Published: 26 October 2011

Residents in the Woollahra municipality can now access free sustainable building advice from architects to make their homes more eco friendly.

Council has formed a partnership with independent advisers Archicentre to offer a new Sustainable Building Advisory Service (SBAS).

The initiative aims to encourage residents to integrate eco-friendly and sustainable features when building or renovating their home.

Woollahra Mayor Susan Wynne said Council has invested $25,000 to offer the service to 50 residents in the 2011/2012 financial year. “Council is proactively setting an example to the community and other local government areas by introducing a service that encourages sustainable design,” she said. “The initiative will support residents in reducing their environmental footprint which is a win-win-win for the environment, residents and developers.”

The service will offer advice on the following green technology features:

• Passive design (home orientation and layout, solar access, thermal mass, shading, natural ventilation, natural lighting, and building fabric);
• Energy saving (heating and cooling, insulation, skylights, glazing , hot water system); and
• Water saving (rainwater harvesting and re-use, grey water treatment and re-use, water saving fittings and appliances, landscaping and pool features). To qualify for the service, residents must reside in Woollahra and apply for a development application (DA) in the next twelve months.

The initiative is part of Woollahra Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy, which was adopted in June 2010.

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