Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — March 2026 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — March 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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| Electrify with our new program Our new Darebin Energy Upgrades program is here to help you electrify and improve the efficiency of your home or business. Access our recommended suppliers and competitive prices on: - Insulation and draught proofing – additional 10% discount if you accept your quote before the end of March 2026
- Split systems
- Hot water systems
- Solar PV systems
- Batteries
- EV chargers
- Induction cooktops
Visit darebin.vic.gov.au/energy-upgrades to get expert advice, receive a no-obligation quote and to check your eligibility for rebates of up to $3500! |
Electrify with our new program Our new Darebin Energy Upgrades program is here to help you electrify and improve the efficiency of your home or business. Access our recommended suppliers and competitive prices on: - Insulation and draught proofing – additional 10% discount if you accept your quote before the end of March 2026
- Split systems
- Hot water systems
- Solar PV systems
- Batteries
- EV chargers
- Induction cooktops
Visit darebin.vic.gov.au/energy-upgrades to get expert advice, receive a no-obligation quote and to check your eligibility for rebates of up to $3500! |
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| Celebrate World Wildlife Day - 3 March From tiny insects and colourful flowers to the curious animals exploring our backyards, World Wildlife Day is a chance to celebrate the amazing creatures and plants that share our city.
It’s also an opportunity to learn about the challenges they face and take meaningful action.
Get involved by exploring ways to protect wildlife, creating a wildlife-friendly garden, becoming a citizen scientist, or joining local environmental Friends group |
Celebrate World Wildlife Day - 3 March From tiny insects and colourful flowers to the curious animals exploring our backyards, World Wildlife Day is a chance to celebrate the amazing creatures and plants that share our city.
It’s also an opportunity to learn about the challenges they face and take meaningful action.
Get involved by exploring ways to protect wildlife, creating a wildlife-friendly garden, becoming a citizen scientist, or joining local environmental Friends group |
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| NEW Party Kits available at the Toy Library You can now borrow a party kit at the Toy Library, to host a sustainable low-waste event. It’s FREE for Darebin Toy Library
members. Each kit contains 15 sets of
cups, bowls, plates, cutlery,
a cupcake stand, a bunting
and two serving platters. If the kits are borrowed just 10 times in a year, it has the potential to save 1,300 pieces of single-use plastics from going into landfill. Please return the items clean and dry so they can be used again and again to help reduce single-use plastic waste. |
NEW Party Kits available at the Toy Library You can now borrow a party kit at the Toy Library, to host a sustainable low-waste event. It’s FREE for Darebin Toy Library
members. Each kit contains 15 sets of
cups, bowls, plates, cutlery,
a cupcake stand, a bunting
and two serving platters. If the kits are borrowed just 10 times in a year, it has the potential to save 1,300 pieces of single-use plastics from going into landfill. Please return the items clean and dry so they can be used again and again to help reduce single-use plastic waste. |
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| Go circular We all play a part in the circular economy. Before buying something new, ask yourself: - Do I really need it?
- Can I borrow or lease it?
- Can I repair an item I already have?
- Does it have to be new?
- Can I buy an item that is made to last, from sustainably sourced or recycled materials?
Visit our website to read and be inspired by our local Circular Champions! |
Go circular We all play a part in the circular economy. Before buying something new, ask yourself: - Do I really need it?
- Can I borrow or lease it?
- Can I repair an item I already have?
- Does it have to be new?
- Can I buy an item that is made to last, from sustainably sourced or recycled materials?
Visit our website to read and be inspired by our local Circular Champions! |
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| Blister pack recycling Did you know that you can recycle your blister packs? Over 100 million blister packs have been recycled since the Australia-wide Pharmacycle recycling program launched in 2022. The program has recovered around 150 tonnes of valuable alumnium and plastics. You can also take your unwanted or out-of-date medicines back to any pharmacy for safe disposal. |
Blister pack recycling Did you know that you can recycle your blister packs? Over 100 million blister packs have been recycled since the Australia-wide Pharmacycle recycling program launched in 2022. The program has recovered around 150 tonnes of valuable alumnium and plastics. You can also take your unwanted or out-of-date medicines back to any pharmacy for safe disposal. |
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| Invitation to take action on climate Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) recently kicked off the year with a planning session to plot their activities for the year. DCAN is inviting local residents to join them via one of their many working groups, or drop in to a monthly climate meeting held at the Bridge in Preston. |
Invitation to take action on climate Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) recently kicked off the year with a planning session to plot their activities for the year. DCAN is inviting local residents to join them via one of their many working groups, or drop in to a monthly climate meeting held at the Bridge in Preston. |
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| Northcote Library Food Garden Northcote Library Food Garden regularly runs practical and fun workshops such as turning a polystyrene box into wicking garden beds. They hold working bees on Sundays from 9.30-midday so check out the garden at 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote. |
Northcote Library Food Garden Northcote Library Food Garden regularly runs practical and fun workshops such as turning a polystyrene box into wicking garden beds. They hold working bees on Sundays from 9.30-midday so check out the garden at 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote. |
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| Treating Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) infested fruits If you find QFF infested fruits, it’s important to treat them to prevent further spread by: - microwaving or boiling unwanted fruit or vegetables to kill any maggots or placing bagged produce in a freezer for two days until frozen solid, or
- double bagging the fruits and leaving it in the sun for at least 14 days.
The bagged and treated fruit is then ready to be put into your rubbish bin. Don’t put untreated, infested fruit into your compost, worm farm, rubbish or food and green waste bin. This will allow eggs or maggots to develop into flies and spread. |
Treating Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) infested fruits If you find QFF infested fruits, it’s important to treat them to prevent further spread by: - microwaving or boiling unwanted fruit or vegetables to kill any maggots or placing bagged produce in a freezer for two days until frozen solid, or
- double bagging the fruits and leaving it in the sun for at least 14 days.
