Sustainable Housing.indd

Transcription

Sustainable Homes
Guide
Taking Up the Sustainable Design Challenge
A real life story from South Morang resident, Maria
Maria and her family recently moved into their newly built home in South Morang. This move marked the
end of a 12 month sustainability journey.
Driven by a desire to build a comfortable, low environmental impact home, energy efficiency played a
strong role in the design and development of Maria’s home, particularly when determining orientation
and selecting fixtures, fittings and appliances. In fact ‘achieving the highest possible energy efficiency
was our number one priority’ said Maria. ‘The main aim was to cut our long term energy costs and achieve
greenhouse reductions.’
With a focus on generating energy savings, a number of sustainability features were integrated into Maria’s
‘eco-conscious’ home including:
• North, south orientation enabling free winter warmth and natural light.
• Zoned living areas allowing heating to be turned off in areas not in use.
• Double glazed windows to reduce heat loss.
• High efficiency lamps for lighting living areas and task lighting for specific areas.
• Gas boosted solar hot water system generating energy and financial savings.
• Lowest flush toilets to reduce water use.
• High R value insulation in the roof and foil board around the house.
• Hydronic heating with room isolation capabilities.
A range of simple measures were also undertaken to further enhance the sustainability of the home including the use of door seals on all doors and shower timers in bathrooms.
The next project for the family is the design and development of a water wise garden, complete with
drought tolerant plants and rainwater tanks.
Maria spent a lot of time sourcing information on passive design, material selection and water and energy
use. ‘It took time to do the research but it was worthwhile. The decisions you make before you build are
extremely important and can save you a lot of money in the future. This publication will certainly give
people a good head start!’
Disclaimer
The content of this Guide is provided for information purposes only and is based on specialist judgement
supported by research. Although precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of this information,
the publishers, authors and printers do not accept any liability to any claim, loss, damage or liability arising from the use of the information published in this Guide. This information is provided on the basis that
all persons using the publication will undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of
its content.
City of Whittlesea Telephone Service in Community Languages
Contents
Whittlesea Sustainable Homes Guide
2
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CHOICES
3
‘How to Build a Sustainable Home’
Designing for Energy Efficiency
4
Saving Water in Your Home
10
Creating a High Quality Indoor Environment
15
Building Materials
17
SUSTAINABLE LIVING CHOICES
20
‘How to Make Your Home and Lifestyle More Sustainable’
Energy Saving Tips
21
Water Saving Tips
22
Reducing Waste
25
Getting from “A” to “B”
27
Native Flora and Fauna
30
Community Connections
32
Useful Web Links
35
Acknowledgements
The City of Whittlesea acknowledges and thanks the various
individuals and organisations that contributed to the development of
this Guide.
WHITTLESEA CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABLE HOMES GUIDE
contents
In particular, Council would like to thank AVJennings, SD Consultants
and Yarra Valley Water for their continued support with this project.
1
Whittlesea Sustainable Homes Guide
Welcome to the Whittlesea City Council Sustainable Homes Guide. This Guide explores the choices
that are available to us in the way we design and use our homes, and it aims to introduce the benefits of sustainable design and sustainable living. The Guide is divided into two main sections that
broadly outline sustainable options in home design and in the operation of the home.
whittlesea sustainable homes guide
‘Sustainable Design Choices’ emphasises the ongoing benefits available to home owners who are
able to incorporate practical sustainability measures into their house design. Briefly, these benefits include features such as comfortable and healthy living spaces and long-term savings due to
resource efficiency.
2
‘Sustainable Living Choices’ is concerned more specifically with living in a home rather than home
design. This section is based on the premise that everyone has the power to affect change through
the living choices they make every day. While your efforts may seem small in isolation, the cumulative effect of environmental action taken across Whittlesea and beyond can have significant and
lasting impact.
The Sustainable Homes Guide has something for everyone. While not every idea will be relevant
to your individual situation, we hope that there are some ideas that can help you create a better
standard of living in your home and also contribute to the task of caring for our planet.
Sustainable Design Choices
...how to build a
sustainable home
This section introduces some of the principles of sustainable design in order to help home owners create homes
that are liveable, inexpensive to heat and cool, and help
reduce impacts upon the environment.
WHITTLESEA CITY
SUSTAINABLE
HOMES
GUIDE
WHITTLESEA
CITYCOUNCIL
COUNCIL
SUSTAINABLE
HOMES
GUIDE
3
Designing for Energy
Efficiency
The average Australian home is today consuming
more energy than ever before. While we all need
to use some energy in order to create a liveable
and comfortable home, most Australian homes
use far more energy than they need. Increasing
house size and appliance use contribute to this
growing energy consumption, and this in turn
contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
sustainable design choices
Where Energy is Used within the
Home
4
Space heating and cooling is by far the major
energy user in the average home. Energy savings
can be made in other areas simply by installing
efficient appliances, but significant savings can
be made by designing homes to reduce space
heating and cooling costs. This can be achieved
by considering the following building features in
building design:
• Orientation – design your house to maximise
solar access available on site.
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The atmosphere of the earth
moderates the temperature of the
earth’s surface within habitable
limits. Our liveable atmosphere is
the product of a natural greenhouse
effect, provided by atmospheric levels
of carbon dioxide, methane and water
vapour.
The enhanced greenhouse effect
refers to the way human activity has
altered the balance of these gases
in the atmosphere. The significant
increase in carbon dioxide and other
gases in the atmosphere is changing
the climate of the earth and leading to
increased surface temperatures, loss
of biodiversity and decreased water
security.
Everyday activities such as driving
a car, using a home appliance,
consuming certain foods, all
contribute to the enhanced
greenhouse effect. The challenge
facing the earth, the nation, and
our local area is to reduce carbon
emissions to help stabilise carbon
levels in the atmosphere.
• Glazing and Shading – position windows to
include winter sun and shade windows to
exclude summer sun.
• Insulation – insulate ceilings, walls and floors
as much as possible to retain heat in winter
and exclude excessive summer heat.
• Ventilation – design for cross ventilation to
make use of natural cooling breezes.
• Air leakage – minimise unwanted air leakage
by sealing gaps in walls, floors and ceilings.
Lighting
3%
Appliances
- cooking
13%
Appliances
- fridge / freezer
4%
Space heating
and cooling
59%
Appliances - other
10%
Water heating
21%
Source: Victorian Energy Efficiency Action Statement, Department
of Sustainability and Environment, 2006
Victorian House Energy Ratings
The points listed in the previous section are core
principles of the standards recently introduced
to ensure all new Victorian houses achieve at
least 5-Stars for energy efficiency. Some further
suggestions for making your house design more
energy efficient include:
• Face living areas towards the north.
• Place service areas (bathroom, laundry)
along the southern side.
• Locate your hot water system as close as
possible to your bathroom and/or laundry to
reduce energy wasted in the pipes.
• Include eaves over northern windows that
exclude the summer sun but allow the
winter sun.
In addition to achieving 5-Star energy efficiency
all new houses also require either a rainwater
tank or a solar hot water system. Both of these
features provide environmental and financial
benefits for your home.
Heating and Cooling Systems
• Install blinds on windows facing west.
Heating Systems
• Design windows to a total area of 20% to
25% of the floor area.
When choosing a heating system consider the
following:
• Specify more insulation than the building
regulations require (including under the
floor if not on a slab).
• Ensure builders seal all building gaps and
cracks to reduce air leakage.
• Selecting timber or aluminium-improved
window frames and either double glazing or
high performance glass.
• Position windows within your house layout
in order to maximise natural daylighting to
common areas.
• Consider including high thermal mass
materials such as bricks and concrete that
allow slow-release of thermal energy.
• Do you need to heat the whole house, or
only a part?
• Could you heat rooms that are only used
occasionally with portable, thermostat
controlled, electric heaters (such as radiant
column heaters or fan heaters)?
• Can the system be zoned so that you are only
heating the parts of the house that are in use?
• What is the running cost of the system?
Always look beyond the initial purchase
price of the appliance and also consider
how much it will cost to run; opt for a highenergy star rating (i.e. 5 or greater appliance
efficiency).
WHAT IS AN “R” VALUE?
The R-value listed for a given insulation product
indicates the level of thermal resistance that
product provides against the transmission of
thermal energy, or heat. Generally, the higher
the R-value, the more your walls and ceilings will
resist heat flow and help to keep your home warm
in winter and cool in summer. As a guide, aim for
R2.0 or above for wall insulation and for ceiling
insulation aim for R3.0 and above.
• Minimise windows on the western side of
your house.
5
Gas systems have lower energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions than electric systems (however this is partially overcome if electric systems
are powered by Green Power, although the running costs will be higher than with gas).
To help increase the efficiency of your heating
system consider:
• Incorporating passive solar design allowing
the sun to shine into your living areas
in winter, thereby reducing operational
greenhouse gas emissions and heating bills.
• Position windows to maximise air flow
through your house. Design for cross flow
ventilation by providing windows to allow
cool breeze to flow through the house.
• Planting deciduous trees and shrubs to help
provide summer shade.
Cooling Systems
6
If you are thinking about buying a cooling system
consider the following:
• Appropriate external shading using eave
overhangs, trees and other sun shade
devices such as external blinds or awnings
will help keep your home cool.
