COOLmob Darwin

25/05/2026

Some of Darwin’s best sustainable design ideas are hiding in plain sight 🌿

Last Sunday we spent the morning wandering through three very different local spaces — Mela Kulcha, Raffles Plaza, and a rental home on Hood Terrace — for our hidden gems edition of Sustainable House Day.

What I loved most was how practical and real everything felt. No perfect “eco dream homes” — just clever ideas, thoughtful design, tropical gardens, shaded spaces, and small changes that genuinely make life cooler, cheaper, and more comfortable in the Top End.

From passive cooling and tropical gardens to clever low-cost rental solutions, it was fantastic to hear local stories, share ideas, and learn from the people shaping climate-smart homes in Darwin.

We also loved seeing everyone get involved in the talks and hands-on workshops, connecting over simple ways to reduce energy use and work with our climate rather than against it.

Thanks again to our hosts, speakers, and everyone who came along and made the morning such a success 💚. Thanks also to City of Darwin for their ongoing support of this event.

Also: bonus points to everyone who survived the humidity with grace.

26/08/2025

♻️ Fast fashion is costing the planet. You can help by giving clothes a second life this weekend 🌿

👕 SUSTAINABLE STYLE FOR A CAUSE 👗

This Saturday at Parap Markets, there’ll be a second-hand clothing pop-up shop raising funds for educational resources for the Parap Preschool.

📍 Fannie Bay Electorate Community Rooms
🗓 Saturday, 30th August
⏰ 9:00am – 12:00pm

✨ The fashion industry creates 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year – that’s like a garbage truck full of clothes dumped every second.
✨ Most of it ends up in landfill or burned, instead of being reused.
✨ Shopping second-hand helps cut waste, save resources, and give clothes a new story 💛

So head along, find some pre-loved treasures for kids and adults, and support a great cause 🌿

14/08/2025

🌞 Across the Top End, the dry season brings clear skies – but also plenty of dust. This dust can settle on your solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing efficiency.

Safe cleaning tips:
1️⃣ Turn off your system first – safety is priority.
2️⃣ Use a gentle hose spray – high pressure can crack the glass or damage seals.
3️⃣ Clean in the early morning – panels are cool, reducing the risk of thermal shock.
4️⃣ Avoid harsh brushes – use a soft cloth or sponge to protect the surface.
5️⃣ Stay safe! Wear sturdy shoes, keep three points of contact, and avoid cleaning in high winds. Have someone hold the ladder still

💡 Remember: A light rinse every few weeks during dusty months can keep your system running at peak performance – and your power bills lower.

13/07/2025

How's your Plastic Free July challenge going? This weekend down at the markets it was great to chat with some of the stallholders about going Plastic Free with the weekly veggie haul - small conversations always lead to great impacts! From starting the chat, we were given free kaffir lime leaves and told how to cook the jackfruit in a curry and got to hear more about the growing and harvesting process!

04/07/2025

It’s our open day!! Saturday 19 July 9am-12pm.
Bring your family, neighbours and children. Hope to see you there!

24/06/2025

CSIRO is leading Australia’s largest-ever national study to uncover how apartment residents use energy in their daily lives. From cooking habits to appliance usage and temperature control, this research will provide real-world insights into how we live—helping to shape the future of energy efficiency in Australia.

The data collected will directly improve the Nationwide Housing Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)—the regulatory tool that sets minimum energy efficiency standards for homes across the country. That means this study isn’t just about research—it’s about making a real impact on the way Australian apartments are designed and lived in. This is a rare opportunity to be part of something big—your everyday habits could help influence energy policies and future apartment designs.

Watch a 90-second video to learn more; and register here: https://ahd.csiro.au/aebs/

Each participating household will receive:

✅ $1,500 worth of cutting-edge energy monitoring equipment and smart devices – installed by our team.

✅ A personalised energy insights report explaining how participating household use energy with tailored recommendations on ways to improve efficiency.

✅ Energy bill verification – explaining which appliances in the apartment are using the most energy

In buildings where 5 households sign up, CSIRO will fund a free energy assessment of common area utility use (valued up to $5000), via the NABERS Apartment Buildings tool, which has helped other high-rise apartments reduce common area energy and water costs by around 30% through improved performance insights.

20/06/2025

🚴‍♀️✨ Dry Season = Ride Season! ✨🚴‍♂️

Why sit in traffic when you could be soaking up the Dry Season sunshine, cruising along Darwin’s stunning bike paths? 🌞🌴

From the shady Esplanade to the breezy Nightcliff Foreshore, our city is made for pedals, not petrol. 💨💚 Thanks to City of Darwin's awesome paths, it’s easier (and cuter) than ever to ride your way around town!

🛴 Less traffic
🌿 More nature
🦋 Guaranteed smiles
🌏 Low emissions = happy planet!

Tag your ride crew and meet us on the path! 🚲💬

28/05/2025

Hot House, High Bills, No Power to Change?
Yeah, we’ve been there.
Comedian Amy Hetherington is asking the sweaty questions renters know too well:
❓ Is this rental even ready for the Territory heat?
🍽️ Is sweating through dinner just part of the lease?
💨 Why does my ceiling fan feel like a gentle suggestion?
Join Amy as she moderates a panel on energy hardship, renters’ rights, and the struggle to stay cool when your options are... limited.
Expect laughs, real talk, and tips you can actually use — whether you're renting, fed up, or just tired of boiling in your own home.
📅 Sat 31 May, 9am - 12pm
📍 ECNT Nightcliff Space, facing Oleander St
🆓 Free event – all welcome, RSVP coolmob.org/events

12/05/2025

COOLmob is joining forces with Northern Territory Council of Social Service, Better Renting, Darwin Community Legal Service, and other local businesses to bring you a Sustainable House Day edition made especially for renters.

If you're renting and struggling to keep your home cool or your power bills down, this free, practical event is for you.

We’re transforming our Community Hub into a hands-on demo space, showcasing simple, low-cost ways to improve comfort and energy efficiency in rental homes — all without major upgrades or needing landlord permission.

Join us for a panel on Energy Hardship & Advocacy, featuring frontline organisations (NTCOSS, Darwin Community Legal Aid, Better Renting), who work directly with renters doing it tough. We’ll explore the impact of high energy bills, what support is available, and how renters can push for change. This panel discussion will be moderated by the local legend, Amy Hetherington

This Sustainable House Day, let’s make renting cooler — in every sense of the word

Watch our tutorial on using air conditioning more efficiently Stay cool, not cold COOLmob sustainable living project 2...

07/05/2025

Window tinting is a cheap and effective way you can reduce the heat entering your home through windows and glass doors. Join us this Sustainable House Day in Nightcliff on Sat 31 May for a morning of talks and demonstrations aimed at renters. One of the things we'll be showing is how to apply tinting film that is easily accessible and showing you the difference in real time! RSVP to join us at https://www.coolmob.org/events