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Leura Leura , Blue Mountains 2780, Blue Mountains , Australia

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17 Coomonderry St (cnr. Ada St.) Katoomba , Katoomba 2780 , Blue Mountains , Australia

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Carbon neutrality: “simply a way of life now": Tracy Ponich & Feathermark Photography -

Caroline Gillian-Payne posted on 7th May 2018

Katoomba-based photographer Tracy Ponich is the first individual artist to become a member of the Low Carbon Living program, winning a gold LCL rating for sustainable art practices and modelling a carbon neutral lifestyle that is not only possible but is “simply a way of life now”. Tracy manages every aspect of her photographic print’s creation - capturing, processing, printing, publishing and exhibiting – ensuring that her carbon footprint is consistently negligible and proving environmental compromise has its rewards.

Pangolin Associates, a sustainability, energy and carbon management company, measures Tracy’s carbon footprint (and that produced by her suppliers) and calculates the emissions in tonnes, which may then be offset with certified carbon credits. Carbon credit projects eliminate or prevent greenhouse gases and allow individuals and businesses to claim carbon neutrality due to their ‘net zero emissions’.

Tracy’s Feathermark Photography studio creates limited edition photographic prints primarily of the Blue Mountains environment, but her subject matter extends to gardens, landscapes, street scenes and portraitures. Transitions, ‘a sustainable exhibition’, is her latest endeavour currently viewed at Leura’s Everglades Historic House & Gardens. This is the fruition of a year-long collaboration, interpreting seasonal and climatic change at the gardens and in part, a photographic eulogy to Paul Sorensen, the property’s original landscape/garden designer.

In a concerted effort to be sustainable in each and every pursuit, the Transitions exhibition is a carbon neutral event, taking into account transportation, set-up, print development, book and document production, food and drink suppliers for the exhibit opening, energy usage during the exhibition period and advertising. Prints were framed by Hope Tree Framing in Wentworth Falls using Australian timber and packaged in recycled paper and Springwood Printing Company printed the accompanying book. Ross Hill Wines (certified carbon neutral winery), 4 Pies Beers (BCorp accredited), Logan Brae Orchards(locally organic) and silver LCL-BM members Lyttleton Stores (locally organic) were among the food and drinks suppliers.

Canadian-born Tracy has been acutely aware of climate change for many years. Having travelled extensively with her husband, and once settling in the Blue Mountains, the couple, in partnership, “decided to reduce our carbon footprint through our choices in life, including every product we purchase, (and) all of our actions”. The goal is simply to be carbon neutral. Solar panels installed at their home in 2015 generate a daily average of 14KWH (24KWH on exceptionally sunny days), supplying up to 80% of daily energy usage including Tracy’s Feathermark garden studio and a plug-in hybrid electric SUV vehicle (PHEV). Future investment in a second array will compensate for the difference.

The PHEV is suitable for transporting photographic equipment and off-road location shoots. The solar panels recharge the car via an external power point convenient for local trips. Designated charge stations, Charge Point, throughout the state, supply electricity for longer excursions. The NRMA have announced plans to introduce charge stations in the Blue Mountains with its first roll-out.

Feathermark studio is fitted with energy efficient lighting, heating and essential photographic equipment. All waste is recycled, packaging avoided, and necessary cellophane sleeves for cards are plant-based and compostable. Tracy develops her prints with an environmentally friendly Epson wide format printer and offsets unavoidable emissions with certified forest conservation carbon credits.

“No one can eliminate all emissions, the only way to ‘neutralise’ one’s carbon footprint is to offset with globally certified carbon credits and it doesn’t matter where these come from” explains Tracy. Tracy’s current preferences are a biodiversity corridor conservation in WA, avoiding deforestation in Tasmania, overseas projects such as WithOneSeed in Timor-Leste, solar energy in Southern India. Tracy suggests selecting a portfolio of initiatives that suitably align with the investing business and researching globally, keeping in mind how better to sustain communities and create jobs. “The planet doesn’t care where we reduce emissions through offsetting, just that it is effectively done”.

Tracy also funds managed reforestation projects in Australia. For each photographic print sold, an Australian native is planted through Trees for Life. For this Transition’s exhibition, 30 trees were planted in conjunction with the exhibit and the production of the Australian Heritage Festival and Sydney’s Head on Festival later in the year.

