Sustainability Street: Clovelly

Clovelly Child Care Centre is the first community group in Sydney’s East to become a ‘Sustainability Street’ as part of a community based environmental education initiative supported by Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Council’s under the 3-Council Ecological Footprint Program.

The ‘Sustainability Street’ street sign was recently unveiled (on the corner of Brandon and Arden Sts in Clovelly) by the Deputy Mayor of Randwick Robert Belleli and parents and staff from the Clovelly Child Care Centre.

"It’s heartening to see that the Centre’s passion for the environment has been taken up by the parents”, said the Deputy Mayor, “the whole premise behind Sustainability Street is about getting the local community involved and passing the environmental message on to your families, neighbours and friends.

Maria Pender, Director of Clovelly Child Care Centre sees the ‘Sustainability Street’ initiative as an opportunity to share the Centre’s strong track record in sustainability practices and future plans with the wider community.

“Clovelly Child Care Centre has taken some practical steps of our own in waste, water and energy reduction and we want to share those with the wider community in a way that builds the bonds in our community,” said Maria.

Sustainability Street: Waverley Park

The first meeting of a newly forming group surrounding Waverley Park was held on Saturday 28th November, 2009. On the day, a dozen interested residents from Bondi Beach to Bondi Junction responded to an open invitation from locals Chloe Evans and Sarah Van Erp.

A Sustainability Street Village is totally defined by and then thrives according to its participants. The idea of the ‘Street’ is just a metaphor for as far as you’re willing to walk to talk to someone about your worms.. your veggies.. your insulation!

Following on from this initial success the Waverley Park group will next meet after the Christmas break in early February. 2010. If you’re keen to make contact and get involved in this group or to start your own please use the contact details below.

Sustainability Street: Phillip Bay

On one hand, the Sustainability Street Approach is “basic training” in sustainable living around the home and your neighbourhood … on the other hand - and this is the key - it can become whatever “the imagination and energy” of a local community cares to dream up and achieve.

Residents in Phillip Bay led by Greg Olsen and his neighbours will also begin their Sustainability Street Village in early 2010 with at least four households interested in sustainability issues including sharing a common veggie garden and cook pen.

If you’re interested to find out more or to make contact and get involved in this group please use the contact details below.

What is Sustainability Street?

Sustainability Street puts the idea of thinking global while acting local into practice, bringing friends and neighbours together to learn how to reduce household waste, water and energy use as well as work on local sustainability projects.

Devised by environmental educators Vox Bandicoot, this program provides a practical way of making a real difference in thinking and acting for a sustainable future.

Sustainability Street Approach can apply to your street setting, a school a community group, sporting club, or a bunch of your neighbours or friends.

Get Involved

To register your interest in starting your own Sustainability Street in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs, contact 3-Council Ecological Footprint Project Officer, Richard Wilson, info@reduceyourfootprint.com.au or telephone (02) 9399 0628.

This is a 3-Council Ecological Footprint Project with residents living in the local government areas of Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra eligible to apply. The 3-Council Ecological Footprint project is assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

For more information on the Sustainability Street approach visit www.sustainabilitystreet.org.au

For more on community based sustainability read our 'Community' actions.