Council development and environment manager David Simm said the program informed residents about their impact on local water quality and provided strategies to prevent damaging materials from entering the environment through stormwater.

“By conducting the workshops in the neighbourhood where the participants live, means we can tailor the information we provide and use specific examples that relate to their surrounds,” Mr Simm said.

“The workshops will be more relevant and hopefully more interesting for people.”

Residents in Telarah, the first neighbourhood to host the program on November 14, received a free broom and bucket to help implement their new knowledge. 

Funding was provided from Hunter Water’s Sustainability Grants Program.

Council will continue the Green Community presentations with two sessions at The Paddock, the ­community garden in Thornton, on Saturday, November 28.

The sessions will provide information on recycling, composting and backyard vegetable gardens.

Each workshop will run for about an hour and will be free for pre-registered community members. 

At the conclusion of the workshops, residents will be able to nominate to attend additional presentations in the future.

Residents can also nominate their community for a workshop.

Registrations, nominations and information can be found by calling council on 4934 9700 or visit maitland.nsw.gov.au/ourenvironment.