Welcome to Sustainable Darebin - August 2026 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin - August 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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| Community grants now open Our 2026 Community Grants Program is now open, offering grants of up to $10,000 for local groups and organisations delivering projects that benefit our Darebin community. This year, we’ve refreshed the program to make it clearer and simpler to apply. There is a category for climate leadership & response and we are looking for projects that focus on : - Community climate action and advocacy projects
- Urban greening, biodiversity protection, nature connection, and water-sensitive initiatives
- Climate resilience planning for vulnerable communities
- Repair, reuse, and circular economy initiatives
- Education programs supporting behavior change and climate literacy
If you know of, or work with, local organisations and groups making a difference in Darebin, encourage them to submit an application - and bring their ideas to life! Grant guidelines and application information can be found on our website or email darebingrants@darebin.vic.gov.au |
Community grants now open Our 2026 Community Grants Program is now open, offering grants of up to $10,000 for local groups and organisations delivering projects that benefit our Darebin community. This year, we’ve refreshed the program to make it clearer and simpler to apply. There is a category for climate leadership & response and we are looking for projects that focus on : - Community climate action and advocacy projects
- Urban greening, biodiversity protection, nature connection, and water-sensitive initiatives
- Climate resilience planning for vulnerable communities
- Repair, reuse, and circular economy initiatives
- Education programs supporting behavior change and climate literacy
If you know of, or work with, local organisations and groups making a difference in Darebin, encourage them to submit an application - and bring their ideas to life! Grant guidelines and application information can be found on our website or email darebingrants@darebin.vic.gov.au |
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| Kitchen caddies available at libraries Food waste still makes up around 40% of Darebin’s general waste, driving landfill costs and methane emissions. Keeping food scraps out of landfill is one of the most effective ways residents can take climate action. Food waste in landfill produces methane, a toxic greenhouse gas, whereas in your Council FOGO bin it is turned into compost. All households with a FOGO bin can collect a free kitchen caddy. Council has expanded pick‑up points to Reservoir Library, Northcote Library, Preston Library and Preston Customer Service Centre. Grab your caddy and start your food waste recycling journey today. |
Kitchen caddies available at libraries Food waste still makes up around 40% of Darebin’s general waste, driving landfill costs and methane emissions. Keeping food scraps out of landfill is one of the most effective ways residents can take climate action. Food waste in landfill produces methane, a toxic greenhouse gas, whereas in your Council FOGO bin it is turned into compost. All households with a FOGO bin can collect a free kitchen caddy. Council has expanded pick‑up points to Reservoir Library, Northcote Library, Preston Library and Preston Customer Service Centre. Grab your caddy and start your food waste recycling journey today. |
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| Introducing Lara and Luna – Darebin’s energy efficiency adventurers
We’ve been working with local artist Candela Alconada on a new comic series to help spread the message on home energy efficiency and electrification across Darebin.
Follow Lara and Luna’s adventures as they learn about energy efficiency in the Darebin community – for a copy of the comic head to your local Darebin library. |
Introducing Lara and Luna – Darebin’s energy efficiency adventurers
We’ve been working with local artist Candela Alconada on a new comic series to help spread the message on home energy efficiency and electrification across Darebin.
