Beautiful, bushfire resistant and affordable - why aren't we building more?

A beautiful bushfire resistant house - why
aren't we building more of them?

In June 2009, not long after Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires claimed 173 lives and destroyed more than 2000 houses, a group of architects came together to help those who had been affected.

As part of the Victorian bushfire reconstruction and recovery authority’s We will Rebuild initiative, they offered free consultations and 19 customisable pro bono designs, which were environmentally sustainable and met the “higher end” of the building standards for those in bushfire prone areas. Surprisingly only a few of those homes were built.

Read Guardian Sustainable Business story - “Bushfire-proof houses are affordable and look good – so why aren't we building more?”

Talks about sustainability and strategies Beneath the Wisteria

Greater Shepparton’s aim to become environmentally sustainable will discussed on Saturday, January 25, Beneath the Wisteria.

The city council’s Environmental and Sustainability officer, Mr Travis Turner, will explain, and answer any questions about the draft environmental strategy that stretches from this year through to 2030.

The strategy, copies of which Mr Turner will have at Saturday’s gathering, can be read at the City of Greater Shepparton website.

Submissions on the draft will be taken until February 11 this year after which a final document will be prepared and go to council for ratification and adoption.

Mr Turner is eager to hear peoples’ views about the document and welcomes submissions.

Saturday’s Beneath the Wisteria session is free, open to anyone interested and although some public seating is available, people are advised to being a folding chair.

Discussions start on Saturday at 11:30am at the northern end of the Maude St Mall and last for about an hour.

Those with any questions should contact the convenor, Robert McLean on 0400 502 199 or email to convenor.