Smart living expo returns to Buninyong

SAVING money, helping the planet and having a pretty good time in the process is what’s in store as Buninyong Sustainability prepares to host this year’s Smart living Expo on Sunday 22 February.

Happening again at Buninyong’s Royal Park, the annual celebration of smarter, more eco-wise living ideas will bring people together for a day focused on nifty innovations and affordable solutions for a greener future.

The free, family-friendly event will feature more than 80 stalls, workshops and expert talks covering everything from energy-efficient building solutions to sustainable health practices.

Buninyong Sustainability creative director Justin Weyers said this year’s expo will also have some new family activities as well as a lineup of live music and food stalls,

Powered by clean energy, the expo aims to set an example of sustainable practices, demonstrating how individuals and communities can help contribute to a healthier planet.

“We definitely want to make it feel like this is a place to share smarter ideas,” Mr Weyers said.

“This year we’ve been able to market further than Ballarat. We’re reaching out to Bendigo, Geelong, Warrnambool and Colac.

“There’s an initiative to be smarter together and register whatever big or small thing you’ve done and feel proud of, whether it’s putting on solar panels or a water-saving measure, helping us all feel positive.

“The other thing this year is our Good Vibes Dinner to launch it on Friday night with the Blues Fusion band.”

Sponsors for this year’s event include multiple local and not-so-local businesses as well as Community Bank Buninyong and the City of Ballarat.

“We’ve had more support and sponsorship this year than we’ve had in 11 years,” Mr Weyers said.

For those keen to do even more to support the event, Mr Weyers said volunteers to assist with aspects including set-up and pack-down are welcome to register through the Smart Living Expo website.