian Government to change some of its environmental policies / actions, such as :
- walking away from a commitment to close Hazelwood, Australia's dirtiest power station
- getting rid of target 155 for water consumption
- passing laws that make it harder to find a location for a wind farm than a coal fired power station.
- slashing the feed-in tariff for household solar power
The next petition signing will be at Queenscliffe Market on Sunday 26 May from 9-11am. If you are interested in helping then contact Dave Campbell, president of GSG Committee.
To read about how the latest Victorian Budget further marginalises the information click to go to our Victorian campaigns page.
3. Community Directory of Sustainability Groups
Geelong Sustainability Group has received a second grant recently from Future Proofing Geelong to prepare a Community Directory of sustainability resources in the Greater Geelong region. The project is currently checking the accuracy of the initial data collection and preparing data for a brochure. The directory will include: sustainability groups, community gardens, community markets, groups campaigning on specific issues, community education programs, vocational training courses, food swaps, permaculture sites, transition towns and other relevant resources such as publications, websites, producers and services.
GSG is collaborating on this project with Transition South Barwon who will take our research data and build an interactive website - Let's Connect which will allow groups to update their details and activities.
Sustainable House Day
2013 Sustainable House Day is on Sunday 8th Sept from 10am - 4pm
If you would like to open your home this year, please contact Vicki by 17 May
For several years now Geelong Sustainability Group has been hosting Sustainable House Day in September for the Geelong region. The event has been growing each year.
- In 2011 there were an estimated 1,450 visits to seven homes
- In 2012, there were an estimated 2,500 visits to nine homes
Each year we aim to showcase both new and retrofitted homes. Contact our SHD Coordinator if you are interested in opening your home for SHD2013. For more information go to the Sustainable House Day section.
Put a note in your diary or calendar now!