Zoning
You can waste a great deal of energy by heating/
cooling unoccupied spaces. Design your house
with zones that can be shut off from the rest of
the house to control the area that you heat or
cool. In practical terms, this means that parts of
your house can be shut off from others by walls
and doors, rather than having an open plan living
concept throughout.
The table below shows the relative greenhouse
performance of the different system types.
Heating and Cooling Systems and CO2
Emissions (Annual)
Tonnes of CO2
Electric Air-conditioning - Zoned
5.01
• Electric fans are a very effective, low cost
alternative to air conditioning. They provide
air flow and remove moisture from the
surface of your body.
Electric Air-conditioning - Whole House
8.86
Gas Ducted Heating - Zoned (2 Star)
2.12
Gas Ducted Heating - Zoned (5 Star)
1.5
• If air conditioning is to be installed, be sure
the correct size and type of system that
best suits your needs. Do you need to cool
one room, part of your house, or the entire
house? How much will the different systems
cost to purchase and to run?
Gas Ducted Heating - Whole House (2 Star)
4.03
Gas Ducted Heating - Whole House (5 Star)
2.94
Gas Hydronic Heating - Zoned
1.91
Gas Hydronic Heating - Whole House
3.48
Costs of Different Heating and Cooling Systems
The chart below indicates the operational costs for a variety of heating and cooling systems and the
potential savings that can be achieved by 5-Star, zoned, gas systems compared to whole house electric
systems. The chart does not show the further savings that are possible by incorporating a solar hot
water system into a gas hydronic system.
Solar Energy Technologies
Many parts of Australia have abundant sunlight
throughout the year. You can use this free energy
source to save on operating costs and reduce your
greenhouse impact in the following ways:
Example of solar (photo-voltaic) panels
• Install solar thermal collectors for use in hot
water and space heating systems.
• Build a sunroom to trap heat in winter, and
channel the heat into other rooms.
• Include a trombe wall into your house
design. Trombe walls are thick, heat
absorbing walls, including an air gap, and
glass to create a heat trap from which vents
control the circulation of air into the house.
Other Technologies:
Geothermal Heat Pump Technology
For instance, a fluid can be circulated through an
underground loop pipe to absorb heat from the
earth during the winter and dissipate heat from
the house during the summer. The heat can be
transferred to or from the home by the use of a
heat-exchange system, similar to a car radiator.
Example of domestic wind turbine
Generating Electricity on Site
Wind Power
Wind turbines can provide renewable energy
day and night all year round, provided there is
enough uninterrupted wind. This technology is
just emerging for homeowners in Australia and
should become more widely available in the
near future. Residential wind generation may be
suitable for some households although careful
evaluation of the available wind resource would
be advisable. Wind turbines can be arranged as a
stand alone installation, with batteries for storage
of surplus electricity or, grid-connected, where
there is an interconnection with the normal electricity supply network.
Solar Power
Grid-connected solar (photo-voltaic) panels can
provide ongoing benefits to your home. While
solar panels can be expensive up front, they can
provide the opportunity to generate your own
electricity and to receive credit rather than bills
from your electricity supplier. Photo-voltaic cells
are now becoming more affordable, particularly
with government rebates. Installing a photo-voltaic cell is a long-term investment which has the
potential to increase the value of your home.
Buying Green Power
The cheapest and easiest way to access renewable energy is to buy Green Power. Green Power
is electricity generated from renewable sources
such as wind, solar, hydro, and
biogas. The use of Green Power
represents a cost-effective way
to offset the harmful impacts of
coal-based electricity generation. While Green
Power can be more expensive than conventional
electricity, you can usually recoup the additional
costs by implementing energy efficiency measures in the home. To sign onto Green Power
simply contact your electricity supplier.
Ground temperatures are much more stable
than air temperatures throughout the year. The
thermal mass of the earth can be used for both
heating and cooling by offsetting the difference
between the temperature outside the house and
the temperature you want inside the house.
Geothermal systems will not typically meet the
full heating or cooling requirements of a dwelling, but they can significantly offset the energy
load of conventional systems.
7
Hot water heating contributes 30% of Australia’s
total residential greenhouse emissions. Choosing
the right hot water system for your home can
save you hundreds of dollars in energy savings
and can radically cut household emissions.
Solar Hot Water Heating
A solar hot water system can provide up to 80%
of your hot water needs. These systems consist
principally of a heater panel and a water tank
connected to a booster system which can be
mounted on the roof or located at ground level.
Under the 5-Star energy efficiency regulations all
new houses must be built with either a solar hot
water heater or a water storage tank connected
to toilets. Both are worthwhile initiatives, and
they are of comparable cost. Unlike the water
storage tank option, the solar hot water heater
Hot Water System
Recommended
Retail Price
(Excludes Installation)
EDWARDS HOT WATER
Hot Water Heating
has the potential to give you significant savings
on your energy bills. If possible, do both.
The up-front cost of a gas boosted solar hot
water system is around $4500 (or less where a
government rebate is applicable). While expensive, the operating savings of a solar system over
a standard electric system can pay off the upfront
expense in 8.4 years (see below).
Annual
Running
Cost
Total Cost
after
Year 1
Total Cost
after
Year 10
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions (Tonnes
CO2) after 10 Years
Electric Storage
$1,300
$420
$1,720
$5,500
49
5 Star Gas
$1,700
$190
$1,890
$3,600
13
Heat Pump
$3,800
$100
$3,900
$4,800
11.7
Solar Gas Boosted
$4,500
$40
$4,540
$4,900
2.7
Energy Efficient Gas
The table above demonstrates the very poor performance of standard electric storage systems.
5-Star gas systems cost only $400 more up front,
which pays off in under two years. 5-Star gas will
save you almost $3000 in 10 years and will save
3.6 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Lighting Selection and Control
Lighting makes a significant contribution to home
energy use. This section contains some ideas
which will help you reduce lighting energy usage
in your home.
Energy Efficient Lighting Systems
To develop an energy efficient lighting system:
• Use compact fluorescent globes rather than
incandescent globes.
• Avoid the use of low voltage halogen downlights.
• Fit micro-compact fluorescent globes to down
lights.
8
The following table compares the approximate costs and greenhouse gas emissions for different
lighting systems:
Lamp Type
Estimated Lamp
Replacement Costs
over 5 Years
Energy Cost
per Year1
Cost ($)
After 5 Years
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions (Tonnes)
After 5 Years
Incandescent 100W
$2
$17.50
$89.50
1.04
Quartz Halogen 65W
$2
$11.35
$58.75
0.68
Compact Fluorescent 20W
$10
$3.50
$27.50
0.32
Micro-compact Fluorescent 11W
$20
$2.00
$30.00
0.34
Did you know that:
• Energy efficient lamps last up to 18 times
longer than standard incandescent globes.
• To illuminate a room with low voltage
halogen lamps will normally require many
more globes than would be necessary with
energy efficient compact fluorescents or
even conventional incandescent globes.
This incurs a very high cost in terms of
unnecessary energy use. This is a very
inefficient way to light a room, but halogens
can be useful for specific task lighting
e.g. above a work area, where they can be
individually switched on and off as needed.
Energy Efficient Lighting Controls
Lighting Control
Product
Cost
Estimated
Annual Saving
Payback
Period
Timer Switch
$6.50
$2.70
2.5 years
Light Dimmer
$40
$4.00
10 years
$52.50
$125
0.5 years
Sensor Operated Outdoor Light
Appliances
When you purchase a home appliance, consider the operating cost of the appliance as well as the price
of the appliance. All appliances must display the amount of power that they consume. This is commonly measured in Watts. A high energy appliance will have a higher
Wattage (e.g. toaster 1500W) compared to a low energy appliance (e.g.
phone charger 5W).
To help you make an informed choice, white goods often display their
energy performance on a Star-energy system (see the energy rating label).
A more efficient product may be more expensive to start with but will save
you money in the long term.
Sample Dishwasher
Rating
Recommended
Retail Price
Running Cost
(10 Years)
Total Cost
(over 10 Years)
2-Star
$999
$728
$1727
3-Star
$1049
$468
$1517
4-Star
$1599
$337
$1936
1 Based on 4 hours of lighting per night, 7 days per week, 48 weeks per year
Light dimmers, timers and motion sensors can help home owners adjust lighting
levels as required. These controls can provide considerable electricity savings
compared to normal lighting operation. Estimated savings shown below2 :
2 Based on information from www.clipsal.com
9
Saving Water in Your Home
Water is fundamental to life. It is essential for
maintaining the health of our environment and the
wellbeing of our society. Low rainfall, population
growth, climate change, and degraded creeks and
waterways have left Victoria with a highly variable
water supply. In fact if we continue to use water at
the current rate, the Melbourne region will exhaust
its supply limits by 2020.
Dishwasher
1%
Shower
29%
Toilet
12%
Avoiding unnecessary wastage, reducing
consumption and managing demand through
changes to technology and behaviour will all play
a vital part in securing Victoria’s water resources
for future generations.
Clotheswasher
14%
A typical three-person household in suburban
Melbourne uses 620 litres of water per day,
equivalent to sixty two buckets of water per day.
There are many things you can do to reduce water
consumption in the home and garden.
