IN THIS ISSUE
(Click on the story link)

SERVICE PARTNERS

SPECIAL OFFER THIS MONTH

ECO EVENTS

The Watershed Initiative

The Watershed is a Sustainability Resource Centre located on King Street in the heart of Newtown. It is a joint initiative of South Sydney and Marrickville Councils.

The Watershed has resources and experienced staff on hand to provide information and advice to local residents and businesses on ways to reduce our ecological footprint.

Visit the Watershed to find out about a wide range of environmental initiatives, such as, worm farming, composting, rainwater tanks, recycling, sustainable housing and permaculture. The Watershed runs free workshops on Saturdays, and is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers.

Contact: Vanessa John 
Tel: (02) 9516 6366 
218 King St Newtown NSW 2042 watershed@marrickville.nsw.gov

Handy Water Saving 
Hints for the Home

• Order and install a DIY "Greywater your garden kit" or a "Water Saver Kit"

• Install a Rainwater Tank to harvest rainwater from your roof (Book a quote) 

• Install a AAA rated shower head (cuts water use for showering by up to 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 (make sure you use a bucket - it is illegal to hose your garden during the current water restrictions)

CONTACT US

Ecological Homes Pty Ltd
PO Box 2504, Strawberry Hills
NSW Australia 2012
Phone: 1300 73 07 07
Fax: (+61 2) 9557 8422
twalsh@ecologicalhomes.com.au
www.ecologicalhomes.com.au

Our Shop Address:

230 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042

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

Best Home Loan Rates

Are you paying the best rate for your Home Loan?

Contact our friendly loans consultants at Hiley Home Loans to advise you on the best home loan rates and see how they can help save your thousands to finance your eco home renovation or installation.

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)

Visit Their Great New Website www.earthrepair.net

Send an E-Card  
and Help Support Nature

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Vol 2 (Issue 9) June 2004

Global Warning! Please, do not vote for this man ... 
Mr. Howard 's new Energy Policy will see a massive $1.5 billion cut on excise taxes for the commercial use of petrol, diesel & gas - amongst the worst sources of Greenhouse gas emissions on Earth! In contrast, Solar Power will get a miserable $75 million in extra government support for a few lucky households in Sydney & Adelaide. Solar Hot Water doesn't even get a mention! (see below Howard's Energy Policy - a Disaster of Planetary proportions!)

Click here to send an SOS to the PM - "Dear Prime Minister, the Climate is Changing ... Please sign the Kyoto Protocol & Support Clean, Renewable Energies!" (Photo courtesy of PM's Website)

Dear Reader,

We apologise for this month's late issue. On the heels of a very busy month (the Sydney Home Show, Launch of the Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System), we were inclined to roll the June issue into July. 

But then Mr Howard announced his party's new Energy Policy and news emerged that Australians are now the biggest producers of greenhouse emissions, per capita, in the world! The gravity of these events deserves our attention.

This month, we take a look at: 

• Howard's Energy Plan and propose a smarter way to spend some of the millions he plans to spend supporting further consumption of fossil fuel energies

• Rising Water Use in Times of Record Drought - on a very disturbing note, whilst the nation experienced its worst drought in over 100 years, household water use increased by 20%!

• Hazelbrook Gardens Eco Village update - a peaceful oasis on the edge of a Global City (2 eco homes coming up for sale) 

• Investing in Sustainability - Ecological Homes is seeking investors to help it grow and reach more Australian homes.   

As always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback on the newsletter and stories related to the environment. The deadline for contributions to the next issue (July 2004) is June 30th 2004. Send us your feedback or stories

Thanks ... The Ecological Homes Team

Q. What Does Ecological Homes Do?
A. We are Your One Stop Shop for Sustainability

We provide a "One Stop Shop" solution for all your eco housing and home finance needs including: 

Howard's Energy Policy ...
A disaster of Planetary Proportions! 

We are the World's biggest Greenhouse Producers - It's official, Australians are now the world's worst producers of greenhouse emissions on a per capita basis! Thanks largely to our heavy reliance on burning coal to generate power. 

Each year we we are responsible for producing about 27 tonnes of emissions per person - 27% more than our nearest rivals (the USA) with 21 tonnes per person. 

Howard's Energy Policy - a Disaster for the Planet! There is likely to be an election later this year (maybe as soon as August 7th). In less than a week after the Leader of federal Labour, Mark Latham, announced the recruitment of Environmentalist Peter Garrett to his election team, Mr.  Howard Government announced his party's Energy Policy. If the Howard Government is re-elected, they propose the following:

• reduce excises payable on the commercial use of oil, petrol and gas by $1.5 billion over a 8-9 year period to 2012-13

• a $500 million Low Emissions Technology Fund to help leverage a further $1 billion in private sector investment to develop and demonstrate low emission technologies, particularly geosequestration technology (pumping greenhouse gases underground instead of releasing them into the atmosphere) 

• $75 million for Solar Cities trials in selected households in Sydney & Adelaide to test "doing things smarter with solar panels, better insulation, energy efficient appliances and smart meters that allow households to sell excess electricity back into the grid at peak times"

• 250 large Australian firms will be required to undertake mandatory energy efficiency audits and to report publicly every five years.

At a time when Australia needs to dramatically reduce its Greenhouse emissions by developing a strong, competitive renewable energy sector, the Government is planning measures that will achieve the complete opposite!  

Millions on Pie in the Sky Research to bury the problem underground - under Howard's energy plan, millions would be spent researching highly questionable technologies like geosequestration when REAL greenhouse solutions (solar power, solar hot water) beg for government assistance. 

