IN THIS ISSUE

SPECIAL OFFER  JUNE 2002

EVENTS

Vol 1 (Issue 1) - June 2002

Dear reader,

We are pleased to bring you the first issue of our informative and free monthly newsletter - EcoNews. It aims to:

• provide you with information on great products and services for an ecological home

• keep readers up to date on important environmental issues around the globe

• help spread the good news about great new sustainability initiatives in Australia and overseas

• provide a forum for readers to exchange ideas and information on sustainable housing

• promote SPECIAL OFFER and savings on products and services offered by Ecological Homes and its suppliers that will save you money and help reduce our impact on the Planet.

We hope that you find it helpful and welcome your thoughts, ideas and feedback on how we can expand and improve it. Email us with your feedback, suggestions or items for inclusion in the next issue.  

Story #1: Australia Worst Greenhouse Producer in the World!

Australia now has the highest per capita level 
of Greenhouse emissions in the World! 

Australians used to be able to hold their heads up high, proud of our record in safeguarding significant Wilderness areas like the Franklin River in Tasmania and cape Tribulation in Queensland. However, in the last few years our environmental credentials have fallen badly - with an annual level of greenhouse gas emissions of 500 million tonnes we are now have the highest per capita level of emissions of any country on earth - 25% higher than our nearest rival, the USA (full story)

Australia and the USA have recently announced they will walk away from the Kyoto Greenhouse Process  (full story)

Story #2: Energy & Water Rates to Rise!

Sydney Water warns of water rate rises following an 80% increase in levy it pays the NSW Government

In an attempt to repay some of the State's colossal $17 billion debt, the NSW Government has increased the levy payable by Sydney Water by 80% in one go! Sydney Water's rates are already set to rise $28 in the coming year and the water authority claims that further rate rises of $150 per annum will be necessary  to pay for the huge hike in their levy to the NSW Government. 

Energy Australia to phase out Off-peak 1

An additional announcement that will impact many Households in NSW is the decision by Energy Australia to phase out its Off-peak 1 energy rate. Households currently using Off-peak 1 will be forced to change to Off-peak 2 (70% more expensive than Off-peak 1) or Domestic Full Rate (140% more expensive).

Beat the price rises! Now is the time to invest in sustainable housing solutions like solar power, a rainwater tank or AAA rated water saving devices! Contact us for a quote.  Back to top

Story #3: Rising Interest Rates - Time to Re-Finance?

Take advantage of our Free Home Loan Check Up Service

After a prolonged period of the lowest interest rates in the post-war period, Australian interest rates are beginning to creep up with recent rate increases announced by the Reserve Bank. Analysts predict that rates are set to rise to as high as 8.0 or 8.5% in the coming 12-18 months. 

Now is a good time to start thinking about your options: switching to a fixed rate, splitting the loan into a combined variable-fixed loan, finding a lower rate for your existing loan, etc. A couple can save up to $30,000 on their current loan by switching to a better loan.

But shopping around for a better loan is a time consuming and complex business. Let us take the hard work out of this process for you. Contact our Mortgage Broker, Lewis Hiley, for an obligation free assessment of your current loan. A few minutes of your time could end up saving you thousands $$.    Back to top

Story #4: Children Leading the Way on Greenhouse

The kids are turning off the lights

After all the doom and gloom on the Greenhouse front, here is a story that helps reassure us that there is indeed hope for the future. The Wirrick family in Sydney recently installed a Plug&Power™ solar system from Pacific Solar, one of Australia's leading suppliers of photovoltaic (solar power) systems.  

One of the Wirrick children, Parkinson, a 15 year old Sydney school boy makes sure that when he walks out of a room and no one is left behind he turns off the light! Why? Because he knows this will help in the fight against global warming. He knows that burning coal in far away power stations to make electricity also makes carbon dioxide which is the main cause of global warming, that if left unchecked, will destroy life as we know it.

Parkinson knows that these simple actions, combined with his family's investment in Solar Power, is making a small but important contribution to reducing greenhouse gases whilst also helping his family save money on their power bills. (Full story)   Back to top

Do you have a story or feedback for the next issue? 
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© Copyright 2002 Ecological Homes Pty Ltd (ABN 71 002 980 047)