Outdoor
25%
Miscellaneous
19%
(e.g. hand washing, making
a pot of tea, dripping taps
and other ‘general uses’)
Rainwater Collection and Reuse
(e.g. watering garden,
washing the car)
to consider how much water you can collect from
your roof, how you would like to use it (i.e. garden
irrigation, tank to toilet etc.) and the room you
have available.
Rainwater can be captured and stored in a tank
to supply your garden, toilet, hot water system
and swimming pool; reducing the use of potable
(drinking) water for non-potable uses. Rainfall in
the City of Whittlesea could provide 100,000L of
rainwater per year to the average 200m2 home –
enough to meet the needs of a water smart home.
Depending upon your toilet specifications and
frequency of use, a tank capacity of approximately
2,000L should be adequate for toilet flushing. A
larger tank will give you greater water security
and enable wider use for the garden, car washing
and other outdoor uses.
Rainwater tanks are available in a range of shapes
and sizes. When choosing a tank you will need
Estimated Monthly Rainwater Collection from 200m2 Roof
12,000
10,000
8,000
Litres
Where Water is Used in the Home
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Source: Sustainable Development Consultants based on Bureau of Meterorology rainfall data
10
A licensed plumber can guide you through the decision
making process to ensure the system installed is appropriate for your needs.
For further information on rainwater tanks and permits,
contact Council’s Sustainability Planning Department on
9217 2084 or email [email protected]
Price (tank only - excludes
installation and pumps)*
2,250 litre tank
3,000 litre underground tank
(vehicle bearing)
4,500 litre tank
$410
$2,775
$800
(vehicle bearing)
$3,875
$9,000
M2 RAIN TANK INSTALLATIONS
Product Options
GREENPLUMBERS®
WATERWALL SOLUTIONS
The GreenPlumbers provide
independent, up to date information
on a range of domestic and
commercial
plumbing activities.
Accredited
professionals
have been trained
in relation to
environmental and public health
measures. GreenPlumbers can
provide customers with up to date
information and advice on:
• Latest technology and energy
saving appliances.
• Practical appliances and
installation knowledge.
• Environmental impacts of plumbing
services, appliances and household
practices.
• Consumer information.
• Energy/water/cost savings
(short term and long term cost
comparisons and environmental
benefits).
SOLAR CHARGE
To locate a GreenPlumber in your area,
visit www.greenplumbers.com.au or
call 1300 368 519.
*All prices are approximate only
11
Greywater Collection and Reuse
The two fundamental types of domestic waste
water are known as ‘Blackwater’ (wastewater
from the toilet and kitchen) and ‘Greywater’
(water from all other sources such as clothes
washing, showers and basins). This Guide will not
address the subject of blackwater treatment but
it will introduce briefly the benefits of greywater
recycling.
Greywater reuse has the potential to make use
of the water we would otherwise waste daily.
Indeed, by capturing and reusing greywater for
garden irrigation and toilet flushing you can significantly reduce your reliance on drinking water.
Greywater reuse can reduce your household
water consumption by between 35,000 and
75,000 litres (15%-30% of average annual household usage), which can translate to savings of
between $60 and $125 per year.
Greywater systems range from simple diverter
devices, which divert untreated greywater from
the clothes washing machine direct
to the garden and
do not require
a permit. More
complex systems
collect, treat and
store greywater.
The table below
summarises some
different product
types and approximate costs.
NEW WATER PTY LTD
Types of Greywater Systems
Under Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
and Council regulations, you are not allowed to
store untreated greywater for longer than 24
hours due to health considerations. Greywater can however be reused within the home for
toilet flushing provided the treatment system is
approved by the EPA and Council and is installed
by a licensed plumber.
For further information on greywater recycling
contact Council’s Health Department on 9217 2298
or email [email protected], or
contact the EPA on 9695 2722 or visit www.epa.
vic.gov.au/water/programs/reuse.asp
The Victorian government offers rebates of up to
$500 for Victorian residents who want to start
recycling greywater on their property. For further information visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au
(search for rebates for home and garden).
System
Type
Approximate Cost3
Suldi Greywater Diversion Valve
Diverter
$85
Greywater Saver
Diverter
$380
Waterwise Recycling System
Diverter with Temporary Storage
$2,200
Eco-care Greywater Diverter System
Temporary Storage with automatic 24 hour
release and pump
$990
Wattworks
Closed system with pump to supply toilet
cisterns or for irrigation
$2,150
Disclaimer: The City of Whittlesea and the authors of this Guide take no responsibility for the accuracy of the above data.
3 Excludes installation
12
Water Efficient
Fixtures and Fittings
Tap aerators and efficient
shower roses have the potential
to significantly lower water use
and bills.
When purchasing your new fixtures and fittings, don’t forget
to look for the WELS rating – the
more stars, the more water efficient the product.
Appliance Selection
To help reduce urban water
consumption, the Australian
Government has introduced a
Water Efficiency Labelling and
Standards (WELS) Scheme.
The WELS Scheme can assist
you to purchase water efficient
household products by
providing:
Sometimes it is easy to choose
the cheaper, less efficient option
and forget about what it will
cost you over time. Don’t forget
that the more water and energy efficient the appliance,
the more you will save in the long run.
• A star rating that gives
a quick comparative
assessment of the model’s
water efficiency, and
Front-loading machines use much less water than toploading machines because they can circulate the clothes
through a small amount of water at the bottom of the
machine. You can compare the water efficiency of different clothes washing machines using the WELS rating or
by visiting www.choice.com.au and following the link to
washing machines.
• A water consumption figure
that provides an estimate of
the water consumption of the
product based on its tested
water consumption.
Products are rated from 1 to 6
stars. The more stars, the more
water efficient the product.
Some products may also be
labelled with a ‘Zero Star Rated’
label, which indicates that the
product is either not water
efficient or does not meet basic
performance requirements.
Water-using products currently
covered by the WELS Scheme
include showers; clothes
washing machines; dishwashers;
toilet equipment; urinal
equipment; and tap equipment
intended for use over kitchen
sinks, bathroom basins, laundry
tubs or ablution troughs.
Clothes Washing Machines
Dishwashers
Dishwashing only accounts for approximately 1% of
domestic water usage; however, savings can still be made
by ensuring a high water efficiency rating in the machine
that is purchased.
For further information on the
WELS Scheme call 1800 803 772
or visit www.waterrating.gov.au
LOOK FOR THE STARS
13
SUSTAINABLE GARENING AUSTRALIA
14
Approximately 25% of the water used in Melbourne’s homes is used for watering gardens. Use
indigenous plants, permeable paving and mulch
to reduce your garden water usage. Mulch has
the added benefit of improving soil health and
suppressing weed growth. Keep planted areas
dense and consolidated to assist with watering
efficiency and make use of windbreaks, pergolas,
screens, lattice, shade cloth and vines to shelter
plants.
Considerable savings can be made by replacing
lawn area with native vegetation. Avoid planting
lawn on slopes or in narrow necks or paths which
are difficult to water efficiently and maintain.
The City of Whittlesea ‘Sustainable Gardening
Guide’ contains many more great gardening tips.
For a copy of the Guide contact Council’s Sustainability Planning Department on 9217 2195, or
email [email protected].
Optimum watering can be achieved by using tap
timers or subsurface moisture sensors to supply
water to where it is needed. These systems can
be installed by the home-owner and can save significant volumes of water in an average garden.
• Moisture/Rain sensors – 7,000 litres per year.
• Tap timers – these devices save water
by allowing home operators to carefully
control their outdoor watering. Every
minute of watering that is saved by these
devices corresponds to a 20 litre water
saving, which could add up thousands of
litres of water throughout the year.
• Drip sub-surface irrigation – 20,000 litres
per year.
Item
Irrigation Systems
Evaporation accounts for most water loss in above
ground irrigation. The water saving potential of
sub-surface irrigation systems is quite considerable. These systems release water underground
and dramatically reduce surface evaporation.
Approximate Cost
Soil moisture sensor
$13
Tap timer (manual)
$17
Tap timer (battery operated/
automatic)
Drip sub-surface irrigation
system
YARRA VALLEY WATER
Water Efficient Garden
$100
Between $1,300 and
$1,500 installed.
These components are readily available from
specialist irrigation shops, hardware stores and
nurseries. As part of the Victorian Government’s
Permanent Water Saving Rules, a rain or soil moisture sensor (or an equivalent device) is mandatory
in all new automatic watering systems installed.
Water Retaining Soil Additives
Soil moisture retaining additives can be mixed
with the topsoil of garden beds or lawn areas.
These products can hold water and promote root
growth so that plants can better tolerate hot, dry
weather. Water reductions of up to 50% can be
achieved at a cost of less than $3.00 per square
metre.
Creating a High Quality
Indoor Environment
Most Australians spend about 20 hours a day
indoors4 so it is important that we build homes
that can protect our health while providing a
comfortable and visually appealing living space.
This section provides you with a range of ideas on
how to create a healthier indoor environment for
you and your family.
Getting the Basic Design Right
When you’re designing your new home, there are
a few critical elements that will make your home
so much more pleasant to live in. These include:
1. Face living areas towards the north.
2. Making sure that windows are properly
located to provide good natural light,
especially during winter months.
4. Positioning rooms and windows to allow
effective natural ventilation.
5. Avoid creating spaces where dust will
accumulate; e.g. on top of cupboards.