Welcoming the Southern Highlands to Low Carbon Living Australia

Dominic O'Grady, Photo Moss Vale Golf Club, posted on 13th March 2018

There’s a clear sense among supporters of Low Carbon Living, Southern Highlands that now is the time to establish a network of businesses committed to sustainability. With the rollout on 22 March of the Low Carbon Living national program, there’s hope that other regions such as the Margaret River- Busselton region, Byron Bay, Central Australia and Kangaroo Island will come on board.

Ecotourism Australia is supporting the national program, together with UNSW Sydney’s Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living, and the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute (BMWHI). “Some of us have been banging on about climate change for years,” admits Miles Lochhead, who runs the Southern Highlands-based environmental and resource management consultancy, zerrro. “I think every community needs to consider a low carbon lifestyle, both at a personal level and from a business perspective – but I am biased!”

Mr Lochhead says the opportunity to be part of Low Carbon Living, Southern Highlands is too good to miss. “We saw this as an excellent opportunity for local business to get on board, make a difference, and save money.” The founding chair of Low Carbon Living Southern Highlands, Randall Walker, agrees. He says consumers want to make positive purchasing decisions and want to spend their money with business operators who are committed to sustainability.

“If a business isn’t able to overtly demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, consumers are less likely to be interested in them,” Mr Walker says. Mr Walker believes local operators are realistic about the benefits of sustainability. “Businesses in the NSW Southern Highlands are keen to adopt a sustainable approach for the right reasons.

“They have an altruistic commitment to sustainability. But they also know there are economic benefits associated with low carbon living because it leads to more efficient use of resources and lower operating costs.”

One of the benefits of the Low Carbon Living, Southern Highlands program is that it provides surety for business and for consumers because members are audited and rated on their energy and water use, as well as their waste reduction. The program also sustains and promotes a network that connects suppliers to operators, and operators to consumers. As Mr Walker discovered, the conversations generated by low carbon living have a domino effect.

“For example, all 18 golf courses in the region are coming together to provide electric golf carts. Once we got talking about having electric carts, we realised the next step is to use solar energy to power them.”

The founding members of Low Carbon Living Southern Highlands include BDCU Alliance Bank, RePower Southern Highlands, the Moss Vale Golf Club, and Climate Action Now Wingecarribee (CANWin). The economic development team at Wingecarribee Shire Council also support the initiative.

Representatives from Low Carbon Living, Southern Highlands will join their Blue Mountains counterparts on 22 March 2018 to launch the Low Carbon Living national program. “The Low Carbon Living national program empowers everyone to address climate change by making positive decisions about their use of resources, where they shop and what services they support,” says BMWHI executive director Dr John Merson.

BMWHI piloted the Low Carbon Living program in the Blue Mountains some years ago. “We now have over 80 businesses involved in Low Carbon Living, Blue Mountains, and we expect the initiative will be equally successful in the Southern Highlands and other regions,” Dr Merson says.

Research undertaken as part of the LCL program shows 82% of visitors and 91% of residents would choose a local business that has made an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The research also found 50% of visitors would choose a low carbon destination over one not known for reducing its carbon impact.

BMWHI invites you to join us for the Low Carbon Living national program launch, at 5pm on 22 March at Scenic World in Katoomba. Please register here to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/low-carbon-living-national-program-launch-tickets-43425284194

IT'S OFFICIAL: LOW CARBON LIVING GOES NATIONWIDE

Dominic O'Grady, Photo Tim Harris posted on 6th April 2018

More than 80 businesses gathered at Scenic World in Katoomba on 22 March to launch the Low Carbon Living national program, to welcome the NSW Southern Highlands as the program’s newest recruit, and to celebrate high achievers among Low Carbon Living, Blue Mountains members.

KEY POINTS

26% reduction in carbon use in waste sector by the Blue Mountains' Escarpment Group.
Ecotourism Australia agrees to partner in the national rollout of Low Carbon Living.
NSW Southern Highlands signed-up for the Low Carbon Living national program.
Zero carbon emissions ‘platinum rating’ becomes the new LCL high standard.

The Low Carbon Living national program launch also celebrated Ecotourism Australia’s partnership with the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute to roll-out the Low Carbon Living program nationwide.