The bagged and treated fruit is then ready to be put into your rubbish bin. Don’t put untreated, infested fruit into your compost, worm farm, rubbish or food and green waste bin. This will allow eggs or maggots to develop into flies and spread. |
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| Community grant news It’s a great time to be thinking about grants to support the work of your climate, environment or sustainability community group in 2026. Here’s some current and upcoming opportunities. Older and Active Grant Program closes 29 March 2026. Community Grants program supports projects that make Darebin a better, healthier, sustainable and more inclusive place. Opening 1 April and closing 31 May 2026. |
Community grant news It’s a great time to be thinking about grants to support the work of your climate, environment or sustainability community group in 2026. Here’s some current and upcoming opportunities. Older and Active Grant Program closes 29 March 2026. Community Grants program supports projects that make Darebin a better, healthier, sustainable and more inclusive place. Opening 1 April and closing 31 May 2026. |
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| Electrify your Home and Life Want to reduce your energy bills and create a comfortable home? Join us to hear about the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program and hear from local installers and a Darebin local who is working to electrify his family’s home and has switched to an electric vehicle. When: 6–7.30pm, Thursday 12 March Where: Preston Library |
Electrify your Home and Life Want to reduce your energy bills and create a comfortable home? Join us to hear about the Darebin Energy Upgrades Program and hear from local installers and a Darebin local who is working to electrify his family’s home and has switched to an electric vehicle. When: 6–7.30pm, Thursday 12 March Where: Preston Library |
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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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| Permaculture workshop at Sylvester Hive Community Garden Join Angelo from Deep Green Permaculture to discuss the basics and benefits of permaculture. Find out how the permaculture model can be applied to improve the growing capacity at the community garden. When: 2–4pm, Saturday 14 March Where: Corner Dean and Gray St, Preston |
Permaculture workshop at Sylvester Hive Community Garden Join Angelo from Deep Green Permaculture to discuss the basics and benefits of permaculture. Find out how the permaculture model can be applied to improve the growing capacity at the community garden. When: 2–4pm, Saturday 14 March Where: Corner Dean and Gray St, Preston |
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| Bike skills workshops Autumn is the perfect time to skill-up and start riding to ride to uni or work. Join one of Darebin’s bike maintenance and cycling skills workshops and make it happen this year! - On-Road Bike Confidence
Let the experts help to build your confidence and hone your riding skills in this friendly, small group workshop.
Sunday 22 March, 10am–3pm
La Trobe University Tennis Courts - Basic Bike Maintenance
Empower yourself by learning how to keep your bike in tip-top condition.
Sunday 29 March, 1–4pm
Reservoir Leisure Centre
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Bike skills workshops Autumn is the perfect time to skill-up and start riding to ride to uni or work. Join one of Darebin’s bike maintenance and cycling skills workshops and make it happen this year! - On-Road Bike Confidence
Let the experts help to build your confidence and hone your riding skills in this friendly, small group workshop.
Sunday 22 March, 10am–3pm
La Trobe University Tennis Courts - Basic Bike Maintenance
Empower yourself by learning how to keep your bike in tip-top condition.
Sunday 29 March, 1–4pm
Reservoir Leisure Centre
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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.
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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.
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| Sustainability Matters 2026 Own a local business? Join us at this year’s Sustainability Matters event and hear how Danté, Rock Poster, Your Community Health and Mutual Muse are embracing circular economy practices. This event will be held at Dante, a local zero waste hospitality venue with delicious food and drinks to be enjoyed. This is a free event, but spots are limited. When: 5.30 –7.30 pm, Monday 30 March Where: Danté |
Sustainability Matters 2026 Own a local business? Join us at this year’s Sustainability Matters event and hear how Danté, Rock Poster, Your Community Health and Mutual Muse are embracing circular economy practices. This event will be held at Dante, a local zero waste hospitality venue with delicious food and drinks to be enjoyed. This is a free event, but spots are limited. When: 5.30 –7.30 pm, Monday 30 March Where: Danté |
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| CERES Future Leaders This April school holidays Futuremakers brings together curious, switched-on young people (Years 7-10 students) from across Victoria for a day of connection, creativity and hands-on action at CERES.
Be immersed in the real-world challenges and opportunities of a changing climate. Explore what real change can look like – at school, in your community, and beyond.
Places are fully funded by the Victorian Dept of Education. |
CERES Future Leaders This April school holidays Futuremakers brings together curious, switched-on young people (Years 7-10 students) from across Victoria for a day of connection, creativity and hands-on action at CERES.
Be immersed in the real-world challenges and opportunities of a changing climate. Explore what real change can look like – at school, in your community, and beyond.
Places are fully funded by the Victorian Dept of Education. |
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| Ride2School Day Only 3 weeks until Ride2School Day! On Friday 20 March, 18 local schools will join over 400 Victorian schools to celebrate healthy, active travel with Ride2School Day. If you regularly ride, walk or scoot to school, invite friends to join you on the day. If you’ve never tried it before, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a go. This year Darebin is supporting schools with a package of prizes and giveaways for their events. Have you heard what your school is planning for Ride2School Day? |
Ride2School Day Only 3 weeks until Ride2School Day! On Friday 20 March, 18 local schools will join over 400 Victorian schools to celebrate healthy, active travel with Ride2School Day. If you regularly ride, walk or scoot to school, invite friends to join you on the day. If you’ve never tried it before, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a go. This year Darebin is supporting schools with a package of prizes and giveaways for their events. Have you heard what your school is planning for Ride2School Day? |
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Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
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