Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — May 2026 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — May 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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| Get ahead of your winter bills – insulation and draught proofing available through Darebin Energy Upgrades With winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get ahead of your winter energy bills. Darebin Energy Upgrades can help keep your home cosy through the chilly months, with insulation and draught proofing available at competitive prices with our reliable installer. Limited rebates of $1200 for ceiling insulation and $200 for draught proofing are available for eligible low-income and concession households. |
Get ahead of your winter bills – insulation and draught proofing available through Darebin Energy Upgrades With winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get ahead of your winter energy bills. Darebin Energy Upgrades can help keep your home cosy through the chilly months, with insulation and draught proofing available at competitive prices with our reliable installer. Limited rebates of $1200 for ceiling insulation and $200 for draught proofing are available for eligible low-income and concession households. |
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| Free mulch at Darebin Resource Recovery Centre Council is turning our tree prunings into something useful, and we’re pleased to offer this free mulch to residents over the coming weeks to support healthy gardens and make the most of this valuable natural resource. Please note, this is a self-load event – machinery isn’t available to load trailers or utes, so don’t forget your shovel. Bring your trailer or ute to the Darebin Resource Recovery Centre to collect a load of free mulch. |
Free mulch at Darebin Resource Recovery Centre Council is turning our tree prunings into something useful, and we’re pleased to offer this free mulch to residents over the coming weeks to support healthy gardens and make the most of this valuable natural resource. Please note, this is a self-load event – machinery isn’t available to load trailers or utes, so don’t forget your shovel. Bring your trailer or ute to the Darebin Resource Recovery Centre to collect a load of free mulch. |
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| World Bee Day Every year on 20 May we celebrate World Bee Day to raise awareness about the essential role that bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. Did you know Australia has over 1,700 species of native bees? In Darebin, 37 species of native bees have been recorded, with 545 observations logged on iNaturalist! These amazing insects face growing pressures from the use of pesticides and habitat loss. The good news is you can help! |
World Bee Day Every year on 20 May we celebrate World Bee Day to raise awareness about the essential role that bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. Did you know Australia has over 1,700 species of native bees? In Darebin, 37 species of native bees have been recorded, with 545 observations logged on iNaturalist! These amazing insects face growing pressures from the use of pesticides and habitat loss. The good news is you can help! |
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| WOW Darebin! in Term 2 Like to see more active travel to school and less traffic in surrounding streets? This year, 12 local primary schools have taken up the opportunity to be part of our WOW Darebin! Program to Walk or Wheel Once a Week in Term 2. Schools nominate the day of the week that suits them best and we'll introduce the program and present a Golden Boot Award plus posters and wall calendars for each class. At the end of the 9 weeks, one class in each school will win their own Golden Boot Award for outstanding participation. |
WOW Darebin! in Term 2 Like to see more active travel to school and less traffic in surrounding streets? This year, 12 local primary schools have taken up the opportunity to be part of our WOW Darebin! Program to Walk or Wheel Once a Week in Term 2. Schools nominate the day of the week that suits them best and we'll introduce the program and present a Golden Boot Award plus posters and wall calendars for each class. At the end of the 9 weeks, one class in each school will win their own Golden Boot Award for outstanding participation. |
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| Energy$mart upgrade – Ellis Art Installation Ellis Art Installation is the first home-based business to take advantage of our Energy$mart rebate via the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program. Installing everything from mirrors in homes to fine art in galleries, they manage admin from the home office. Upgrading their gas hot water system to an efficient heat pump means they’re able to take advantage of renewable energy to heat their water. If you run your business on the road and admin from home, you could be eligible for Energy$mart too. |
Energy$mart upgrade – Ellis Art Installation Ellis Art Installation is the first home-based business to take advantage of our Energy$mart rebate via the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program. Installing everything from mirrors in homes to fine art in galleries, they manage admin from the home office. Upgrading their gas hot water system to an efficient heat pump means they’re able to take advantage of renewable energy to heat their water. If you run your business on the road and admin from home, you could be eligible for Energy$mart too. |
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| Free public transport until 31 May Have you heard that public transport is FREE across Victoria until Sunday 31 May? This includes Melbourne and regional trains, trams and buses. Ride part of the way and park your bike at a train station Parkiteer secure bike parking location. Or, take your bike, including factory built e-bikes (no converted e-bikes) on metropolitan trains. |
Free public transport until 31 May Have you heard that public transport is FREE across Victoria until Sunday 31 May? This includes Melbourne and regional trains, trams and buses. Ride part of the way and park your bike at a train station Parkiteer secure bike parking location. Or, take your bike, including factory built e-bikes (no converted e-bikes) on metropolitan trains. |
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| Become a garden guide volunteer Interested in helping others create wildlife-friendly gardens at home? The Gardens for Wildlife program is looking for new volunteers to join its team of Garden Guides. Gardens for Wildlife is a free program that connects Darebin residents with trained volunteers who visit homes and provide simple, practical advice to help create wildlife-friendly gardens. A wildlife-friendly garden includes Indigenous plants and features such as rocks, ponds and nest boxes, helping provide habitat for local animals. Becoming a Garden Guide volunteer is a great way to connect with nature, meet like-minded people, and help create a healthier, more liveable Darebin. |
