Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — June 2026 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — June 2026 |
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We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and waters we now call Darebin. We affirm that Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have lived on this land for millennia, practising their customs and ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and future leaders. We pay respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Darebin. |
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and waters we now call Darebin. We affirm that Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have lived on this land for millennia, practising their customs and ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and future leaders. We pay respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Darebin. |
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| Darebin takes the lead in the City Nature Challenge, congratulations to all participants! We celebrated a successful City Nature Challenge, a global effort to document nature in our cities using iNaturalist. Represented by 30 councils, Greater Melbourne was one of 754 cities participating across 61 countries. In Darebin, more than 80 people joined in, making us the council with the most observations and number of species recorded… a win for our biodiversity! Worldwide, over 106k participants used iNaturalist to record +3 million observations of plants, animals, and fungi! Let’s all join as citizen scientists and keep documenting and protecting nature in Darebin together! |
Darebin takes the lead in the City Nature Challenge, congratulations to all participants! We celebrated a successful City Nature Challenge, a global effort to document nature in our cities using iNaturalist. Represented by 30 councils, Greater Melbourne was one of 754 cities participating across 61 countries. In Darebin, more than 80 people joined in, making us the council with the most observations and number of species recorded… a win for our biodiversity! Worldwide, over 106k participants used iNaturalist to record +3 million observations of plants, animals, and fungi! Let’s all join as citizen scientists and keep documenting and protecting nature in Darebin together! |
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| Screen Future Council at your school
Future Council is an uplifting documentary that follows eight kids on an epic road trip to show global leaders how to save the planet. We are offering Darebin primary schools one of 10 free licenses to screen this film during Term 2 or 3. It’s a 1-hour 21-minute dose of inspiration, complete with free, curriculum-aligned learning resources. By booking a screening your school could win a $250 sustainability voucher for CERES or Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary Nursery - perfect for things like plants, seeds, or compost bins for your school.Check whether your school is participating today! They just need to by Friday 12 June. |
Screen Future Council at your school
Future Council is an uplifting documentary that follows eight kids on an epic road trip to show global leaders how to save the planet. We are offering Darebin primary schools one of 10 free licenses to screen this film during Term 2 or 3. It’s a 1-hour 21-minute dose of inspiration, complete with free, curriculum-aligned learning resources. By booking a screening your school could win a $250 sustainability voucher for CERES or Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary Nursery - perfect for things like plants, seeds, or compost bins for your school.Check whether your school is participating today! They just need to by Friday 12 June. |
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| Helping improve food waste recycling: an innovative trial A new trial to boost food‑waste recycling launched in May, with 500 households to receive locally made, 100% recycled and food waste processor‑approved paper liners. This place‑based approach blends local manufacturing, behaviour change and service design to test a scalable model for improving food‑waste recovery. Food waste still makes up around 40% of general waste, making kitchen‑level separation critical to achieving higher landfill diversion. Running over two-three months, the trial will be followed by a post‑audit to assess impact and inform future service design. |
Helping improve food waste recycling: an innovative trial A new trial to boost food‑waste recycling launched in May, with 500 households to receive locally made, 100% recycled and food waste processor‑approved paper liners. This place‑based approach blends local manufacturing, behaviour change and service design to test a scalable model for improving food‑waste recovery. Food waste still makes up around 40% of general waste, making kitchen‑level separation critical to achieving higher landfill diversion. Running over two-three months, the trial will be followed by a post‑audit to assess impact and inform future service design. |
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| Soak up savings this winter with Darebin Energy Upgrades
Ready to pull the plug on your old hot water system? The Darebin Energy Upgrades Program has made it easier, with free expert advice and access to quality products with a reliable installer. Hot water is one of the biggest costs when it comes to winter bills, and switching from gas to an efficient electric hot water system can save you around $400 a year on energy bills. Visit Darebin Energy Upgrades today to register for a free, no obligation quote on efficient hot water heat pumps – and check if you’re eligible for limited council rebates. |
