Live a sustainable lifestyle with the Leichhardt Council

If you're searching to join a sustainable community, look no further than Sydney's Inner West suburbs. The Leichhardt Council is dedicated to turning the region into a carbon-neutral area, which is great news for both the local residents and the environment.

The Council became the second in New South Wales to adopt green policies in 2012 and since then has been working tirelessly towards reducing the carbon emissions of the communities within the Leichhardt region.

Success was achieved during July 2013 when the Council was awarded with carbon neutral certification for the 2012/13 financial year - and their efforts haven't stopped yet!

What steps has the Council taken?

There are a wide range of initiatives being undertaken by the Council in order to help maintain a cleaner, greener community. For example, a number of buildings throughout the region have been fitted with solar panels.

These include the Hannaford Centre, the Lilyfield Community Centre, Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, the Leichhardt Town Hall and many more. Altogether, these buildings comprise a 28.25 kW increase in energy generation, which equates to 40,234 kWh per year.

Furthermore, a number of community gardens have been established across the local area. These have many benefits, ranging from a communal compost that can be used to grow vegetables through to education about sustainable practises and bringing people together.

With an increasingly urban, metropolitan environment sprawling out from the city's central business district, having community gardens helps to foster an awareness of sustainability and provides a source of carbon-recycling plant life across the Inner West suburbs.

How can you help?

There are a number of environmental grants offered by the Council that can be applied for. With a value ranging up to $5,000, these are for projects that will benefit the community as a whole through application, education and awareness of the environment.