Off-gassing refers to the slow release of toxic
gasses in the home that result from the use of
toxic substances in housing materials. New furnishings, carpets and paints can often give off gas
for years. Contributing to off-gassing in a home
are a group of chemicals referred to as Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOC’s). These are usually
released into the air from synthetics and composite materials that are used during construction,
finishing, and furnishing a home.
It’s staggering, but the construction of a new
home involves up to 4,000 chemicals. While
many of these are quite harmless, other chemicals
(e.g. styrene, formaldehyde, dichlorobenzene)
may have harmful human health outcomes.
Without adequate ventilation harmful chemicals
can accumulate to reach levels as high as 20 times
that of the allowable limits, long after construction is complete.5 However, there are some simple
steps that can be taken to reduce toxin levels in
the home.
The best way to reduce off-gassing is by checking
with the manufacturers of products regarding
their off-gassing potential. Although you won’t
be able to eliminate every source of off-gassing
in your home, avoiding products with high emissions will help to lower off-gassing levels.
Look for natural products as much as possible
and products that contain low-levels or no toxic
chemicals. Avoid composite wood products such
as Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). If MDF is
used it is important to either specify zero emission MDF, or to seal the surfaces and edges with
low emission paints or laminates fixed with low
emission glues.
4
Department of Environment and Heritage Report
at http://deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/
publications/report6/index.html
5
The National Health & Medical Research Council.
3. Integrating the indoor living areas with
outdoor spaces and where possible
capturing opportunities for good views
beyond your land.
Materials That Avoid Toxic
Off-gassing
15
Paints and Finishes
Furniture
The ‘new paint smell’ that accompanies a freshly
painted room is the result of VOC’s. Brief exposure can cause a range of symptoms such as eye
and respiratory tract irritation, dizziness and
headaches.
You can reduce the extent of toxic off-gassing by:
• Preferring furniture that has been assembled
using screws, bolts etc, to minimise use of
glue.
• Choosing furniture that does not include
foam (eg. latex alternatives).
• Selecting furniture that includes fabrics that
have been manufactured to meet low VOC
standards.
• Choosing furniture that does not contain
high VOC MDF.
For further information on a broad range of eco
friendly products visit ‘The Green Directory’ at
http://www.thegreendirectory.com.au/ (search
for domestic furniture).
16
Non-toxic paints and finishes were once sold in
very small containers with very high price tags;
they were regarded as a highly specialised, premium product! The product range has increased
enormously in recent years and prices have come
down too.
Choose paints that have ‘zero VOC’, ‘non toxic’,
‘totally natural’ or ‘solvent free’ labels. These
products tend to be acrylic paints and are greatly
preferred over oil-based paints. Also, try to paint
in summer when the paint will dry more quickly
and the house is easier to ventilate naturally.
Ducted Vacuum Cleaning Systems
Many conventional vacuum systems pick up the
large visible dust particles but actually circulate
the smaller particles within the house. A ducted
vacuum system will remove fine dust particles
and allergens from the indoor environment and
are more powerful than the typical household
vacuum system. Removing dust particles from
your home can help reduce allergies and prolong
carpet life.
Floor Coverings
Carpets are recognised by the Victorian Asthma
Foundation as an asthma trigger. Certainly,
wall-to-wall carpets are discouraged because of
the dust mites and other indoor pollutants that
they contain. For further information contact the
asthma foundation www.asthma.org.au/
Even with new carpets, the same toxic off-gassing concerns that exist for composite timbers,
also apply to carpet and carpet underlay. There
are some straight-forward tips when it comes to
selecting floor coverings. These are:
• Try to minimse carpet coverage where
possible. Can you live with alternatives, or
reduce the amount of carpet?
• Where you do select carpet, use carpet and
underlay manufactured from natural fibres
such as 100% wool, hemp, or sisal.
• Rugs, which you can shake off outside,
are cleaner than fitted carpets which
accumulate dirt over time.
Building Materials
HIGGINS INSULATION
While the impacts resulting from the operation of a house are widely recognised, the
significact impacts resulting from the house
materials themselves are rarely given much
attention. Approximately 20% of the energy
consumed over the lifetime of a typical house is
spent before the house is even built – it is spent
manufacturing and transporting materials such
as bricks, concrete, and steel. This section introduces some simple strategies to help reduce
building material impacts by using renewable,
recyclable and recycled content products.
Insulation Materials
Recycled Content Materials
Concrete
Many concrete companies now have a “green
product line” that incorporates fly-ash and recycled aggregate. These include Boral, Readymix,
Hy Tec Industries, Blue Circle, and Independent
Cement and Lime. The majority of concrete
used in building construction goes to landfill. All
of this concrete can be crushed and reused for
aggregate.
Steel
The Commonwealth Department of Environment
and Heritage reports that compared to virgin
steel, recycled steel:
• Uses 74% less energy.
• Uses 40% less water.
• Reduces air pollution by 86%.
• Reduces water pollution by 76%.
In the residential housing market steel can be
used for framing, but more commonly as roof
cladding, reinforcement mesh, lintels and beams.
Recycled steel products are available from many
manufacturers including Smorgans ARC, BlueScope Steel, and Stratco Australia.
• Cellulose insulation – made from recycled
newspaper.
• Polyester – 100% recyclable.
• Wool – renewable and biodegradable material.
• Straw bales – renewable and biodegradable
material.
Renewable Timbers
Plantation Timber
While timber is potentially a highly sustainable
material, many of the timbers used in Australia
are harvested in an unsustainable manner. When
purchasing timber be sure to ask about the Australian Forestry Standard and the Forest Stewardship Council Standard. Vast quantities of timber
are used in typical house construction. The table
on the following page provides a useful timber
selection guide.
Concrete that incorporates recycled aggregate
and cement substitutes such as fly-ash will contain significantly less embodied energy compared to standard grade concrete, which is quite
an energy intensive material. Fly-ash is a waste
product from coal-fired power generation and it
can be incorporated as a cement substitute up to
30% of cement content.
When choosing your insulation, look out for products that contain recycled content or renewable
materials. Avoid fibreglass products and insulation products that contain harmful or non-biodegradable materials. Reduced impact insulation
products include:
17
BAMBOO AUSTRALIA
URBAN SALVAGE
Example of recycled Messmate timber flooring
18
Example of bamboo flooring
Type of Work
Suggestions
Framing and General Construction
Plantation pine (eg: Radiata, Slash, Hoop)
NZ plantation
Recycled Oregon timber
Composite products (eg: Glulam, LVL)
Flooring
Recycled hardwoods
Plantation pine particle board and non-forest ply
Floor thickness plantation pine (eg: cypress & radiata)
Bamboo
Cladding
Treated plantation pine, plantation Oregon weatherboards
Treated pine plywood
Durable recycled timber, fibrous cement cladding
Concrete Formwork
Plantation pine and recycled timber (Note: a lot of the formply
used in Australia is derived from tropical timber)
In Ground Uses/Stumps
Recycled Australian hardwoods
Treated radiata pine
Windows and Door Frames, Mouldings
NZ plantation Oregon
Recycled timber
Australian hardwoods are needed for external use eg: plantation
Fencing, Exposed Decking and Stairs
Treated plantation pine
Durable recycled timber (e.g. cypress)
Indoor Stairs
Recycled timbers
Plantation pine (not for treads). Use low VOC MDF.
Glulam
Furniture, Joinery, Shelving, etc.
Recycled timber
Camphor laurel
Plantation pine
Poplar
NZ plantation Oregon
Medium Density Fibreboard (Zero Emissions MDF only)
Decorative Veneers
Plantation slash pine not ideal
Camphor laurel
Paneling and Lining
Plantation radiata and hoop pine
Poplar
Pine veneer plywood
Disclaimer: The City of Whittlesea and the authors of this Guide take no responsibility for the accuracy of the above data.
Source: Waverley Council, A Resident’s Guide to Purchasing Environmentally Friendly Timber: www.waverley.nsw.gov.au
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is from a readily renewable source. It
has a harvesting period of 4-5 years compared
to 40-60 years harvesting periods required for
Australian hardwoods. There are a number of
major bamboo flooring companies in Australia
including ‘Bamboo-Australia’ and ‘Eco-Flooring
Systems – BT Bamboo Flooring’.
Compressed Straw Panels
Non-toxic Termite
Treatment
Standard methods of termite proofing
involve the use of highly toxic chemicals.
Alternatives to chemical barriers include
the use of physical termite barriers such
as stainless steel mesh and granite chips,
which prevent termites from taking hold
within a new dwelling.
Non-toxic products include:
•
•
GraniteGard.
Termi-mesh.
You should check the Building Commission website www.
buildingcommission.com.au or consult Council to determine
whether the area in which you are planning to build, has
been declared subject to termite infestation.
Currently the following recycling
disposal facilities are available locally
at the Cooper Street Waste Management Precinct located at 480 Cooper
Street, Epping (Melway 81 A10).
Charges apply.
GREEN WASTE RECYCLING FACILITY
Ph: 9408 4555
GENERAL ADMISSION HOURS:
Monday to Sunday - 8.00am to
3.30pm
Accepts tree branches, shrubs, lawn
clippings and clean soil. Does not
accept tree roots or diseased material.
TIMBER WASTE RECYCLING FACILITY
Ph: 9408 7900
Recycling of Construction Wastes
Building waste contributes about 40% of Australia’s landfill
waste. Much of this waste, such as timber and bricks, can be
salvaged or recycled for reuse in new projects.
