Cool Seats

02/10/2026

Do join our conversation about retrofitting a small Melbourne apartment (Saun Tompkins) and my Chippenndale terriace house - 630 - 730 Tuesday 20 October, convened by Renew

Join Renew editor, Nathan Scolaro to explore two unique retrofit journeys, clever reuse and practical ways to create greener homes and neighbourhoods.

24/09/2026

Online worm farming event:

Sunday 11 October 2026, NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT (AEDT): 7 – 7.50pm QLD (AEST): 6 – 6.50pm SA, NT (ACDT): 6.30 – 7.20pm WA (AWST): 5 – 5.50pm LOCCAL is proud to host an interactive webinar — Small Creatu…

22/09/2026

How to get more compost from your Coolseat:

07/09/2026

Aaaah trees, plants, rain gardens . . . ways to cool cities . . .

"Inspired by Barcelona and Paris cool spaces initiatives, Milan is expanding its Piazze Aperte (Open Squares) and School Streets programme to integrate cool spaces by planting trees, replacing hard surfaces with permeable green space and creating shaded areas. The Municipality also provides a helpline and support services for the elderly and vulnerable residents through Milano Aiuta (Milano Helps). Milan’s Air and Climate Plan outlines a binding goal to limit local temperature increases to 2C by 2050; they are one of the only cities in the world that has set a temperature-related target, which is very ambitious."

Our three cities are learning from each other about how to protect residents. These climate policies are also public health measures

02/09/2026

Native bee foraging project -

Wonderful, proven subdivision, 3 interns compare Australia and the USA and Quick videos about how to build, live sustainably

01/09/2026

Native bee research project: what plants do native bees prefer?

Beginning in late August 2026 Sustainable Projects and Sydney University Bee Lab are researching the honey and resin sources for native bees in Chippendale, NSW, Australia. The project report is due in November 2026 and will include a plant list. The research is by an intern with Sustainable House,

18/08/2026

Looks like City of Melbourne and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) appreciate public composting.

Coolseat were part of the City of Melbourne Worms at Work project which has been named a finalist in the 2026 MAV Innovation Awards, in the Stronger Together Award for Council Collaboration category.

The project also received a Special Commendation in the Horizon Award for Future Climate Change Leadership and Action category.

It’s great to see the work and collaboration behind the pilot recognised in this way.

The winners will be announced on 17 September; fingers crossed.

Also worth sharing: Worms at Work will become part of a public series of innovation case studies, available for councils and other interested organisations to learn from. Hopefully, this will help make this type of project more accessible to other municipalities and demonstrate the value of testing innovative ideas through collaboration with community and external partners.

05/08/2026

When we're scared of change, we can let that fear go. We can let it go in a bar in Chippendale, or wherever we are on Earth.

Michael Mobbs

05/08/2026

Blue Mountains Food Security Fair - Saturday 10 October - Program

https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-2026-food-security-Australian

Where? Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre, Katoomba

Who is it for? Families, gardeners, enthusiasts, community groups and businesses, anyone looking to learn about how to be more resilient through local and sustainable food systems.

What to expect? Talks, workshops, demos, market stalls, family activities, music, food

Is there a cost? Entry to the Fair and Markets is free. Talks and workshops are ticketed (both free and paid) and have limited capacity, so please register in advance.

Some of the program highlights:
Headline talk: The age of renewable Food – Julian Cribb AM
The importance of bioregions in uncertain times – Rowe Morrow, Permaculture Matters
Wild edibles foraging workshops – Diego Bonetto, Learn To Forage
Food security for native animals - Tracy Burgess, WIRES
Home canning and food preservation workshop – Kirsty Berté, Permaculture Hawkesbury Valley
Designing your own Permaculture Property – Leni Nyssen, Alchemy Farms
Utilising what’s in front of you – Uncle Lex, The Ganya Shed
How to garden in a footpath verge and how to get approvals - Michael Mobbs, Sustainable House
Live music by Olivia Dustmann
Community crop and seed swap

Blue Mountains Planetary Health are also seeking stallholders for the event. If you are a grower, retailer, community organisation or business that would like to get involved, please reach out to [email protected]!

https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-2026-food-security-fair

Join us to learn how to grow, cook and preserve plant based food locally, and protect habitat for wildlife, to improve food security in the Blue Mountains.

03/08/2026

Little stories about off-grid in the country, city and villages:

Plus the best tips for making the massive switch.