Posts filed under ‘Environment Update’
Environment Update: June 2013
Caring for our environment is a continuing theme for us at Holden Street. We have our fingers crossed for a win at the upcoming City of Yarra Sustainability Awards. We are proud to have received previous recognition for the House’s solar panels, draught sealing, water tanks, skylights and worm farms. The recent addition of a Rain Garden and Permaculture Beds puts us in good stead. We were thrilled to be able to show ourselves off to the judges of the Keep Australia Beautiful Awards, and feel confident that our neighbourhoods will shine… Good Luck City of Yarra!
We would love you to join us on the 7th September to celebrate Sustainable House Day. We will be putting together a Planning Committee in the lead-up and would strongly encourage interested neighbours to talk to us about their ideas and skills. If you are able to contribute some time to make this an event to remember, please let us know. It’s not sustainable unless we’re in it together!
Yarra Climate Action Now (YCAN) is a 100% volunteer run, award-winning community group with an action focus, particularly in the area of sustainable transport. We are supporting the ‘Trains NOT Toll Roads’ campaign, as well as the Council Bicycle Strategy. Our other exciting focus is the Yarra Community Solar project assisting people who can’t get solar panels on their own roofs to join the solar revolution. We meet fortnightly at Holden Street, everyone welcome. For more info contact info@ycan.org.au, 0422 952 554 or ycan.org.au
Environment Update: January 2013
Environmental Features House Tours
Holden Street has undertaken a long term project to improve its environmental performance and comfort for visitors. Tours focusing on the “Environmental Features” of the House will be held on 3rd Monday of the month at 12.15pm. Come and discover what we have done and why. See if there are changes you can make in your own home. Even if you are renting, there are still things you can do.
Dates: 18 Feb, 18 Mar, 15 Apr, 13 May, 17 Jun
Bookings Required
Permablitz
In August we were lucky to be “Blitzed”. More than 40 people braved very wet and unpredictable weather to help make our permaculture garden plan a reality.
Looking for Gardeners
Our new garden beds need people happy to potter, monitor, nurture and even eat the produce.
16 January 2013 at 9:21 pm Holden Street Neighbourhood House
Go greener with these events…
Saturday 07 July 2012, 1:00pm – 3:30pm: Raingarden installation
Thanks to Melbourne Water and the City of Yarra we will be having a raingarden installed in our front garden. Raingardens help filter storm water and keep our rivers and creeks healthy. Melbourne Water has set a target of 10000 raingardens across Melbourne. We are looking forward to having one at the House so we can show our neighbours how they work.
Download: Event Flyer
Saturday 18 August 2012: Permablitz
Come along and help get our permaculture design off paper and into the garden. All assistance welcome.
Saturday 08 September 2012: Sustainable House Day
Come for a tour of our eco demonstration house, learn about grafting fruit trees and stay for our “Suitcase Sale.” A suitcase sale is like a car boot sale but it’s eco friendly and requires less space. Put the things you want to sell in a suitcase and come along.
Environment Update: June 2012
The Green Team
The Green Team is looking for people to continue the sustainable work already started in the House. Our first task is to compile information on what has been done and brainstorm our next steps. If you are interested in joining or have some ideas let us know.
Planter Boxes
We are in discussion with the City of Yarra Urban Agriculture Facilitator about having a planter box installed on the nature strip giving us the opportunity for some community gardening.
Environment Update: December 2011
- In 2012 the House will become a Recycling drop off point for household batteries, corks, light globes, mobile phones, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and floppy discs, prescription glasses and sunglasses.
- A Permaculture Garden Plan has been developed and we need help with implementation. Do you know people who can help us with cut price/mates rates in the following areas?:
- 2 raised garden beds
- pergola
- specific plants and trees
- Melbourne Water has set a target of 10000 Rain gardens registered across Melbourne. We hope to have a couple of demonstration gardens here soon.
19 December 2011 at 8:00 am Holden Street Neighbourhood House
Environment Update: July 2011
- We proudly received a “Highly Commended” in the Yarra Sustainability Awards 2011 in the area of Excellence in Sustainability Community Action Award.
- There will be an environment interest and action group starting Tuesday 2nd August 1:30 – 3:30pm. Contact us for more details.
- Powermate – check your electricity consumption and find out how much standby power your appliances are using. Contact us if you would like to borrow it.
Shop to your heart’s (and Earth’s) content!
Did you know that Holden Street Neighbourhood House has a way of helping you to make better choices at the supermarket? How?
We are selling The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping which is a great little guide (pocket-sized so you can take it anywhere) to help you shop for products that are more Earth and people friendly. Published by the Ethical Consumer Guide, you get:
- A comprehensive list of products and brands, aisle by aisle, with company and parent company information, fully revised
- Easy-to-use icons to clearly identify company ratings, Australian ownership, and outstanding products — all at a glance
- Five principles to guide a more sustainable purchase
- A new section on global agribusiness — the hidden companies behind our food
- ‘What did you vote for today?’, a summary of all the major issues in a new centrespread
- ‘Supermarkets in Australia’ blurb that includes information on all the main supermarket chains, house brands, and a side-by-side comparison of Woolworths, Wesfarmers (Coles) and Metcash
- A new and improved contents page, index page, and colour-coded categories
Contact us to buy one now.
Sustainable Neighbourhood House Open Day is on tomorrow!
Well, the Sustainable Living Festival Event that we have been alluding to over the last few blog posts is finally here!
Drop into Holden Street Neighbourhood House from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday 26 February to…
- Come and see the environmental modifications we have made to the House and get some ideas for your own home. Tours of the House every half hour.
- Free bike checks from Velo Cycles (bring your bikes!)
- Stalls with great ideas and products
- Children’s activities
- And more great ideas for living sustainably.
Download: Sustainable Neighbourhood House Open Day Flyer (PDF, 747Kb)
For those of you into Social Media, check out these sites:
25 February 2011 at 8:00 am Holden Street Neighbourhood House
Sustainable Living Festival – for a safe climate
The 12th annual SLF is now on until 27 February 2011. What is “Mission: Safe Climate” all about? Visit the Festival’s Promotions page to find out and to download the Program Guide.
Don’t forget that our Sustainable Living Festival Event is coming soon – drop in and learn how to start dropping out of the race towards a hotter climate!
21 February 2011 at 8:00 am Holden Street Neighbourhood House
Going Retro
Water tanks have now been installed and we have already noticed a huge drop in our water usage. Hooray! Shading, draught proofing, natural light tubes, ventilation, solar energy – the house has been well and truly retrofitted.
Check out the details of our Sustainable Living Festival Event.
20 January 2011 at 11:43 am Holden Street Neighbourhood House
Holden Street Neighbourhood House 
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