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and our New-build Housing Boards

BLOGS

Make It A Better Home

Make It Great!

So you like the place you are in – it is close to work, school or it is the area in which you prefer to live but you want to make it a better home …  Read more >

Two Simply Ways to Make Your New-Build a Healthy Home

Now that we are becoming more aware of the benefits of green building for the planet and ourselves, we need to turn our attention to “clean” houses.  That is, a home that is not only green and energy efficient, but one that integrates the best building practices to ensure living in it is healthy.  Read more >

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SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS – Are they right for you?

Although most Australian homes still use energy derived from fossil-fuels (coal) and some from wind energy being fed into the national grid, there is a growing number meeting their home’s entire energy needs (and even feeding excess back into the national electricity grid) with solar electric and solar hot water systems.
What are they?  Read more >

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 Water in Our Daily Life

 

Water – What’s your role?

Water plays a part in every aspect of our daily lives. We drink it, wash in it, cook with it, keep our clothes and homes clean and water our gardens with it. Clean water sustains the environment around us, and is essential for supporting the diverse plants, wildlife and landscapes which make Australia unique.
At the same time, in making more room for ourselves in the cities, the permeable space available for water in the cityscape has been squeezed, and when there is nowhere for the excess to go, our streets are flooded. Climate change and population growth mean we have to be more prepared for future changes. Everyone has a role to play in making sure that we all have the water we and the environment needs. More
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Reducing Storm Water Run-Off at Home

Rain + Impermeable Surfaces = Storm-water Runoff
Recently, many areas around Australia, including the cities of Brisbane and Sydney, experienced an horrific rain and hail storms causing tens of millions of dollars damage to certain parts of those cities. Rain can fall as a drizzle, a steady patter or a in this case, a deluge. Such rain is desperately needed in many parts of Australia to bring crops to life but in this case, it brought trouble. >>More
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We Should Be Considering Multi-generational Living

                                               The Possibilities of Intergenerational Family Living

I can speak from personal experience here as family members and older friends struggle to find appropriate and affordable retirement living arrangements while their married children struggle with mortgage repayments for their homes, child-care costs and time, as well as the monetary cost spent traveling to and fro from outer suburbs.
All this can bring much stress to family life.  >> More

Views of greenery or countryside are beneficial for our well-being as research suggests.
So, think about making some design changes to make the most of the views around your living space. If you think a new development may hinder your view, or result in loss of privacy, overlooking, overshadowing, loss of light or loss of amenity spaces, such as green spaces, you should object early in the planning process of the proposed build if necessary. >>More
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Grown-Ups, Don’t leave home without a home-made ‘Activity Pack’
Grown-ups and children of all ages enjoy outings and vacations so be prepared for these real-life learning experiences.  Be prepared to make such events enjoyable and memorable. Also, be prepared if an unexpected situation arises. For example, if travelling, be prepared for the journey. We do not know what may happen along the way – transport delays or raining for days…
>> More

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Preventing Mosquito Problems

Severe illness is arising from mosquito bites is on the increase in Australia and it is not just a northern Australian problem. Keep updated on the recent spread of mosquito-borne birth deformities being reported around the globe.
Mosquito Control … >> More
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Energy Saving – how does your place rate?

How does your place rate on energy conservation?
Take a quick survey to see how your school, home, place or work etc. is performing in energy conservation. Give yourself a score out of 5 for each area and then judge the results for yourself.
Whatever your score, the question remains: how can you make it better?   >> More

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                 Climate change – we can all do so much more.  Live more sustainably and save money. 
Basically, there are a lot of people just getting on with it – trying to reduce their carbon footprint. But to make a difference we need more people doing things – simple things like turning off lights when you leave a room, turn off the air-conditioner and enjoy the seasonal change by opening a window – simple things that will save you money.
Read more >>

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Are you prepared for any natural or man-made disasters this summer?

Every year, particularly during the summer months, Australians like so many other parts of the world, are faced with horrific fires, droughts and floods which destroy lives, property and have a huge impact on local communities. Whether you live or intend to reside in a flood-prone area, a high fire danger zone or in a cyclone area or tuck yourself away in the city or suburbia, one should be prepared for any emergency – natural or man-made. In other words, make plans before …  Read more >>

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Move House or Stay Put

To move or not to move is a question that so many people ask as their children leave home or they are left alone. It can be devastating to leave a home one has lived in for many years but change can be exhilarating. Finding an apartment or small house with a great view or somewhere closer to your favourite haunts – museums, botanical gardens etc. or somewhere where you can start afresh with new technology, brighter, well-ventilated spaces could give one a new lease on life. >>More

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Sustainability Education for the Family

We are all aware how casually the words ” sustainable / sustainability” are thrown about along with a lot of other green-wash nonsense by advertisers but find out for yourself what sustainability and sustainable development is all about and how these concepts affect you and your family.  Google it.  >> Move
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Intergenerational Cooking

Get cooking (or no-cooktop-cooking) with kids and stir up a lot more than an interest in healthy eating.
Preparing food not only provides opportunities for active involvement and lets the children use all their senses, but so much more – the possibilities are amazing.
Cooking is a “grown-up” thing to do and many children today have little experience with it. Schools are hesitant to undertake it in fear of allergies and safety concern, so grown-ups at home, it is up to you! >> More

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