The environment's voice in Wangaratta & surrounds.

Passionate volunteers who support projects and activities that care for the environment that sustains us.

Events

Sustainable House Day/Month September20 - October 17

BUILDING OR RENOVATING? – For all those interested in energy efficient, passive solar designed, sustainable housing, there’s a lot on offer over the next few weeks.

What’s on
locally?

Each Friday the Chronicle will feature storiesnof WLS members who have, or are planning to build or renovate their home to be more comfortable, sustainable and energy efficient – be inspired!!
Oct 14 – “Chat with a Local” – here’s an opportunity to ask questions and learn from these WLS members about their building and renovating experiences, and to be encouraged to start, or continue your sustainable housing journey. Details will be posted on the council website, pending Covid rules.
Rural City of Wangaratta website – for tips on creating a home that is energy efficient, comfortable in all seasons, and cheaper to run, whether you are building or renovating, renting or buying, go to – www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Residents/Environment-and-sustainability/Sustainable-Living
Display of ideas on creating sustainable homes in the Rural City of Wangaratta foyer.
TBD – for WLS members only (pending Covid rules) – home visits to some WLS members sustainable homes?

What’s on Australia-wide?

Check out the full program https://sustainablehouseday.com/ (Run by RENEW www.renew.org.au)

EXPERT SESSIONS

Online program, need to register, fee ~$10 each, or $60 for 9 sessions

WEEK 1 –
BUILDING & DESIGN

Tues Sept 21, 6-8pm – “Designing for sustainability”

Wed Sept 22, 6-8pm “Using Energy Star ratings to design your sustainable dream home”

Thurs Sept 23, 6-8pm “Working with sustainable builders”

WEEK 2 –
RETROFITTING

Tues Sept 28, 6-8pm “Going all electric”

Thurs Sept 30, 6-8pm “Insulation and energy efficiency”

WEEK 3 –
BUILDING MATERIALS

Tues Oct 5, 6-8pm “Building with natural materials” eg. strawbale, rammed earth, hempcrete.

Thurs Oct 7, 6-8pm “All about windows”

WEEK 4 – CLIMATE
RESILIENT HOMES

Tues Oct 12, 6-8pm “Using water sustainably”

Thurs Oct 14, 6-8pm “Sustainable heating and cooling”

COMMUNITY
PARTNER EVENTS around Australia – see calendar on website

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17 – “SUSTAINABLE HOUSE DAY”

FREE online sessions at homes across Australia www.sustainablehouseday.com

10am – “Getting started – finding a sustainable builder or architect”
11am – “Do it yourself – Owner-building”
12am – “Creating sustainable communities: Ecovillages and co-housing”
1pm – “Running on sun: Using solar energy at home”
2pm – “Design for life: Accessibility and ageing in place”
3pm – “Maximum efficiency: Lowering your energy bills”
4pm – “On the cheap: Sustainability on a budget” – “Green rebuild toolkit: Building and retrofitting
for fire resilience”

About Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability Inc.

We are committed to helping our local community value our natural resources. We encourage knowledge and resource sharing to find solutions and achieve practical outcomes.

Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability Inc. (WLS) is the result of an integration of the Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group and Wangaratta Sustainability Network. WLSI networks with other Landcare and Sustainability groups in our region.

Our Committee

Russell Sully, President
Tony Lane, Vice President
Ann Brain, Secretary
Colin Atkin, Treasurer
Daniel Offermann, Membership Officer
Penny Raleigh, Landcare Coordinator
Peter Amor, Web Manager

What We Do

We care for the environment that sustains us by providing opportunities for community participation and education.

Join us and be a voice for a sustainable and liveable environment.

Natural Assets

We support and facilitate projects that contribute to the natural environment.

Protecting existing natural remnant vegetation and encouraging native plant species regeneration on public and private land.
Reducing invasive weeds and supporting native plant species regeneration on public land in natural areas and along waterways including Kaluna Park, Kaluna Island, Wenham's Reserve and Mullinmur Billabong.
Promoting biodiversity conservation.
Mullinmur Billabongs restoration.
Promoting Native fish conservation and carp removal.
Clean up and protection of roadsides, waterways, and catchment by encouraging rubbish removal and water monitoring.

Sustainable Living

We focus our attention on:

Climate Change

Mitigation, adaptation, advocacy.

Reduce local energy consumption and emissions.
Advocate for actions to reduce livestock emissions and reducing the food chain carbon foot print.
Encourage installation of solar panels.
Make and use renewable energy locally.
Active removal of greenhouse gases from atmosphere by sustainable land use.
Drawing down carbon and adapting to changing climate by native tree planting for greening parks and corridors.
Preserving biodiversity by retention and enhancement of native habitat and planting appropriate native plants species.

Community Engagement, Education and Advocacy

Mitigation, adaptation, advocacy.

Bpangerang recognition.
Mullinmur Education Hub.
Provide local wildlife and natural environment information, including guided walks.
Northeast Naturally, a series of local articles in the Chronical providing information and photos of native flora and flora of the region.
Sustainability Matters - newspaper articles on local actions which can enhance sustainability.
Sustainable Hallmark Forums: Community forums, information displays and activities.
Community forums, information displays and activities.

Get Involved!

Show your support of our cause by purchasing a membership. Members receive exclusive updates and are invited to share thier thoughts and shape the future of care for our region.

Our Partnerships

WLSI networks with other Landcare and Sustainability groups in our region.