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Sustainable Building Procedures

OBJECTIVE

To reduce the impact that the garden has on the environment both during construction and into the future.

To design gardens with sustainability in mind.

Water Use and Reduction:

  • Rainwater tanks are encouraged for the collection and storage of water for the purposes of using it to water the garden and lawn areas.
  • Grey water systems are encouraged for watering lawn areas especially during the summer period.
  • Plants and lawns requiring little or no watering are encouraged.
  • Mulch is always applied to garden areas to reduce evaporation.
  • If required dripper irrigation systems are installed.

Stormwater Management:

  • Lawns and gardens are encouraged instead of hard surfaces.
  • Porous paving areas are encouraged to reduce stormwater waste.
  • Run-off from impermeable paving areas is directed into garden beds where possible.
  • Timber decking is encouraged for natural drainage.

Shade Treatments:

  • Shade trees are encouraged for both visual appeal and the cooling effect that they have on outside and inside living areas. Deciduous trees can assist in keeping the building shaded from the sun during summer while allowing winter sun into the building, reducing cooling and heating costs.
  • Removable shade sails are encouraged over outside living areas and north-facing windows and walls, reducing cooling costs.
  • Climbing plants are encouraged to grow over north- and west-facing masonry walls.

Waste Removal / Recycling:

  • If excavation is required soil is retained on site for reuse where possible.
  • Timber, steel and concrete are kept separate for recycling.
  • Concrete is recycled into crushed rock; timber is recycled into mulch.
  • Pots are returned for re-use.

Materials:

  • Local stone is encouraged for paving and walling.
  • Second-hand bricks are used for paving and brickwork.
  • Sustainably harvested Australian hardwood decking is encouraged over imported rainforest timber.
  • Recycled timber mulch is encouraged.

Design:

(The fist step to addressing sustainable practices comes at the design stage.)

  • Impermeable surfaces are kept to a minimum both for financial cost and environmental cost.
  • Stone is recommended over concrete products for walling and paving.
  • Plants with low water requirements are used.