Under the program all Australian households are eligible to receive a FREE home sustainability assessment and report, which is valued at around $250. This assessment will provide householders with information on where they can make improvements to the sustainability of their home, and where the biggest gains are to be made. You can register now for your free assessment by visiting the Green Loans website or by calling 1800 895 076. 
To be added to our mailing list send your details to the Sustainability Unit or call on 02 4732 8050.
People signing up to the program are expected to save at least $95 a year on their power bills. After the trial in Western Sydney, the program will be rolled out to a further 219,000 low income families across the rest of NSW.
If you have a pensioner, low income or veteran card or are registered as an energy retailer hardship customer and own or rent a private home, call the Environment Line on 1300 361 967 to book an assessment and start saving power, money and carbon pollution for free. Visit http://www.savepower.nsw.gov.au/ for details.
On World Environment Day, 5 June 2009, Penrith City Council will be presenting a cheque to the winners of the first funding round of the Pratt Foundation ‘Penrith Social Sustainability Grants Program’.
The grants were open to community organisations with deductible gift recipient status that support the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community, made possible through the Pratt Foundation.
The Pratt Foundation has generously allocated $140,000 to be distributed for community benefit over the next six years, of which $40,000 has been allocated in 2009 to successful receipts in the first round. Council is proud to be the administrator of the local grants on behalf of the Foundation.
The grants will encourage community cohesion and cultural identity through projects that help to provide basic food, shelter and protection from harm, the maintenance of cultural and community identify and social and environmental actions that unite the community.
Three of Penrith’s Principles for a Sustainable City, adopted in 2003, strongly relate to social sustainability, including:
· Achieve long-term economic and social security;
· Empower people and foster participation;
· Expand and enable cooperative networks to work towards a common, sustainable future
The term ‘social sustainability’ is used to describe programs and projects that promote social inclusion, participation, cultural enrichment and connectedness. It also emphasises initiatives which support the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities.
Accordingly, the Visy Grants Program provides another important opportunity for Council to put into practice our commitment to social sustainability, and it will directly benefit the local community.
Congratulations to the successful applicants - keep up the great work and I hope this grant makes your job a little easier.
Download your copy of the May Edition of Sustainability Street! Simply click here.If your school has a story for the next edition please email Council by clicking here.
