Qld's Off Grid Lifestyle Expo

QLD'S OFF GRID LIFESTYLE EXPO

An old way of living – a new way of thinking! Mark off Saturday and Sunday 11-12 September at the Imbil showgrounds.

The Off Grid Lifestyle Expo is based on a system and lifestyle designed to help people function without the support of infrastructure, such as an electricity grid. For example, off-grid can be a stand-alone system or microgrids typically used to provide a smaller community with electricity. The term “off the grid” means: not connected to public utilities like electricity or supplied water, choosing to live in a self-sufficient manner. Many people also grow their own food and have learnt crafts and skills to assist with this maintaining their lifestyle such as, weaving and spinning, bread and cheese making, pottery and carpentry, often reusing, recycling and repurposing existing items to reduce waste. Join us for a weekend exploring the lifestyle choices of living off grid. Our region has some wonderful businesses developing innovated ideas to help people live off grid but still comfortable. We will be showcasing a diverse array of sustainable living ideas and emerging technologies. The sale of land and rural properties in our region has grown significantly in the past 18 months, as it has in many other parts of Australia. The reason for the lifestyle change has to do with the increase in people downsizing, such as the tiny home movement, and going off grid for a number of reasons, including reducing the cost of living and the minimising the impact we on the planet. Technologies availaible to assist with living off grid include – Renewables: • Green • Solar • Wind • Thermal • Biomass • Tidal. House and homes: • Tiny houses • Earthships • Hempcrete • Straw Bale • Eco-friendly and sustainable. Emerging technologies: • Bioremediation • BioFuel • Roof gardens • Desalination • Electric vehicles. Neighbourhood and community groups: Permaculture, PermEco, Eco Villages, Landcare, Land for Wildlife, Koala Action Gympie, WILVOS, recycling and shared communities. Traditional crafts: We are hoping to have cheese making, bread making, leatherworking, blacksmithing, woodworking, spinners and weavers, textiles, knitting, lacemaking, quilting, pottery, glass, papercraft. If you are involved in any of these traditional crafts and would like to come along, please get in touch. Healing yourself naturally: Traditional and emerging methods of self-care. Farming alternatives: Permaculture, aquaculture, hydroponics, native plants, seeds and seed saving, bee keeping, plants including fruit and nut trees; and bush tucker. Meet individuals with tremendous experience from an assortment of off-framework living zones. Sharing knowledge will help us all to make positive changes in our lives and offer greater choices. The expo's aim is to connect people with community groups and businesses to help you achive your dream. There are many steps to the process and not everyone can just dive in and leave it all behind and start again. If you like the idea of living off grid but aren’t sure where how to start, then visiting the expo and talking to like minded people is great way to begin. Expo admission under 16 is free, day ticket $10 and two days $15. For more information, and Mary Valley camping options visit – www.offgridexpo.com.au