Ideally, the problem of construction waste, which represents
a cost to the consumer, should be addressed at the beginning of the design process. This can be achieved by:
• Incorporating off-site manufacturing and prefabrication
processes.
Monday to Friday – 8.00 am to 3.30pm
Saturday – 8.00am to 12.00 noon
Sunday – CLOSED
Accepts fence palings, packing crates,
pallets and timber off-cuts. Does
not accept laminated timber, painted
timber, melamine, treated pine or
plaster. The site also sells high quality
mulch and soft-fall.
• Building for long building life.
CONCRETE WASTE RECYCLING FACILITY
• Designing to incorporate standard dimensions to
minimise waste.
Ph: 9409 9100
• Designing for end-of-life disassembly and reuse.
• Reusing waste on site.
• Sorting site waste for landfill, recycling, and reuse on
site.
Monday to Friday – 8.00am to 3.30pm
Saturday – 8.00am to 12.00 noon
Sunday – CLOSED
Accepts waste concrete, including reinforcement. Does not accept garbage,
green, timber or mixed loads.
TERMIMESH
All new buildings, alterations, and
extensions are typically required to
have some form of protection against
termite attack.
SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA
Ortech Industries manufacture non-load bearing internal
walls from rice and wheat straw. Its simple manufacturing process provides some cost advantages over standard
timber-stud and plasterboard wall systems, providing
between $10 and $15 /m2 savings as well as good thermal and
sound insulation.
19
Sustainable Living Choices
sustainable living choices
...how to make your
home and lifestyle
more sustainable
20
There are hundreds of lifestyle choices you can make around
the home, which have a profound impact on the health of
our environment. The following sections will give you lots
of ideas to help make your existing home more comfortable
to live in, more affordable to run, and more environmentally friendly.
We hope you will be able to find some useful initiatives in
the pages that follow.
Energy Saving Tips
Lighting Hints
Appliances Around the House
When it comes to lighting in your house, it’s easy
to fall into lazy habits. But they’re not hard to
change! Try the following:
Appliances often provide easy ways to save
energy. Here are some ideas to try:
• Make use of natural light instead of artificial
lighting wherever possible. Open curtains
and shutters during the day.
• Think “SWITCH”: When out of the room
- turn off lights. Leaving lights on when
you are out of the room is wasteful and
expensive.
• Replace ordinary (incandescent) light globes
with energy saving compact fluorescent
light globes and quartz halogen globes in
downlights with micro-compact fluorescent
globes.
Heating and Cooling Your Home
• Close curtains and blinds at night in order to
reduce heat loss through windows.
• Consider installing pelmets above curtains
as they substantially reduce convection
currents causing heat loss through windows.
• If you have central heating, turn the heating
thermostat down 1 or 2 degrees. A reduction of
just 1 degree can save 10% of your heating bill.
A setting of 18-20C is sufficient in winter.
• Only do full loads in the washing machines,
tumble dryers or dishwashers. If a half load
is necessary use the half load or economy
program if available.
• Only boil as much water as you need.
Electric kettles are energy hungry running
at approximately 1200 Watts which is the
equivalent to twenty 60 Watts lights!
• Dripping hot water taps waste both water
and energy. A simple and easy item to fix.
Hot Water
Hot water is another major energy user in your
home. You can easily reduce this by:
• Putting a timer in your shower and reducing
your shower time.
• Not rinsing dishes under a running hot
water tap; run a small sink instead.
• Running your dishwasher with a full load.
• Washing clothes on the cold water cycle only.
• Check that your hot water system and hot
water pipes are well insulated.
Don’t forget that most energy used in your home
is for heating and cooling. Sometimes small
changes can save a lot of energy!
• Turn off ‘standby’ appliances at the power
point when not in use. ‘Standby mode’ can
account for about 10% of your electricity bill.
21
BUY GREEN POWER
Renewable energy is derived from inexhaustible natural sources. This
means that we are able to make use of the power from natural sources
without substantially depleting them or causing irreparable damage in
harnessing or using them.
Consider subscribing to ‘Green Power’. Green Power is electricity
generated from government approved renewable energy sources.
Homes can apply to have their electricity supplied from renewable
sources, by a request to their electricity supplier. It costs only a small
amount extra to buy Green Power, from as little as $5 extra
per week for the average home. For further information
call 8626 8700 or visit www.greenpower.gov.au
YARRA VALLEY WATER
Our most precious and scarce resource is under
enormous stress. We can all make a difference
by conserving water in and around the home by
making simple behavioral changes to our water
usage patterns.
YARRA VALLEY WATER
Water Saving Tips
Water Consumption Facts:
The table below represents the average daily
water use in Melbourne. How does your home
compare to these averages?
Number of
Occupants
Garden
Size
Typical
Water Use
(litres per
day)
Efficient
Water Use
(litres per
day)
1
None
Small
Medium
Large
205
265
349
447
155
208
279
363
2
None
Small
Medium
Large
367
427
511
609
277
328
402
487
3
None
Small
Medium
Large
474
535
619
717
376
431
502
587
4
None
Small
Medium
Large
571
632
715
814
476
530
601
683
5
None
Small
Medium
Large
701
761
845
943
598
650
722
805
6
None
Small
Medium
Large
806
864
945
1039
688
738
807
888
Sourced from Yarra Valley Water. Refer: www.yvw.com.au.
Daily figures are based on monthly averages.
22
Take Action:
There are lots of ways that you can reduce your household water use. The water saving potentials are
vast and, as you will see, can save thousands of litres of water per household.
Handy Water Saving Hints
Over a year you
could save
Quick and Easy Checks
Check for leaks. Inspect your water meter when no-one is using water in your home or garden. If the dials on the
meter are moving you may have either a pipe or appliance leaking.
In the Kitchen
Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load.
3,000 litres
Make sure taps don’t drip or leak by ensuring they are turned off properly and
washers maintained.
Note: A tap leaking at the rate of one drop per second can waste around 10,000L
of water every year.
10,000-70,000 litres
Don’t rinse hand-washed dishes under a running tap. If you have a two-basin
sink, fill one with soapy water and the other with rinsing water.
12,000-15,000 litres
Put in the plug as soon as you start running water to fill the sink.
5,000 litres
Avoid using a kitchen sink garbage disposal unit. Rather collect and use for
compost in the garden.
7,000 litres
Wash vegetables in a basin or a partly filled sink - not under running water.
3,000 litres
Reduce shower time from 7 minutes to 4 minutes.
85,000 litres
Place a brick in the cistern of an older style single flush toilet to reduce the
amount of water used for each flush.
3,000 litres
Install a dual flush toilet. Single flush toilets can use up to 12 litres of water per
flush compared to a dual flush which uses 3.5 litres for half and 4 litres for full
flush.
35,000 litres
Turn the tap off while cleaning your teeth or shaving.
4,000 litres
Install a water efficient showerhead. Refer to the WELS rating to compare
showerhead water efficiency.
35,000 litres
Install flow restrictors or mixer taps. These devices reduce the amount of water
that comes out of the tap.
24,000 litres
Whilst waiting for your shower to heat up capture ‘warm up’ water by placing a
bucket under the shower, for use on plants or for cleaning tasks.
11,000 litres
Check your toilet for leaks. Test by placing food dye into the cistern and
checking the bowl 30 minutes later. If the water is coloured, you need to check
for worn or corroded parts.
50,000 litres
In the Laundry
Alter the washing machine water level to suit the size of the load.
Twin tub – 4,160 litres
Front loader – 8,320 litres
Top loader – 17,680 litres
In the Garden
Install a rain water tank (based on the roof catchment of an average sized house
(150m2) and installing a 5,000 litre tank).
75,000 litres
Plant native species in the garden.
15,000 litres
Mulch garden beds.
5,000 litres
Install drip irrigation and timers in the garden.
20,000 litres
Consider using greywater on-site. Diverting waste water from the bathroom,
hand basin, shower, and laundry to the garden or toilet cistern is an excellent
way to utilise water to its full potential without simply discharging it into the
sewerage system.
39,000 litres of water in the
garden and an additional
104,000 litres could be used
for toilet flushing.
In the Bathroom
23
WATER RESTRICTIONS
Water restrictions can be introduced in
Victoria at any time depending upon the
volume of water held in our dams. We must
all use water in a sustainable way and follow
the guidelines set by water restrictions when
they are in place. For further information
on saving water in the home or water
restrictions contact Yarra Valley Water on
131 721 or visit www.yvw.com.au
Government Rebates for Water
Efficiency
24
The State Government has launched the second
phase of the Water Smart Gardens and Homes
rebate scheme. The scheme offers the following
rebates, as illustrated in the table below.
Once you have purchased your water saving products, you can claim your rebate from your water
retailer by submitting the Water Smart Rebate
Form which can be downloaded from www.ourwater.vic.gov.au (search rebates for home and
garden).
Alternatively, you can obtain a copy of the form
from the Department of Sustainability and Environment on 136 186 or from your local whitegoods,
hardware, plumbing supplies or garden retailer.
The rebate will be provided to you on your next
water bill.
Products you can claim a rebate on include:
Product
Description
Rebate
Rainwater tanks with or without a
connection to toilet
A household rainwater tank collects rainwater for
use inside or outside your home.
