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April 2007

April is over already! Where is the year going? Here at SALA we've been busy with awards, tours, new staff and of course, building more sustainable homes…

NEWS

ClimateSmart leadership awards

We are proud and pleased to be a finalist in the Environmental Protection Agency's award for ClimateSmart Leadership. It's great to be a finalist, up against Rio Tinto and Anglo Coal. It shows we are playing with the big boys in creating large scale change to benefit the environment.

SALA Homes is in with a chance because of our potential to provide everyday homeowners with an affordable, sustainable option that's better for the environment.

On May 21 st we find out if we've won, when SALA staff head to the National Business Leaders Forum Sustainable Industries awards night. Cross your fingers for us! Read more…

Invitation from the QLD EPA

It's the little things we do that make a world of difference…

Learn how to make simple changes to your everyday life to reduce global warming!

Click here for your official invitation to attend a free ClimateSmart Living presentation by David Gershon, international expert in environmental behaviour change and key advisor to Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth Campaign.

The free presentation will be held on Friday evening 18 May, 2007 at the State Library, Southbank. Please feel free to pass on this invitation .

David Gershon's visit to Australia is sponsored in part by the Environmental Protection Agency which aims to reduce Queensland 's environmental footprint.

Kindly RSVP by Friday 11 May, 2007 to Emma Prizeman on 07 3225 1999.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet our new staff

There must be something about Canadians…our newest sales consultant, Wendy Kropf, joins fellow Canadian Mike Duggan in our sales team. Wendy's passion for sustainability is clear and she's already hit the ground running by organising tours of SALA homes, attending exhibitions and making contacts. You can email her on wendy@salahomes.com.au

And if you call the SALA office, you'll hear the cheery voice of our new office administrator, Ghis (pronounced Giz) Gallo. Ghis recently moved with her young family from The Atherton Tablelands and is getting us all organised.

SALA in Cairns and the Sunshine Coast

The tour of SALA homes in Cairns and the Sunshine Coast were great successes with many people showing interest in the SALA concept of sustainable, affordable housing. The Cairns Post covered the story and interviewed Scott Elsom, Director of SALA Homes.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

SALA Homes currently has two vacancies. If you, or someone you know, is looking for a career change and has a keen interest in sustainable housing please contact us.

Manager/s - The Green

The Green, Australia's first environmentally responsible community for over 50's is seeking an individual, or couple, to manage the day to day operation of this developing community at Greenbank, on Brisbane's southside. This is a 'live-in' position which requires a self-motivated, people person/s who can work by themselves and as part of a larger team. A keen interest in sustainable community development is essential. For a detailed job description email us or phone us on 07 3846 5390.

Carpenter

SALA Homes has a vacancy for a qualified carpenter to help with the construction of highly energy and water efficient kit homes in the Brisbane area. If you are a BSA licensed carpenter with experience and a keen interest in the construction of more sustainable homes please email us us or phone us on 07 3846 5390.

EVENTS

The Green Tour

Join the monthly tour of The Green on Brisbane 's southside on Sunday 20 May. You can book your tour online

Beaudesert Eco Expo - Beaudesert - from Friday May 25th to Saturday May 26th - SALA Homes will have a stand at the Beaudesert Eco Expo, which will focus on renewable energy, recycling, clean air and clean sustainable water. During the two days there will be displays, demonstrations and discussions on environmental issues. Click here for more details.

2nd Australian International Green Build & Renewable Energy Exhibition and Conference (GREX)- Sydney - from Friday June 1st to Sunday June 3rd 2007 - Mike Duggan will presenting throughout the weekend on sustainable affordable living solutions. Click here for more details.

Caboolture Regional Environmental Education Centre (CREEC) Sustainable Living Fair - Brisbane - Saturday June 2nd 2007 - Recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency and caring for the catchment are just a handful of the topics to be featured at the sixth annual Sustainable Living Fair being held at the Caboolture Region Environment Education Centre (CREEC) from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, June 2nd, at 150 Rowley Rd Burpengary. Click here for more details.

THINKING OUTSIDE

What a clever lot …One industrious customer in Mackay is building the first SALA duplex. This house will become a rental property in booming Mackay. The SALA solution means that their tenants will have reduced energy and water bills and a much healthier house to live in. As well as happier tenants we expect the landlord to achieve a high rental return and longer term tenants. Higher rental returns, lower construction costs and happier tenants makes for a very happy investor.

Eco Investment with great returns ...The Green, Australia's first environmentally responsible community for Over 50's has three investment homes available for investors. The SALA homes offer an excellent gross rental return (of up to 7.2% pa) with a bonus accelerated depreciation rate of up to 10% pa which increases the rate of return even more. For more information on this exceptional opportunity please contact one of our Sales Agents.

SALA is climate neutral ... The SALA office is now certified climate neutral, since we've signed up with an organisation that offsets our vehicle and electricity emissions.We've chosen to subscribe to Climate Friendly because they support real alternative energy supplies (as opposed to simply buying renewable energy certificates) and are accredited and audited by the Australian Government's Greenpower program.

We were motivated by the recent decision of Sue, our website developer from HomePage Development to become carbon neutral. Sue isn't known for any passionate environmental stance but her actions were infectious and prompted us to look at our emissions and take action. Perhaps you can investigate going carbon neutral for your home, car or business too?

Rainforest Rescued ... At SALA Homes we support Rainforest Rescue with the proceeds from sales of our DVD resource packs. To date, SALA Homes customers have saved 3120 square metres (as of Apr 30th) of the Daintree rainforest. This is great news – both for the forest, its creatures and the global climate.

HANDY HINTS

South East Queensland is living with harsh level 5 water restrictions and if you want to keep your garden alive, every little bit helps. A Grey Water Diverter collects water from your shower, bath or laundry for outside use. Do you have one?