Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — February 2026 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — February 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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| Upgrade your home or business Our new Darebin Energy Upgrades program is here! We’re taking the hard work out of creating an efficient, electric home or business by connecting you to quality products, at a competitive price, and with a reliable installer.
Council rebates of up to $3500 are available for eligible participants. Want to hear from our delivery partner Yarra Energy Foundation and installers Enviroflex and All Electric Homes? Come to our event at Reservoir Library on Tuesday 24 February. |
Upgrade your home or business Our new Darebin Energy Upgrades program is here! We’re taking the hard work out of creating an efficient, electric home or business by connecting you to quality products, at a competitive price, and with a reliable installer.
Council rebates of up to $3500 are available for eligible participants. Want to hear from our delivery partner Yarra Energy Foundation and installers Enviroflex and All Electric Homes? Come to our event at Reservoir Library on Tuesday 24 February. |
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| Try an e-bike or e-scooter Safety and accessibility are at the heart of our new trial of shared Lime e-scooters and e-bikes in Northcote, Fairfield and Alphington which started last week. Additional safety features are built into the e-scooters and e-bikes to detect and deter footpath riding, and to slow them to walking pace in busy areas. During the trial we’ll keep track of how community members use the e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as feedback on any issues. Council will consider this information at the end of the six-month trial. |
Try an e-bike or e-scooter Safety and accessibility are at the heart of our new trial of shared Lime e-scooters and e-bikes in Northcote, Fairfield and Alphington which started last week. Additional safety features are built into the e-scooters and e-bikes to detect and deter footpath riding, and to slow them to walking pace in busy areas. During the trial we’ll keep track of how community members use the e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as feedback on any issues. Council will consider this information at the end of the six-month trial. |
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| Open your home for Sustainable House Day Do you have a sustainable home that you would be happy to open and share with others? Sustainable House Day on Sunday 17 May 2026 gives people the opportunity to visit local homes that are more energy efficient, affordable to run and climate-ready. It is a great way to help inspire others to take the next step in their own sustainable house journey. Register now to welcome visitors in person, or share your story online. Your experience can help someone take their next step. |
Open your home for Sustainable House Day Do you have a sustainable home that you would be happy to open and share with others? Sustainable House Day on Sunday 17 May 2026 gives people the opportunity to visit local homes that are more energy efficient, affordable to run and climate-ready. It is a great way to help inspire others to take the next step in their own sustainable house journey. Register now to welcome visitors in person, or share your story online. Your experience can help someone take their next step. |
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| SPAN’s new street library Span Community House is thrilled to unveil their brand-new Street Library - a bright, book-filled treasure box for the whole neighbourhood! Wander by, open the little door, and discover something new to read, or trade one of your favourites. Kids’ books, teen fiction, mysteries, cookbooks - stock up for the Summer and know you're doing the planet a favour as books are rehomed. |
SPAN’s new street library Span Community House is thrilled to unveil their brand-new Street Library - a bright, book-filled treasure box for the whole neighbourhood! Wander by, open the little door, and discover something new to read, or trade one of your favourites. Kids’ books, teen fiction, mysteries, cookbooks - stock up for the Summer and know you're doing the planet a favour as books are rehomed. |
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| Find a better energy deal Worried about the cost of cooling this summer? Get free help through the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program to: - Find a better energy deal
- Apply energy concessions.
- Concession card holders can get 17.5% off electricity bills
- Access energy debt relief
- Get advice on saving energy and money around the home
The Energy Assistance program helped Darebin locals collectively save over $94,000 last year. Call 1800 161 215 to be connected to Energy Assistance Program delivery partner Anglicare Victoria. |
Find a better energy deal Worried about the cost of cooling this summer? Get free help through the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program to: - Find a better energy deal
- Apply energy concessions.