$300 ($150 for a tank
and an extra $150 for
a toilet connection)
Greywater systems
A greywater permanent tank system recycles
waste water from laundries and bathrooms for
use on the garden or in the toilet.
$500
Replacement of single or 5/11 toilet
systems with 3/6 litre flush toilet or
better
A dual flush toilet uses 3 litres of water on a half
flush, 6 litres on a full flush or better.
$50
3 Star/3A shower roses
A water efficient shower rose can use 30% less
water than a normal shower rose and can be
fitted to most showers.
$10
Water conservation home audits
A service to assess where a household could
save water, and recommend products and methods that would help to do this.
$30
A basket of garden products
Includes products such as mulch, flow control
valves, wetting/moisture agent, compost/mulch
bin, moisture/rain sensor, garden tap timer, drip
watering system/weep hose, trigger nozzle,
temporary greywater diverter.
$30 when you spend
$100
Reducing Waste
Avoid Waste
Choose products that have less packaging.
Think: Avoid, Reduce,
Reuse, Recycle!
Since the introduction of
recycling bins in 1996, City
of Whittlesea residents have
reduced the amount of waste
going to landfill by 40% by
weight - this is fantastic and
reflects the community’s commitment to the environment
and the importance of minimising our household waste.
The City of Whittlesea and its
residents have come a long way
in putting in place and using recycling facilities, but
there is still a long way to go. Thinking and living with
‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ can be a rewarding and fun
way to get the family involved. If you’re not already
doing this, why not try the following:
Say ‘no’ to unnecessary plastic bags and other
packaging.
Place a “No Advertising Material” sign on the
letterbox.
Hire, share, or borrow infrequently used items rather
than purchase them.
Maintain and repair appliances, clothes, furniture,
toys, etc. rather than replacing them with new ones.
Take reusable bags/containers with you when you
shop.
When purchasing large items, investigate whether
they can be dismantled or disassembled when they
reach the end of their life and the parts be reused or
recycled.
Reducing Waste
Choose products with recyclable or reusable
packaging.
Buy bulk goods, dry goods and pet food in bulk.
REDUCE YOUR USE OF PLASTIC
BAGS
Plastic bags are popular with consumers and
retailers as they are a functional, lightweight and
cheap way to transport food and other goods.
However, plastic bags litter and pollute the environment.
You can help by:
- Using alternatives to plastic bags: calico
bags, paper bags, cardboard boxes.
- Regularly recycling plastic bags at Coles or
Safeway in the recycling bins provided.
- Keeping calico bags in the car so they
are always handy for those incidental
purchases.
- Reusing plastic bags around the house.
Hold garage sales or pass on old items when it’s time
for a clear out.
Keep paper used only on one side for children to draw
on, use instead of note pads, for shopping lists, etc.
Buy fresh food where possible and compost the
scraps.
Grow your own fruit and vegetables.
Buy quality goods that will last.
Reusing Waste
Look for products in reusable, refillable or recyclable
packaging when you shop.
Reuse plastic containers, jars and tins instead of
buying new containers.
Carry your lunch to work / school in a reusable
container rather than disposable wrappings.
Give empty boxes, containers, and cartons to
schools, kindergartens and childcare centres.
Pass on clothes that your family no longer wears.
Buy second hand goods.
Recycle Waste
Use the Council recycling system correctly to recycle
everything you can. A wide range of recyclables
including glass bottles and jars, milk and juice
containers, plastic bottles and containers, steel
and aluminum cans as well as paper and cardboard
can be recycled. For more information on Council’s
recycling service please contact 9401 0555.
Buy reusable items rather than disposable ones e.g.
Picnic plates and cutlery.
For more helpful tips go to the Sustainability Victoria
website at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
25
Set up a compost bin
Composting can reduce household waste by 40%
and is a great way to enrich the soil in your garden.
As well as creating a great natural fertiliser, compost
improves soil structure by adding nutrients to the
garden, helps plants grow better with less water
and reduces the amount of waste entering landfill.
Composting requires food, air, moisture and
time. Try to include a healthy balance of ‘greens’
and ‘browns’. ‘Greens’ include fresh plant material, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee and tea
grounds. ‘Browns’ are dry material such as straw,
woodchips, and shredded newspaper.
26
Things to put into the compost bin include fruit
and vegetable peelings and leaves, tea leaves /
tea bags and coffee grounds, fallen leaves, grass
clippings, and soft prunings. You can also add
cow, chicken and horse manure, ash (from open
fireplaces), and vacuum cleaner contents (no synthetic material i.e. carpet down).
Things to avoid putting into the compost bin
include meat, fish, chicken, dairy products and
cooking oils. These may attract vermin such as
mice and other pests. Non-living things such as
plastics, bottle tops, food wrappers, metals etc.,
diseased plants, fruit fly infested fruit, pet droppings: these may contain diseases that can affect
humans and other pets.
Establish a worm farm
Another great way to make use of food scraps
and garden waste whilst providing nutrients to
your garden is by setting up a worm farm. Worms
consume an enormous amount of organic material, turning it into valuable worm castings, which
can be used in the garden as a soil conditioner /
fertiliser, or in potting mixes.
Compost bins and worm farms are available for
purchase from Council at cost price. Council runs
an annual Environment Events Program covering
a wide range of topics, including composting
and worm farming. For more information on
purchasing a compost bin or the Environment
Events Program contact Council’s Sustainability
Planning Department on 9217 2195, or email
[email protected].
Detox Your Home
Detox Your Home is a free toxic recycling service
conducted by Sustainability Victoria on specified
days at locations around Victoria. Participating
centres will receive household waste at no charge
for the following types of waste:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Paints - oil and water based
Gardening chemicals
Oils and engine fluids
Fuels
Batteries
Cleaning products
Gas cylinders
For further information on dates and locations
please contact: Sustainability Victoria Info line
1800 353 233 or visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
GREEN PLANET
Air and water allow the micro-organisms, which
includes good bacteria, fungus and invertebrates,
in the compost to thrive and produce better compost more quickly.
Red Wrigglers, Indian
Blues or Tiger Worms
are the recommended
worms for worm
farms. They are available from many plant
nurseries and hardware stores. Things
to put into the worm
farm include most
vegetable and fruit
scraps (except onions
and citrus), waste from
a vegetable juicer is
ideal, tea bags and tea leaves, soaked and ripped
pizza boxes, shredded and soaked cardboard,
paper, leaves and egg shells.
Home Project Ideas
Further Recycling Options
Printer Cartridges
Printer Ink Cartridges contain toxic chemicals that
should not be disposed of alongside general waste.
Printer Ink Cartridge refills can provide multiple
uses of the one cartridge without compromising
print quality. Once the cartridge head wears out,
recycle the cartridge at your local Australia Post
outlet, Harvey Norman, Tandy, Officeworks or Dick
Smith Electronics store.
Cartridge World will refill your empty inkjet and
laser cartridges while you wait. For more information call 9462 5592. For businesses, Close The Loop,
will collect and recycle all the empty bottles and
cartridges which come out of photocopy machines,
fax machines, laser printers and inkjet printers. For
more information call 9465 4855.
Batteries
Rechargeable batteries can be reused more than 500
times. Considering battery chargers cost only $30
from electronics stores and rechargeable batteries
cost between $5 and $10, most rechargeable batteries will payback many times over throughout their
product life. The use of rechargeable batteries also
reduces the release of chemicals such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, zinc and mercury that commonly
result from conventional battery waste.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones and batteries can be easily recycled.
Simply take unwanted phone handsets, batteries,
and accessories to participating mobile phone
retailers where they will be taken to the appropriate recycling facilities. For details of participating
dealerships refer to the ‘Mobile Muster’ website
at: www.mobilemuster.org.au
The City of Whittlesea recognises the impacts of
car travel on the environment. This section provides you with alternatives to car travel and ways
to reduce the impacts of car travel.
Efficient Car Travel
• Inflate your vehicle’s tyres to the highest
pressure recommended by the manufacturer
and ensure your wheels are properly aligned.
This will reduce fuel consumption and
extend tyre life.
• Plan to do a number of errands in one trip
rather than several trips and save both time
and fuel.
• Avoid peak-hour traffic whenever possible.
• Remove unnecessary weight from your car
to reduce fuel consumption.
• Minimise aerodynamic drag – don’t drive
around with roof racks on.
• Drive smoothly and more slowly to increase
efficiency.
• Drive in high gear where possible and keep
rpm down.
• To cool your vehicle, above 80 km/h is the
speed at which air-conditioners are more
MARK MUNRO
Cars cost a lot to run at the best of times. The following tips will help you to operate your cars so
that the minimum amount of fuel is consumed.
TREV (two-seater renewable energy vehicle) is an
innovative electric commuter car developed by the
University of South Australia. It has two seats as more
than 90% of urban trips have only one or two people,
and uses less than 1/5 of the energy required by a
conventional car.
efficient than opening a window. At less
than 80km/h, open a window.
• Keeping your vehicle’s engine well tuned
will maximise its efficiency and minimise its
environmental impact.
