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Citizens for Sustainability Grant

Marrickville Council was allocated $10,000 to support community-based action - projects that make a positive contribution to sustainability within the Marrickville Local Government Area. The Citizens for Sustainability Grant program provides the opportunity for community groups to develop, design and implement community-based environmental projects of high importance to them that addresses key sustainability criteria that benefits the wider community and environment. Supporting community-based and initiated action for sustainability empowers the community and facilitates long-term commitment and participation in sustainability.

The Citizens for Sustainability Grant Program is consistent with Council's sustainability objectives identified in the Local Action 21 Sustainability Strategy (LA21) and the Marrickville Community Plan 2025. This Grant program has been funded through $10,000 awarded to Marrickville Council by WSN Environmental Solutions under their Clean Up Australia Day "Community and Council Partnership Award" for best local government effort in Clean Up Australia Day in 2005.

The Citizens for Sustainability Grant program is a community-based action framework, consistent with Council's sustainability objectives in LA21 "to increase active and informed participation by citizens in creating a sustainable future and expand partnerships and network activities to enhance the quality and reach of environmental education." The LA21 sets out Council's commitment towards sustainability objectives for Marrickville in order to implement its vision for a sustainable future:

  • Foster and promote the highest level of environmental responsibility by businesses, schools, households, community organisations and Council
  • Provide a coordinated framework for applying ecologically sustainable development (ESD), building on existing sustainability policies and program of Council
  • Gain effective community participation in the development of sustainable policies and programs
  • Promote the health and well-being of all members of our community by improving local environmental conditions and local communities
  • Develop a strategic response to the environmental issues reported in the Marrickville State of Environment Report
  • Demonstrate the value of remnants vegetation, native wildlife and natural ecosystem; and
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ESD by responsible management of natural resources - energy, waste, water and purchasing.

The Grant Program also relates to Council's Community Plan 2025, Annual Management Plan and the Marrickville Model. The Marrickville Community Plan 2025 key objectives include community well-being and inclusiveness, learning and diverse Marrickville, beautifying and caring for our environment, sustainable transport and innovative and efficient Council. The Marrickville Model is Council's internal governance framework to achieve the vision outlined in the Community Plan 2025 and is based on our four goals: Value for Money, Sustainability, Social Capital and Citizenship. These objectives and goals are outlilned on an annual basis in the Annual Management Plan for implementation by Council. As such, the community-based grant program encourages various activities that address the Council's Sustainability objectives by funding different community projects.

The features of the Citizens for Sustainability Grant program are:

  • To provide opportunities for citizens to contribute towards sustainable initiatives in the Local Government Area (LGA)
  • To support citizens who are interested in contributing to sustainability within the Marrickville LGA; and
  • To collaborate with citizens who are required to define their project objectives, consistent with LA21, develop an action plan, deliver agreed outcomes and provide an acquittal report upon completion.

Projects Funded in 2006/2007

1. Bush Pockets - Community Pocket Gardens

2. Dulwich Hill Heights Restoration

3. Marrickville West Community Garden Communal Garden Beds

4. K-Savers Community Workshops

5. Sustainability Water Management Practices for Local Housing Co-ops

Projects Funded This Financial Year - 2007/2008

1. Bower Eco Library

The project is an initiative of the Bower Reuse & Repair centre Coop Ltd which will establish a community accessible reading eco library which will include books, journals, leaflets and videos on repair, DIY, eco-design and environmental issues in responsible design. The library will be built within the Bower building and will open throughout the week.

2. Marrickville West Community Garden Sustainability and Self-sufficiency Project

Marrickville West Community Garden has been awarded again in the second term of the Grant Program having successfully completed their project in the last financial year. This project is the continuation of the project funded last year under the same grant to establish the community garden. Having establish the community garden successfully the members of the Marrickville West Community Garden seek to improve sustainability and self-sufficiency of the garden by purchasing and installing a shed for the storage of tools and other material, rainwater tank to collect rainwater from the shed roof and a 400 litre compost bin.

3. Sustaining the Addison Road Centre Community Garden and ARC Trees

Members of the Addison Road Centre Community Garden will purchase necessary equipment and facilities for green waste recycling to improve the existing garden and preserve and maintain the trees at the centre. The project aims to improve access and safety for the use of the community garden and make the garden more sustainable through crop rotation, companion planting and integrated pest management and increase garden membership.

4. Bags On 

The three not-for-profit Community Co-ops (Alfalfa House, Bower Reuse & Repair Centre and Reverse Garbage) will work together to produce 1000 cotton bag for give away with information of the three Coops printed on them to promote the activities of the Coops and foster waste reduction through recycling and reuse.

5. Braddock Playground Renewal and Beautification Programme

The project is a community initiative which aims to beautify the Braddock Playground and encourage stewardship and community participation. Portion of the Braddock Playground and the nature strip at the surrounding corner of Meeks Street will be transformed into a flourishing grove of native plants.