Living Green
Living green supports both a healthy environment and a healthier community. Actions like reducing waste and emissions, reusing and repairing, growing food, and creating habitat gardens help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss while also improving wellbeing through cleaner environments, cooler neighbourhoods, and stronger connections with nature.
Council is working to make its buildings and operations more sustainable, while our Green Living in Melton Program - and support for local environmental groups - help the community live more sustainably at home, work and school.
Join one of our events and explore practical tips for greener living below.
Green Living Program
Our Green Living Program offers regular workshops, walks and special events that inspire new ideas, build practical skills and create community connections.
Learn how to mend and repair, compost at home, create a water-smart habitat garden, and explore Melton’s beautiful natural spaces while connecting with nature.
To view upcoming events, visit Sustainability & Environment Events - Melton Learning
To find out more about our school and community group contact: sustainability@melton.vic.gov.au
Green Living at Home
By making some changes at home you can reduce emissions and waste, while also saving money! Here is a list of programs, resources and tools to get you started:
- Get solar panels!
The Solar Homes Program offers eligible Victorian households solar panel (PV) rebates and the option of an interest-free loan, and hot water rebates.
- Go all-electric!
Solar Victoria offers practical tips and advice for making the switch to an all-electric home. All-electric homes use electricity instead of gas for heating and cooling, cooking and heating water. Upgrading to an all-electric home can save you thousands on energy bills every year - especially when you have solar power.
- Upgrade old appliances such as heating and cooling, and hot water systems!
Whether you own, rent or invest, the Victorian Energy Upgrades for Homes gives you access to discounts by replacing your old appliances with efficient electric options.
- Measure your energy and water use at home!
My Home Energy and Water Efficiency Kits measure your energy and water use at home, helping you identify where you can reduce usage to lower bills and emissions. Get in touch with our Sustainability & Climate Resilience Team via email: sustainability@melton.vic.gov.au to borrow one for free.
- Swap out single-use plastics for reusables
Single-use plastics are often just used for minutes yet can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. They also often end up in our waterways, breaking up into smaller and smaller bits, polluting the environment with microplastics. By using Keep Cups, reusable produce and shopping bags, metal water bottles, cloth nappies and bees wax wraps we can reduce our reliance on single-use plastics, while improving the health of ourselves and nature!
- Get Growing!
A garden full of produce, colour and birdsong is great for our mind, body and soul. Whether you want to create a habitat or edible garden, check out our Gardening in Melton page for tips and advice.
- Start Composting!
Not only does compost create rich fertile soil for your garden, but it also helps to divert 40-60% of organic waste from landfill, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some hot tips to get going or contact our Green Living Officer via email: sustainability@melton.vic.gov.au to deliver compost education at your school or community group.
- Go Op Shopping!
Buying second-hand is one of the best ways to avoid overconsumption and production - and you’ll often end up with a unique gem that you saved a lot of money on! Check out this brochure of Op Shops you can visit in the West(PDF, 666KB)
- Some other helpful resources:
Green Living at Work
The Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action supports Melton businesses to become more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The Council-run program offers free, no obligation advice to assist you with cutting costs, lowering your energy use and future-proofing your business.
Become a sustainable business in the West today! For more info visit Business Support Program – The Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action
Join a Local Group
The City of Melton is home to a passionate community of volunteers dedicated to caring for our local environment. These welcoming groups are always looking for new members to get involved in activities such as planting days, weeding, litter clean-ups and educational walks.
To learn more or get involved, please contact the groups directly:
Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden Inc.
Eynesbury Environment Group
We Love Aintree
Utsav Trees for Life
We are always on the lookout for new environmental champions, so if you are interested in starting a new Landcare or litter clean-up group in your area, get in touch! Contact our Green Living Officer via email: sustainability@melton.vic.gov.au or phone: 9747 7200.
There are also several community gardening groups that meet regularly to prune, harvest, weed and plant fruit and vegetables. Joining a community gardening group is a great way to learn new gardening skills, swap produce and seeds, and meet like-minded people. To find out more visit Gardening in Melton.
Community Grants and Funding Programs
Melton City Council is pleased to deliver the Community Grants and Funding Programs to support our community to deliver projects, including environment and sustainability initiatives.