Sustainable Ipswich is an annual celebration of everyday actions we can take as a community to create a more liveable city.
The program of events and activities aims to engage, inspire and encourage the Ipswich community to increase efforts and implement new actions towards making Ipswich a more sustainable place to live.
Read more in the 2024 Sustainable Ipswich Program (PDF, 4.1 MB).
Ipswich Sustainable Living Festival9am to 1pm on Saturday 19 October.Tulmur Place in Nicholas Street Precinct will be buzzing!
More details are in the Ipswich Sustainable Living Festival program (PDF, 1.8 MB) |
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All workshops will be held in the large marquee in the centre of Tulmur Place.. so easy to find!
In Ipswich more than a third of homes are rented (about 31,000 properties in the 2021 Census). You can grow nourishing food and wonderful native plants when living in a rental home. Michael will share innovate and affordable ideas on how you can set up your garden so that it is both plentiful and practical.
Valerie is passionate about food and healthy living, having written book son home cheese making, sugar-free preserving and fermented foods. Learn how to reduce the amount of food your family throws away. It's all about planning - once you get that right, you reduce waste and save money.
Hannah Moloney is best known for her work in permaculture and as a presenter on ABC’s Gardening Australia, quickly followed by her commitment to climate activism. Having grown up on a herb nursery in Meanjin/Brisbane, she’s acutely aware of what sustainability approaches are possible in urban areas (an enormous amount).
Demonstrations will be held across the day at different stalls.
Check signage near the stalls or chat to the stallholder for details.
Join Bicycle Queensland and Bikeline Ipswich for practical tips on keeping your bicycle in top shape.
Extend the life of your clothing with some simple clothing repair and upcycling tips with Quibble Market.
This Simple Day blogger Nicole Lutze shows how homemade eco-cleaning products are practical, simple and effective.
Mallow Sustainability can answer all your composting questions and help you create this vital garden resource at home.
Urban Native Bees share important tips on how you can keep bees in your backyard, including our stingless native bees.
There's something for every age!
Urban Utilities' show for little ones tells the urban water story through song and dance, including the importance of only flushing the '3 Ps'.
Art for Earthlings' high energy comedy show features an interesting ibis and a story about recycling.
Artist Sue Loveday has all the materials you need to create beautiful decorated cardboard cubbies.
Brisbane South Toy Library has some of their 2000-strong catalogue of toys for you to try out. Find out how you can join this initiative, even from Ipswich.
Headspace has the older kids and teens covered with badge making in the chill out space.
Little Green Thumbs provides everything you need to pot a seedling to plant in your garden.
Various locations across Ipswich
Have your rates notice or proof of residency handy to collect your 6 free plants from council's Free Plant Program.
During October the Mobile Nursery will be at:
You can also collect your free plants from the Queens Park Nursery. For more information see Ipswich.qld.gov.au/freeplants
8-13 October, across Ipswich
It's time for all Queenslanders to Get Ready for the upcoming severe weather season.
Visit council's Emergency Management team at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre on Wednesday 9 October or find easy checklists and guides online at Getready.qld.gov.au
Saturday 12 October, 83 Oxford Street, North Booval
Go behind the scenes of this Ipswich e-waste recycling initiative. Bring along any donations of electrical items - almost anything with a cable/cord! See the work done by volunteers and participants to recycle about 84 per cent of the material processed on site.
For more information on the Community Open Day see Facebook.com/ewasteconnection
6:00pm, Tuesday 15 October, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Lean hand sewing techniques to mend your clothes and give them a new lease on life! Bring along an item of clothing you want to visibly mend and the Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artisans of Ipswich can show you how!
The workshop is free but registrations are required, click 'Remind me' at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com to receive notifications.
9:00am, Wednesday 16 October, Bell Street (meeting point), Ipswich
In celebration of Sustainable Ipswich, CleanCo will host a free bus tour of its Swanbank site. The 50-year-old Swanbank Power Station site is undergoing a transformation to become a flagship Clean Energy Hub. The bus tour will explore Swanbank's coal mining heritage as well as the future energy generation and storage project planned, including the new grid-scale battery currently under construction.
Registrations are required, see Engagement.cleancoqueensland.com.au/swanbank-bus-tour
6:30pm, Wednesday 16 October, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
With more than seven years in recycled paper making, Andrea from Art Before Housework will guide you through the process from pulping to drying. Perfect for beginners and experienced crafters, you will leave with handmade paper sheets that are both unique and eco-friendly.
