|
SERVICE
PARTNERS
|
|
|
|
SPECIAL OFFER
Sep-Oct 2003
|
|
Suldi
Greywater Diverter + Free Toilet Water Flush Saver
Order
a Suldi Greywater Diverter this month for use on your garden and receive a
free water saver for your toilet
$120 plus postage
|
|
Refer
our site & win!
Refer our website to your friends
by using the
website referral button
and go
in the draw for a holiday worth $3,000 plus you can win a double movie pass (terms
& conditions).
September
Holiday
Prize Winner
Ben
Armstrong
Please
provide your full name when you refer us so we know who to give the prize to
...
Website
Referral Prize
Winners for Sep-Oct 2003
The
following people have won a double movie
pass to the Valhalla Cinema for referring 5 or more friends to our Website:
-
Ben
Armstrong
-
Jodie
Edwards
-
Kaz
-
Tas
-
Mel
-
Teresa
-
Claramay
-
Denise
-
Claudio
-
Janet
Kaz,
Tas, Mel, Teresa, Claramay, Denise, Claudio and Janet need to contact us to let us know their last names so
that we can forward their prize.
Thank
you to everyone else that helped spread the word about us!
Back to top
|
|
|
ECO EVENTS
|
|
The
Australian National Centre for Sustainability
- Input being sought
|
|
A new centre of
sustainability research is being planned for Canberra with the theme of "healthy
people on a healthy planet", expressed through the arts and sciences.
The Centre will celebrate diversity and the understanding that there are many
pathways to achieving a sustainable Australia.
The Centre will be situated
in Canberra, the Nation's Capital, close to the Parliamentary Triangle on the
shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
Contact:
Petar Johnson Executive Officer/Secretary Australian National Biocentre
Phone: (02) 6287 1538
Mobile: 0405 312 919
Fax: (02)6287 4489
www.sustainability.org.au
office@sustainability.org.au
|
|
New
Sustainable Gardening Australia Website Launched
|
|
The Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA)
program is progressing well and has recently launched their own website.
You can become an SGA member for free
and receive benefits that will help make a difference to the environment
in your own back yard.
Web:
www.sgaonline.org.au
|
|
For more events see
the
Events
Noticeboard
Back to top
|
|
|
The
Watershed Initiative
|
|
The Watershed is a Community
Environmental Resource Centre located on King Street in the heart of Newtown. It
is a joint initiative of South Sydney and Marrickville Councils and is funded by
the NSW Stormwater Trust.
Resources and experienced staff
on hand to provide information and advice to local residents and businesses on
ways to reduce the impact on local waterways and protect Sydney's aquatic
environments.
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 weekly workshops on Saturdays.
Contact: Therese Hor
Tel: (02) 9516 6366
218 King St Newtown NSW 2042
watershed@marrickville.nsw.gov.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.
Back to
top
|
|
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
|
|
FEEDBACK &
ADVERTISING
|
|
Do you have a story
or feedback
for the next issue?
Let
us know
Advertisers welcome
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
|
|
Are
you paying the best rate for your Home Loan?
Pay
for an eco renovation simply by re-financing your 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
Back to top
|
|
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
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Vol 2 (Issue
3) Sep-Oct 2003
|
|
Dear
Reader,
Each
month we get busier and Econews gets out later. Our apologies - we have decided
to bite the bullet and combine news for September and October so that, from the
November Issue onwards, Econews will arrive in your in-tray the first Monday of
each month.
WATER
CRISIS EMERGING IN AUSTRALIA - Spring is upon us and the nation is already
facing the prospect of another drought - the last drought (the worst in 100
years) still exists in many parts of the interior.
The
nations gardeners are facing a season of severe water restrictions - as from
October 1st, people in NSW are banned from using mains water for use in
sprinklers and watering systems AT ALL TIMES! Failing to observe this can result
in a $220 on the spot fine.
AFFORDABLE
WATER SOLUTIONS FOR THE HOME - This month we feature a range of affordable
water solutions to keep your garden alive in the long hot and dry months ahead
and help you save water in the home.
YOUR
FAVOURITE TRADESPERSON - We continue to receive nominations for your Favourite Tradesperson
and have nearly 80 tradespeople recommended so far.
