Sustainable Living Armidale

Since 2007 Sustainable Living Armidale (SLA) has endeavoured to raise awareness of the implications of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, to build networks, and inspire and empower our community to build a more self-reliant, resilient and sustainable future.

To this end we are made up of action groups each with a specific focus, currently these are:

Armidale Community Garden runs a large garden and food stall at the farmers’ markets Black Gully Festival partner celebrating music, art, environment and community Climate Action Armidale building community with a stall at the PCYC mall markets Energy and Armidale Local Food platforming ‘Sustainable House’ and ‘Home-Grown Garden’ tours on alternating years Renewable Energy, Education, Advocacy & Community Health and Electrify Armidale enabling community-driven shift to renewable energy Sustainable Death Group encouraging conversation around death and dying Transport developing a strategic plan with Armidale Regional Council Wildlife Habitat protecting local koala population

Armidale Community Garden behind New England Regional Art Gallery (NERAM) is an SLA perennial initiative that you can visit.  It opens 4 afternoons a week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from around 1pm until dusk (when the chooks agree to being shut in for the night).

SLA has meaningful links to other local groups, Southern New England Landcare (who kindly provide us with a meeting space and insurance), Community Power Agency, Uralla ZNet, Citizen Wildlife Corridors, Armidale Tree Group, Armidale Urban Rivercare Group, New England Rakali and Platypus group and National Parks Association.

SLA also seeks to actively support our local Armidale Regional Council (ARC) in its decision-making processes. In 2019, ARC made a Climate Emergency Declaration which was highlighted within the current Delivery Program 2022-2026. Council has adopted a Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP) in 2022 and made commitment to the Project Zero30 UNE partnership. SLA lobbied council regarding sustainable transport with an Active Transport Strategy produced in 2024.

Join the email magazine with all the latest news events at: SLArmidale.org