Community Environment Centre (CEC)
The CEC is a community resource dedicated to promoting the concept of sustainability. The CEC features a Waterwise Garden Site and Sustainable Home Demonstration Site. Both these sites contain installations, displays and interpretative signage designed to encourage sustainable practices.
The CEC building contains a meeting room, environmental library and display areas featuring an extensive array of environmental information. The information facilitates easy access for the community to the latest government rebates and grants on energy and water saving opportunities. There is also access to information brochures on a range of environmental topics.
The centre is opened on Thursdays and staffed by a council officer and volunteers. The CEC is also utilised by other environmental groups.
The community education focus of the centre is supported by council and the centre plays a strategic part in the council’s Education for Sustainability Strategy. A series of workshops under the banner of ‘Living Sustainably’ are held at the centre on a regular basis to cater for community needs.
An extensive list of the current workshops available can be viewed under the Environmental Workshops and Activities link.
How did the Environment Centre Become Established?
For several years members of the community and Officers of The Hills Shire Council had visioned the presence of a centre within the Cattai Creek Catchment from which environmental activities could be co-ordinated. The Hills Shire HORSE – a project funded by the Department of Environment and Climate Change – provided the impetus for this vision to come to fruition, with the establishment of the Community Environment Centre at Annangrove.
The Community Environment Centre was officially opened by the Mayor of The Hills Shire, on Sunday 30 July 2006. This opening coincided with Planet Arks National Tree Day with thousands of grasses and shrubs being planted under the Ironbarks of the Endangered Turpentine Ironbark Forest community.