General News
28 May, 2022
The Cairns Ecofiesta Is Back, Bigger And More Sustainable Than Ever
CAIRNS Ecofiesta kicks off this Sunday at 10am with a jam-packed, solar-charged, waste-free program of free entertainment, education, inspiration, giveaways, competitions, and eco-activities.
The event will include 20 bands and performers and more than 100 sustainable market stalls and community groups.
Delivered by Cairns Regional Council on the doorstep of two World Heritage areas, Queensland’s premier sustainability festival has expanded its geographical footprint into Florence St this year for sustainability markets, between Sheridan and Grafton streets, from 10am to 4pm.
The event has also reduced its ecological footprint.
Bands will perform on a zero-emissions solar-powered ‘Sun stage’ and the ‘wash against waste’ commercial dishwashing system will return to Ecofiesta to eliminate all single-use cutlery and plates from the event.
Local businesses taking part in Ecofiesta will also be running competitions and giveaways on the day to help Cairns’ people grow their gardens and reduce their ecological footprint.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said crowds of more than 10,000 people were expected at Ecofiesta this year due to the line-up of music, free workshops, kids’ activities, food, roving performers and more than 100 stalls featuring sustainable products, alongside conservation and community groups.
“Cairns Ecofiesta is growing every year, bringing together the Cairns community, visitors, families and local businesses with a shared goal of celebrating and protecting our unique environment here in Far North Queensland,” Cr Manning said.
“This year, we will have an expanded green tech zone so that people can come along and find out about solar energy, running an electric vehicle, e-tools and electric bikes.
“There will also be more than 100 stalls, including markets of sustainable products and services, and dozens of community groups, from treeplanting to community gardens and bicycle repair groups.
“Events like Ecofiesta support Council’s commitment in the Cairns Climate Strategy 2030 to build resilient, informed, low-emissions communities and to support a Smart Green Economy for Cairns.
“At Ecofiesta, people can enjoy a free day out in our beautiful natural environment whilst also finding out about renewable energy options, lowering emissions and living a more sustainable life.”
Event highlights include:
• Sustainability markets on Florence St, between Sheridan and Grafton streets, from 10am to 4pm.
• About 50 local community groups, conservation groups and government agency stalls inside Munro Martin Parklands from 10am to 5pm.
• More than 20 music acts and performers will be featured on two stages and across the site, including Jelly Oshen, Izy, Cinnamon Sun, Water Streets, Tullara, Tessa Divine and Zenith.
• Roving entertainment, including hand balance contortionists, circus performers, bubbles and fairies.
•The green tech zone will include a display of electric vehicles, with EV owners from the Australian EV Association onsite to answer questions.
• Coffee and food vans will be offering plenty of vegetarian, vegan and low food-miles options.
• Workshop presenters covering a range of sustainable living tips and tricks throughout the day, including reducing food waste, keeping chickens and tropical vegetable gardening. CAFNEC is also hosting a forum to debate challenging issues associated with renewable energy.
The Queensland Government supports Cairns Ecofiesta through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.
The event is hosted by Cairns Regional Council, sponsored by CleanCo and Linked, with support from Wet Tropics Management Authority, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and CAFNEC.
