GreenHome takes home the Banksia Award!

“We’re thrilled to accept this award on behalf of the Australian Conservation Foundation and also the GreenHome workshop participants and online GreenHome Challenge members,” said Elle Morrell, GreenHome Research Coordinator.

“GreenHome is a national program which has had a presence in not only NSW but also Victoria and Western Australia through workshop delivery and events. We’re continuing to expand the program with the aim of educating all community members interested in greening their lives," she said.

Since January 2005, significant environmental benefits in NSW include 116 ML of water saved (equivalent to 116 Olympic sized swimming pools full of water), 6880 tonnes of greenhouse gas prevented (equivalent to taking 1370 cars off the road) and 510 kilolitres of waste avoided (equivalent to 2123 wheelie bins full of waste). Similar savings are expected after the continued roll-out of the program in Victoria this year.

“The achievement of this award represents all the hard work that is occurring in the Australian community to become better environmental citizens. They are now looking to government and business leaders to deliver the necessary policies to make sure the community’s efforts are not insignificant when it comes to addressing big issues like turning around climate change and dwindling Australian water supplies,” Ms Morrell said.

GreenHome assists people to make changes to their homes and lifestyles that will not only help the environment, but help them too. Through community education GreenHome highlight ways for families to save on their electricity, gas and water bills and make their homes a more comfortable place to live in. One way everyone can get involved in GreenHome is to take the online GreenHome challenge.

GreenHome has been made possible through funding from the NSW Environment Trust ‘Our Environment – It’s a Living Thing’ partnership and, in Victoria, through the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Sustainability Fund.

The Banksia Environmental Foundation, established in 1989, is a national not-for-profit organisation that promotes environmental excellence and sustainability through its Awards program and other associated events. The Banksia Environmental Awards are regarded as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia.