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On October 14 and 15, SLA joined over 60 other stallholders to showcase the best in innovation, sustainability and climate resilience.  Over the two days around 5,000 people visited the free event at Thoroughbred Park.

Friday was focused on industry, business and Government staff learning and networking. Saturday was “family day” and included induction cooking demonstrations, giveaways, trials of e-bikes, a stream of all ages exploring the all electric state-of-the-art fire truck, getting comfy in electric cars, playing with compost  and more.

The SLA stall was a visual feast thanks to our partnership with Yarralumla Nursery who provided a green wall featuring plants that are proven to grow well in the Canberra climate and are suited to verge planting, front and rear gardens. Information was available on the Free Plant Issue Scheme appliable to new home purchasers as well as broadly to all Canberrans about suitable plant choices and planting options. Minister Berry recently released a revised edition of SLA’s Climate Wise Garden Design Booklet which features the plants on display and many more, people who visited our booth excitedly took copies of the booklet ready for their own Spring planting.  

In addition at our booth, SLA shared our recently award nominated Your Resilient Home Guide. Feedback was that people found this very useful from the perspective of building, buying, renovating or looking to lower household running costs.

Author of this guide, Caitlin McGee gave a presentation on its contents. Other SLA presentations were provided by Rob Thorman who joined a panel on Our Sustainable Capital, and Eshan Ahuja who spoke as part of the Climate Active Careers Panel.

Another interactive element of our stall allowed people to see firsthand the impact of permeable surface options for their gardens, driveways and pathways. This fun event was a collaborative effort across SLA teams to demonstrate how we create great places and thriving communities!