• Consider joining Greenfleet, an organization
that helps offset the impact of your car by
planting a specified number of trees. For
more information call 5664 2220 or visit
www.greenfleet.com.au
Getting from “A” to “B”
27
GREENFLEET
Hybrid cars like the Honda Civic Hybrid conserve petrol resources and emit much less air pollution and
greenhouse gases. In a special partnership with Honda, Greenfleet will plant 18 native trees for each Civic
Hybrid sold – enough to absorb the vehicle’s already low greenhouse gas emissions for three years.
Car Pooling / Sharing
Consider the following potential benefits of car
pooling or car sharing:
• Car pooling can reduce your fuel bill.
28
• Car pooling can reduce the stress of daily
driving.
• Car sharing can provide the residents of a
neighbourhood with the use of a car when
required. This is most useful for occasional
car travel and several companies now
provide this service in Melbourne.
• Car pooling can also provide social benefits
by helping people connect with others in the
community.
Fuel Selection
• Buying higher octane fuel will provide you
with greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions
and less engine wear.
• Invest in an LPG conversion. A Commonwealth
Government rebate is now available for LPG
conversions and factory fitted LPG systems.
This will save you money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ethanol blended fuel is an economical
alternative to petrol for many vehicles.
New Car Options
As you can see from the table below, you will save
hundreds of dollars per year if you select a smaller
vehicle. Diesel powered, and hybrid engine
vehicles also provide exceptional fuel economy,
and specifying manual transmission rather than
automatic transmission can provide further fuel
efficiency advantages.
For a comprehensive listing of all the ratings for
new cars visit: Green Vehicle Guide: www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au
Case Study:
• Distance traveled per year - 15,000km
• Petrol purchased at $1.40/L
Fuel
Annual
consumption fuel cost
Example
6L/100km
$1265
Toyota Echo Hatch
8L/100km
$1680
Toyota Corolla Manual
Hatch (4 door)
10L/100km
$2100
Toyota Camry Manual
Sedan (4 door)
12L/100km
$2530
Toyota Avalon V6 Auto
Sedan (4 door)
Use Public Transport
Consider the following scenario:
Jack buys a new medium sized car, which retails for
$30,000. He intends to pay it off over 5 years at
$6000 per year. If everything goes well he intends
to sell it after 5 years for $10,800. The vehicle is rated
to achieve a petrol consumption of 8L/100km.
Jack lives 35km from the Melbourne CBD, he is the
sole owner and driver of the vehicle; he will drive
to and from the CBD from Monday to Friday for
48 weeks per year. How much will it cost Jack to
travel?
Of course, you may not own a car only to travel to
and from work. Some of the annual cost of owning
a car is for the convenience of having a vehicle
available for other activities, and for holidays.
The savings in the following tables are real, but only compare travel for work commuting. When you use a
car for other purposes, some of the standing costs should also be apportioned to non-work travel purposes.
BY VEHICLE
Item
Approx. Cost ($)
per Working Day
Approx. Cost
($) per Year
Petrol
$8
$2000
Parking fees and ticket
$10
$2400
Tolls
$2
$500
Car re-payments
$25
$6000
Depreciation
$18.72
Your own ($)
costs per year
$4492
Servicing and repairs (not including major replacement parts) $1.1
$266
Tyres
$0.3
$79.56
Licensing
$0.059
$14.3
Registration
$0.7
$168
Vehicle Insurance
$4.7
$1128
TOTAL
$72.40
$17,047
• Relevant prices sourced from the 2006 RACV vehicle operating costs website.
Metcard
Zone 1,2
Metcard type
Yearly
Price
$1,633
What does this mean to me?
That’s a startling $15,414 extra in Jack’s pocket.
Now try plug in the figures applicable to you.
How much could you save?
Cycling and Walking
Cycling and walking are good for your health and wellbeing, and also provide environmental benefits. Cycling
and walking are pollution free modes of transport. The
majority of vehicle emissions (up to 40 per cent more) are
released when engines are started, in stop-start traffic
and during short trips. By walking some of these trips
instead of driving you can help reduce air pollution.
Local Trails
A number of on-road and off-road trails and paths are
located throughout the City of Whittlesea. These include
dedicated bicycle lanes along Plenty Road, Epping Road,
Craigieburn Road, Wallan Whittlesea Road and Whittlesea
Yea Road, along sections of Darebin Creek and Edgars
Creek and through a number of recreation reserves and
neighbourhood parks.
Council is continuing to expand this network of on-road
lanes and off-road paths to cater for the needs of the
serious commuter and training cyclists as well as those
cycling for recreation and fitness. For further information
on local bicycle trails contact Council’s Transportation
Department on 9217 2344.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
29
GREG BOYLES
Native Flora and Fauna
One of the unique features of the City of
Whittlesea is the large areas of native vegetation
and farmland that give the area an open, green
feel. Of particular note are the big majestic River
Red Gums that have become a local icon, reflecting the original character of the Whittlesea area
and providing important habitat and food sources
for many of our native animals.
30
Not only are these areas important for native
wildlife and agricultural production, they also
provide essential ‘ecological services’. These services range from improving air and water quality,
pollination of crops and other important plant
communities, stabilizing soil to prevent erosion
and addressing salinity problems. Without these
‘ecological services’, humans would find survival
on earth difficult. There are many things you can
do to help care for native plants and animals.
Here are just a few:
Plant Indigenous Plants in Your
Garden
Indigenous plants have adapted naturally to the
local soils and climate of Whittlesea. They thrive
with virtually no additional water or fertiliser and
provide the added benefit of food and shelter for
native birds, insects and mammals.
Indigenous plants offer a great combination of
colours, textures and shapes for your garden which
can be adapted to suit practically any garden style
including cottage, formal and modern.
You could even choose indigenous plants for your
garden that are known bird and butterfly attractants such as the Common Correa, Banksias and
Wattles. For more information about gardening
with indigenous plants contact Council’s Sustainability Planning Department on 9217 2195 for your
copy of Council’s Sustainable Gardening Guide.
Don’t Plant Environmental Weeds
These are plants which have a tendency to spread
beyond your garden fence infesting local bushland to become ‘garden thugs’. Unfortunately,
many are still popular garden plants such as Bridal
Creeper, English Ivy and Agapanthus.
There are many smarter alternatives available
for the home gardener instead of these invasive
plants. To find out more about known environmental weeds and alternative plant choices, check
out Sustainable Gardening Australia’s website at
www.sgaonline.org.au
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
The City of Whittlesea has many areas of native
bushland, grassland and wetlands that act as refuges for wildlife including birds, reptiles and mammals. However, the native animals that live in these
areas are under increasing pressure from predatory
animals such as domestic cats and dogs.
CATS
• All cats over the age of three (3) months must
be registered with the Council.
• Cats must wear their Council identification
tag at all times.
• You can not keep more than two cats on a
standard residential block without a Council
Permit.
• You must ensure that your cat does not stray
onto your neighbour’s property.
• You must remove all of your cat’s excrement
(poo) from any footpath, road, parkland or
public place. Failure to clean up after your cat
can result in fines.
• Your cat cannot constantly make a noise that
may upset or annoy your neighbours.
Consider:
• Desexing your cat to prevent unwanted kittens
and reduce fighting and the urge to wander.
• Microchipping your cat will ensure prompt
advice to you if it is trapped by a neighbour
and/or impounded by Council.
• A desexed or microchipped cat may qualify for
a reduced registration fee.
• Keeping cats inside overnight from dusk to
dawn to reduce predation on wildlife and cat
fights.
• Placing collars with bells on your cat will assist
in protecting local wildlife.
• Providing a cattery for your cat to enable it to
enjoy the outdoors without becoming a threat
to wildlife, and will keep it safe from fighting
with other cats.
• All dogs over the age of three (3) months must
be registered with the Council.
• Dogs must wear their Council identification
tag at all times.
• Your dog must be securely confined to your
property at all times. That means behind an
appropriate height fence and closed gate.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash, chain or cord
while in public places like parks and roadways.
• You can not keep more than two dogs on a
standard residential block without a Council
Permit.
• You must remove all of your dog excrement
(poo) from any, footpath, road, parkland or
public place. Failure to clean up after your dog
can result in fines.
Consider
• Desexing your dog to prevent unwanted
puppies and reduce the urge to wander.
• Microchipping your dog will ensure prompt
advice to you if it is impounded by Council.
• A desexed or microchipped dog may qualify for
a reduced registration fee.
• Taking your dog to a behaviour training program.
• Having a safe/dark place for your dog for use
during lightning/thunderstorms.
For more information on responsible cat and
dog ownership contact the Council’s Local Laws
Department on 9217 2510.
Help us Look After One of Our Many
Conservation Parklands
There are many conservation parklands that need
a helping hand. Areas such as Quarry Hills Parkland and Parks Victoria’s Plenty Gorge Parkland
regularly benefit from local groups and individuals who donate their time and labour to implement much needed conservation programs such
as tree planting, monitoring fauna and removing
weeds.
The work undertaken by volunteers plays an
important role in creating and enhancing habitat for local fauna including Superb Fairy-wrens,
Growling Grass Frogs and possums. Through
these programs volunteers also have the opportunity to create partnerships with the community
whilst building new friendships.
For more information about joining or creating
a conservation group in your local area contact
Council’s Sustainability Planning Department on
9217 2195 or email [email protected].
gov.au
DOGS
• Your dog must not bark so as to cause a
complaint to Council from any of your
neighbours.
