Council-first interactive program revealed for Sustainable Ipswich Month
08 October 2021
Climate change resilient plants, plastic-free homes, smart water usage, pre-loved fashion, secrets to composting and student-led environment innovations will be the talk of the city when Sustainable Ipswich Month activates community spaces and gardens next month.
Spanning 3 to 30 November with more than a dozen free and low-cost events, Mayor Teresa Harding said the all-ages program explores simple, everyday ways residents can live more sustainably.
“It is our most interactive program to date about sustainability, exploring a range of topics that can help everyone create a greener and healthier home and community,” Mayor Harding said.
“The workshops are designed as hands-on opportunities to learn about topics such as how to reduce waste in your home, how to make your own liquid fertiliser and how you can protect the environment through recycling and swapping out what’s in your wardrobe.”
Environment and Sustainability Chair Councillor Russell Milligan said the program will see local unsung enviro-heroes present and teach their own sustainability tips and tricks to those in the community wanting to take positive environmental action.
“Sustainable Ipswich Month is a way for our community to learn from each other as we progress towards a greener future,” Cr Milligan said.
“The variety of activities give residents many ways to kick-start their journey or be inspired by new and innovate ideas to reduce waste, reuse materials and help the environment.
“This month of sustainable events and workshops is one of the ways we can learn simple and easy ways to make change and promote sustainable living in everyday life, all year round.”
Kicking off the program will be the Youth Sustainability Summit for almost 200 students in Grades 4 and 5 from 15 Ipswich schools.
The forum is an opportunity for students to share sustainability projects they are currently working on and learn about protecting local wildlife, building biodiversity in their school and backyard, recycling and composting, and learning about what plants grow best in our climate.
Green thumbs will be itching to get their hands dirty after learning the secrets to great soil and composting at Healthy Soils with Kate Wall and the first-ever Sustainable Open Garden Tour ofIan Muil’s suburban garden oasis in Silkstone.
Avid gardeners can also learn about how climate change is affecting gardens and how to select plants for a successful home plot from one of Australia’s best-known horticulturists in Learning for Life with Paul Plant presented by Ipswich Libraries.
Savour Soil Permaculture will share ingenious ways to use water at home in Getting Smart about Water, and ongoing Mobile Nursery events across the city offer free plants that specifically suit the local climate and soil conditions - proudly propagated and grown in council’s production nursery.
Fashionistas can revive and refresh their wardrobes after being inspired by styling queen Emma Willman at Clothing Swap with Statement Styling, as well as grab a bargain or three at the Garage Sale Trail spanning over two big weekends.
Those late to spring cleaning can learn how reduce plastic in everyday life and top tips for living a life with less with sustainability writer Nicole Lutze and local resident Sandra Preston-Hatcher at Plastic Free at Home.
The program also includes kids bicycle workshops to help build confidence and remove their training wheels, plus a free online bike maintenance webinar for adults hosted by Bicycle Queensland.
The Ipswich community are also encouraged to share their own sustainability tips using #sustainableipswich.
For more information and to register for Sustainable Ipswich Month events, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability.
Sustainable Ipswich Month is delivered through the support of the following partners:
Ipswich Libraries, Council’s Habitat Gardens Program, Ipswich Waste Services, Ipswich Nurseries, Council’s Active Kids Program, and Garage Sale Trail.