Feel good

By Georgia Loney

ABC South West WA

Gardening

Saturday, 30 May 2026, 12:22 pm

Permaculture is about living in a way that is good for the Earth and uses less energy.

In short:

More people are interested in permaculture because of the current oil crisis.

Permaculture started during the last big oil crisis.

Many people went to a permaculture festival in Western Australia.

Kirsty and Bart Whitehouse made a permaculture garden in Margaret River.

Their garden was empty, but now it has many birds and animals.

Seeing the birds return is very satisfying.

Kirsty Whitehouse made a permaculture garden in Margaret River.

The couple is part of a new group of people who like permaculture.

Permaculture is popular again because of high costs and food worries.

The movement started in the 1970s during the last big oil crisis.

Kirsty Whitehouse's garden has many plants.

Gardening can be a way to make a statement.

Permaculture is a way of farming that is sustainable and self-sufficient.

David Holmgren says permaculture is still relevant today.

David Holmgren planted a fruit tree in Tasmania in 1977.

There were many new ideas in the 1970s about living in a better way.

The 1970s and today have some similarities.

The book about permaculture was successful because of the oil crisis.

David Holmgren built a greenhouse in Hobart in 1978.

If permaculture started in the 1980s, it might have failed.

Permaculture for rich people

A researcher studied the roots of permaculture.

Today's generation has less land and money.

Permaculture is not just for people with big gardens.

Margaret River is a popular place for permaculture.

A permaculture festival in Margaret River was very popular.

Land in Margaret River is expensive.

Pippa Buchanan made her property into a permaculture garden.

Pippa Buchanan is a permaculture teacher.

Even with land, Pippa feels the effects of high prices.

Pippa says permaculture is for everyone, not just the rich.

Pippa Buchanan's garden in Margaret River.

Pippa lived in a small apartment in Austria and still grew food.

People can practice permaculture even in small spaces.

Saturday, 30 May 2026, 12:22 pm

Saturday, 30 May 2026, 2:10 pm

Promotion

Practice Listening