- Concession card holders can get 17.5% off electricity bills
- Access energy debt relief
- Get advice on saving energy and money around the home
The Energy Assistance program helped Darebin locals collectively save over $94,000 last year. Call 1800 161 215 to be connected to Energy Assistance Program delivery partner Anglicare Victoria. |
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| Moving to electric vehicles Electric vehicles are a cleaner and quieter way to get around Darebin. If you have a local business, they can save your business money on running costs including maintenance. Local business Your Community Health has transitioned 100% of their fleet to electric, including a community bus. You can find out more on our web page and watch a short video about Your Community Health. Looking for an EV charging station near you? Darebin has partnered with Evie and Jolt to install public EV charging stations across Darebin. Find one near you on the Plugshare.com EV charging app. |
Moving to electric vehicles Electric vehicles are a cleaner and quieter way to get around Darebin. If you have a local business, they can save your business money on running costs including maintenance. Local business Your Community Health has transitioned 100% of their fleet to electric, including a community bus. You can find out more on our web page and watch a short video about Your Community Health. Looking for an EV charging station near you? Darebin has partnered with Evie and Jolt to install public EV charging stations across Darebin. Find one near you on the Plugshare.com EV charging app. |
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| $100 Power Saving Bonus Got an eligible concession card? The $100 Power Saving Bonus will help you beat the heat this summer. If you have one of the following concession cards, your household can claim the Victorian Government’s $100 Power Saving Bonus: - Health Care card
- Pensioner Concession card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold card
Visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au, call 1800 000 832 or drop into Bridge Darebin or Reservoir Neighbourhood House to claim your household’s $100 Bonus. |
$100 Power Saving Bonus Got an eligible concession card? The $100 Power Saving Bonus will help you beat the heat this summer. If you have one of the following concession cards, your household can claim the Victorian Government’s $100 Power Saving Bonus: - Health Care card
- Pensioner Concession card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold card
Visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au, call 1800 000 832 or drop into Bridge Darebin or Reservoir Neighbourhood House to claim your household’s $100 Bonus. |
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| Help shape improvements to Darebin’s streets You’re invited to share your views on 20 proposed street safety improvement projects as part of the Your Street, Your Say consultation. Improvements include raised pedestrian crossings to improve safety for families walking to school, speed humps and traffic calming measures to promote safer vehicle speeds, new treatments to improve safety for bike riders and speed limit reductions.
Consultation is open until February 22. Share your feedback on the proposed concepts through the project webpage and interactive map.
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Help shape improvements to Darebin’s streets You’re invited to share your views on 20 proposed street safety improvement projects as part of the Your Street, Your Say consultation. Improvements include raised pedestrian crossings to improve safety for families walking to school, speed humps and traffic calming measures to promote safer vehicle speeds, new treatments to improve safety for bike riders and speed limit reductions.
Consultation is open until February 22. Share your feedback on the proposed concepts through the project webpage and interactive map.
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| Free public transport for young people All children and young people aged 17 and under travel for free on all Victorian public transport (trains, trams, and buses) with a Youth myki card. To access free travel, users must obtain a Youth myki and tap on and off. Youth myki cards are available at staffed stations or online. |
Free public transport for young people All children and young people aged 17 and under travel for free on all Victorian public transport (trains, trams, and buses) with a Youth myki card. To access free travel, users must obtain a Youth myki and tap on and off. Youth myki cards are available at staffed stations or online. |
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| Celebrate Rakali Awareness Day – 18 February Previously known as Australia’s ‘native water rat’, the rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a fluffy yet clever and skilled aquatic hunter vital to our waterways. It spreads beneficial fungi, boosts soil health, and prays on invasive species, including outsmarting cane toad toxins. Known by different names across Indigenous language groups, rakalis now face threats from invasive predators, fishing nets, and habitat loss. How you can look after our rakalis: - Record sightings on iNaturalist
- Join your local environmental Friends group
- Keep pets away from waterways
- Drive slowly at night
- Report illegal fishing nets to CRIMFISH
Photo by iNaturalist user Ron Greer. |
Celebrate Rakali Awareness Day – 18 February Previously known as Australia’s ‘native water rat’, the rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a fluffy yet clever and skilled aquatic hunter vital to our waterways. It spreads beneficial fungi, boosts soil health, and prays on invasive species, including outsmarting cane toad toxins. Known by different names across Indigenous language groups, rakalis now face threats from invasive predators, fishing nets, and habitat loss. How you can look after our rakalis: - Record sightings on iNaturalist
- Join your local environmental Friends group
- Keep pets away from waterways
- Drive slowly at night
- Report illegal fishing nets to CRIMFISH
Photo by iNaturalist user Ron Greer. |
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| Keep wildlife safe in the heat Extreme heat can cause dehydration, exhaustion, and even death in wildlife. Let’s keep Darebin’s wildlife safe this summer! - Keep pets indoors to protect them and vulnerable wildlife.
- Leave shallow bowls of clean water with sticks or stones for safe escape - change water daily.
- Create gentle mist in shaded areas using sprinklers.
- Offer temporary shade with umbrellas or covers.
- Drive carefully and watch for wildlife.
- If you find a heat-stressed animal, do not feed or give water directly - call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300.
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Keep wildlife safe in the heat Extreme heat can cause dehydration, exhaustion, and even death in wildlife. Let’s keep Darebin’s wildlife safe this summer! - Keep pets indoors to protect them and vulnerable wildlife.
- Leave shallow bowls of clean water with sticks or stones for safe escape - change water daily.
- Create gentle mist in shaded areas using sprinklers.
- Offer temporary shade with umbrellas or covers.
- Drive carefully and watch for wildlife.
