IN THIS ISSUE
(Click on the story link)

SERVICE PARTNERS

SPECIAL OFFER Feb 2003

ECO EVENTS

Cool Communities Program

1. Interested in reducing your home energy bills
2. Want to do something abut climate change and
3. Live in the Leichhardt municipality

The NCC would like to hear from you. The Cool Communities project will run workshops with community groups, but individual households are welcome to join in also. 

Contact: Felicity Calvert
Tel: (02) 9279 2466
greenhouse@nccnsw.org.au

Handy Water Saving 
Hints for the Home

• Install a AAA rated shower head (cuts water use for showering by two thirds)
• Install a toilet flush water saver (see the Eco Starters Pack for more details)
• Buy a front loading AAA rated washing machine
• Put a cover over the pool to stop evaporation (also helps keep the pool warm)
• Wash your car on the Lawn

Calculate Your 
Ecological Footprint

How much land 
& water do you need?

The average Ecological Footprint in Australia is 7.6 global hectares per person. Worldwide, there exists 1.8 biologically productive global hectares per person.

Q. Ever wondered how much "nature" your lifestyle requires?
 
A. Click here to complete a short Ecological Footprint Quiz to estimate how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard.

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Watch This Space

New Eco Store Opens in Sydney

The Sustainable Design Gallery and Gift Store at 53 Griffin Road North Curl Curl Sydney has just been opened and supplies quality, environmentally safe lifestyle products, building materials, interior products, art and workshops in permaculture.

Contact:
The Sustainable Design Gallery and Gift Store 53 Griffin Road, North Curl Curl Sydney
Tel: (02)99359502
Fax: (02)99359514
kim@sustainabledesign.com.au
www.sustainabledesign.com.au

CONTACT US

Ecological Homes Pty Ltd
PO Box 2504, Strawberry Hills
NSW Australia 2012
Phone: 1300 73 07 07
Fax: (+61 2) 9699 3478
twalsh@ecologicalhomes.com.au
www.ecologicalhomes.com.au

FEEDBACK & ADVERTISING

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for the next issue? 
Let us know

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for the next issue. 
Contact us for a rate card 
or view it online

© Copyright 2002 Ecological Homes Pty Ltd (ABN 71 002 980 047)

Best Home Loan Rates

Best Fixed Rates

Following is a list of the best fixed rates currently available 
(as at 23rd February 2003).

Fixed Period   

1 Year

5.25%

2 Years

5.99%

3 Years

5.99%

4 Years

6.19%

5 Years

6.19%

Best Discounted split rate: 4.25% Best Variable rate: 6.00%

Are you paying the best rate for your Home Loan?

Request a Free Home Loan Check 

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The Earth Repair Charter

Please Endorse the Earth Repair Charter

(If you haven't done so already)

Online at www.earthrepair.net

Wise Words that Inspire

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!"

Margaret Mead

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Vol 1 (Issue 8) - February 2003

Dear Reader,

As war edges closer in Iraq and the Poles continue to melt, we ask you to consider the following:

• In a worst case scenario (a prolonged and bloody war in Iraq), war stands to cost the Australian taxpayer up to $120 billion dollars. A long war could cost the average American taxpayer up to $2 trillion US dollars - that is about $3,340 Billion Australian dollars! 

• For less than $100 Billion, the Australian Government could provide a 1kWh solar power system, solar hot water system and a rainwater tank for every Australian home and still have several Billion left over in change to put into health, education and welfare. 

• Such an Investment has several major beneficial outcomes - it would help:

  1. generate enough solar power to meet half the energy needs of the domestic housing sector

  2. cut the average household energy bill in half

  3. reduce greenhouse emissions from the housing sector by 50%

  4. meet our Kyoto targets

  5. generate new jobs in for Australians in a rapidly emerging new Sustainability Sector (solar power, solar hot water, rainwater, waste, recycling, etc.)

  6. 'drought-proof ' the urban environment

  7. achieve savings on household water bills via harvesting rainwater from the roof

  8. reduce pollution of our waterways

• Australia could be exporting solar panels and become a leader in the new global sustainability sector. Instead, we are exporting war.

• US$2 trillion (AUD$3,340 Billion) - the amount that the US may end up spending on the Iraq war - the UN says that US$40 billion is enough to eliminate hunger, Malaria and homelessness in the world plus provide access to clean drinking water for every man, woman and child.

Restructuring the Energy Economy: 

According to the Environment News Service (ENS) the key to restoring climate stability is shifting from a fossil fuel based energy economy to one based on renewable sources of energy and hydrogen. 

Advancing technologies in the design of wind turbines that have dramatically lowered the cost of wind generated electricity to the point where it can be used to produce hydrogen from water, along with the evolution of fuel cell engines, have set the stage for a dramatic restructuring of the world energy economy.

For the full article from ENS - click here.

US Positioning itself as leader in fuel cell research

President George Bush outlined US plans for $1.2 billion in research funding to develop hydrogen fuel technologies over the coming 5 years - one of the few sensible initiatives announced by Bush in his recent State of the Nation Address.

The Humble Banana to become extinct in 10 years time?!

Scientists have warned that the world's favourite fruit could be extinct within 10 years because it is unable to fight off a rampaging plague of pests and disease. Banana researchers warn that yields of the sterile fruits are in decline in much of Africa, Asia and central America. 

The doomed banana's Achilles heel is that it is now a genetically decrepit sterile mutant thanks to a combination of a handful of agribusinesses dominating the world trade in seed stock  and their use of genetic engineering to develop new banana hybrids vulnerable to diseases.   

