Sustainability Education Program for the Banyule Community

The project is based on the 'Transition Street' concept in which neighbours come together to work toward building low carbon, resilient communities to address the environmental challenges of climate change.
The program will be open to the whole community with a focus on existing community groups. A facilitator will guide participants through regular discussion meetings centred on a workbook entitled, 'Transition Communities'. The workbook will include an introduction and chapters on water, energy, food, transport, waste and consumption, biodiversity and "Where to from here?"
A community launch of the program and a concluding celebration event will be held.

The educational out-reach program, aimed at bringing people together, will satisfy a need to be informed about sustainable communities. Individuals often feel overwhelmed by the immensity of the environmental challenges facing us, but by sharing concerns and ideas, they can become empowered to make changes in their own lives to reduce waste and energy usage, knowing they are supported by others. The Transition Communities concept encourages cooperation and sharing of knowledge. A learner can become a facilitator for another community group. Benefits will flow to the local community through the development of a strong 'communitarian' ethic that encompasses environmental protection.