Eco-Living Fair Fast Approaching

By Marcus Braid on September 2, 2015 in News

Greens Councillor Murray Matson fears the Randwick Eco-Living Fair and other similar community events could come under future threat from the State Government’s tentative amalgamation plans.

Councils have made their submissions to the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future reforms, with Randwick already indicating their preference to merge with Waverley and Botany.

Cr Matson said the potential amalgamations could impact on “a lot of things we do”, including the Eco-Living Fair.

“You’ve got to worry about Fit for the Future and the State Liberal Government’s forced council amalgamation program,” he said.

“If, for instance, Randwick City Council is swallowed up into a super council with all other local councils and the City of Sydney, then I think it might be very awkward for us to expect that councillors in the CBD will understand the need to keep an environmental show going on at Randwick. They are just going to be out of touch with the local issues.”

The Eco-Living Fair will celebrate its eleventh year on September 13 from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and will continue to provide a range of new and popular activities for local residents and their families. The festival will be held at the Randwick Community Centre.

There will be outdoor stalls promoting and showcasing environmentally-friendly products from across the Eastern Suburbs and wider Sydney, as well as family and children’s entertainment, native wildlife on show for youngsters to learn about the importance of biodiversity, and sessions on healthy eating.

“You walk around the show and you see every environmental activist from the last 20 years, which is great,” Cr Matson said.

“In 2004, I put into place an environmental levy, which has given the council enough money to put on a respectable show every year.

“It’s a great day out for the kids. It’s an opportunity to see things such as entertainers. There’s singing and dancing; there’s also the constant presence of our permanent permaculture garden there.”

Randwick Mayor Ted Seng said he was looking forward to one of the municipality’s signature events.

“The fair will once again celebrate our diverse local environment and will include an array of displays and workshops that will encourage our residents to use environmentally-friendly initiatives and systems in their own homes,” he said.

“The Eco-Living Fair has something for all ages, with plenty of entertainment throughout the day, all set in the beautiful, central location of Randwick Environment Park.”

Many local partner organisations attend to provide information and conduct formal and informal talks and workshops based on the environmental issues that affect members of our community in their homes, at school and in the workplace.

Other popular events on the day include Council’s Garden Awards, cycling activities and free bicycle maintenance workshops, tours of the Randwick Environment Park and experts on hand helping out with keeping bees, chickens and sustainable food production.

You can also check out fun and informative activities, from yoga classes and honey tasting sessions, to composting and worm farming workshops.

Visit www.randwick.nsw.gov.au for more information about the event and transportation options.