Cool roads cool our cities

A cool road: pale road surface, mix of edible and decorative trees and plants, shade over 50% of the road What are cool roads and why do we need them? On average our suburb is 6 degrees warmer than it should be. This is called ‘heat island effect’. Of course, this problem isn’t unique to Chippendale – many cities and suburbs all over the world are too hot. These... Read More

Bondi Gobbler feeders tour Sydney’s Sustainable House

The Gobbler crew outside Sydney’s Sustainable House Having trialled the Bondi Gobbler at Bondi Pavilion with the cafes there and Waverley Council, and turning food waste into compost in 24 hours to be taken to John Fairley’s Country Valley Dairy farm at Picton for six months I’m convinced this is the way to end food waste, cut on farm and cafe costs and cut air... Read More

Is climate our dictator?

I’ve been walking the streets of Chippendale, reading, and thinking about my life, my children, friends and all that I love. And now I’ve written an article asking, Is climate our dictator? What do you think? I’d like to hear from you if you have a moment. Thanks, Michael  Read More

Reclaim the curb

Another sprout of hope and action – a group calling itself “Reclaim the curb” is promoting road gardens. Reclaim the Curb say their goal is to empower people to turn forgotten public spaces around them into productive, edible, enjoyable areas. The collective behind the blog launched a competition last year to create Australia’s most edible curb. Although... Read More

Magic puddin’ pump pumps water 24/7 without electricity

  It’s magic.   It pumps water up to 200 metres above itself without electricity. Video Glockemann pump It uses the energy of flowing water to pump the water. I’ve stood in a very slow flowing creek at the bottom of a valley and seen it pump water up 65 metres to a rain tank at the top of the hill. It doesn’t pump fast but continuously. Wonderful design,... Read More

Sustainablity tip – how to harvest stingless bee honey

Honey harvest Michael Strelan runs his own web tv station, Myecotv. Michael has just made this beautiful 8 minute video called, Honey Love, showing how to harvest stingless bee honey. The images of the bees, their hive, their honey and industry bring me as much succour as does the unusual light taste of their honey – as it’s about 70% water it’s very light and... Read More

Sustainable Tip 7 – water your garden for free

Water diverter connected to hose from downpipe to irrigate garden Would you like to water your garden for free? Even an unskilled bloke like me can do it; if my unskilled self can do it, so can you. Why: Rain on your garden is rarely adequate to water your plants in most parts of Australia.  Many houses or units do not have either the space or the owners or tenants do not have... Read More

Sustainable Tip 6 – what’s good insulation?

Timber floors are cool in summer, warm in winter and more sustainable than cement or tiles Good insulation is a material and design which works well in winter and summer and uses least materials. For a wall: The outside material is waterproof eg colorbond + next layer is a 50 mm air gap + next layer is Polyair Performa insulation which also acts as a water barrier + rammed earth... Read More

Sustainable Tip 5 – Is it financially worthwhile to go sustainable for water?

Got to love our oceans Do you say to yourself something like this: “I can get mains water and sewer and pay about a thousand dollars a year for it.  Why would I spend ten or fifteen thousand dollars, perhaps more, to put in a rain tank or sewage system?” Here’s the answer I gave myself; maybe it works for you, too? What are the costs and savings? My 10,000 litre cement, buried... Read More

Tip 4 – how to keep stormwater at your place with a sunken pond

A sunken pond allows you to keep rain water whilst the surface soil is sodden from the rain and unable to absorb your surplus rainwater. When your rain tank or garden overflows into a sunken pond the water will be absorbed down there where the soil still has absorption capacity. How Dig a hole, squarish in shape, at least half a metre deep and half a metre square.  Line it with... Read More