IN THIS ISSUE
(Click on the story link)

Send Us Your Xmas Wishlist

SPECIAL OFFER Xmas 2002

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

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

Below is a list of the best fixed rates currently available (at 17/11/02).

Best Discounted split rate: 4.89%

Best Variable rate: 5.85%

ARE YOU GETTING 
THE BEST RATE?

Request a Free Home Loan Consultation or Check-Up

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Vol 1 (Issue 6) - Nov/Xmas 2002

Dear Readers,

Welcome to our Christmas edition of EcoNews which combines our news for Nov-Dec. Christmas for many is a time for making lists of presents for Santa. We invite you to send your own list for Santa and maybe win a holiday for 2 (see below for details). Here is our own wishlist for 2003:

Dear Santa, we at Ecological Homes wish that:

• Mr. Bush would tear up his plans for war on Iraq and become a champion of peace instead, diverting the enormous resources of his country into fighting our REAL enemies - poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, destruction of the environment and traditional cultures, greed, violence and discrimination on the basis of gender, race or religious beliefs

• Mr Bush and Mr Howard agree to sign the Kyoto Agreement

• An Australian Government says sorry on behalf of the nation to the Aboriginal people of Australia and help put us back on the path to true reconciliation 

• The Australian Government introduces a $15,000 eco housing grant allowing home owners/buyers to install/retrofit environmental housing technologies

• People of the world understand the need to become personally involved in the process of understanding the roots of the problems that beset us on earth and realise their potential as active members in a movement for a better world and one we can proudly pass on to our children.   

Endorse the Earth Repair Charter

Online at www.earthrepair.net

Tell us your Santa Wishlist
(and win a holiday for 2)

We invite you to tell us what you want for Xmas. The best three wishlist makers each win a holiday for 2 including two weeks free accommodation from a selection of Australia's leading Hotels, Resorts and B&Bs. We will be seeking permission from list wishers to publish their responses on our web. 

As always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback on the newsletter and stories related to the environment. The deadline for contributions to the November issue is 6 January, 2003.

From the team at Ecological Homes, we wish you all a restful (and peaceful) Christmas and New Year! 

Story #1: Laurimar - A Visionary Housing Development 

Laurimar – Your Dream Home is the Vision

Imagine living amongst 400-year old gum trees, undulating hills and meandering waterways on a beautifully landscaped 770 acre property just 35 minutes north from the CBD of Melbourne.

Laurimar is a residential development that puts people and the environment first. Carefully planned to please the senses, Laurimar integrates a love of nature with the best in modern design, residential facilities and environmental housing.

Ecological Homes has been appointed as one of only 4 companies to provide housing for the settlement which will consist of 2300 5-star energy efficient homes with extensive views of the Plenty Valley. 

With its own Community Centre, Kindergarten, Primary school, Childcare centre, Town Centre, Pony club facilities, Laurimar is like a mini oasis. You need only step outside your door to enjoy walking & cycling tracks, horse bridal paths around the entire site, BBQ areas, sporting ovals and a central environmental wetland and lake system.

Public & private schools are nearby along with Golf courses, Equestrian facilities, Tennis Courts and Sports Ovals.

If you are seeking your dream home or are seeking a secure, attractive property-based investment then register your interest today in this visionary residential development and we will forward more details. 

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Story #2: NSW Government Announces Rainwater Tank Rebate

It took the worst drought in 30 years but it seems that Governments are finally realising the need to provide support and intervention in better environmental management for Australian Housing. 

Sydney Water, a statutory corporation owned by the people of NSW (not many of them exist any more) and the largest water authority in NSW, has announced a range of rebates for Rainwater tanks for people in the Greater Sydney region.  

To qualify for the rebate, the rainwater tank must be both:

• a new tank with a capacity of 2,000 litres or more
• purchased on or after 20 October 2002.

The rebate offer is valid until the end of this financial year (30 June 2003).

How much is the rebate?

The rebate is based on the size of the tank and whether the rainwater is 'plumbed' into your toilet or washing machine.

Tank Size	Rebate Tank Only	Rebate - Tank Used for Toilet or Washing  Machine Flush	Total  Rebate
2,000-3,999 litres	$150	$150	$300
4,000-6,999 litres	$400	$150	$550
7,000+ litres	$500	$150	$650

Contact one of our Eco Consultants today to find out how to get a Rainwater Tanks solution installed for your home - start saving water and money now! 

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Story #3: Ecological Projects Launched

Due to growing demand for our consulting services from organisations and companies involved in Tourism, property development and services, we have launched a new part of our business - Ecological Projects.

Ecological Projects will be headed up by Ken McKeen, a Structural Engineer and accredited designer of Solar Power systems with an extensive background in business consulting. 

If you run your own business or work for an organisation that needs to reduce its energy and water use and become a more Eco Wise corporate citizen, you need Ecological Projects.  

Have a look at the Ecological Projects home page for more details or Contact us today to arrange a consultation.

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Story #4: War in Iraq - Help Stop the Madness 

America under Bush appear hell-bent on War in Iraq - if only they directed as much energy and resources into helping eliminate hunger, homelessness and lack of access to safe drinking water! 

As the UN investigators continue site visits and their review of the 12,000 page report on weapons for mass destruction (WMD), US troups continue to gather on Iraq's doorsteps and gear up for an invasion. This war is madness any way you look at it:

• no evidence yet exists to prove that Iraq has WMDs

• the War will result in up to 250,000 casualties and another refugee crisis in the region

• it will cost up to US$50 Billion to wage the war plus another US$500 Billion for post-war reconstruction

• if the war is long (highly likely) it may push the world economy into a deep and prolonged recession

• Oil prices will go through the roof 

• it will not result in a more stable regime even if Hussein is killed

• it will further destabilise the region leading to a possible Western versus Arabic world war.

We urge you to become informed on the issues that underlie this complex and dangerous situation. Some great reference materials for a critical review of the justifications for war are listed below (please take the time to read some and pass the details on to your friends):

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Advertising Space Available in EcoNews

In less than a year (8 months), the Ecological Homes website has recorded more than 800,000 hits from over 15,000 unique visitors. On average, each visitor spends up to 7 minutes viewing our site. This is an incredible growth and has been due largely to our visitors referring the site on to their friends! 

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