WIN
1 OF 2 HOLIDAY PRIZES - we now have 2 holiday prizes to give away to
some lucky person that refers a tradie - a 4 night holiday at Wollemi Cabins
worth $450 or a 2 week holiday for 2 (more
details on prize).
We
will be publishing on our website a comprehensive online listing of quality trades
contacts for people to use free of charge later this year.
Click
Here to
Recommend a Tradesperson
In
this issue of Econews, we also take a look at:
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 is
31st October, 2003.
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:
|
|
|
Story
#1: Australia's
Water Crisis & Affordable Solutions
|
|
With the reality of declining
water storages in the state's reservoirs and the prospect of another prolonged
drought, the NSW Government has announced compulsory water restrictions.
As of 1st October, people
living in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra will be banned from the
use of sprinklers and watering systems at all times. The hosing of hard
surfaces, including vehicles, paths and buildings will also be prohibited at
all times.
 Failure
to comply with the restrictions may result in an on-the-spot $220 fine! Residents
in affected areas are being encouraged to "report a water waster"
to help ensure that the NSW Government achieves its target of a 7% reduction in
household water usage in the coming months.
These water restrictions have become necessary
due to our current massive levels of water use and waste combined with the ninth
consecutive year of below average rainfall throughout NSW.
AFFORDABLE WATER
SAVING SOLUTIONS!
Ecological Homes is offering a range of
effective water storage and water saving solutions designed to help households
save water and keep their gardens alive this summer. These include:
1) Suldi Greywater Valve - easily fitted
under your laundry or kitchen sink and can be used to divert greywater from
these sources out onto a nearby garden area ($120 self-install plus postage -
installation can be arranged at cost) - place
an order | more details on the device
2) Water-flow Restrictors - can be
fitted into existing tap fixtures to save up to 25% of the total water used in
your home ($120 plus installation - does 4 water fixtures) - place
an order
3) Slimline Rainwater Tanks - we have a
range of tanks from 500 to 4,000 litres designed for smaller suburban blocks
(from $500 plus delivery & installation) - request
a quote
Back to top
|
|
Story #2:
Combating
Greenhouse - A Win Win Situation
|
|
An environmental program developed by the City of
Charles Sturt has won a prestigious United Nations Association of Australia
World Environment Day Award 2003.
The 'Reducing Energy Through Partnerships:
Local Government Industry Sector' program took the honours in the local
government category of the Best Specific Environmental Initiative Award at a
special awards ceremony held in Melbourne in June. The project was the first of
its kind in Australia and demonstrated that the model of local government,
working in partnership with large private sector companies, can help medium and
smaller enterprises to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through energy
efficiency.
 More
than 3,000 businesses operate in the City of Charles Sturt and analysis of
energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, undertaken as part of the Cities for
Climate Protection Program, showed that these businesses are a major source of
the City's greenhouse gas emissions.
Before the program started these companies
emitted 23,879 tonnes of CO2 per year and had a combined energy bill of $2.76
million per year. The program identified savings of 2,711 tonnes of CO2e per
year (11.4% saving) and $311,222 in annual energy costs (11.3% saving). A total
investment of $157,110 was required to achieve the savings, yielding an
average payback of six months! All of the measures identified had a payback
of less than 2 years.
One company, an automotive engineering
component supplier, used a Programmable Logic Controller, to turn the
temperature of its furnace down to 4250 Celsius when it was least required, such
as overnight and weekends. With the timer the company's greenhouse gas emissions
have been reduced by 53 tonnes annually as well as dramatically reducing
energy use and costs by $15,000.
If you are interested in implementing a similar
project for businesses in your area contact Charles Sturt's Environment
Management Planner, Dianne Vivian on (08) 8408 1204.
Back
to top
|
|
Story #3:
Growing Food Shortages
as the World Heats Up
|
|
The world's grain harvest is expected to
fall short of consumption by 93 million tons this year, dropping world grain
stocks to the lowest level in 30 years.
 This
makes a shortfall of four years in a row. In 2000, the shortfall was a modest 16
million tons; in 2001 it was 27 million tons; and in 2002 a record-smashing 96
million tons.
