Living sustainably

Learn ways to save energy and water and how Council's Green Communities Program is helping residents to live more sustainably.

The Maitland Green Communities Program aims to engage with the local community through kerbside presentations to foster an interest in the environment and encourage improved in-home environmental practices.

The program covers the following environmental topics:

  • backyard vegetable gardens.
  • waste management.
  • stormwater management.
  • energy and water use.
  • green cleaning.
  • food waste.
  • planting native vegetation..

Each session runs for no longer than one hour and workshops are held at the kerbside or in a local park allowing a local focus. Presentations are held over a series of weeks to deliver the topics of interest at a time most suitable to the registered participants. At the conclusion of each session, participants are provided with free resources that they can use to implement the specific workshop topic.

To nominate your neighbourhood or community group for participation in the Program please complete the Participant Expression of Interest Form. 

Energy saving tips

You can save energy by following a few simple tips:

  • Turn off lights, televisions and other appliances when you leave a room.
  • Open curtains to let light in rather than turning on a light, and to warm your house during the day.
  • Turn appliances off rather than leaving in stand by mode. Stand by modes still use energy and cost money to run.
  • Only use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines when you have a full load to wash.
  • When purchasing new electrical appliances consider the energy star rating to save you money in the future.

Did you know? For every degree lower or higher you set your air conditioning thermostat, your running costs can jump by up to 10%. Set your air conditioner at 24°C in summer and 19°C in winter.

For additional hints and tips view our brochure on saving energy, or use the NSW Government's Energy Switch Comparison Tool which can be used to independently compare gas and electricity plans for NSW households.

To assist residents in making informed decisions in relation to household energy use, Council has energy power meters available for loan. You can borrow a meter free of charge from any branch library.

Water saving tips

You can save water by following a few simple tips:

  • When purchasing water using appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines choose one with a high water efficiency star rating to save you water in the future.
  • Repair leaking taps as soon as they are identified as a dripping tap can waste between 30 to 200 litres of water per day.
  • Install water efficient tapware/shower head or retrofit with aerators or flow control valves.

Did you know? Each person in the Hunter uses around 205 litres of water per day.

For additional hints and tips view our brochure on saving water.

There are currently no water restrictions in effect across the Maitland LGA.

For full details, please see the Hunter Water website.