Soak up savings this winter with Darebin Energy Upgrades
Ready to pull the plug on your old hot water system? The Darebin Energy Upgrades Program has made it easier, with free expert advice and access to quality products with a reliable installer. Hot water is one of the biggest costs when it comes to winter bills, and switching from gas to an efficient electric hot water system can save you around $400 a year on energy bills. Visit Darebin Energy Upgrades today to register for a free, no obligation quote on efficient hot water heat pumps – and check if you’re eligible for limited council rebates. |
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| Ready to plug in and go electric on the road? La Trobe University has already made the switch to EVs and is showing what a cleaner, smarter future can look like. Watch this short video to learn about their transition to electric vehicles and their offering of free charging for all. To find other locations in Darebin where you can charge your electric car visit Charge your electric car City of Darebin |
Ready to plug in and go electric on the road? La Trobe University has already made the switch to EVs and is showing what a cleaner, smarter future can look like. Watch this short video to learn about their transition to electric vehicles and their offering of free charging for all. To find other locations in Darebin where you can charge your electric car visit Charge your electric car City of Darebin |
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| Council launches new LGBTIQA+ Action Plan We’re proud to launch our LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, delivering on Council’s commitment to create a safer and more welcoming Darebin for LGBTIQA+ community members. Endorsed by Council on 24 March 2026, the plan is built directly from the stories, experiences and ideas shared by local LGBTIQA+ communities. The Plan aims to reduce discrimination, address inequalities and make Darebin a more inclusive place for LGBTIQA+ people, focussing on Council services and programs, as well as supporting community-led initiatives and groups. We heard from almost 300 community members who shared their thoughts and ideas about how Darebin services, programs and facilities could be more accessible for LGBTIQA+ communities. Darebin previously had a Sexuality, Sex and Gender Diversity Action Plan which expired in 2017. The LGBTIQA+ Action Plan will build on the previous action plan and will continue supporting Council in this area. |
Council launches new LGBTIQA+ Action Plan We’re proud to launch our LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, delivering on Council’s commitment to create a safer and more welcoming Darebin for LGBTIQA+ community members. Endorsed by Council on 24 March 2026, the plan is built directly from the stories, experiences and ideas shared by local LGBTIQA+ communities. The Plan aims to reduce discrimination, address inequalities and make Darebin a more inclusive place for LGBTIQA+ people, focussing on Council services and programs, as well as supporting community-led initiatives and groups. We heard from almost 300 community members who shared their thoughts and ideas about how Darebin services, programs and facilities could be more accessible for LGBTIQA+ communities. Darebin previously had a Sexuality, Sex and Gender Diversity Action Plan which expired in 2017. The LGBTIQA+ Action Plan will build on the previous action plan and will continue supporting Council in this area. |
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Workshops, Courses and Events |
Workshops, Courses and Events |
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| Reduce your energy bills - electrify your home and life |
Reduce your energy bills - electrify your home and life |
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| Creating Frog Habitat Workshop Celebrate World Environment Day with this family-friendly workshop (ages 8+) exploring frog habitat. Learn what creates ideal conditions for local frogs and how to incorporate these elements at home or in conservation spaces. Local ecologist David De Angelis will guide a virtual tour of quality habitats, covering key features, local species identification, and landscaping with indigenous plants to support thriving frog populations. When: 6-8 PM, Thursday 4 June Where: Keon Park Children's Hub |
Creating Frog Habitat Workshop Celebrate World Environment Day with this family-friendly workshop (ages 8+) exploring frog habitat. Learn what creates ideal conditions for local frogs and how to incorporate these elements at home or in conservation spaces. Local ecologist David De Angelis will guide a virtual tour of quality habitats, covering key features, local species identification, and landscaping with indigenous plants to support thriving frog populations. When: 6-8 PM, Thursday 4 June Where: Keon Park Children's Hub |
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| Nature drawing workshop for World Environment Day Join this friendly and inclusive nature drawing workshop as part of World Environment Day. We invite you to explore plant drawing in a supportive space and to meet the living species of Cherry Street Grassland Reserve. Drawing invites us to observe nature in a mindful way, helping us notice what’s really there, and to form more intimate connections with our surroundings. Plus, drawing is a fun way to connect with others! - All drawing materials provided
- No experience needed!
