“Comfortable”, “low energy and water bills”, “health and happiness” are some of the aspects our guests mention when asked why they are so passionate about sustainable housing. Sustainability makes so much practical and tangible common sense and joy.
The Sustainable Hour on 4 October 2017 turns into The Sustainable House Hour with four sustainable house owners and experts in the studio:
Anne Macrae, a very content sustainable house owner – the low-energy house designer Cameron Bell – the sustainable builder Shamus O’Reilly – and Vicki Perrett, the organiser of one of the most popular, annual sustainability events in Geelong: the Sustainable House Day, to be experienced in the Geelong region on 15 October 2017. More info below.
Listen to The Sustainable Hour no. 189 on 94.7 The Pulse:
» To open or download this programme in mp3-format, right-click here (Mac: CTRL + click)
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“It’s like baking a cake, getting everything just right.” “Attention to detail.” “Save bucketloads of money and help the environment at the same time.”
Our guests in The Sustainable Hour
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Sustainable House Day in Geelong this year, like the past five, is co-coordinated by Vicky Perrett from Geelong Sustainability who is also the president of this organisation[/one_half_last]
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Shamus O’Reilly from SO’R Constructions is the builder of Anne Macrae’s house. He also built his brother’s straw bale house at Mt Duneed:
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House #4: Lepus House, Mt Duneed, 300 Dickins Road
Lepus House is a brand new 8.2 star, off grid, straw bale home made from onsite, recycled and salvaged materials by SO’R Construction. The timber eaves of the North-facing family home are calculated to maximise winter warmth, whilst fending off summer heat.
The house is fully off-grid, featuring a stand alone solar energy system, stainless steel water tanks, Sanden heat pump and a combustion stove for cooking over winter.
The home has incredible thermal mass from its external straw bale walls and internal cob walls. The house features traditional timber framing, using mortise and tenon joins. Reclaimed materials are used throughout the home including all the glazing.
Experts onsite
Builders: SO’R Construction
• Discover the benefits of living in a straw bale house!
• Fascinated by timber framing using mortise and tenon joins
• Keen to see battery storage setups?
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Anne Macrae is a homeowner from Anderson Road, Drysdale. Her house was designed by Tim Adams from f2 Design.
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Anne Macrae’s story: My own power, food & water
“As the years have progressed I have become increasingly aware of our dwindling resources on our planet. This linked with a passion for healthy living started me dreaming about living as sustainable and natural a lifestyle as possible.
The opportunity to build became available in the middle of a 100 acre sheep paddock. My brief to the architect (Tim) was to build a house oriented to benefit maximum thermal performance whilst taking in the extensive bay views to the east. Other critical components were to have an outdoor space protected from the S-W winds and to feel as if the outdoors was coming in.
‘At one with the land’.
The predominant living area is in the north/south wing, with the west wing for family and visitors and is currently being set up for future Air B’nB (to help generate an income in retirement).
Throughout construction, the builder and I researched and selected materials, fixtures and fittings to maximise quality, aesthetics, value, energy efficiency and overall sustainability. We reused, recycled, repurposed as much as possible including using the clay from the foundations to build rammed earth fireplaces to house the wood heaters.
The next part of the project which is under construction is an edible garden, planting of native and indigenous trees and plants and a zen garden providing multi-sensory relaxation area.
The home was a 2017 National Finalist in HIA (Housing Industry of Australia) Greensmart Awards
House #8: Anderson Rd, Drysdale
A visit to this house is sure to inspire and inform anyone planning a new build or renovation.
