Permaculture Design Course

Would you like to do a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) in 2025?

Garden Tour with John Ditchburn

Ballarat Permaculture Guild will run a Permaculture Design Course (PDC)
over 15 days from February to July, 2025.

The dates are as follows:
Saturday & Sunday - February 15 & 16
Saturday - March 01
Saturday - March 15
Saturday - March 29
Saturday - April 12
Saturday - April 26
Saturday - May 03
Saturday - May 17
Saturday - May 31
Saturday - June 14
Saturday - June 28
Saturday – July 12
Saturday & Sunday - July 26 & 27

PDC students on site visit at Chestnut Farm

This course is especially relevant for those who want a higher quality educational experience than a two-week intensive allows. The extended format allows you to integrate your learnings and apply them at home. Timing of the course means that many of our site visits take place at the best 'weather' times of the year - and when gardens and farms are in peak production. The PDC has been limited to 15 students to allow for more tailored and one-on-one experience between you, your fellow students and instructors.

The extended format gives increased opportunity for course participants to connect socially with each other and the wider BPG network. We encourage you, and your family or household, to come along to potluck dinners, film nights, speaking events, Permies at the Pub and other workshops and events.

What we cover:

  • History of permaculture 
  • Permaculture Ethics & Design Principles
  • Ecology, embodied energies, climate and weather
  • Land & Natural Environment
  • Education and Culture
  • Built environment
  • Finance & Economics
  • Tools and technology
  • Health & Well being
  • Design processes
  • Animals in permaculture
  • Developing a permaculture design

Throughout the course you will have activities to complete at home applying the knowledge you have learnt in the classroom. At the end of the PDC, to receive your certificate of completion you will present your own permaculture design based on either your own property or a property suggested by the instructors.

Course venue:

42A Dyte Pde, Ballarat East (Uniting)

The course includes site visits to properties across the Ballarat district, where possible we encourage participants to car pool.  

Course fees:

As a not-for-profit, community group we are able to offer our PDC at a very affordable price compared with commercial offerings

Full fee $1195  

Concession $595 

Dual booking (couple or friends booking and paying together) $1095 

BPG financial member (more than 6 months) $750

Please read Conditions of Enrolment carefully before enrolling into the course.

Conditions of Enrolment:

Deposit of $100 is due with enrolment. Please refer to bank details below.

Spaces are limited.  Once your deposit has been received, you will be eligible for consideration.  If the course is oversubscribed, participants will be selected based on locality, permaculture interest and intent. All monies paid will be returned in full if this occurs.

Full payment is due by January 16th, 2025

If you withdraw from the course before it starts, you must notify the Coordinator a full 7 days in advance for refund of fees, less $100 deposit.

If you withdraw from course after it has begun there will be NO refund, as we will have committed to operational costs which still have to be met.

Concession rate ($595) is available to pension/health care card holders (proof required, we will contact you after you have applied).

Note: Payment in instalments may be possible in exceptional circumstances, but must be discussed with Coordinator at time of enrolment.

Payment details:

All payments must be made to the following account, either by direct debit or over the counter at the bank. Credit Card facilities are NOT available and cash will not be taken.

Bendigo Bank: BSB: 633-000   Account: 135425353

***It is important that you include your Last Name as the payment note

PDC REGISTRATION FORM

For further enquiries - pdc@ballaratpermacultureguild.org

PDC students on site visit at Manna Estate (small scale biodynamic olive grove)