Since 2019, the Blue Mountains community has faced significant challenges. This started with bushfires that relentlessly threatened our villages on three sides in 2019, followed by flooding and landslides in both 2019 and 2020, and then COVID-19.

If there’s one certainty in all of this, it’s that we have a passionate and environmentally-aware community. Which is why we’re seeing a groundswell of community-led recovery in response to these challenges.

If you’re keen to get involved, here’s a directory of the existing networks, organisations and Council sustainability resources available to all community members.

SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE USE:

PROGRAM	WHAT THEY DO	GET IN TOUCH
Clean Up Australia	Clean up Australia inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.	https://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/
Compost Hub	Linking households that are not composting with households that are – all via an interactive online platform. It follows a successful trial in 2017 when 1,000kgs of food scraps were diverted from landfill. Participants noted how much less waste went into their red bin, the satisfaction of reusing their food scraps and the community-building.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/composthub
Food Smart	An online program to help NSW households reduce food waste. Sign-up and over seven weeks and get tips, hacks and advice on meal planning, food storage, shopping and much more.	https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/Food-Smart
Get Grubby	Available to all child care, day care, family day care and primary schools in the Blue Mountains, Get Grubby includes videos, music, outdoor and indoor activities, and encourages kids to explore the big world outside. Led by 50 videos not shown on TV, the program stars Dirtgirl, Scrapboy and Costa the Garden Gnome.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/get-grubby
NSW Energy Savers	The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) cuts electricity and gas use by creating financial incentives for households and businesses to be more energy efficient.	https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/business/discounts-and-incentives/about-energy-savings-scheme
Resilient Blue Mountains	Connecting and developing a community-led network of foundation members, working groups, lighthouse projects and neighbourhood action nodes so we not only survive, but to thrive, in the face of the climate crisis. Welcoming community members to join a range of working groups.	https://www.resilientbluemountains.org/
Reuse Shed	Blaxland and Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facilities have a reuse shed where residents can drop off reusable furniture and equipment (general waste fees apply). This is then available for other residents to take, free of charge.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waste-facilities
Subsidised Compost Bins	Council offer $20 compost bins online, with free delivery. This is available for all households and is to encourage and enable organic waste diversion from households.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waste-recycling/food-waste-composting
Waste Workshops	Council runs food waste reduction, composting and recycling workshops for the community. These workshops are designed to inform and enable residents to take action on reducing waste to landfill.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waste-recycling/waste-recycling-workshops-events
Water Wise (Sydney Water)	Water wise provides tips and ideas to reduce water use at households. It also links to the Waterfix program that offers to fix leaks and install water efficient fixtures for free.	https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/your-home/using-water-wisely/water-wise-tips/index.htm
Zero Waste Leura	Leura Garage, Leura Village Association, Blue Mountains City Council and the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures have partnered with Love Food Hate Waste as a #powerfulpartnerships working closely with the local business community to reach ‘zero-food waste’ in Leura (and the surrounding areas).	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/zero-waste-leura

ENHANCING CONNECTIONS WITH OUR NATURAL AREA

PROGRAM	WHAT THEY DO	GET IN TOUCH
Bush Backyards	This program aims to help enhance and protect the natural environment across the Blue Mountains, particularly on private land - encouraging the community to take active custodianship of bushland on their property.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/environment/conservation-volunteers/bush-backyards
Bushcare	Restoration of bushland reserves by volunteers – looking after the native bush, identifying plants, monitoring fauna, weed control and seed collection.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/bushcare
Connecting with Nature	Inspiring the next generation by connecting them to our special Blue Mountains environment and fostering their natural love of nature. This program offers local students the opportunity to explore their local water catchment, learn why it’s special and take action to protect it.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/environment/connecting-with-nature
Rooftop Garden at the Cultural Centre	Be part of the volunteer Green Team – helping plan, implement and care for an edible roof top garden – providing fresh, seasonal produce to the Cultural Centre Café and learning opportunities for the community.	http://bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au/be-involved/volunteers/
Swampcare	Based on the neighbourhood-watch idea, this involves engaging the community in monitoring Blue Mountains swamps for negative impacts. These impacts are then reported to the BMCC environmental sustainability team for investigation and action where possible.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/environment/swampcare
Trackcare	Supporting recreational user volunteer groups to conduct rehabilitation of tracks to professional standards in Council bushland reserves. Trackcare groups represent two distinct recreational user groups, Trackcare (off-road cyclists) and Cragcare (recreational climbers).	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/environment/conservation-volunteers/trackcare

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY

PROGRAM	WHAT THEY DO	GET IN TOUCH
Blue Mountains Eco-Destination	Supporting more sustainable tourism with a lighter footprint on our World Heritage environment, the City of Blue Mountains is joining an established global network of like-minded destinations striving for excellence. This program will provide an opportunity for local businesses to focus on reducing their footprint and become accredited businesses in the LGA.	https://www.ecotourism.org.au/our-certification-programs/eco-destination-certification/
Energy Advice Program (BEAP)	Helping businesses save on energy costs – available to small businesses in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The Program provides industry-specific information on energy saving programs, connects small businesses with government grants and proposes options for small businesses to manage their energy.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/action-on-climate-change/free-business-energy-advice-program-beap
Love Local	The Love Local campaign, launched by BMCC in January 2020, originally aimed to recoup money lost to the local economy after visitors stayed away during bush fires in the upper Blue Mountains. This has since been expanded to support local business in their recovery from COVID-19.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/lovelocal
Your Business is Food	Providing you with information, advice and resources to help reduce the amount of food you throw away in your business.	https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/business
Youth Council	BMCC established a Youth Council made up of young people who live, work or study in the Blue Mountains, allowing them to be involved in positive civic action for change in their communities.	https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/YouthCouncil

OTHER

PROGRAM	WHAT THEY DO	TO REVIEW CURRENT PROJECTS OPEN FOR CONSULTATION VISIT:
Have Your Say	This is a site that council uses to consult with employees and the community on the development of strategic plans, master plans and other projects prior to Council adoption. This is a great opportunity to provide direct feedback to Council and ensure sustainability and resilience is considered.	https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au

Anything you’d like to add to the list? Get in touch and let us know here.

Final Mentee Survey - February to June 2023