Come to the Sustainable Home Expo…. it’s on 1st week-end of November.

Green technologies, ideas, contacts, interesting talks… or just a place to catch up with friends.

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 it becoming a non-profit business — EcoTasmania — managed by Mark Rickards. (Anybody interested 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.