The workshop is free but registrations are required, click 'Remind me' at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com to receive notifications.
6:00pm, Thursday 17 October, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Anyone can learn to crochet! Participants will get crochet hook and small set of yarn and learn how to hold the hook, make a chain and some basic stitches to make a flower. Learn about natural vs synthetic materials and sustainability - using high quality materials is important, as is sustainable and recycled materials.
The workshop is free but registrations are required, click 'Remind me' at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com to receive notifications.
9:30am, Friday 18 October, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Join us on the shady grassed area next to the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre, led by Areta from Bush Kindy Teaching. Bush kindy is play-based learning for children in outdoor environments with interaction between nature's loose parts, each other and educators. Parents and caregivers stay and supervise their children at all times for bush kindy.
Free event, for registrations see Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Saturday 19 October, 1 Nicholas Street
Join us for a morning with the delightful and insightful Hannah Moloney and discover the joy and potential to be found in the climate conversation.
Learn how you can create a sustainable and joyful life and how words, ideas and community actions can change the world.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries as part of Sustainable Ipswich.
Bookings essential, register now via Ipswichlibraries.com.au/whats-on/adults
Saturday 26 October, Rosewood Showgrounds
Interact with local environment groups at this massive annual event focusing on fantastic native plants.
Free entry, but bring your own boxes and bags for all your plant purchases!
Follow Native Plants Queensland - Ipswich Branch on Facebook for information.
Saturday 2 November, Ipswich Masonic Centre, Nicholas Street, Ipswich
Hosted by Ipswich Climate Action Group.
All sorts of styles made from 'trash' and reclaimed items will be on the catwalk, showcasing that lots of items can be fashionable and fun.
More information on this great community event is to come!
Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 November, Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 November, across Ipswich
Join Australia's festival of pre-loved stuff with the Garage Sale Trail across two big weekends.
Register your own sale, or find sites across Ipswich at Garagesaletrail.com.au
9:30am, Friday 22 November, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Join us for a fun and interactive session with special guest Recycleman! This activity aimed at children aged under 5 years (and their grown ups) teaches about the importance of recycling, how the bin system works and what you can do to help. The show is followed by recycling-related crafts and activities.
Free event, click 'Remind me' at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com to receive notifications.
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We hope you're enjoying a great program of Sustainable Ipswich events and activities! Here are some things to help with a more sustainable lifestyle that can be done any time.
1. Borrow an Ipswich Libraries Energy Efficiency Tool Kit. It contains equipment and instructions to help you identify issues that are affecting the energy efficiency of your home. This information can help you work out what steps to take to reduce the amount of energy you use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
2. Collect native plants for your yard from the Free Plant Program. Ipswich residents are entitled to free plants every financial year under the program. Plant species are chosen to suit local climate and soil conditions and are proudly propagated and grown in Ipswich City Council's production nursery.
3. Make sure to recycle right and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Learn how to avoid contamination in your household yellow-lid recycling bin, and also items that can be taken to the Riverview Recycling and Refuse Centre or other Ipswich drop-off points. See Ipswich.qld.gov.au/recycling
Tuesday 10 September, 1 Nicholas Street
The 2024 theme is 'Change Makers'.
The full-day Summit for Ipswich students in grades 4-6 focuses on sparking sustainability projects at school and home.
A display of students' ideas from the event will be at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre in early October.
Find out more on the Youth Sustainability Summit page.
Toy Library Pop-Up Play
9:00am - 2:00pm, Monday 23 - Wednesday 25 September, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Bring the family and test out some of the 2000-plus toys, games and children's resources in the Brisbane South Toy Library collection. Just drop into the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre during opening hours to experience this sustainable and money-saving initiative.
If there is enough demand from Ipswich families, the Centre may become an ongoing 'click and collect' location for the South Brisbane Toy Library.
Find out more information at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Various dates in September, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
A range of fun and sustainable activities were held at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre during the September school holidays, including crochet basics, soap making, paper making and 'pimp my sneaker'.
Find out more information at a Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
6.30pm, Tuesday 1 October, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
Homeowner, tenant or about to build? Join building designer Esther James of 4305 Design for a session on reducing environmental impact and lowering living costs in existing dwellings or new builds.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries as part of Sustainable Ipswich.
