About EnviroHouse

Step in for information, action or involvement and then step out and walk more lightly on the planet.

EnviroHouse is the only urban environmental sustainability centre in the eastern suburbs of Perth. Our projects focus on community engagement and education across all sustainability areas; conservation of our biodiversity; sustainable resilient communities; and climate change action.

EnviroHouse is a well-known and well regarded nonprofit organisation in our local community and across Perth.

Our Beginning

Late in 2000, three friends (Brenda Conochie, Rob Gulley and Rachael Roberts) decided a shopfront community environment centre was needed in the eastern suburbs of Perth - a campaign centre, eco-products store and sustainability education hub. WA Australian Conservation Foundation members came together to support the idea, donating the initial funds to secure a lease and pay the ongoing rent at 61 Eighth Avenue, Maylands. We are no longer there, but our sign on the building records this history.

In March 2001, we were joined by Peter Garrett from Midnight Oil, Dr Judy Edwards (then Labor Minister for the Environment and Maylands MP), and a Noongar Elder (who has since passed) for the official launch of Environment House.

A New Home in Bayswater

In 2009, thanks to the support of the City of Bayswater, we secured our current premises at 125 King William Street, Bayswater.

Leading Sustainability Programs

During the eight years we were based in Maylands, we pioneered Perth's first climate change education and auditing services. Between 2002 and 2004, we received support from the WA Government through a SEDO grant and an Australian Greenhouse Office Cool Communities Grant to retrofit our building and employ a Project Officer.

Our team of volunteers went on to develop Western Australia's first home and business energy and water auditing service, with a strong focus on helping low-income households reduce their bills and improve comfort.

At one point, we had 12 full-time, highly trained Energy Auditors contracted to assist householders struggling to pay their bills. In 2014, this contract was abruptly axed by then WA Treasurer Christian Porter, almost forcing us to close for good. It was only through an extraordinary volunteer effort, supported by Bayswater Community Bank and the City of Bayswater's staff and Councillors, that we were able to keep our doors open. Their support continues to sustain us today.

Caring for Our Local Environment

EnviroHouse has always maintained a strong focus on rehabilitating our Derbarl Yerrigan foreshore. From seed collected along the river, we grew thousands of she-oaks, paperbarks and rushes before planting them along the eroded Maylands foreshore.

This work continued through our support of local Friends of Wetlands groups as they restored important habitat. Today, visitors can see the results by walking or cycling from Bardon Park (Malgamongup) through Maylands Samphires, Baigup, Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary and Claughton Reserve.

Reducing Waste and Building Community

We have an ongoing commitment to community education and reducing waste to landfill. Over the years we have composted tonnes of organic waste onsite and taught composting, worm farming and Bokashi composting to thousands of households across Perth.

Our community recycling station is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, as is our popular monthly Share and Repair program.

Supporting a More Sustainable Community

EnviroHouse wears many hats in our local community. Alongside supporting local wetland groups and waste reduction initiatives, we:

• helped establish Transition Town Bayswater (now Sustainable Bayswater)
• support Electrify Bayswater
• founded the local Turtle Trackers volunteer group
• operate a community recycling station
• coordinate the Native Plants to Residents program across two local government areas
• run Cycling Without Age rides around our local wetlands
• host Friday gardening sessions in our onsite food garden
• facilitate a monthly Saturday Share and Repair.

Each year, hundreds of people of all ages participate in our activities, workshops and community events.

Learn More

If you are interested in any of these projects or activities, sign up for our newsletter or explore the events calendar on our website.

To gain a deeper understanding of the day-to-day impact of Environment House, we also invite you to read our Annual Reports.

Get Involved

It is a testament to our highly capable volunteers, part-time staff and the trust we have built within our community that we achieve so much with limited resources.

We always welcome new volunteers, so please drop in and see if there is a role that interests you.

If you're short on time but would like to help keep our doors open and support our work, please consider making a donation.

Or simply visit us, browse our eco-store and enjoy a refreshing 20-minute walk through the beautiful Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary next door.

Our aim is to both 'walk the talk' and 'talk the walk' on climate protection, river & wetland care and other sustainability issues.

Annual Report

Each year our Annual Report is made publicly available.

Read the EnviroHouse 2024/25 Annual Report.

Constitution

Our constitution commits us to trying to protect and restore the natural environment of Western Australia through community education and involvement. It also lays down how we should elect our 10 committee members and how often they should meet and so on...

Familiarise yourself with the EnviroHouse Constitution. (PDF 360kb)

Updated July 2018

Membership

Is open to all who endorse our Constitution, and have their application approved by the Committee. The fee is $15 (conc. $5) per year.

Contact us if you're interested in becoming a member.

Volunteer

EnviroHouse runs mainly on 'vollie-power'. Learn more about how to get involved.