Become a garden guide volunteer Interested in helping others create wildlife-friendly gardens at home? The Gardens for Wildlife program is looking for new volunteers to join its team of Garden Guides. Gardens for Wildlife is a free program that connects Darebin residents with trained volunteers who visit homes and provide simple, practical advice to help create wildlife-friendly gardens. A wildlife-friendly garden includes Indigenous plants and features such as rocks, ponds and nest boxes, helping provide habitat for local animals. Becoming a Garden Guide volunteer is a great way to connect with nature, meet like-minded people, and help create a healthier, more liveable Darebin. |
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| Save money with electric vehicles More and more Darebin residents and businesses are investing in electric vehicles. Not only are they cheaper to run, quieter and much better for the environment, but they also help protect you against events impacting the price and supply of petrol and diesel. Businesses like CERES Fair Food have had an electric van delivering organic grocery items for over 3 years: “Our staff love driving our electric van. It saves us money on fuel of course, but it also needs a lot less maintenance" says Chris Ennis, CERES Business Innovations Director. |
Save money with electric vehicles More and more Darebin residents and businesses are investing in electric vehicles. Not only are they cheaper to run, quieter and much better for the environment, but they also help protect you against events impacting the price and supply of petrol and diesel. Businesses like CERES Fair Food have had an electric van delivering organic grocery items for over 3 years: “Our staff love driving our electric van. It saves us money on fuel of course, but it also needs a lot less maintenance" says Chris Ennis, CERES Business Innovations Director. |
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| Thanks Neighbour At this free Community Market you can pick up FREE children’s clothes, toys, books and kitchenware that have been kindly donated by your local neighbours. Also featuring: - Free BBQ - Live music - Craft activities - Zumba Brought to you by Keon Park Children’s Hub and Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes. When: 4-6.30pm, Friday 8 May Where: Keon Park Children's Hub |
Thanks Neighbour At this free Community Market you can pick up FREE children’s clothes, toys, books and kitchenware that have been kindly donated by your local neighbours. Also featuring: - Free BBQ - Live music - Craft activities - Zumba Brought to you by Keon Park Children’s Hub and Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes. When: 4-6.30pm, Friday 8 May Where: Keon Park Children's Hub |
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| Sustainable fashion workshop Did you know most people wear a clothing item less than ten times? Your clothes deserve better, and so do you. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll show you how to rewear, restyle and revive the pieces hanging in your wardrobe so they last well beyond 30 wears. Expect fresh ideas, clever tips and a dose of creativity that’s good for the planet and your wallet. Bring one item you’re unsure how to style and we’ll help you unlock its potential on the spot. Facilitated by sustainable stylists, Simone from Style with Soul and Natacha from Style Me Natacha. When: 6-7:30 PM, Thursday 14 May Where: Preston Library |
Sustainable fashion workshop Did you know most people wear a clothing item less than ten times? Your clothes deserve better, and so do you. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll show you how to rewear, restyle and revive the pieces hanging in your wardrobe so they last well beyond 30 wears. Expect fresh ideas, clever tips and a dose of creativity that’s good for the planet and your wallet. Bring one item you’re unsure how to style and we’ll help you unlock its potential on the spot. Facilitated by sustainable stylists, Simone from Style with Soul and Natacha from Style Me Natacha. When: 6-7:30 PM, Thursday 14 May Where: Preston Library |
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| Sustainable House Day On Sunday May 17, neighbours across Australia open their homes to share practical ideas for more comfortable, affordable and climate-ready living. From architectural homes to retrofits, apartments and all-electric renovations, Sustainable House Day is about real people sharing what works. In Darebin there are 3 houses featured in Reservoir, Preston and Northcote. When: Sunday 17 May Where: Various locations |
Sustainable House Day On Sunday May 17, neighbours across Australia open their homes to share practical ideas for more comfortable, affordable and climate-ready living. From architectural homes to retrofits, apartments and all-electric renovations, Sustainable House Day is about real people sharing what works. In Darebin there are 3 houses featured in Reservoir, Preston and Northcote. When: Sunday 17 May Where: Various locations |
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| Darebin Repair Cafe @ EPCC Get your broken items ready for mending and fixing at the next Darebin Repair Café in May. Sit with a volunteer fixer while they work on your item and show you (hopefully) how to repair and maintain it, and give you tips on how to avoid buying items that are hard to repair in the first place. Follow their facebook page for updates and registration link. Darebin Repair Café is run every second month at a rotating Darebin venue. When: 9am-1pm, Sunday 24 May Where: East Preston Community Centre, 7 Newton Street, Reservoir |
Darebin Repair Cafe @ EPCC Get your broken items ready for mending and fixing at the next Darebin Repair Café in May. Sit with a volunteer fixer while they work on your item and show you (hopefully) how to repair and maintain it, and give you tips on how to avoid buying items that are hard to repair in the first place. Follow their facebook page for updates and registration link. Darebin Repair Café is run every second month at a rotating Darebin venue. When: 9am-1pm, Sunday 24 May Where: East Preston Community Centre, 7 Newton Street, Reservoir |
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| Get a FREE bike check Wheel up for a free 20-minute bike check at Northcote or Reservoir. The friendly mechanics from WeCycle and Dr Cranky’s will attend to your bike, sharing lots of great tips and tricks along the way.
When: 3rd Saturday of the month at Northcote and 4th Sunday of the month at Reservoir.
Where: Batman Park, Northcote or Reservoir Leisure Centre.
Bookings essential. |
Get a FREE bike check Wheel up for a free 20-minute bike check at Northcote or Reservoir. The friendly mechanics from WeCycle and Dr Cranky’s will attend to your bike, sharing lots of great tips and tricks along the way.
When: 3rd Saturday of the month at Northcote and 4th Sunday of the month at Reservoir.
Where: Batman Park, Northcote or Reservoir Leisure Centre.
Bookings essential. |
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Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
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