What can you do to improve your health and the environment?

Infrared cameras are available to hire for residents via the Bannockburn Library

Library members can borrow a thermal imaging camera - for free!

Infrared cameras detect energy loss from air leaks, insulation issues, roof water damage, and other building defects, highlighting areas where energy efficiency can be improved. While professional thermal inspections are costly, the community now has free access to user-friendly cameras for conducting thermal imaging inspections of their homes.

These kits enable residents to self-assess their homes, promoting energy efficiency improvements and cost savings on energy bills.

For more energy tips visit: Energy Tips: Geelong, Victoria

For events where experts will share practical ways to create sustainable homes and properties visit Geelong sustainability website: Home - Geelong Sustainability

Check GPS Council waste webpage for frequently asked questions about how to recycle items correctly and practical information on composting and avoiding sending food and organic waste to landfill.

Edible gardening contributes to the health and food security of local communities. Among its many benefits, growing food at home can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and packaging, as well as minimize packaging waste.

Visit our Golden Growers project webpage to access past webinars on edible gardening.

Grants and rebates can offset initial costs for installing energy and water-saving measures at home. Both federal and state governments offer various incentives to promote sustainable living:

Australian Government initiatives

Energy.gov.au: Find rebates and grants tailored to location or type of energy-saving upgrade.

The Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme: Provides financial incentives for installing systems like solar panels, small-scale wind, and solar water heaters.

Victorian Government initiatives

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program: Access discounted energy-saving products and appliances to lower costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Victoria: Programs include rebates for solar panels, solar battery loans, and hot water systems to enhance energy efficiency.

Solar home programs: Offers rebates for solar PV systems for homeowners, rentals (via landlords), and businesses, aiming to reduce electricity bills and emissions.

The first step in reducing energy use is understanding how it is being used in a business.

Gain a better understand of energy costs and various different energy rates: Understand your business energy bill | Sustainability Victoria

To understand where and when your business is using energy and to view consumption by day, week, month, or year:  Your business energy use | DEECA

You can find general energy tips on: Business Energy Tips

Find out more about how your business can transition to a circular economy:

- Circular Economy for Businesses: An online waste marketplace.

- ASPIRE: Online waste marketplace where business can trade, exchange or sell your unwanted waste with the ASPIRE program, reducing waste disposal costs and the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Victorian Energy Upgrades for businesses | DEECA: There are a range of discounts on energy and water upgrades available through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.  Businesses can receive discounts for lighting, fridges and freezers, heating and cooling, hot water, pool pumps, clothes dryers, cool rooms and fans and window glazing.  Accredited providers must be used to receive these discounts.

Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre’s webpage:
Have a number of grants available for eligible businesses.
Grants streams include identification, implementation and innovation.

The Victorian Government Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP) offers water meter data loggers and an online dashboard for tracking water usage and detecting leaks. This program helps schools save water while providing students with real-world lessons in water efficiency, supported by dedicated curriculum resources.

The Victorian Government and Barwon Water cover the cost of the program and it’s free for schools in Barwon Water’s region to participate.

Resource Smart Schools: is a Victorian Government initiative that assist schools to embed Sustainability in their everyday practices. There are 5 modules schools can complete.

Cool Australia: Has student lessons plans and worksheets linked to the curriculum.

Switched on Schools: Has a range of resources produced by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition to engage students with climate change, providing detail and project guides for high school students to run campaigns across food, biodiversity, waste, transport, energy and climate justice.