Sustainable Waterfront Property in the Australian Bush

For sale in Macmasters Beach in New South Wales, Australia is a magnificent environmentally-sustainable waterfront property, which is set upon 40.97 acres of lush paddocks, serene palm groves, and native vegetation.

Designed by architect Francis Fong, the brief was to provide a luxurious and modern home for those inside, whilst ensuring the sense of being in the Australian bush. At all times you’ll feel the clever balance between the privacy of a home and the freedom of the outdoors.

The house has been designed to ensure that no matter which room you are enjoying, you can appreciate the setting, the bush and water views, the sounds and the sea breeze.

Importantly, it’s sustainable credentials are outstanding:

The property operates “off the grid” for total independence. Powered by cost efficient solar electricity that further enhances the property’s sustainable credentials, there is also a back-up diesel generator that automatically starts when necessary.

The water supply is equally sustainable: you can enjoy the rainwater from the small pod roof, take a tranquil moment to pump rainwater to the supply tank on top of the hill, or utilise the connection to town water (although this will very rarely be required).

For the summer, there is ample electricity to run air-conditioning should you choose, however, the house design entices even the faintest of breezes thus naturally maintaining the temperature and ambiance of the home. There are also 42000 litres of water beneath the house dedicated to the sprinkler system, which act as a moderating thermal mass.

For the winter, you can utilise the natural resources on the land and enjoy the two wood combustion stoves, including the wonderful French Chiminee Philippe main fireplace in the living room.

It is quite evident that every thought has been given to creating a harmonious and sustainable lifestyle in deep privacy in building this home.

CLICK HERE to view the property website.  The property is available through Marquette Turner Luxury Homes and Clearpoint.

Clear the Air eMagazine Nov 14, 2009

Check out the latest eMagazine from Clear the Air, featuring news on green articles from around the world.

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Clear the Air eMagazine November 3, 2009

Check out the latest eMagazine from Clear the Air, featuring news on green articles from around the world.

As well as viewing it page by page, you can also:

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Simon TurnerFollow us…

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Save Water: Shame on Sydney Water

When driving through Kensington yesterday, I was appalled at the lack of respect Sydney Water have for our (and their) most precious commodity – water.

I don’t doubt for a moment that there was a reasonable explanation for what I saw, however, the wastage was disgraceful. Water was being pumped out of two locations, (within 50 metres of each), and allowed to run into the storm water drains.

Yesterday’s temparature in Sydney was in the mid 20’s and most people who live in that particular street have gardens and lawns in their front yard. I am certain they would have probably watered them that afternoon, if they had not done so that morning.

Wouldn’t it have made a lot of sense to route the water onto residents front gardens, or have it pumped into containers on trucks to be utilised in local areas that are really suffering from water shortages, rather than let it wastefully run down the drains?

Christine Watson

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How To Avoid Wasting Food – Before It Goes Off in Your Fridge!

Here’s some tips on how to avoid wasting food:

Vegetables

1.              Make left over mashed potato into patty shapes and cook them in butter for a quick “hash brown”.

2.              Trimmed ends of from onions, carrots, celery, capsicums can be kept in the freezer and when a reasonable amount is stored, place in a pot with water and make a vegetable soup or stock.

3.              If only using part of an onion or capsicum, chop up the remainder and store in the freezer and use next time you need diced onion or capsicum.

4.              Left over roasted vegetables can be turned into a soup buy adding stock and blending. Or alternatively add to a pan of butter and fry and just prior to the browning completed, add an egg – bubble and squeak – yum.

5.              When preparing pumpkin or squash, do not throw the seeds out. Rinse them and roast in the oven.

6.              Celery leaves can be added to soups, stews, casserole and meatloaf – great flavour boost.

7.              If tomatoes are just about to turn bad, dry them in the oven and store them in a little olive oil in the fridge.

8.              Vegetables such as peas, beans, corn, carrots, broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower and spinach can be blanched in hot water and placed in the freezer.

9.              Zucchini about to go off? Make zucchini bread or muffins and store in the freezer.

Fruit

1.     1. Berries, bananas, melons and mangoes make great smoothies in the fruit is about to go off.

2.     2. Fruit kebabs are a great treat for kids – fresh or barbecued.

3.     3. Too many apples – make an apple sauce or apple butter.

4.     4. Most fruit can be made into a fruit crumble. Assemble and bake it or prepare it, freeze it prior to baking.

Breads and Grains

1.              Make croutons for Caesar Salad from left over bread. Store in air tight container.

2.              Bread crumbs are best made with stale bread.

3.              Keep broken past in a container and add to a rice and vegetable bake.

4.              Left over rice can be added to oatmeal for breakfast.

5.              If the kids don’t like to the crusts on their sandwiches, save the crusts and turn into bread crumbs.

Meats

1.     Don’t throw out chicken, beef, lamb or pork bones. Boil them and make stock which can be frozen.

Dairy

1.     1. Lots of little bits of cheese and me added into a macaroni and cheese dish.

2.     2. If eggs have been kept a while, freeze them by beating the eggs and pour into an ice cream tray.

3.     3. Too much milk and unable to drink it – freeze it.

Herbs

1.     1. Chop herbs and place in an ice cube tray with a little water. To be used in cooking, not to be used in a salad.

2.     2. Herbs can be frozen. Some will turn black, however the flavour is the same.