No more trials please - we HAVE the technology! A few lousy million is planned to be spent on real solutions on the ground for a handful of lucky households in SA and NSW via the proposed "Solar City Trials". 

We do not need more trials, the technologies we need, such as solar hot water, solar power, insulation, and wind power are already here and are commercially ready. All that is needed is financial support from the Government to make these technologies more affordable.  

Our Alternative Policy Suggestion - Provide a $500 subsidy to retro-fit the nation's electric water heaters with Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water Systems

A $500 subsidy from the Federal Government to install Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System for every Australian home with an electric storage hot water heater would cost about the same as its planned cuts to fuel excise tariffs (about $1.5 billion). It would also produce the following benefits:

• generate household savings of about $1.2 billion on household energy costs

• reduce the nation's Greenhouse emissions by about 11%

• postpone the need for additional new power generation plants

• create several hundred jobs providing additional savings for Government from increased tax revenues

• support emerging Australian companies

• safeguard and enhance Australia's role as an innovator and manufacturer of renewable energy technologies.

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Water Use Rises as the Drought Continues

As major water reservoirs such as Warragamba Dam outside Sydney fall below 50% capacity and than 70% of NSW is now in drought, news emerged recently showing that Australian household water use has in fact increased by 20% in the past seven years! 

Level 2 Water Restrictions imposed in Sydney - residents of Sydney have now been placed on Level 2 water restrictions resulting in a total ban on any sprinkler systems or hosing hard surfaces plus restricted hand-held hosing of lawns and gardens only before 9am and after 5pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 

Permits are now be required to fill any new or renovated swimming pools with a capacity of more than 10,000 litres. Heavy fines are payable for households that are found in breach of these restrictions.

On average, each Australian poured 51,000 litres of water on to their gardens or into their swimming pools. Another 23,000 litres was used in the bathroom, 17,000 litres in the toilet, 15,000 litres in the laundry and 9000 litres in the kitchen.

People in Victoria and NSW used far less water in the garden than other Australians, but more in the bath and showers, and to flush their toilets. Almost one-fifth of all Victoria's household consumption, 90 gigalitres, was flushed down the loo.

Harness your greywater - save water 
(and your garden!)

The average home produces over 100 kilolitres of wastewater per annum which ends up going down the sewer. Much of this water (water from the toilet and kitchen) needs effective treatment before it can be re-used. However, your laundry water (provided you use an environmental laundry cleaner) can provide you with a reliable source of precious water for your garden (more than 15 kilolitres per annum for the average home) that does not require treatment.

Contact us today to learn more about 
harnessing your laundry greywater

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Hazelbrook Gardens - a Peaceful Oasis in the Heart of the Blue Mountains (first 2 Homes for Sale)

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area is a special place - Hazelbrook Gardens - that is being developed by Ecological Homes to provide an example of environmental housing at its best.

Hazelbrook Gardens consists of 7 leading edge environmental homes set amidst 11.5 acres of beautiful native bush and landscaped gardens. 

Two existing homes on the property are soon to undergo major renovations and will be ready for sale in the coming months. We are seeking expressions of interest from people seeking to secure a home in this exceptional property. 

The two homes that will be available for sale include:

Lot 1 - 4 BR home on 2 levels sitting on 1,028m2 (for sale by private treaty)

Main features: 

• Large entertaining balcony with magnificent northern valley views
• Access by the rear door to acres of native bushland and landscaped gardens
• Large downstairs rumpus room (possible granny flat)
• Polished wooden floorboards throughout
• Modern kitchen and bathroom
• Master bedroom with en-suite and walk in wardrobe
• Broadband internet access
• Native landscaping
• Equipped with leading edge eco features including rainwater tank, Evacuated Tube Solar hot water system, non-toxic paints and insulation, energy and water saving devices. Wired ready for solar power. 

Sale Price - offers above $550,000

Click here to register your interest in this property

Lot 7 - Large 4 BR home on 2 levels sitting on 4.2 Ha (4,200 m2) (for sale by private treaty)

Main features:

• A very private and secluded retreat from the world
• Set amidst acres of native bushland, landscaped gardens and orchard areas
• Permanent creek, dams and waterfalls
• Large downstairs rumpus or entertainment room (possible granny flat)
• Polished wooden floorboards throughout
• Modern kitchen and bathroom
• Swedish Sauna room, spa bath and exercise area
• Master bedroom with en-suite and walk in wardrobe
• Broadband internet access and CC-TV monitoring system and intercom
• Large shed with power and water - possible gardener's residence, separate children's area or guest accommodation
• Native landscaping
• Equipped with leading edge eco features including rainwater tank, Evacuated Tube Solar hot water system, non-toxic paints and insulation, energy and water saving devices. Wired ready for solar power. 

Sale Price - offers above $1,250,000

Click here to register your interest in this property

Be quick, demand for these exceptional properties is likely to be very high.

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Investing in Sustainability - Ecological Homes seeks funds to expand

Ever since the launch of our business back in May 2002, Ecological Homes has been inundated with requests for information and assistance from individuals and households right across Australia, wanting to make their homes more environmental.

By securing the rights to important new technologies like the Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System and with careful growth of our property development activities, we are now able to offer investors a ground-floor opportunity to get involved with a dynamic company at the cutting edge of environmental housing solutions in Australia AND make a healthy return on your investment. 

A range of secure, property-backed investment opportunities offering an attractive rate of return are available. We invite individuals or companies seeking secure, quality investments to invest with us and assist with the expansion of environmental housing solutions across Australia. 

Email us today to express your interest 
in investing with Ecological Homes

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Wise Words that Inspire

"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context -- a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan." - Eliel Saarinen

"When I'm working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I think only how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong." - Richard Buckminster Fuller

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