He will share his wisdom on sustainable gardening at the expo, which will be held in conjunction with the Bathurst Farmers’ Markets.

Deputy mayor Ian North said Mr Hodges will deliver two talks during the morning, and they will be about using Bathurst Regional Council’s new food and garden waste collection service and using compost and soil products in your backyard.

He will also demonstrate the benefits of using raised garden beds and offer tips on plant selection to suit the local climate.

“Jason has been involved in the building and garden industry for many years, running his own business and appearing on Better Homes And Gardens and Sydney Weekender,” Cr North said.

“He will have plenty of insights to share with those attending the expo. The expo will also feature a range of other stallholders and entertainment including street theatre and a wildlife show.”

While Mr Hodges is in Bathurst he will take part in two other community events. 

Today he will visit Rahamim Ecology Centre and provide tips on landscaping your sustainable backyard.

Tomorrow afternoon he will visit the Community Garden in Church Lane, building a compost pile, a mud kitchen and planting out a new garden bed with vegetables.

“It will be a busy couple of days but one that I’m sure will create plenty of interest among gardeners and would-be gardeners as they learn from one of the industry’s best,” Cr North said.

Cr North said the Shoalhaven Zoo animal show will return to the expo this year and will include a koala, wombat, joey kangaroo, carpet python, saltwater crocodile, bearded dragon, frill neck lizard and a blue tongue lizard.

The expo will also feature Green Street Theatre family fun, eco-cleaning workshops, community groups, sustainable business stalls, family activities, solar power displays, green design and construction, conservation and wildlife care displays.

Council will use compost from ANL’s processing facility at Blayney in the expo gardening projects.