3.     3. Make pesto with left over basil.

4.     4.  Dry herbs by hanging them by their stems in a cool dry location. When dry, remove from stems and store in airtight containers.

Don’t Waste Anything

1.              Left over coffee in the pot? Freeze it in ice cube trays. Cubes can be used for iced coffee or to cool down too-hot coffee. You can do the same with leftover tea.

2.              Left over wine? Use it to de-glaze pans to add flavour to whatever you are cooking.

3.              Left over stock or broth can be placed in ice cube trays and frozen.

4.              Left over tomato paste can be placed in ice cube trays and frozen.

5.              With a little bit of honey in the bottom of the jar add a squeeze of lemon juice and swish it around. Lemon juice will loosen the honey and it will make a great cup of tea.

Not only will these tips help reduce you food waste, there is a big saving in food bills.

Extracts from Planet Green

A Message to Australian’s from Oxfam on Climate Change

Another round of UN climate change talks has just ended in Bangkok – and again we saw a lot of talk and not enough action.

Less than 50 days now remain until the UN climate change meeting in Copenhagen. Here we must get a safe and just global climate agreement. A solution is possible, but the leaders of rich industrialised countries like Australia need to find the political will. This is where you can help.

The Australian Government’s emissions reduction targets are far too low. Taking these targets to Copenhagen will not help to achieve the effective global climate agreement that’s needed.

We need to increase political pressure on our government if they are to improve their target.

What’s our government’s position on climate change?

Current Australian Government policy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 4-24% below 1990 levels by 2020. The latest science indicates that developed countries, including Australia, must adopt emissions reduction targets of at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020, if the world is to have any hope of avoiding dangerous climate change. Historically Australia has released huge amounts of greenhouse gases in to the atmosphere. Today we are still one of the world’s largest per capita greenhouse gas polluters. We have a responsibility to be part of the solution.

While climate change is an international issue, the real pressure on governments to take action comes from their domestic constituency ie. from public opinion, the media, but importantly from the parliamentary opposition. Whether or not the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) is passed in the Senate, the emissions reduction targets are far too low. The Opposition needs to make this a key message.

Without the Federal Opposition pushing the Australian Government, there is little incentive for the Government to do better. This needs to change.

Take action now

What’s wrong with Australia’s targets?

The Government has said it will go to Copenhagen with a maximum emissions reduction target of 25% below 2000 levels by 2020. What’s wrong with that? A number of things:

• A target of 25% below 2000 levels correlates to about 24% below 1990 levels. This falls well short of the International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2007 recommended range for developed countries of 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020.
• This 25-40% range was the previous ‘gold standard’ and is now outdated. Even when it was considered to be the range to aim for, it was only expected to give the world a 50/50 chance of keeping warming to 2ºC or less above pre-industrial levels. An increase of 2ºC was previously thought to be the maximum safe limit.
• Since 2007, every indication from science is that things are worse than was previously thought. The latest science indicates we should be aiming to keep warming to below 1.5°C in order to avoid dangerous climate change. That means that the 25-40% reduction range for developed countries is far too low.
• Furthermore, despite all the scientific evidence, the conditions attached to the Government’s 25% target are so stringent that they are unlikely to be met, in which case the maximum target will become a mere 15% below 2000 levels by 2020.

Write to the Federal Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull, and Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water, Greg Hunt, showing your support for higher emissions reductions targets and ask them to put pressure on the government to commit to a 40% reduction target (by 2020) before Copenhagen.

Simon Turner

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The Sad Truth by Can Ertekin: Stop Global Warming

This video is outstanding, moving and extremely touching.

It’s hard not to take global warming seriously after watching this. We’re not just saving the planet for our own benefit, after all.

Do just a little more today and tomorrow than you did yesterday.

Simon Turner

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Clear the Air eMagazine October 14 2009

Check out the latest eMagazine for Clear the Air.

As well as viewing it page by page, you can also:

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Sydney Sandstorm Freak Weather – Sep 23, 2009

Rarely has the phrase “clear the air” had more meaning than the sand storms that Sydney experienced on September 23, 2009.

We were in Los Angeles at the time and couldn’t quite believe the images of such freak weather we were seeing on the internet and television. The second storm on Saturday 26th turned out to be far less frightening.

These images are somewhat apocalyptic.

Simon Turner

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Los Angeles Flexes its Structural Muscles: The South Central Re-Devlopment

Los Angeles’ glass tower, designed by Eric Owen Moss Architects, is completely revitalizing the locale.

With the aid of a rail line to encourage the redesign, the tower is part of the redevelopment of South Central LA, an area plagued with poverty and violence.

The design invokes the theme of a ribbon that allows each floor of the structure to be entirely open.

Constructed using steel tubes filled with concrete, the variance lies in the changing of each floors’ heights.

Simon Turner

Clear the Air, Marquette Turner

Cascade Green: The Beer That is Good for Everyone!

Beer is often good at the best of times (to drink that is) – and of course in moderation – but the Tasmanian brewery Cascade has gone one better and brewed, full-flavored, preservative free, low-carb beer made from pure Tasmanian ingredients that is 100% carbon offset and certified Australian Government Greenhouse Friendly™.

The emissions that haven’t already been reduced have been offset through accredited offset programmes.

A beer that gives back – definitely worth trying.

Visit cascadegreen.com.au

Simon Turner

Clear the Air