Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre

The Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre is a joint initiative of City of Sydney and Marrickville Councils and is part of an ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable environments. Originally funded with a focus on stormwater pollution and water consumption, the name The Watershed was chosen due to its position on King Street, a natural ridge line, which divides the catchment areas of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. Yet a watershed can also mean a definitive change, or turning point and it is intended that The Watershed is an inspiration for the local community to take action for a sustainable future.

Since its inception in 2002 The Watershed has expanded its focus to embrace a broad range of innovative solutions to sustainability. Our shop front is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm with staff/volunteers on hand to provide simple, cost-effective ideas to support a more sustainable way of living in our urban environment across a broad range of issues including transport, worm farming and composting, greywater reuse, rainwater tanks, energy and water efficiency, recycling, natural cleaning, sustainable housing, permaculture and more.

The Watershed’s FREE Urban Sustainability Workshop Series offers participants a great, hands-on learning experience, providing opportunities to learn practical tips for sustainable living, meet like-minded members of our community and share low-cost solutions and alternatives.

Other educational projects delivered by The Watershed include the No Butts in Newtown and Bagbusters projects as well as the Real Estate Initiative which involve working with local businesses to reduce littering and illegal dumping and its resultant social and environmental impacts.

Opportunities for young people at The Watershed include visiting our shopfront, attending our workshops and volunteering. Volunteers are involved in every facet of The Watershed’s activities, developing, evaluating and supporting projects on an ongoing basis.

Our broad range of initiatives and events provides volunteers with a flexible environment where motivated people from our community can gain relevant training and professional development in a safe, supportive and creative work environment, benefit from teamwork experience and the opportunity to meet new people and liaise with the community and to help protect and conserve the local environment.

The Watershed also attends local festivals and events. In 2005/6 these have included Peats Ridge Music Festival, Earthdance Global Music Festival for Peace, Feastability Food & Wine Festival, Yoga Groundwork Festival and Newtown Festival.