Race towards zero with smart living

THE annual Smart Building and Living Expo is back at Royal Park this month to encourage the community to think greenly.

Buninyong Sustainability director Andrea Mason said the eco fest’s 2022 focus is on the race towards zero emissions.

More than 30 stalls from “can do” organisations will offer “good, honest” resources and support to residents who are keen to think global, act local, and be part of the solution.

“Most of Ballarat’s community environmental and sustainability groups will be well represented, including students from Buninyong Primary School with their solar boats, and Damascus College with their cool sustainable race cars,” she said.

“There’ll be lots of electric cars, e-bikes, and an electric Harley Davidson motorbike, as part of the largest electric vehicle display in regional Victoria.

“Mostly, these vehicles will be brought along by their owners, so people will be able to find out about the cars and motorbike directly from their drivers.”

Other groups coming along to host a stall include BREAZE, Ballarat Regional Beekeepers, Ballarat Tool Library, Ballarat Repair Cafe, Friends of Buninyong Botanic Gardens, Green Earth Kids, Extinction Rebellion Ballarat and many more.

Sustainable and lifestyle products, kid’s activities, and food vans will also be on site.

Ms Mason said Buninyong Sustainability members hope events like the expo increase political pressure, and encourage more governmental climate action.

“They’re still spruiking 2050, but we know it should be 2030, so we’re in a race, and the more we can get done to get people on board, the better,” she said.

The 2022 Buninyong Smart Building and Living Expo will run on Sunday, 20 March from 10am to 3.30pm at Royal Park, Buninyong.