RESIDENTS seeking inspiration for a more environmentally sustainable life are invited to an open house this Sunday.
Melton environmentalist Gavin Webber will open his garden to the public to encourage others to achieve sustainable living.
"[The gardens] are quite exquisite and there is lots to see and learn," he said.
The award-winning blogger and author of The Greening of Gavin said he and his wife retro-fitted their home from 2006-11, seeking a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
His recently released second book, The Way of the Chicken, explains how to care for backyard chooks.
Sunday's open day is part of the national Sustainable House Day initiative.
Supported by members of the Melton Sustainable Living Group, Mr Webber will show how he stores water in interconnected barrels for use on organic food gardens, among many other energy conserving techniques and equipment.
He said he hoped that by showing how his front yard has been landscaped into a water-wise garden without a lawn, it would inspire residents to make some small changes themselves.
"Electricity is provided by [grid-tiled solar panels], there are 16 panels mounted on the garage roof which provides over 75 per cent of our electricity needs. All rooms have ceiling fans for cooling and heat distribution, the heating is rarely on in winter," he said.
Tours will be held every half-hour from 10am-4pm at 57 Argyll Circuit, Melton West.