In a submission to the Melbourne’s Future Water Supply Inquiry today, Australia’s leading sustainable living organisation, the Alternative Technology Association called on the Victorian State Government to prioritise climate-friendly water saving solutions over energy dependent options.

Any attempt by the state government to sideline rainwater tanks will be a major loss for consumers and the environment, says Damien Moyse, ATA’s Energy and Water Advocate.

This meeting was on Wednesday September 17th at the offices of URS, level 6 no1 Southbank boulevard, Southbank (Click here for a map)
The Topic:
Solar Hot Water Systems – Convenor Peter Wonfor
The 3 speakers comprehensively covered the topic and the various options available. Ian Martin from Douglas Solar spoke on flat plates. Rick Rogers [...]

When: Thursday, 4th September, 2008
Time: 6:15pm onwards for a 6:30pm start
Where: The Banking Chamber theatrette, Ground Floor, KPMG, 147 Collins St, Melbourne. Disabled access via 161 Collins St.
Costs: $10 for ATA members (ATA couples $15). Non-members welcome $15. Refreshments provided after the presentation

ATA’s seminar will take a look at carbon rationing.

David Spratt advocates personal carbon [...]

First meeting for the Warkworth, Lower Northland ATA branch
When: Saturday 23rd August
Time: 2pm
Where: Ahuroa – email davecrabb@xtra.co.nz for directions to the farm and to RSVP

It’s time for the first meeting of the Warkworth branch. Get involved and help the Warkworth branch get going. This meeting will look at what issues the branch will focus on, [...]

ATA Brisbane Branch meeting
When: Thursday 28th August
Time: 7:15pm for 7:30pm start
Where: Albion Peace Centre, 102 McDonald Rd, Windsor
Cost: $3, to help cover venue hire costs
RSVP required: Phil Alford – phil_nicole@tpg.com.au

Building a sustainable house in Tarragindi
Bruce Connell will be talking about building his sustainable home (see www.varleyconnell.net)

Bruce has for many years been involved in the [...]

The next meeting of the new Blue Mountains ATA branch is on Sunday 14th September at the GreenHouse in Blackheath. The GreenHouse is being set up as a demonstration house and garden and will be open to the public to showcase alternative technologies and sustainable living practices.

The next ATA Sydney Central meeting will include a talk by Manuel Cilia, consultant engineer EMF, who will speak on the topic of Tri- & Co-generation for Australia – the benefits and the challenges.
Manuel has 20 years experience designing energy systems in the renewable energy market, including tri and co-generations systems, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic [...]

ATA welcomed the purpose and much of the content of the Bill. It is essential that Australia introduce a progressive, nationwide feed-in tariff as an incentive mechanism for renewable energy not currently sufficiently encouraged by existing mechanisms, such as the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. After providing a strong background case for feed-in tariffs, ATA sought [...]

ATA argued that the process of obtaining a retail contract for the grid-connection of small renewable energy systems in South Australia needs greater certainty. Further, ATA expressed skepticism at the view that customer awareness and churn are strong indicators of market effectiveness, particularly as the Commission itself has indicated that customer churn has largely been [...]

The ATA provided a submission to the National Energy Customer Framework, and the response to this paper by the Ministerial Council on Energy’s Standing Committee of Officials. ATA pointed out that there needs to be special provision to protect small-scale grid-connected micro-generators, recognizing the unique nature of the arrangements between renewable energy proponents and the [...]