EcoProperty - the Sustainable Living Newsletter

May 2004

Hello Again and Welcome to new Members.

From next month we are making a few changes to our Newsletters. The EcoProperty Update will be issued regularly for those interested in buying a property, it will include properties currently available, tips, financing and resources to assist the buying process. The EcoProperty Sustainable Living Newsletter will be quarterly with news, and include what's on, information on building materials and products, investing, how to renovate, retrofit and manage EcoProperty. You are welcome to receive either or both and can let us know once you have seen the new formats. Please keep you email address up to date and if you do lose contact you can always find all details of our offices on our web site www.eco.com.au

1. Properties around Australia
2. Rentals and Caretaking
3. Upcoming Events
4. From Go to Wo – the Daylesford Eco Homes
5. Tips - Land Tax, Home Buyers Grants
6. The Eco Directory
7. Feedback

1. Properties around Australia

SA

Adelaide - Eco-City Apartments in world renowned eco development- Christie Walk
Bower - Limestone cottage, energy efficient, solar power

NSW

Capertee - 100 acres in secluded Capertee Valley
Coonabarabran - 1500ha, Unique property and EcoTourism business opportunity

QLD

Crystal Waters, Maleny – Well designed property, 3 solar-passive structures, 1 acre
Maleny - Eco-friendly home with stunning views
Innisfail - 10.4 acres, remnant rainforest + beautiful home
Lowood - 42 acres including house and organic farming potential
Mt Tamborine - 3 br home in tranquil rainforest setting

VIC

Daylesford - Beautiful Solar-Passive Retrofit in heart of Daylesford
Hurstbridge – 9 acres, Land for Wildlife, Large Mudbrick/timber home
Organic Business, Melbourne, healthy organic food store in premier location
Gippsland - Community Development, Conference Centre or Retreat

New Zealand - rural property with 2 bedroom home

See web site for further information and to view more properties around Australia

Expressions of Interest - Properties Coming Soon

Agnes Waters - QLD - For the well-off conservationist, your own peace of paradise of acres on the Queensland coast with actual ocean front $2m+

Maleny - QLD - Live in one of the best parts of Australia, sustainable timber growing property

Tamworth - NSW - Beautiful Mud Brick on 50 acre block

2. Rentals and Caretaking

Eco Rental/Caretake Available

NSW - 40 mins south Forster, acreage bordering National Park, lovely 2 bed house, polished floors, combustion stove, OFP, solar, dam, rainwater, and phoneline, forested/some cleared area, beautiful outlook.

TAS - Environmentally-friendly, mature-aged woman invited to join 3 others in a grand old heritage-listed home in Devonport

Eco Rental Wanted

Qld - Respectful, quiet, sustainability-focussed tenants seeking eco home in Sunshine Coast Area

3. Upcoming Events

Check our our What's On pages for a range of Eco Events, Workshops and Seminars.

If you have an event you would like us to promote please email admin06@eco.com.au with the event details.

4. Daylesford Eco Home Workshops
EcoProperty will be holding a series of workshops throughout 2004 to demonstrate on-site the design and building of suburban eco homes based on Permaculture and community principles demonstrating consideration of all the features of EcoProperty.  You are welcome to attend one or all of the workshops.

Workshop 1 – Site Selection and Preliminary Designs
Sunday 30th May 2004 1.30-5pm.

Workshop 2 – Design, Use of Materials and Infrastructure
Sunday 27th June 2004 1.30-5pm

Workshop 3 – Final Design and Town Planning
Sunday 29^th August 2004 1.30-5pm

Workshop 4 – Building Underway and Landscaping
November 21, 2004 1.30-5pm

Workshop 5 – Celebration and Final Analysis
February 27, 2005 1.30-5pm.

Workshops will be held on-site, in Daylesford, Victoria

For registrations email admin06@eco.com.au or phone the EcoProperty office on (03) 5348 1546 for a Workshop registration form and more information about the specific workshops.

5. Tips and Latest Resources

Victoria - First Home Buyers Grant $5,000 (May 04 to June 05) and can be used in conjunction with Federal government's continuing $7000 First Home Grant
Victoria - extension of exemption from stamp duty on property for concession card holders

Australia - Federal First Home Grant of $7000 continues

Victoria - Land tax threshold raised plus three land tax brackets increased by 10 per cent over a two-year period (2004-05 and 2005-06). Land Tax reduced to 4 per cent for the 2005 land tax year and then reduced by a further 0.25 per cent per year until 2008-09.

To add useful resources or send your comments please email admin06@eco.com.au

6. The Eco Directory

Please see the Eco Directory for Architects, Designers and other Eco Professionals all around Australia who understand sustainability.

Welcome to these new entries :

*Wharington Furniture - Sustainable Furniture Solutions for home and office
*Biome Living - An online store specialising in environmental responsible products
*Dandek Applications - Eco-friendly painter and decorator
*Alternative Fuels and Energy
*Circle Interiors - Sustainable Kitchens and Furniture

New Entries Invited, Promote your eco product and service.
Reach like-minded professionals and consumers who are eager for information, advice, networking opportunities and services. Join the Eco Directory now on-line or email admin06@eco.com.au for an Application form.

7. Feedback

We welcome your feedback about our products and services and use of our website or if you have any specific enquiries please phone (03) 5348 1546.

Sustainably,

C Jane MacDiarmid and the ECO team
EcoProperty www.eco.com.au
Ph: (03) 5348 1546 or (02) 8504 1287

We do not buy, sell, trade, or exchange emails with any individals, businesses, or organisations. If you no longer wish to receive our newsetters please send an email to admin@eco.com with 'Please Remove' in the subject box.

See previous issues of our Sustainable Living Newsletter

March Update - 2004

February Update - 2004

Summer Newsletter - January 2004