Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group
Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group (ESPG) started in November 2006. We’re a keen bunch of permies with a shared desire to reduce our environmental footprint and benefit from sustainable practices. We have a particular interest in sustainable urban living and gardening, with elements for small spaces and backyards a large consideration.
Our members are mostly in the Boroondara, Whitehorse, Knox and Maroondah municipalities, and range in experience from just starting to people who have been enthusiastically pursuing sustainability for 30+ years. We’re keen to exchange ideas on what works, (and what doesn’t!), share seedlings and harvests, let members know about specials, buy in bulk for savings, arrange guest speakers, participate in field trips and visits and generally learn from and share our individual and collective knowledge with others to help build a sense of local community and support. ESPG members have started Community Supported Agriculture schemes and neighbourhood produce swaps, won sustainability awards, produced submissions to local councils and VicUrban, published articles on environmental issues and initiated a local Seed Saver group, a suburban food forest, and a home-based natural soapmaking business.
In September 2018, the Outer Eastern Permaculture Swaps (OEPS) became part of our group. This expands ESPG into the outer eastern suburbs, covering Maroondah and Yarra Ranges areas. Swaps are held monthly in Bayswater, Heathmont, Mooroolbark and Warranwood. Take the opportunity to join the local community and swap homegrown produce – fruit, veggies, herbs, fresh eggs, preserves, jams, seedlings, cuttings, seeds and much more. As well we share gardening tips, food and nutrition knowledge, and encourage sustainable gardening.
To keep up-to-date with the OEPS events, please check out their https://permacultureswap.wordpress.com/
Areas covered: Melbourne’s eastern suburbs – from Boroondara to Whitehorse, Knox and Maroondah