Newcastle City Council is running free sustainable living workshops for local residents during July and August to provide information about how to keep backyard chooks or start a worm farm or compost bin.

The one hour Backyard Chooks Workshops will explore what's involved in raising happy and healthy hens, including everyday care and feeding, housing and space requirements, health, parasite control and regulations.

The Home Composting and Worm Farming Workshops will show how to make top quality fertiliser from kitchen scraps and garden waste, including how to set up and maintain a compost bin or worm farm and what can (and shouldn't) be put in them.

Attendees will also learn how to harvest and use the solid fertiliser and worm 'tea' and how to overcome common issues. Plus take home a free compost bin or worm farm to get started straight away.

The workshops are funded through the NSW Government's Local Council WaSIP program.

Places are limited and available to residents of the Newcastle City Local Government Area only.  Bookings are essential on 4974 2863.

WHEN & WHERE:

Backyard Chooks Workshops

Smart Grid Smart City Centre
19 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle (free parking in Lee Wharf Car Park)
10am Saturday, 20 July

Wallsend District Library
Bunn Street, Wallsend
12 noon Wednesday, 31 July
10am Saturday, 24 August

Composting/Worm Farming Workshops

Smart Grid Smart City Centre
11.30am - 12.45pm Saturday, 20 July

Wallsend District Library
10am - 11.15am Wednesday, 31 July
11.30am - 12.45pm Saturday, 24 August