• Talk to the various technical experts onsite
• Check out the worm sewerage system
• Inspect the rammed earth fire places
Sustainability features
| Category | Features |
| House type | Newly completed in 2017 |
| Lifestyle | Farm change, future Air B’n’B, self-sustainable living, building for the future, minimising cost of living, minimising carbon footprint |
| Building type | Split face block veneer, two-story |
| Sustainable design | Passive solar house requires an active owner to maximise benefits |
| Sustainable materials | Split face concrete blocks, Australian cypress timber (pergolas, deck and some internal) hardwood windows, upcycled vanity units, low VOC paints and oils, water based floor sealer, recycled fence palling bed heads, recycled flooring feature island bench and upcycled furniture |
| Energy efficiency | 7+ star rating, LED Lighting, electric low energy appliances, low flow tapware, cool store room, double glazed windows, additional draft sealing and insulation |
| Renewable energy | 5.2 kW PV solar system with future battery pre-wiring, power monitoring |
| Heating & cooling | Combustion wood heater (installed in rammed earth fire places for extra thermal mass) with air transfer ducting, passive cooling – cross flow ventilation, ceiling fans, concrete floor for thermal mass |
| Water heating | Sanden heat exchange pump |
| Fixtures & fittings | Low energy consumption electric appliances, water saving taps, external rotary clothes line |
| Water harvesting | 2 x 22,500 litres tanks connected to whole house |
| Garden/outdoors | Under construction: edible garden, indigenous planting – edible, shrubs and trees, native tree shrubs and trees plus a zen garden |
| Waste management | Worm farm waste system |
Experts, tradies & suppliers onsite on the day
• Building designer and energy rater: Tim Adams from f2 Design
• Builder: Shamus O’Reilly, SO’R Constructions
• Rooftop solar PV specialist: Phil Hapgood, Radiant Energy Systems
• Worm sewerage: A&A Worm Farm Waste Systems
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Cameron Bell from Belco Group is a designer and energy rater for the event’s ‘poster house’ in Highton.[/one_half_last]
House #3: 12 Jessica Way, Highton
8.2 star home on Highton hill has sweeping view. Built for a couple by Homes With Integrity, this elegant and sophisticated home has won several industry awards.
Designed with sustainable edge, the home features phase change material, double glazed windows, LED lighting, rooftop solar power and thermal mass in the form of polished concrete floors.
Experts onsite
• Builder: Stu & Blake, Homes With Integrity
• Designer and energy rater: Cameron Bell, Belco Group
Why visit this property
• Experience north facing living spaces firsthand – discover why passive solar orientation is so important
• See why this home won the 2017 MBAV Regional Award & was a National finalist in 2017 HIA Greensmart Award
House #2: Barwon Water, Ryrie HQ
Barwon Water’s new $32m headquarters, Ryrie HQ has totally rejuvenated the 1970s building, transforming it into a contemporary commercial office with a 5 Green Star rating.
The eco-friendly approach saved over a million kilograms of CO2 emissions by retaining most of the building’s concrete and steel. The new building halves the previous maintenance, operational and energy costs. The modern design features a glass-walled infill connecting the north and south sections, innovative sun-shading façade, stormwater-irrigated rain garden, rooftop terrace, community café and open-plan layout for 350 staff.
Experts onsite
• Barwon Water project officers
» Listen to The Sustainable Hour’s podcast about this building
Why visit this property
• Don’t miss your chance to tour Ryrie HQ on its first public viewing
• Check out Geelong’s amazing and dynamic skyline from the rooftop terrace
» Find much more info on www.geelongsustainability.org.au
» Find much more info on sustainable housing on this site
Audio flachback to Sustainable House Day in 2016
Audio flachback to Sustainable House Day in 2015
LISTENER SERVICE:
Other content of this hour
Links, excerpts and more information about what we talk about in this Sustainable Hour
Upcoming events in Geelong
- October is Buy Nothing New Month
- Saturday 7 October at 2pm: StopAdani Geelong Human Sign Day of Action on Eastern Beach
- Sunday 8 October – Humans in Geelong Expo
- Wednesday 11 October – Green Drinks: Sustainable House Day preview: Meet the homeowners
- Sunday 15 October – Sustainable House Day Geelong
- Thursday 26 October – GS Life Learning: Shoots, Stems & Seeds
Stop Adani Geelong – Day of Action
Join us at Eastern Beach in Geelong for a message our governments and Adani can’t ignore – A HUMAN SIGN! We need as many people as possible to make the message loud and clear – together we can #STOPADANI. This is a family friendly, fun, peaceful event. Tell all your friends about it and please share this event!
WHEN: Sunday 8 October – The human sign action kicks off at 2pm
WHO: Everyone fired up to #StopAdani – no matter where you’re from!
WHAT: A giant human sign to #StopAdani!
WHERE: Assembling at Eastern Beach in front of the former Beach House Restaurant
WEAR: RED, RED, RED, or your #StopAdani t-shirt!
Order one now to support the campaign and have it in time for Saturday.
BRING: Friends, family, sun protection, water and any Stop Adani posters or signs!