Tickets are limited, so book early to secure your spot: When: 10 AM - 12.30 PM, Sunday 7 June Where: Cherry Street Grassland Reserve |
Nature drawing workshop for World Environment Day Join this friendly and inclusive nature drawing workshop as part of World Environment Day. We invite you to explore plant drawing in a supportive space and to meet the living species of Cherry Street Grassland Reserve. Drawing invites us to observe nature in a mindful way, helping us notice what’s really there, and to form more intimate connections with our surroundings. Plus, drawing is a fun way to connect with others! - All drawing materials provided
- No experience needed!
Tickets are limited, so book early to secure your spot: When: 10 AM - 12.30 PM, Sunday 7 June Where: Cherry Street Grassland Reserve |
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| Free bike checks at Preston Market Feeling the pinch at the pump? We’ve got you covered! We’re partnering with Dr Crankys to bring a special one-off free bike check event to Preston Market, supporting people who live, work or study in Darebin during the fuel crisis. Join us on Sunday 14 June for a 20-minute bike safety check, including brakes, tyres, chain and wheels. Minor adjustments will be made on the spot, with tyres pumped and chains oiled, plus helpful advice on any additional work your bike may need. E-bikes are welcome (no electrical checks), and bookings are essential as places are limited. When: Sunday 14 June Where: Preston Market |
Free bike checks at Preston Market Feeling the pinch at the pump? We’ve got you covered! We’re partnering with Dr Crankys to bring a special one-off free bike check event to Preston Market, supporting people who live, work or study in Darebin during the fuel crisis. Join us on Sunday 14 June for a 20-minute bike safety check, including brakes, tyres, chain and wheels. Minor adjustments will be made on the spot, with tyres pumped and chains oiled, plus helpful advice on any additional work your bike may need. E-bikes are welcome (no electrical checks), and bookings are essential as places are limited. When: Sunday 14 June Where: Preston Market |
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| Calling all nature and craft lovers! Come chill at The Hub these winter holidays for a relaxed movie + craft session with other young people aged 12–25! We’ll watch a nature film - as voted for by YOU - eat free food, and get creative with a vision board of ideas for climate action. Bring your friends, get crafty, eat snacks, and dream up a greener future together. When : 3 - 5 PM, Friday 3 July Time: 3pm - 5pm Who: Young people aged 12-25 Cost: FREE! Registration required Materials and light lunch provided! All skill levels encouraged! |
Calling all nature and craft lovers! Come chill at The Hub these winter holidays for a relaxed movie + craft session with other young people aged 12–25! We’ll watch a nature film - as voted for by YOU - eat free food, and get creative with a vision board of ideas for climate action. Bring your friends, get crafty, eat snacks, and dream up a greener future together. When : 3 - 5 PM, Friday 3 July Time: 3pm - 5pm Who: Young people aged 12-25 Cost: FREE! Registration required Materials and light lunch provided! All skill levels encouraged! |
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| Registrations are now open for the 2026 Habitat Conservation and Management Course! For over 40 years, this course has been informing, inspiring and connecting Melbourne’s conservation and land management community. Participants will learn about key ecosystem features including plants, soil, fungi and fire, and then explore techniques for habitat improvement. This course is hosted by Darebin Creek Management Committee and is for everyone, from new conservation volunteers, to experienced land management practitioners looking to refresh and extend their knowledge and networks. Course dates: August 5 to November 25, 2026 (16 Wednesday evening classes and 9 Saturday field trips) |
Registrations are now open for the 2026 Habitat Conservation and Management Course! For over 40 years, this course has been informing, inspiring and connecting Melbourne’s conservation and land management community. Participants will learn about key ecosystem features including plants, soil, fungi and fire, and then explore techniques for habitat improvement. This course is hosted by Darebin Creek Management Committee and is for everyone, from new conservation volunteers, to experienced land management practitioners looking to refresh and extend their knowledge and networks. Course dates: August 5 to November 25, 2026 (16 Wednesday evening classes and 9 Saturday field trips) |
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Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
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