For more information on Ipswich Libraries events see Ipswichlibraries.com.au
These sessions are designed to encourage people to learn to ride or get back on the bike. They are delivered by Ipswich Cycling Club trained coaches who are warm, patient and very passionate about getting people back on their bikes.
Riders are to wear enclosed shoes, comfortable clothes, sunscreen and a helmet, and bring a bicycle and waterbottle.
Women on Wheels
Returning Riders
Beginner's cycling class
For more information on Active and Health events see Ipswich.qld.gov.au/activehealthy
Saturday 5 October, Redbank Plains Library
A special garbage-themed Story Time in celebration of Sustainable Ipswich! Enjoy listening to illustrator Christian Bocquee as he shares his book The Garbage Trucks are Coming Today!
Explore a real-life garbage truck, meet Water Ranger and Blocka from Urban Utilities, have fun with the First 5 Forever team and more!
For more information on Ipswich Libraries events see Ipswichlibraries.com.au
Saturday 5 October, Yamanto, Brassall and Booval
Wander through urban gardens full of inspiration for you to take home. See how low-maintenance native plants can be not only appealing but create bird and bee-friendly backyards.
Find out how you can easily do the same with council's Habitat Gardens program!
For more information on Environment events, see Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
10.15am, Saturday 5 October, Springfield Central Library
Go beyond the supermarket fare and explore the diverse range of edible perennial herbs, fruit and vegetables perfect for SEQ growing conditions with Dr Ketah Silvester, environmental researcher, author and Gardening Australia contributor.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries as part of Sustainable Ipswich.
For more information on Ipswich Libraries events see Ipswichlibraries.com.au
More than 1,100 local residents were involved across 16 free and low-cost hands-on events to learn easy everyday ways to be more sustainable.
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Wednesday 3rd November, 2021
Ipswich Civic Centre
A full day forum for Primary School students in Grades 4 & 5. The day has been designed to educate and inform students on sustainability initiatives. Students will turn ideas identified as important within their home or school community into actions.
This event is by invitation to schools in the Ipswich region.
For more information email enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Saturday 6th November, 2021
Queen’s Park Environmental Education Centre, Ipswich
Take a seat with presenters Nicole Lutz (Sustainability blogger and writer for Live for Less, Lunch Lady and Pip Permaculture Magazine) and Sandra Preston-Hatcher (Enviro Award Finalist and Ipswich resident).
Hear their first-hand experience and best tips for living a life with less.
This fun and interactive workshop is for anyone keen to learn simple and out of the box ways to reduce plastic in everyday life.
Saturday 6th November, 2021
Springfield Central Library, Orion Springfield Central
Join well known horticulturalist and radio presenter, Paul Plant, for a presentation that will highlight the impact of climate change on gardens, crops and wildlife. Discover how home gardeners can plan and select plants for a successful future garden.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries.
Thursday 11th November, 2021
Event Space #3, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich City Council Building
Be part of the circular economy at the Sustainable Ipswich Clothing Swap. A clothing swap is where garments are traded and exchanged instead of purchased. They are fantastic way revive and refresh your wardrobe and keep clothes ‘in the loop’ as opposed to op-shops or ultimately landfill.
At the event, participants will get the chance to exchange their unwanted (but great condition) clothing for ones they will use and love.
As you ‘shop’, presenter Emma Willman from Statement Styling will share her tips on saving the environment through fashion and offer styling advise on looking great for less!
Saturday 13th November, 2021
Redbank Plains Community Centre, School Rd, Redbank Plains
We use water for everything, from drinking and household use to the use on our gardens.
Join Michael and Victoria from Savour Soil Permaculture as they share ways we can get smarter about how we use water at home and work with our Ipswich climate of low annual rainfall and hot summers. This session will show you how you can do more with less and be strategic with this amazing resource.
Saturday 13th November, 2021
Grande Park, Springfield Central
Designed for children who are progressing towards removing their training wheels, this bike riding course will equip your child with basic bike riding skills, will build their confidence to remove their training wheels, increase awareness of surroundings and knowledge to be safe while riding.
The session will be a small group delivered by a skilled team of riding enthusiasts.
Each participant will need to bring their own bike and helmet. Registrations are essential and places are limited.
Saturday 20th November
Queen’s Park Environmental Education Centre, Ipswich
Looking for ways to make your garden grow better? Want to grow your own food? The secrets to great gardening start in the soil.
Learn tried and tested ways to create great soil in your garden with gardening writer and consultant Kate Wall.