Humans in Geelong Expo
The expo offers uplifting speakers, thought-provoking workshops, music and fun for all ages. Come along to laugh, connect, share and celebrate. Visit the many exhibitors including Geelong Sustainability. GS members are also giving two talks:
- 11.30 in Room D2.204 – Sustainable House Day Preview and One Planet Living Principles by Vicki Perrett
- 1.00pm in Room D2.205 – Clever Housing Design by Tim Adams
WHEN: Sunday 8 October, 10am – 3pm
WHERE: Deakin Waterfront, Geelong
ENTRY FEE: Gold coin
Podcast about the event
» Listen to interview with the organisers
October Geelong Green Drinks
Showcase of 2017 Open Houses: Meet the Homeowners
Don’t miss Geelong Sustainability’s next Green Drinks event which showcases the 10 properties opening in the 2017 Sustainable House Day program in Geelong and surrounding region on Sunday 15 October. We’re confident you’ll leave inspired to visit them all!
- Meet the homeowners and hear their stories
- Discover what makes their homes sustainable
- Find out which technical experts they’ll have available onsite
- Pick up printed flyers and maps so you can plan your day
WHEN: Wed 11 October, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Beav’s Bar, 77-79 Lt Malop Street, Geelong
ENTRY FEE: Just $2 on the night – Finger food provided – Drinks at bar prices
BOOK HERE
2017 Sustainable House Day
WHEN: Sunday 15 October, 510:00am – 5:00pm
WHERE: 10 open house around Geelong and the Bellarine
ENTRY FEE: Just $2 per adult per house, children free
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ADDITIONALLY:
In other news
From our notes of this week: news stories and events we didn’t have time to mention but which we think you should know about
Bishop: let’s get off of fossil fuels
In order to fight climate change, we need to unite in action that is collective, global, and shared, involving all strata of society all around the world.
» Catholic Climate Movement:
Bishop: let’s get off of fossil fuels
Greener cities key to happier, healthier, stress-free liveshttps://t.co/DqmTnGTAM0 #urban #greenspace pic.twitter.com/W4oK91gZCA
— Doing Things Differently (@dtdchange) January 27, 2016
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FACT > The ‘gas crisis’ is not about abundance of gas, it’s about the price of gas. It’s a gas price crisis. pic.twitter.com/UL2pJP1wUb
— Australia Institute (@TheAusInstitute) October 6, 2017
“It’s a gas price crisis”
The truth is we have enough cheap easy-to-extract gas in Australia to last 100 years. Three important points to remember about the so-called “gas crisis”:
1) The ‘gas crisis’ is not about abundance of gas, it’s about price of gas. It’s a gas price crisis.
2) We have tripled the amount of gas supply in eastern Australia. As a nation we’ve seen one of the biggest gas booms in the history of the planet, and yet we’re being told we’re running out.
3) This is all about the politics of: who allowed gas exports in the first place, who should have done something since, and what can be done in the coming months.
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» Herald Sun (subscribers only):
Poor insulation, energy bills pushing tenants to put health at risk
“Tenants in poorly insulated rental homes are risking their health to try to manage the blowout in their power bills, a new report says.”
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Podcasts and posts about climate change
Acknowledgement
We at The Sustainable Hour would like to pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we are broadcasting, the Wathaurong People, and pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.
The traditional owners lived in harmony with the environment and with the climate for hundreds of generations. It is not clear – yet – that as European settlers we have demonstrated that we can live in harmony for hundreds of generations, but it is clear that we can learn from the indigenous, traditional owners of this land.
When we talk about the future, it means extending our respect to those children not yet born, the generations of the future – remembering the old saying that…
The decisions currently being made around Australia to ignore climate change are being made by those who won’t be around by the time the worst effects hit home. How utterly disgusting, disrespectful and unfair is that?
Streaming live
The Sustainable Hour is streamed live on the Internet every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Melbourne time).
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Podcast archive
Hours and hours of sustainable podcasts
Listen to all of The Sustainable Hour radio shows in full length and in selected excerpts:
» Archive on climatesafety.info
» Archive on itunes.apple.com – iPhone friendly
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Household event for sustainability focus https://t.co/BNeWS9k8yo pic.twitter.com/jBuD6bxhGW
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“Participation – that’s what’s gonna save the human race.”
Pete Seeger, American singer