The scientists claim that the regions most dependent on the banana, relying on the fruit for up to half their daily calories, are facing the tropical equivalent of the Irish potato famine - this calamity could affect up to 500 million of the world's poorest people living off subsistence agriculture in African countries. (for full article click here)

As always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback on the newsletter and stories related to the environment. The deadline for contributions to the March issue is 10th March, 2003.  

Story #1: Deal of the Decade - 
300L Solar Hot Water & Rainwater Tank for $1200!

This is Not a Typo!

Yes .. thanks to Solartech, an innovative West Australian based company, you can now get a 300 litre (electric boosted) solar hot water tank plus a 500 litre rainwater tank for $1200 - this includes rebates and GST (installation cost & delivery not included). 

The cost of a Solartech Genius hot water system now rivals that of instantaneous gas and has a shorter payback period of about one year due to lower operating costs (see below)!

*Note: for an average family of 2 adults and 1 child

A Lifetime Guarantee Against Corrosion: The genius Made and designed in Australia from highly durable plastics - it comes with a 10 year general warranty and a Lifetime Guarantee against rust and corrosion. No other solar hot water system offers those kind of guarantees!

Add costs for installation ($600-800 depending upon difficulty of installation) and you have an installed system for under $2,000 - that is substantially cheaper than any other solar hot water system on the market and is the only system guaranteed not to corrode for a lifetime.

Limited Offer: Get a $500 Rainwater Tank for Free Before! 

If you place an order before March 30, 2003, you will receive a 500 litre polyester rainwater tank worth $500 completely free to help water your garden! 

The tank you receive (on left) as part of this special offer: 

• fits neatly ender the eaves of your roof

• is easily connected to a downpipe to capture rainwater from the roof 

• is fitted with a leaf-trap & filter

• stores up to 500 litres of rainwater and has an easy to operate tap

• is 1,592cm high and 656cm wide

• is Guaranteed for 10 years 

• and is Available in a wide range of colours. 

Hurry ...             Limited Offer ....        Expires 30/Mar/03    

This offer expires on 30 March 2003. Get your order in today to secure this great hot water and rainwater tank deal for your home.  

Place Your Order by Email Or call us on 1300 73 07 07

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Story #2: New Eco Houses Begin to Take Shape

Designs are close to finalisation for our first housing projects, "Hazelbrook Gardens", located in the heart of Sydney's World Heritage listed Blue Mountains and "Laurimar", a new eco settlement 45 minutes north of Melbourne CBD.

Drawing upon the design talents of our Architects (Natural Integrated Living) and Landscape Architects (McGregor & Partners), Hazelbrook Gardens will help set new standards in eco house design resulting in 5 star energy rated homes that are also a beauty to behold.

In addition, designs have been finalised for our first display home at Laurimar, located in the Plenty Valley 45 minutes north of Melbourne CBD.  

Laurimar is a visionary eco housing development set to help change the landscape for affordable and highly liveable new housing for about 2,500 young families in Victoria. 

Click here for more details 
on Laurimar & Hazelbrook Gardens.

Register Your Interest for One of these Properties Today Contact one of our property specialists for more information on these beautiful and leading edge new eco homes!

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(Images for this story supplied by Natural Integrated Living) 

Story #3: Ecological Homes is Looking for Staff

We are currently looking for staff with experience flair and a passion for the environment to assist with a range of activities in a rapidly growing company. Positions available include:

• home loans brokers

• eco sales consultants

• administration manager

• electricians

• plumbers

• carpenters

• builders

• painters

If you are seeking employment in any of these areas (or know someone that is) drop us an email at jobs@ecologicalhomes.com.au

Story #4: Eco Property Buyers Club 
Seeking Good Building Sites

Good building sites are becoming increasingly hard to find - especially in the busy cities of Sydney and Melbourne. 

Earn Yourself a Spotters Fee: We are currently seeking sites for high quality terrace houses (like the one below) to be built in high rental demand areas in Sydney and Melbourne. People that refer us to a site that we end up purchasing are entitled to a "spotters fee" - this can be worth from several hundred dollars to several thousand depending upon the value of the site.  

Join the Eco Property Buyers Club:

Whether you are looking to invest in property or buy your own home, you will benefit greatly from membership of our Buyers Club. We will help you find the right tenant and manage the property if investing, or help you create your own Dream Home to live in - the choice is yours!

Key Benefits of the Club Include:

• High Quality, Master-built new terraces/townhouses in sought-after rental locations

• An attractive capital gain from buying your investment property at 5% less than the wholesale valuation

• Wide range of Eco Technology upgrades (discounted prices on selected eco products) - see Products and Services on our Website

• Options to individualise your investment property and add further value

• A free bi-monthly electronic newsletter and Magazine to keep you updated on the progress of your investment and other great eco investment opportunities

• Plus a wide range of other benefits (assistance with finance, property management, etc)

Contact us to find out more about becoming a club member and securing your beautiful & eco investment property (a membership fee of $1500 applies incl. GST).

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Advertising Space Available in EcoNews

In less than a year (10 months), the Ecological Homes website has recorded more than 500,000 hits from over 11,000 unique visitors. On average, each visitor spends up to 7 minutes viewing our site. This is incredible growth for a website that has spent very little on mainstream advertising. 

The amazing growth in website visits is due largely to our visitors referring the site on to their friends and the power of the Web! 

Contact us today to find out how 
you can reach this fast growing audience