New GreenHome program for Ballarat

January 29, 2008

The city of Ballarat (Australia) is bringing GreenHome to Ballarat residents.

The GreenHome program helps Australian households make eco-friendly lifestyle choices. The program offers prizes and giveaways, expert guest speakers and simple tips to green up homes, suggestions that often result in financial savings.

The city is working with the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), who developed the award-winning program, and BREAZE, which stands for Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions.

There will be four workshops held, the first covering practical information on saving water (particularly how to utilize greywater and rainwater tanks) as well as chemical-free cleaning. Participants will have the chance to win a greywater system and everyone will receive free shower timers and a GreenHome Guidebook. Other great prizes and giveaways will feature throughout the series.

The focus of the other workshops will be Water Savings and Green Cleaning, Energy Savings at Home, Waste Avoidance and Green Shopping, and Food, Veggie Gardens and Native Gardens. At all the workshops, a light organic meal is served.

For more information on the GreenHomes program, please go to www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/A_new_GreenHome_program_for_Ballarat_Help_the_Environment_at_home/indexdl_5083.aspx.

Energy efficiency programs offer one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A large share of fossil fuel use is dedicated to providing the electricity that powers almost all aspects of daily lives. Globally, 75 percent of all energy is consumed in cities. For strategies to reduce energy use at the local government, community and industrial level, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Ballarat is one of 109 local governments in Australia that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the Oceania Region, please go to www.iclei.org/oceania.

Source: Ballarat website at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au.