Archived material from historical editions of The Generator
Aquifers still a handy backup: SCA managing director Graeme Head
said the new groundwater supplies were discovered at depths of more
than 200m. Water could be pumped via underground pipes either directly
into Prospect reservoir or Orchid Hills filtration plant.
The Daily Telegraph, 9/2/2006, p. 4
Source: Erisk – wwww.erisk.net
The Australian, 18/1/2006, p. 29
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net
John Vidal, environment editor
Wednesday February 8, 2006
The Guardian
Evergreen… Sweden will develop biofuels from its forests. Photograph: Mattias Klum/Getty Images
The attempt by
the country of 9 million people to become the world’s first practically
oil-free economy is being planned by a committee of industrialists,
academics, farmers, car makers, civil servants and others, who will
report to parliament in several months.
Full story at the Guardian
The Sydney Morning Herald, 8/2/2006, p. 1
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net
Theory into practice: That year, I started a construction
company called Sunpower Design in Mount Macedon. Ash Wednesday in 1983
was really the first opportunity for us to get into passive solar
design, and we replaced about 15 buildings up there.
Waiting for the others to catch up: I was also burnt in the
bushfires and as a result, the State Electricity Commission gave me
compensation, which I used go to America in 1984. There I studied
sustainable building design and met Balcomb and people such as Ed Mama,
who wrote what was then the only definitive manual – The Passive Solar
Energy Book. I came back enthusiastic about the whole idea, not
realising, of course, that I was about 15 years ahead of the times. It
really started to take off when the Victorian Government introduced
five-star and water-saving regulations – the awareness started to
shift.
Energy efficiency now a going concern: These days we have five
people working in the business and we’re growing at the rate of 10-15
per cent a year. We’ve designed more than 400 buildings and have won
well over 20 state and national energy efficient and sustainable design
awards. In our business we can make a huge difference to the survival
of our planet. If we all did solar hot water, rainwater catchment,
five- or six- or seven-star energy-efficient buildings we would make an
enormous difference to the amount of energy reduction we need as a
society.
Wanting to make a difference: When you talk to young people
today, they’re really worried about these issues and I can say to these
kids, “Well, indirectly, we’re one of growing numbers of people
actually wanting to make a difference.”
The Age, 8/2/2006
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net
Status quo likely outcome: However, a State Government document obtained by The Courier Mail
says that neither council is likely to support Cr Clarke’s idea because
the northern end of the Gold Coast relies on the piped water. A further
complication is that the Brisbane water makes its way to the Gold Coast
via infrastructure owned by Logan City Council, which could seek
compensation for lost revenue.
The Courier Mail, 8/2/2006, p. 1
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net