The Blue House Goes Green on Sustainable House Day

Do you want your home to be more climate smart and eco-friendly but don’t know where to start?

Come along to the Yandina Community Garden, to celebrate the launch of the ‘Blue House Goes Green’ eco-retrofit project on Sustainable House Day, Sunday 13 September, and get all your questions answered.

Sunshine Coast Council Environmental portfolio holder and division 3 councillor Keryn Jones said the Blue House provides the community with a living example of how a few simple renovations and additions can make a traditional Queensland home more energy efficient.

“‘The Blue House Goes Green’ collaborative project started in 2008 following the first Transition Town Course at the Yandina Community Garden,” said Cr Jones.

“Course participants Doug McDougall and Jo Turner provided a detailed report and recommendations pro-bono for the council.

“With support from council and local suppliers, the Blue House had some key renovations and additions to help reduce its environmental impact and energy use, and also save on energy bills.

“These included installing a solar hot water system and a solar photovoltaic system, building a western facing awning and installing energy efficient lighting and appliances.

“Anyone can use or install these systems on their own home—the Blue House lays it all out for everyone to see how it all works.

“There is even a weather station!

“The project is on-going as most home renovations are. More affordable energy saving modifications will be implemented as time goes on.”

Cr Jones said there are heaps of other free eco-activities happening on Sustainable House Day.

“Take a tour through a sustainable home or join in on one of the free workshops.”

Program of events

9.00am Living Smart Homes—Get some free tips on how to become more eco-efficient and be financially rewarded for your Smart Initiatives with this free council program.

9.30am SEAC (Sunshine Coast Energy Action Centre)—Sonya and Janet have inspired hundred’s. Hear about the Energy Descent Action Plan and how to become a part of the exciting Transition Town movement.

10.00am Official Launch of the Yandina Community Gardens Eco Retrofit, Water Harvesting Aquaponics and Strawbale Project by Hon Alex Somlyay MP—Celebrate, as we acknowledge the journey and the support that has made these three great Living Sustainability Education projects possible.

10.30am Locavores morning tea—enjoy this free locally grown morning tea and celebrate the official opening of Yandina Community Gardens.

11am & 2pm Blue House Retrofit Tour and Designing for Our Climate workshop with Jo Turner

Is your home working with nature, or against it? If you are building or renovating, this informal, fun session at The Blue House, will give you all the basics of creating spaces that work with our beautiful Queensland climate. Topics include:

sun paths (and how to work them out without being a maths genius!)
climate data and where to go to find average weather patterns for your area (and what this means to your actual site)
orientation, room layout and gardening to create a microclimate
thermal mass and where it’s needed
eaves, verandah and window design for optimal natural comfort.

11am & 2pm Aquaponics introduction and tour—learn about the sustainability of aquaponics and the opportunities for your household, with these three great demonstration systems funded by the Federal Water Harvesting Grant.

9, 12 & 2pm Garden tours—take a walk around the extensive and well established community gardens with the volunteers. Learn about the tropical food plants that are suited to the Queensland climate all year round.

All day Sustainable House Day open house tours

Join in on a free tour through one of the Sunshine Coast's sustainable homes.

Key contributors to the project include Jo Turner, Doug McDougall, Bruce Molloy, Michael Howard and the MaroochyCommunity Permaculture Group, volunteers and supporters .

Proudly sponsored by the Maroochy Community Permaculture Group Inc and Sunshine Coast Regional Council.