Prolific science commentator, author and academic Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will be on hand to answer burning questions about climate change, emissions and other sustainability-themed issues at this year's Living Smart Festival.
Dr Karl will take to the main stage at Speers Point Park tomorrow from 10am for a 45-minute chat, followed by a Q&A session and book signing.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Partnerships Matt Holloway said it was a coup to have someone with such knowledge and relatability delve into hot sustainability-themed topics.
"Dr Karl has spent the past 30 years making sense of every facet of science for everyday Australians," he said.
"He's the perfect person to not only explain these issues, but how we can address them, reduce our impact on the environment and live more sustainably."
This year's festival will run from 9am-3pm, featuring a host of free activities, presentations and workshops.
Stretching across Speers Point Park, themed zones include:
- Grow Zone – school garden bed display, permaculture
- Optus Nature Zone – landscape display, native wildlife show, pot painting workshops, insect hotels
- First Nations Zone – tool and weaving workshops, Awabakal seasonal calendar
- NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Energy Zone – EVs, kids' mini EV challenge, solar and battery displays, Solar Neighbourhoods program showcase
- Greater Bank Kids Zone – nature play, storytime sessions, kids' workshops, Curious Legends performances
- Upcycle Zone – sustainable fashion markets, hands-on activities, repair café
- Resilience Zone – emergency services displays, recycling and green waste trucks and displays
- Eat Zone – low waste cooking, fermenting, cooking with local and seasonal produce
The day will also include a native plant giveaway, where Lake Macquarie residents can each collect up to three free native tubestock plants.
Mr Holloway said free shuttle buses would run all day to and from Toronto, Croudace Bay and Glendale, stopping off at Fennell Bay, Warners Bay and Cockle Creek.
"We're encouraging everyone to support the festival's sustainable themes by walking, riding or using public transport to get to the event," he said.
"We'll also be running a free bike valet service, where you can park your bike and even put it in for a free service."
This year's festival is supported by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Energy Zone sponsor), Optus (Nature Zone sponsor), and Greater Bank (Kids Zone sponsor), and event sponsors Hunter Resource Recovery, University of Newcastle, Hunter Water, Solo Resource Recovery and Source Separation Systems.
