May 18, 2012
Homes and businesses that have solar systems would be ripped-off under draft recommendations released today by the Victorian Government’s independent advisor on Victorian feed-in tariff arrangements, says the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) has released draft recommendations today that include the closure of the current feed-in tariff, with [...]

As our cities grow in size and population, sustainable architects and designers are increasingly turning their attention to making apartments green.
Clever design that maximises space, low embodied energy materials, roof gardens, solar photovoltaics and communal spaces are some of the features of a new generation of apartment buildings.
In the latest issue of Sanctuary, out [...]

Rebuilding green – that was Mark Thomson’s vision for a Brisbane house devastated by the floods.
The architect helped complete an eco retrofit of a two-storey brick veneer home at inner-suburban Chelmer that had been flooded up to the second storey.
Mr Thomson, who runs Eco Effective Solutions, is one of 16 leading Queensland sustainable architects [...]

What’s the sexiest event in green building and design? Sixteen of Queensland’s leading sustainable architects and building designers will be available to homeowners at Speed Date a Sustainable Designer, in Brisbane on May 26.
Speed Date a Sustainable Designer will allow people who are renovating or building to discuss their ideas with the experts [...]

April 17, 2012
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) welcomes Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu’s dropping of a proposal to scrap 6-star energy ratings for new homes.
Yesterday afternoon Mr Baillieu abandoned the proposal to remove mandatory home energy ratings in favour of a voluntary code.
“This shows strong leadership by the Premier,” says Ian Porter, ATA’s chief executive officer.
Mr [...]

April 16, 2012
The Victorian Government came to power on a strong ‘cost of living’ platform, so it is astonishing to think that they are entertaining the idea of consigning people to higher household bills from rising electricity and gas prices, says the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).
A report in the Melbourne Age today suggests that the [...]

April 12, 2012
The Federal Government needs to remind NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher exactly what is driving up electriicity prices in NSW, says the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).
NSW has the most expensive and inefficient electricity distribution network in the country, yet today it called on the Federal Government to abandon its Renewable Energy [...]

March 27, 2012
The Victorian Government’s backpedaling on climate change action is alarming, says the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).
The ATA is concerned about the dumping of the state’s target of cutting carbon emissions by 20 per cent over the next decade, particularly as it follows plans to expand the state’s coal industry and restrictive laws on [...]

March 20, 2012
By day, Gavin Webber is a mild-mannered IT professional working in Melbourne’s CBD.
But at night and on weekends he becomes a committed and feverish blogger, informing the world and giving practical tips on cheese making, apple growing, chooks, DIY backyard building and many other sustainability topics.
The father of four, from Melton in Victoria, [...]

February 29, 2012
The axing of the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme rebate could make it difficult for many people to afford solar hot water, says the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).
Damien Moyse, the ATA’s energy projects and policy manager, said the Federal Government needed to ensure solar hot water and heat pump systems remained a [...]