Agricultural leaders are now looking to next year's crop
with fingers crossed. If 2004 brings another large shortfall comparable to this
year or last year, there could be chaos in world grain markets by this time next
year as more than 100 grain-importing countries scramble for scarce exportable
supplies.
Higher temperatures have been identified as one likely
cause of the crisis in grain supply with high temperatures combined with poor
rainfall thwarting farmers' efforts to expand food production.
The earth's average temperature has been rising since
the late 1970s, with the three warmest years on record coming in the last five
years. As temperatures continue to rise, crop yields start to fall and the
world's poor continues to starve.
We
are still waiting on the Howard Government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on
greenhouse gas emission reductions. Click
here to send an email to Mr Howard urging him to sign the Kyoto
agreement.
|
|
Story
#4: Low Cost
Community Housing
|
|
As
house prices continue to climb in our major cities, forcing lower income
families into substandard rental housing on the fringe of our cities further,
community based organisations and visionary local government authorities are
beginning to fight back with well-thought out strategies for developing low cost
community housing in partnership with industry.
1)
The Inkerman Oasis Project
 One
Victorian initiative is the Inkerman Oasis development in St Kilda - a $50
million, 237 unit housing project being conducted by a joint venture between the
City of Port Phillip and Inkerman Developments Pty. Ltd.
Apart
from delivering 28 units of community housing at no cost for the City, the
project will also deliver high quality architecture, urban design, integrated
art public access walkways and ecologically sustainable design (ESD).
The ESD elements of this project include:
- 88% of units with north, east or west solar
orientation
- natural ventilation of the sub-basement car
park by use of voids through to the ground level open space
- cross flow ventilation of all units via
louvered windows linked to passages and ventilation shafts
- use of solar hot water
- solar communal lighting
- native or indigenous landscaping and
- grey and storm water recycling.
The project has won international, national and
state environmental awards and been showcased as a 'Green Building
nomination'.
For more information on this project contact:
Mr. Gary Spivak
Housing Development Officer, City of Port Phillip
Mail: Private Bag 3 PO St. Kilda 3182
Tel: (03) 9209 6752 Fax: (03) 9536 2735
E-mail: gspivak@portphillip.vic.gov.au
2) The Blue Mountains Community Housing
& Employment Co-op (CHEC) - operating on a much smaller scale is
the Blue Mountains Community Housing & Employment Co-op (CHEC). The CHEC is
a group of people working together to achieve simple, affordable and sustainable
housing via the process of community housing and cooperative employment.
The CHEC is in the final stages of putting
together a submission for funding and plans to have low cost housing available
for people on their waiting list by early 2004.
For more information contact the Blue Mountains
CHEC at:
Mail: 20 Ridge St Woodford NSW 2778
Australia
Phone: (02) 4758 8411
Website: www.caretakers.org.au/CHEC.htm
Email: caretakers@earthling.net
Back to top
|
|
Story
#5: Great New Personal Loan Product
|
|
Personal Loans Unsecured up
to $40,000
-
Need a deposit for your home?
-
Consolidate your Credit Card
debt
-
Go on a holiday
-
Renovate your home
-
Make your home an Eco Home
- Install a solar hot water
system, solar power or Rainwater tank ... it's your choice
24 hour approval process
Contact us today
1300 73 07 07
info@hileyhomeloans.com.au
Back to top
|
|
Get Out Your Message
Advertising
Space Available in EcoNews
|
|
In little under 2 years,
the Ecological Homes website has recorded more than 2 million hits from over
40,000 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
|
|
Wise
Words that Inspire
|
|
"The military don't start wars.
Politicians start wars." -William Westmoreland
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war
will put an end to mankind." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy
|
|
|
STORM
sustainable water designers can help you create a sustainable water cycle system
for your project.
STORM can offer a range of
services, advice, feasibility assessment and design and construction for:
- rainwater harvesting
- locating and sizing tanks and pumping systems
- wetland and waterscape designs
- on-site detention
- infiltration
- grey water and sewage systems.
STORM understand the importance
of integrating all aspects of the water cycle into design - from the rain
falling on your roof, to the wastewater leaving your home.
Contact Mal Brown on 02 9499
4333 or by email mal@stormconsulting.com.au
Check out their website www.stormconsulting.com.au
|
New
Eco Homes