The City of Mount Gambier is participating in Living Lightly Locally, a free community sustainability education and research program delivered by Adelaide University.
Living Lightly Locally will be delivered across four council areas in South Australia including the City of Mount Gambier, City of Mitcham, Mount Barker District Council and Alexandrina Council, with monthly sessions hosted at the Mount Gambier Library from July 2026 until July 2027.
Upcoming monthly topics in Mount Gambier will include waste, garden and biodiversity, and your sustainability journey, providing opportunities for participants to learn, reflect and take practical action in their daily lives.
City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said the program offers a meaningful way for the community to engage with sustainability at a local level.
"The Living Lightly Locally program provides a valuable opportunity for our community to come together, learn from one another and take practical steps towards more sustainable lifestyles," Mayor Martin said.
"It's encouraging to see Mount Gambier included in this initiative, which not only supports individuals and households to make significant changes, but also helps build a stronger, more connected and resilient community for the future."
The program supports individuals, households and communities to better understand the changes needed to live happier, healthier, more locally connected and regenerative lives, while also exploring the barriers that can make sustainability change challenging.
City of Mount Gambier Environmental Sustainability Business Partner Aaron Izzard said the program focuses on real, locally informed change.
"Living Lightly Locally is about supporting our community to explore practical, meaningful ways to live more sustainably, while also recognising that change looks different for everyone," Mr Izzard said.
"By hosting the program at the Mount Gambier Library, we're creating a local space for people to learn from each other, reflect on what matters most to them, and contribute valuable insights that can help shape better sustainability outcomes locally and beyond."
The program combines community education with university led research, giving participants the opportunity to contribute to a growing understanding of what motivates sustainability change and what makes it easier or more difficult to achieve.
"We can all play a role in contributing to the systems change we need. I'm really looking forward to meeting people and embarking on a journey of change together," Adelaide University Living Lightly Locally project leader Dr Keri Hopeward said.
Participants will explore a range of interconnected topics including wellbeing, waste, energy, water, transport, home, garden, food, climate and community through a mix of self-paced online learning and monthly group discussions. People of all experience levels are encouraged to participate.
"A key feature of Living Lightly Locally is its strong local focus. Participants work together to develop a collective vision for sustainability and identify goals that matter most within the local community, from individual behaviour change through to broader system impact," Mr Izzard said.
Participants will also share their stories throughout the program, helping researchers build a deeper understanding of what supports successful, lasting change. These insights will be analysed by Adelaide University researchers and used to help inform future government and non-government policy.
The program also features inspiration from Living Lightly Locally Legends, including Helena Norberg Hodge (Local Futures) and Damon Gameau (Regenerating Australia).
Interested residents can sign up for the course at https://www.livinglightlylocally.com.au