Federal member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, presented the Escarpment Group’s Huong Nguyen with a Low Carbon Living award for achieving a 26% reduction in carbon usage in their waste management sector, saving around 200 tons per annum of carbon going into the environment.

Mindful living at Leura’s Brahma Kumaris

Caroline Payne, photos Helen Flint posted on 9th February 2018

The road to Leura’s Brahma Kumaris Centre for Spiritual Learning is unruly and pot-holed but it rewards travellers with majestic views over the Grose Valley wilderness. The journey provides a fitting start to the meditation retreats the centre offers to people seeking a reprieve from the stress of modern life.

The Brahma Kumaris Centre for Spiritual Learning sits on a 132-acre sanctuary nestled in the bush. Guests are requested to adopt ‘pure living’ principles while they are on retreat. This includes a vegetarian diet, no alcohol, smoking or stimulants and modest clothing.

Brahma Kumaris is an international women’s-led organisation, established in Leura 17 years ago. Jessica Yuille is the environmental co-ordinator for Brahma Kumaris Australia and is very much aware of the environmental sensitivities of the centre’s location. As a member of the Low Carbon Living program, Brahma Kumaris Leura has achieved a silver rating and is informed and inspired by the efforts of other LCL members.

The centre recently added a new air-sourced heat pump hot water system designed by Jeffery Di and marketed by Stephen Wilson of Lead Tech.

Brahma Kumaris has eight solar hot water systems that service 45 twin-share rooms with ensuites; three 2-bedroom cottages; a dining and kitchen venue; meditation hall and reception area. In January 2018, two new heat pump water units replaced older systems and a further five new units will be installed later this year.

“We researched and chose heat pump technology because it is efficient, inexpensive to run, reliable and cheaper than solar,” says Jessica.

Heat pump technology has been around for at least 20 years and is a green energy alternative to traditional solar hot water systems. Lead Tech’s patented design differs from competitors in that each unit is quiet and compact, the size of a standard refrigerator, and does not require additional booster units (gas or electric) if the external temperature significantly decreases.

The Lead Tech unit has the lowest carbon footprint of any comparable heat pump on the market, the technology is Australian-owned and is adaptable for residential and commercial purposes.

The purity and quality of the water inside the system remains intact due to the design of the coiled piping inside the tank, preventing sediment and bacteria from accumulating at the bottom of the tank.

Ultimately, the water is drinkable and chemical free and water wastage is significantly reduced. Other benefits include tank water that is vented to atmosphere, not pressurized.

Although the upfront cost of a Lead Tech unit is 30 per cent more than conventional heat pumps, the immediate savings with energy bills are a minimum of 50 per cent. Upfront costs will be paid off in the first five years.

Other sustainable and energy-efficient modifications at Bramah Kumaris Leura include air conditioning heaters that have replaced gas heaters in the bedrooms.

Aircon Off smart controllers regulate the temperature and the investment is energy- and cost- efficient. Underfloor hydronic gas heating systems warm office spaces, and wall panel heaters are mounted in other areas.

Cardboard, batteries, light bulbs, plastic bags and clear packaging are recycled, and the compost bin was moved closer to the kitchen door so that it can be used more easily. Joan Houghton and other residents maintain the vegetable garden, growing food to supplement the requirements of large groups on the weekends. Leftover food is frozen and donated to Earth Recovery’s Food Rescue program in Katoomba.

Local Eco-architect Nigel Bell (Conservation Hut) designed an addition to the reception area incorporating straw thatched insulation in the roof and strategically placed windows, maximising natural light and solar heat. Nigel also renovated a wheel-chair accessible toilet in the 90-year old Stone Cottage, located at Govetts Creek at the foot of the property, surrounded by a well-established English garden tended to by the centre’s ‘Meditative Gardeners’. Landcare manages the creek, bushland and nature swamps on the property.

LED lighting is used internally along with path lights and road lamps. Power is switched off where not needed, particularly at night. Residents now manage with one freezer instead of two and the pilot light for the cooker is used only when cooking. The PA system in the venues is no longer on standby but switched off until needed. A 3-phase rinse tank heater in the kitchen is heated only when in use.

Vegetarianism is an adopted lifestyle at Brahma Kumaris, reflecting a philosophy of non-violence and awareness of the global waste, pollution and other costs associated with a meat-based diet. A recent study found that excluding red meat from our diet reduces our carbon footprint more than eliminating cars from our roads.

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