Entries from February 2008 ↓

Less than two years ago a few people in our Valley decided it was time to go solar and now, as you walk down Waterworks Road, you will see that the Valley boasts some 10 solar hot water systems installed, with others waiting to be installed.

The one shown is Ian Fletcher’s — he installed it himself. (Ian and Tess live in a small cottage at the top of the valley and do great work looking after injured wildlife.)

The solar initiative was pulled off by negotiating a bulk buy and things just grew from there. In fact, we couldn’t stop it growing. We’ve ended up supplying solar hot water units to buyers from Port Arthur to Bruny Island and the number installed has grown to around 200.

Not wanting to be in commercial business, we have now externalised the solar acquisition scheme, and have set up a non-profit business — EcoTasmania. The solar arm is licensed to Mark Rickards who provides a 5% return to sustainability projects. (Anybody interested in going solar can contact Mark on 6224 0166 or email Mark).

Meanwhile John Tolhurst at 194 Waterworks Rd has been compiling information on water tanks, some community members being keen to see if we can do a similar deal on water harvesting.

This one is a tad more difficult because there are so many different kinds of tanks and sizes and everybody’s need seems to be different. We’ve made this a target for the coming year, so keep tuned.

Waterworks Community has taken a leading role in generating ideas and practical action towards sustainability.

Now here is a chance to find out more and mix with others who are also taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint.’Making the Transition’ is on Saturday March 15th. Put it in your diary now!

This is a climate change workshop, 1-5pm Saturday Philip Smith Centre, Glebe

And please do RSVP to help the organizers cater for numbers. Ph 6234 5566 info@sustainablelivingtasmania.org.au

Ours is a winding road, often steep, with only one formed footpath for much of its length.

The parents and children of the Walking Bus travel down the southern side on this footpath, but of course the families involved are from both sides of the road and children and adults cross it to play or visit, too.

Adults and older children cycle, walk, walk their dogs and run here; wallabies and other native animals cross at night or early in the morning. All too often they don’t make it safely to the other side, as Waterworks Road attracts speedsters.

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One of the group’s most successful and delightful achievements has been the implementation of the ‘walking school bus.’Many families having young children live along Waterworks Road and they attend the local primary school, Princes Street Primary. There being no bus service down the valley, as a community, we were well aware of the environmental and social impact of our children being driven to and from school:

• pollution from vehicle exhausts
• usage of fossil fuels
• potential danger of more traffic on our narrow, windy and often slippery road
• less exercise for our children
• and the cost of fuel.

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Welcome to the Waterworks Valley Community web site. Bear with us as we flesh out the skeleton in the coming weeks.