31
32
Community Connections
Sustainable living is not just about reducing your
impact on the environment. It is also about ensuring a good quality of life for individuals, families
and local communities. Connecting people with
others, with the place in which they live, and with
their local communities is an essential part of the
journey of creating a more sustainable local community.
Being part of your local community has many
benefits including creating a greater sense of
security, wellbeing and belonging. Interacting
with others and being involved in your community is a key ingredient to keeping us healthy and
happy.
There are many things you can do to help create a
more sustainable community in your neighbourhood. Some of these are outlined below.
Get to Know Your Neighbours
By building stronger connections with your neighbours and the people in your local street, you can
make new friends, share ideas and create a safer
environment for your family.
So what are you waiting for? It is as simple as
sharing a cup of coffee with your neighbour, stopping to chat over the fence, or offering to lend a
hand! Just saying hello to your neighbours as you
walk to the shops can even start the ball rolling!
Join a Local Community Group,
Network or Club
Community-based groups in the City of Whittlesea
are diverse in nature and may come in the form of
clubs, service organisations, networks, community groups and associations.
To find out what is available in your area, try the
following contacts:
• City of Whittlesea:
www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au (direct keyword
search: ‘community directories’ OR
‘environment groups’)
• My Connected Community: mc2.vicnet.net.au
• Community Guide:
www.whittlesea.communityguide.com.au/
• Whittlesea Community Connections:
home.vicnet.net.au/~ciwwhit
Participate in Local Decision
Making Processes
Why not get involved in the planning of future
strategies, plans, policies and programs affecting your local neighbourhood? Take part in the
opportunities available to help shape the future
of your local community and services. Opportunities to get involved are often promoted in your
local newspaper and on the City of Whittlesea
website.
You may be surprised to learn about the unique
natural values that are right at your doorstep
here in the City of Whittlesea. Learning about
your local area will not only help you develop a
greater appreciation of your patch and all it has to
offer, it will also bring you in contact with many
interesting people and groups! You may even be
lucky enough to live next door to one of the many
conservation parklands that are home to a large
number of unique and interesting native fauna
such as the cute little sugar glider and the wandering wombat!
Contact Council’s Sustainability Planning Department to find out more about the City’s unique
flora and fauna, local conservation groups and
local conservation parklands. Don’t forget to ask
for a copy of the City of Whittlesea ‘Indigenous
Greening’ and ‘Indigenous Fauna’ brochures.
Get Involved in Local Community
Festivals and Events
There are many local community festivals and
events held throughout the year. Some are
organised by the City of Whittlesea and others by
local community groups. Come along and enjoy
the festivities! You may even like to take part in
organising an event in your local area.
Here are just a few of the many local festivals and
events held annually in the City of Whittlesea:
• Whittlesea Country Music Festival, February
• City of Whittlesea Community Festival,
March
• Whittlesea Agricultural Show, November
There are also a number of environment related
seminars and events held locally. A broad range
of sustainability topics are covered in this program including household sustainability, native
gardening and land management. It also includes
a number of very popular ‘walks and talks’ such
as the nocturnal walks which include a guided
night walk to view some of our more shy native
animals.
Visit Councils website at www.whittlesea.vic.
gov.au (direct keyword search: environment
events) for a copy of the City’s annual environment events program. The program of events are
released annually in March. Don’t forget to book
in early to your favourite events or you just might
miss out!
Learn About Your Local Area
33
Get Involved in Local Sustainability
Programs
34
There are always new and exciting sustainability
programs happening in the City of Whittlesea.
A good example is the ‘Sustainable Homes Program’ to be launched early 2007. This program is
designed to help residents and business take action
to make their homes more sustainable focusing on
the five key environmental themes of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Energy
Water
Waste
Sustainable gardening
Travel
The program consists of workshops, self audits
and free Sustainability Starter kits. This is a great
opportunity for your household to take action on
the sustainability front, with a little bit of extra
help!
‘Sustainability Street’ is another local program
which helps residents create a healthier, safer and
more environmentally sustainable place in which
to live. The program works with local communities to develop environmentally sustainable ideas
and create new social links between residents.
Contact Council’s Sustainability Planning Department on 9217 2195 or sustainability@whittlesea.
vic.gov.au to find out more.
Useful Web Links
The internet is a great source of information. The links below are just a small snapshot of what is available. You can also search the Yellow Pages for companies and products that you may be interested in.
For further information on sustainable
design try these websites:
Australian Greenhouse Office ‘Your Home’ guide:
www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome
The Energy Smart Housing Manual:
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/1641-energy-smart-housing-manual.asp
For further information on energy
efficiency:
Australian Business Council for Renewable Energy:
www.bcse.org.au/home.asp
Cent-a-meter:
www.centameter.com.au
Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability,
NSW:
www.deus.nsw.gov.au/householders.asp
University of NSW ‘Standby power – you’re paying
for it!’:
www.energy.unsw.edu.au/NewsInfoStandbyPower.
shtml
Your Home Technical Manual, Hot Water Systems:
www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/
fs42.htm
For further information on water
conservation:
Department of Sustainability and Environment:
www.dse.vic.gov.au
GreenPlumbers®:
www.greenplumbers.com.au
Greywater Reuse:
www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/reuse/reuse.asp
Melbourne Water:
www.melbournewater.com.au
Energy efficient appliances:
www.energyrating.gov.au
Save Water (water conservation resource):
www.savewater.com
5-Star energy rating:
www.sustainable-energy.vic.gov.au
Victorian Plumbing Industry Commission:
www.pic.vic.gov.au
Green Power home page:
www.greenpower.gov.au
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)
Scheme:
www.waterrating.gov.au
Greenhouse Gases:
www.greenhousegases.gov.au
Geothermal systems:
www.geoexchange.com.au/
Live and Work Energy Smart:
www.energysmart.com.au
Product selection and energy ratings:
www.energyrating.gov.au/
Product selection tool:
www.choice.com.au/
Yarra Valley Water:
www.yvw.com.au
For further information on material and
product selection:
Bamboo Flooring:
www.bambooaustraliawholesale.com.au/
www.styleplantation.com
Riband Floors – 9888 5635
Solar assisted gas hydronic heating:
www.earthtwosolar.com.au
BioProducts (including paints, varnishes and enamals):
www.bioproducts.com.au
Sustainability Victoria:
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Compressed Straw Panels:
www.ortech.com.au/
Trombe walls:
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/VSII_sheets_-_trombe_walls.pdf
Ecospecifier (eco-friendly material selection tool):
www.ecospecifier.org
Green Directory:
www.thegreendirectory.com.au/
useful web links
Geothermal systems:
geoconnections.com.au/geoexchange.html
Water Rebates and Restrictions:
www.ourwater.vic.gov.au
35
Healthy Homes Guide:
http://www.nphp.gov.au/enhealth/council/pubs/
pdf/healthyhomes.pdf
Department of Human Services: Better Health
Channel:
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
Insulation Materials:
www.higginsinsulation.com.au
www.ontas.com.au/thermowool
www.battmans.com.au/
EPA Victoria:
www.epa.vic.gov.au/Air/Issues/vehicle_emissions.
asp
Recycling of construction wastes:
www.force5.com.au
Recycled hardwood and softwood timbers:
www.urbansalvage.com.au
Termite Treatment:
www.termi-mesh.com
www.granitgard.com.au
Wattyl (low VOC paint):
www.wattyl.com.au/DIY/News/wattyli.d.htm
Your Home Technical Manual, Material Use and
Recycling:
fs30.htm
useful web links
Your Home Technical Manual, Indoor Air Quality:
fs33.htm
36
Greenfleet:
www.greenfleet.com.au
Green Vehicle Guide:
www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/
Metlink:
www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/
National Pollutant Inventory data:
www.npi.gov.au/
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory:
www.greenhouse.gov.au/
Queensland Government: ‘Benefits of Walking’:
www.roadsafety.qld.gov.au
RACV :
www.racv.com.au
Vicroads. Click on: ‘bicycle and pedestrians’:
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/
For further information on waste and
recycling:
For further information on native flora and
fauna:
Clean Up Australia:
www.cleanup.com.au
Department of Sustainability and Environment:
www.dse.vic.gov.au
Environment Protection Agency (EPA):
www.epa.vic.gov.au
Flora for Fauna (includes gardening design tool):
www.floraforfauna.com.au
Least Waste:
www.leastwaste.com.au
Global Garden (online gardening magazine):
www.global-garden.com.au
Northern Regional Waste Management Group:
www.nrwmg.vic.gov.au
Sustainable Gardening Australia:
www.sgaonline.org.au
Planet Ark:
www.planetark.org
Wildscape (habitat gardening design tool):
www.wildscape.com.au
Sustainability Victoria (search: composting and/or
detox your home):
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Victorian Litter Action Alliance:
www.litter.vic.gov.au
For further information and guidance, please
contact the City of Whittlesea’s Sustainability
Planning Department on (03) 9217 2279 or email
[email protected]
For further information on sustainable
transport:
Australian Greenhouse Office:
www.greenhouse.gov.au/
Bicycle Victoria:
www.bv.com.au
Connex Melbourne:
www.connexmelbourne.com.au/
© City of Whittlesea, 2006
This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process
without written permission from the Manager, Sustainability Planning, City of Whittlesea, Locked Bay 1 Bundoora MDC 3083.

Sustainable Housing.indd

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