1. Merri Sustainability A community approach to action

2. Merri Sustainability Victorian Women’s Trust “Watermark” Formed >200 small groups across Victoria Provided information on water use/issues Sought feedback from community

3. Merri Sustainability 7 residents in Union Street Northcote formed a Watermark group. After information, decided that we should do something to reduce our water use. Also thought others in the street may be interested.

4. Merri Sustainability Visited every house in street Invited residents to become involved in solving the water crisis High level of interest and awareness

5. Merri Sustainability Got 42 households involved Interesting observation “Not enough time” “Thought it would be expensive” “No idea what to do” These are typical impediments to action

7. Merri Sustainability Aim to help residents overcome the impediments: –Collect and provide information “No idea what to do” –Organise things “Not enough time” –Negotiate discounts/apply for grants “Thought it would be expensive”

8. Merri Sustainability Organised water audits for every house –Negotiated discount audit price for bulk –Organised times and dates So all they had to do was be home at the time

9. Merri Sustainability Raised money from local traders to subsidise audits Ended that no-one was out of pocket

10. Produced series of flyers and fact sheets

12. Applied for State Grant to help pay for tanks Unsuccessful, but.....

13. Merri Sustainability Aim: Lead by example

15. 220 litres per day in 2000 60 litres per day in 2007 73% reduction

16. Open day to show people what can be done

17. Successes Got 42 houses involved when only 7 would have done something 10 houses with rainwater tanks installed 15 houses with grey water recycling Lots of small-scale action –Sharing water saving tips and ideas

18. Successes Gained publicity in local and Melbourne papers 4 other groups started in other suburbs

19. Failures Picked the wrong water auditors (a larger company) –Unreliable, slow, uncaring Led to loss of momentum Long periods between actions Failure to get grant

20. Failures (not our fault) Rain... loss of interest/concern Government announcement –Desalination plant and Goulburn pipeline –No future focus on water saving –Means little future support –Water saving groups are probably redundant

21. Additional Benefits High level of community bonding New community projects –Book lending library New friends

22. Additional Benefits Great street party at end of year

23. Next Turn over organisation to other residents with interest in energy savings

24. Summary Excellent model for community action –Not just for water savings –Gets more people involved in actions –Overcomes impediments to action –Builds community cohesion –Tip sheet available if you want to go down this track

25. Forms and supports community groups Guides through processes Organises information sessions Ideal if you don’t know what to do or how to do it