Kate will discuss a variety of soil improvement methods and will share ways to make home composting simple, adding valuable matter to your soil and keeping waste from landfill.
FREE
Two Weekends - 13th – 14th November and 20th – 21st November
Ipswich, Various Locations
Garage Sale Trail is back for 2021. Reusing old stuff is not only a way to make some extra cash, it’s also a way to help reduce waste that ends up in landfill.
This year will see two big weekends (13-14 and 20-21 November) of garage sales held simultaneously around the nation, with more bargains and more planet-saving fun than ever before.
Tuesday 23rd November, 2021
Jamie's Ministry of Food, d'Arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich
As a resident you can make a positive impact on the environment by cooking homemade dishes and reducing food wastage at home. In this one hour workshop participants will learn how to make a simple dish, where nothing goes to waste. These workshops will also cover tips and tricks on how to reduce your food waste overall by shopping smarter, seasonally and locally.
Saturday 27th November, 2021
1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich City Council building
Join local artist Christopher Trotter to hear about his iconic recycled metal sculptures found across SEQ and beyond.
Chris will share a virtual tour of his workshop as well as how he sources second-hand materials, then collates and arranges unrelated objects before welding them together to create new and perfectly plausible forms.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries.
Saturday 27th November, 2021
Silkstone
Join us on our first Sustainable Open Garden Tour, delivered by the Habitat Gardens program with Ipswich City Council.
For one day only, local gardener Ian Muil will open his suburban garden to the public and share his passion and knowledge for gardening.
Hear from Ian and his landscape designer, Jonathan Gregory, about how they went about transforming Ian’s front and backyard into a productive haven for plants, animals and insects.
Tuesday 30th November, 2021
Online - Hosted using Teams
Join Bicycle Queensland for an online beginner bike maintenance session. The workshop covers a range of bike maintenance tips that are helpful for people new to riding or people just wanting to refine their skills. Participants will learn about undertaking a bike safety check, drive train care, preparing to ride and route planning and repairing a flat tyre.
Cost - FREE
View and download the 2022 Sustainable Ipswich program (PDF, 3.7 MB).
Saturday 8 October, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
A collection of free talks and activities happened through the day.
Saturday 8 October, 10am, The Bubble (Children's Event Space), 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
Learn techniques to make your own no-sew rag rug with the Sewloist.
Various dates, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Starting from World Habitat Day (4 October) a series of activities and workshops will be held for all ages at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre.
Exciting sessions were held with hosts such as Consulting Gardener Kate Wall and Bombax Design's Jonathan Gregory.
10-16 October
Council’s Emergency Management team will be visiting shopping centres and library hubs to help the community prepare for severe weather.
They will have lots of resources and tips to make it easy to prepare your home and family.
Find out more on the Emergency Management page.
Saturday 15 October, Rosewood Showgrounds
Interact with local environment groups at this massive annual event focusing on fantastic native plants.
Find out more on Facebook - Native Plant Queensland Ipswich Branch
19 October, Ipswich Civic Centre
The theme for 2022 is Working Together for a Brighter Future. The full day summit is for primary school students in Grades 4, 5 & 6 and focuses on helping to spark sustainability projects at home and at school.
For more information see the Youth Sustainability Summit page.
Wednesday 19 October
Join Australia’s biggest celebration of commuter riding at National Ride2Work Day.
This is your chance to give it a go – and get in your daily exercise while you’re at it!
Find out more at ride2work.com.au
Wednesday 19 October, Tulmur Place, Ipswich Central
With the use of VR goggles you can see how small changes in the environment, such as planting trees, can help reduce the impacts of heat on our homes and streets.
Council is proud to partner with Griffith University and Sunshine Coast University on this project.
17-23 October
Taking part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count is easy! Just spend 20 minutes in your favourite outdoor space and tell us about the birds you see during that period. See aussiebirdcount.org.au
Thursday 20 October
Ipswich Cycle Park, 65 Briggs Road, Raceview
This workshops is perfect for anyone looking to dust off their bicycle and gain confidence in riding. Covering all basics this course will assist in enhancing those skills to make participants confident on bike paths and bikeways.
Saturday 22 October, Ripley Town Centre
Craft your own natural bees wax cloth wraps for sustainable food storage and learn how to care for your wraps. Take home new skills and your creation. Learn more about the importance of bees to our environment and local ecosystems.