Follow Lara and Luna’s adventures as they learn about energy efficiency in the Darebin community – for a copy of the comic head to your local Darebin library. |
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| Applications now open! Bundoora Homestead Art Centre is seeking proposals for exhibitions between June 2027 and March 2028. Artists and curators are invited to submit ideas for group and solo exhibitions, or creative projects suitable for presentation in the galleries of Bundoora Homestead Art Centre. Applications close 20 August. |
Applications now open! Bundoora Homestead Art Centre is seeking proposals for exhibitions between June 2027 and March 2028. Artists and curators are invited to submit ideas for group and solo exhibitions, or creative projects suitable for presentation in the galleries of Bundoora Homestead Art Centre. Applications close 20 August. |
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| Wurundjeri week celebration Celebrate Wurundjeri week with Aboriginal educator Thane Garvey-Gannaway as he shares his knowledge of Country. When: 6:30-7:30 PM, Tuesday 4 August Where: Reservoir Library |
Wurundjeri week celebration Celebrate Wurundjeri week with Aboriginal educator Thane Garvey-Gannaway as he shares his knowledge of Country. When: 6:30-7:30 PM, Tuesday 4 August Where: Reservoir Library |
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| Insulation & draught proofing made easy — save money & stay warm! Learn how insulation and draught proofing can help keep your home comfortable and cut energy bills. Whether you're retrofitting, renovating, or just wanting a cosier home, you’ll get practical guidance from experts from the Yarra Energy Foundation. You will also hear about the Darebin Energy Upgrades program, offering Council rebates of up to $3,500 for owner occupiers and rental properties— including insulation, draught proofing, split systems, hot water heat pumps and solar PV. When: 6-7:30 PM, Thursday 13 August Where: Preston Library |
Insulation & draught proofing made easy — save money & stay warm! Learn how insulation and draught proofing can help keep your home comfortable and cut energy bills. Whether you're retrofitting, renovating, or just wanting a cosier home, you’ll get practical guidance from experts from the Yarra Energy Foundation. You will also hear about the Darebin Energy Upgrades program, offering Council rebates of up to $3,500 for owner occupiers and rental properties— including insulation, draught proofing, split systems, hot water heat pumps and solar PV. When: 6-7:30 PM, Thursday 13 August Where: Preston Library |
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| Detox Your Home - Reservoir drop-off day
Detox You Home is back, and it's the perfect chance time to clear out unwanted household chemicals from your sheds, cupboards and under the sink. This free event accepts items that can’t go in your household bins like weed killers, cleaning products, old cooking oil, cosmetics and other unwanted household chemicals. To learn how to prepare for the drop-off day, what to expect on the day and which items are accepted, visit Detox Your Home, a statewide program to help keep harmful waste out of landfill and protect our environment. When : 9 AM - 3 PM, Saturday 29 August Where : Darebin Operations Centre, 15 Carawa Drive, Reservoir VIC 3073 |
Detox Your Home - Reservoir drop-off day
Detox You Home is back, and it's the perfect chance time to clear out unwanted household chemicals from your sheds, cupboards and under the sink. This free event accepts items that can’t go in your household bins like weed killers, cleaning products, old cooking oil, cosmetics and other unwanted household chemicals. To learn how to prepare for the drop-off day, what to expect on the day and which items are accepted, visit Detox Your Home, a statewide program to help keep harmful waste out of landfill and protect our environment. When : 9 AM - 3 PM, Saturday 29 August Where : Darebin Operations Centre, 15 Carawa Drive, Reservoir VIC 3073 |
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| Guling orchid season (August) Cold weather is coming to an end. Guling (orchids) are flowering. Ae-noke (caterpillars) of the Common Brown Butterfly feed on grasses at night. Muyan (Silver Wattles) are flowering. Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males perform the last of their courtship displays. Source - Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar - Bunjilaka. |
Guling orchid season (August) Cold weather is coming to an end. Guling (orchids) are flowering. Ae-noke (caterpillars) of the Common Brown Butterfly feed on grasses at night. Muyan (Silver Wattles) are flowering. Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males perform the last of their courtship displays. Source - Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar - Bunjilaka. |
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| Food swaps
Do you have excess produce from your garden? Join the monthly food swaps to share seeds, seedlings, fruits, vegetables, herbs, jam, kombucha, kefir and eggs. It is also an excellent opportunity to learn, meet and share your garden wisdom and experiences with your neighbours and other garden oriented people in your local area. To find your nearest food swap, visit Transition Darebin. |
Food swaps
Do you have excess produce from your garden? Join the monthly food swaps to share seeds, seedlings, fruits, vegetables, herbs, jam, kombucha, kefir and eggs. It is also an excellent opportunity to learn, meet and share your garden wisdom and experiences with your neighbours and other garden oriented people in your local area. To find your nearest food swap, visit Transition Darebin. |
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| Got lots of lemons? It's citrus season and we know people who would love your extra lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins and grapefruit. The Darebin Fruit Squad has teams who can help you pick your fruit or pick it up from your front door. You can also drop it off at the DIVRS office in Preston. They will share it with locals experiencing food insecurity. To schedule a visit from the Squad or to drop off fruit, email fruitsquad@divrs.org.au or register on their website. |
Got lots of lemons? It's citrus season and we know people who would love your extra lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins and grapefruit. The Darebin Fruit Squad has teams who can help you pick your fruit or pick it up from your front door. You can also drop it off at the DIVRS office in Preston. They will share it with locals experiencing food insecurity. To schedule a visit from the Squad or to drop off fruit, email fruitsquad@divrs.org.au or register on their website. |
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Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
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