Environment takes centre stage at University
The University of the Sunshine Coast has co-hosted and provided the venue for the biggest World Environment Day festival the region has ever seen.
An estimated 3,500 people visited the USC campus on Saturday 21 June for the festival that featured more than 100 exhibits – including displays of innovative green technologies and businesses forums – workshops, live music, food and drink stalls and activities for children.
The free community event was organised by the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, SEQ Catchments and USC and had the theme “Small footprints, big steps – our region's future”.
A festival highlight was a public forum on how the Coast can become the most sustainable region in the country.
The forum was led by Sunshine Coast Mayor Bob Abbot and a panel of environmental, property and development experts who answered questions from festival-goers about sustainability.
USC environmental scientist Dr Neil Tindale said it was likely the University would continue to be the venue for this annual event.
“The feedback I received from the public and the participants was that it was a great event and it was fantastic that the University was involved,” he said.
Dr Tindale said it was fitting that USC had co-hosted the festival as the University had worked hard to engage the region in considering its future and in developing sustainable alternatives.
— Terry Walsh