For workshop details see ripleytowncentre.com.au/events
Saturday 22 October, Leichhardt - One Mile Community Centre (community garden area)
Join Ipswich Plant Swap and exchange garden goodies with like-minded people.
From 11am join Savour Soil Permaculture to learn about local food system and food security, preparing your soil and garden planning.
Saturday 22 October, Rosewood
Rosewood Library, 10am-11.15am
Springfield Central Library 1.15pm - 2.30pm
Join Chuwar's Mountain Man to learn about using native plants in your garden.
Registrations essential - https://www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/whats-on/adults/
Saturday 29 October, Ripley Town Centre
With the use of VR goggles you can see how small changes in the environment such as planting trees can help reduce the impacts of heat on our homes and streets.
Council is proud to partner with Griffith University and Sunshine Coast University on this project.
28-31 October
Join an international period of intense biological surveying. The event attempts to record all living species within designated areas across the southern hemisphere.
Join the Ipswich survey by downloading citizen science app iNaturalist.
Sunday 6 November
Join a trail of four different Ipswich gardens full of inspiration for you to take home. See how low-maintenance native plants can be not only appealing but create bird and bee-friendly backyards.
This event is brought to you by council's Enviroplan-funded Habitat Gardens program.
Read the program booklet (PDF, 2.8 MB)for a whole range of ways to participate in sustainability.
Sustainable Ipswich is made possible with the support of our partner
Wander through urban Habitat Gardens full of inspiration for you to take home. See how low-maintenance native plants can be not only appealing but create bee and bird-friendly backyards. Chat to the homeowners and discover how you can have a beautiful, sustainable habitat garden too. Pre-registration required.
Eco-designer Kim Bailey will teach you the practical skills of fashion illustration whilst sharing her passion for thoughtful and ethical design. Presented by Ipswich Libraries in support of Sustainable Ipswich Month.
Story time at the park: Presented by Ipswich Libraries First Five Forever
It's free to drop into Queens Park Environmental Education Centre and nurture your child's love of language and stories with an environmental theme.
It's time for all Queenslanders to Get Ready for the upcoming severe weather season.
Council's Emergency Management Team will be visiting shopping centre, library and community hubs to help the community prepare for severe weather.
Find the list of pop up sites at Ipswich First.
For information on how to Get Ready for severe weather, go to getready.qld.gov.au
Join the Oz Harvest chef for a workshop that will boost your confidence and motivation in making healthy, budget friendly food choices while learning practical tips on reducing food waste. Cost is $5 per participant.
The theme for the 7th annual summit is 'Impact'. The full-day summit is for primary school students in grades 4-6, and focuses on helping to spark sustainability projects at home and school.
Pre-registration is required - schools interested in participating in future events can email enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Ipswich based residential building designer, Esther James will share practical ideas to reduce the environmental impact of your home and lower living costs.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries in support of Sustainable Ipswich Month.
Join Australia's biggest celebration of commuter riding on National Ride2Work Day. More than 50 per cent of car trips are less than 5km. Give the planet - and yourself - a boost and ride instead!
Find out more at ride2work.com.au
Look back at previous Sustainable Ipswich events
Find a recap of the previous programs below.
Learn how to start, feed and care for a worm farm plus DIY from household items.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries in support of Sustainable Ipswich Month.
Saturday 21 October, 9am - 1pm, Tulmur Place, Ipswich Central
Tulmur Place will be a hive of activity with a collection of free sustainability speakers and activities for the whole family.
Come along and discover highlights such as performances from Urban Utilities Water Warriors, and Art for Earthlings' Holey bin Amoley, guest presenter ABC presenter and experienced sustainable gardener Phil Dudman, Quibble Market and repair cafe, mobile nursery and practical demonstrations.
Take a look at the Festival program (PDF, 1.2 MB)
More event information at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Interact with local environment groups at this massive annual event focused on fantastic native plants. Free entry, but bring your own boxes and bags for all your plant purchases. It is the 10th year the event has been held!
See the Native Plants Queensland - Ipswich Branch Facebook page for more information.
Presented by Ipswich Libraries First 5 Forever.
Encourage literacy, learning and discovery with the outdoor self-guided reading experiences.
Special Tales and Trails in our conservation areas highlight an environmental theme - find new trails at Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve in Ipswich and at Hardings Paddock day use area in the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate in Purga.
For a limited time only! A new trail for the book Hotel for Bees can be explored in Tulmur Place, Ipswich Central, during October and November.