- If you find a heat-stressed animal, do not feed or give water directly - call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300.
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| Preloved fashion exhibition Come along to the Thread Lightly in Darebin exhibition at Fairfield Library throughout February! The exhibition will showcase the finalist outfits from Village Greening’s secondhand fashion competition. Each outfit was crafted entirely from items sourced at Darebin’s secondhand shops, celebrating creativity, reuse, and style that doesn’t cost the planet. The exhibition coincides with the launch of Darebin Council’s new Preloved Clothing Trail, proving you can love fashion without buying new. When: Throughout February 2026 Where: Fairfield Library |
Preloved fashion exhibition Come along to the Thread Lightly in Darebin exhibition at Fairfield Library throughout February! The exhibition will showcase the finalist outfits from Village Greening’s secondhand fashion competition. Each outfit was crafted entirely from items sourced at Darebin’s secondhand shops, celebrating creativity, reuse, and style that doesn’t cost the planet. The exhibition coincides with the launch of Darebin Council’s new Preloved Clothing Trail, proving you can love fashion without buying new. When: Throughout February 2026 Where: Fairfield Library |
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| Find a new volunteer role Hear from over 20 local volunteer-involving organisations and community groups at the Darebin Volunteer Expo 2026. From environment and conservation, to education, aged care, access and inclusion and more, learn about how you can get involved in your local community. When: 10am–1pm, Saturday 21 February 2026
Where: Enter via the Darebin Intercultural Centre (350 High Street, Preston) |
Find a new volunteer role Hear from over 20 local volunteer-involving organisations and community groups at the Darebin Volunteer Expo 2026. From environment and conservation, to education, aged care, access and inclusion and more, learn about how you can get involved in your local community. When: 10am–1pm, Saturday 21 February 2026
Where: Enter via the Darebin Intercultural Centre (350 High Street, Preston) |
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| Electrify your Home and Life Want to reduce energy bills and your carbon footprint and create a comfortable home? Join us to hear about the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program and how two locals have electrified and improved the efficiency of their home and car. You'll also hear from Yarra Energy Foundation and get the chance to hear from our Darebin Energy Upgrade installers, All Electric Homes and EnviroFlex, two companies at the forefront of helping people electrify and improve the efficiency of their homes. When: 6–7.30pm, Tuesday 24 February
Where: Reservoir Library |
Electrify your Home and Life Want to reduce energy bills and your carbon footprint and create a comfortable home? Join us to hear about the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program and how two locals have electrified and improved the efficiency of their home and car. You'll also hear from Yarra Energy Foundation and get the chance to hear from our Darebin Energy Upgrade installers, All Electric Homes and EnviroFlex, two companies at the forefront of helping people electrify and improve the efficiency of their homes. When: 6–7.30pm, Tuesday 24 February
Where: Reservoir Library |
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| Learn basic bike care Empower yourself by learning how to keep your bike in tip-top condition. This 3-hour hands-on small group workshop covers the basics of how to look after your bike. Bring your own bike to gain practical experience with things like repairing a puncture, removing wheels, replacing a tube and oiling your chain. When: 1–4pm on Sunday 1 March or Sunday 29 March Where: Reservoir Leisure Centre |
Learn basic bike care Empower yourself by learning how to keep your bike in tip-top condition. This 3-hour hands-on small group workshop covers the basics of how to look after your bike. Bring your own bike to gain practical experience with things like repairing a puncture, removing wheels, replacing a tube and oiling your chain. When: 1–4pm on Sunday 1 March or Sunday 29 March Where: Reservoir Leisure Centre |
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| Women in conservation breakfast Join the team at Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary for a morning of inspiration, networking and celebrating women and gender diverse people in conservation! Enjoy a vegetarian breakfast while listening to inspirational speakers and networking with fellow guests. When: 7.45–10.15am, Thursday 5 March Where: Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary |
Women in conservation breakfast Join the team at Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary for a morning of inspiration, networking and celebrating women and gender diverse people in conservation! Enjoy a vegetarian breakfast while listening to inspirational speakers and networking with fellow guests. When: 7.45–10.15am, Thursday 5 March Where: Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary |
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| Boost your bike riding skills Autumn is the perfect time to skill-up and start riding to ride to uni or work. Let the experts help to build your confidence and hone your riding skills in this friendly, small group workshop and make it happen this year! When: 10am–3pm, Sunday 22 March Where: La Trobe University Tennis Courts |
Boost your bike riding skills Autumn is the perfect time to skill-up and start riding to ride to uni or work. Let the experts help to build your confidence and hone your riding skills in this friendly, small group workshop and make it happen this year! When: 10am–3pm, Sunday 22 March Where: La Trobe University Tennis Courts |
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Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
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