As a part of the Illawarra Biodiversity and Local Food Strategy for Climate Change project, Wollongong City Council is seeking 12 community members who are willing to become permaculture champions.

As part of a move to see sustainability in every day life for Illawarra suburbs and villages, Council, in partnership with Shellharbour City and Kiama Municipal Council, is seeking 12 people to attend a permaculture course with funding provided by the NSW Environmental Trust.

“This is a move to push the value of permaculture into the communities in the city,” said Vanni De Luca. “Council is working with the Illawarra councils – Kiama and Shellharbour – to find a number of people who will receive funding to attend a Permaculture Design Certificate course. The people will be selected on merit and the successful candidates are expected to return their skills and knowledge gained through the course to their communities.”

Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

“We see that by helping to skill people in the community we will be able to spread more knowledge about permaculture and biodiversity which is essential for us to sustain our way of life in this wonderful city,” Mr De Luca said.

For information on how to apply for funding for a permaculture course, you can contact Council’s Food Strategy Officer, Rebecca Bogie on (02) 4227 7177, or via email on rbogie@wollongong.nsw..gov.au

Closing date for applications will be 14 June 2011.

For more information on sustainability and our environment visit Wollongong City Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au.