SALA Newsletter - November 2006

SALA Homes specialises in the supply of affordable, sustainable kit homes and can be sent anywhere anywhere in the world. Our business vision is to demonstrate that sustainable housing can be as affordable as traditional housing models.

Sydney shindig

In early November, we hosted the inaugural Aussies Sustaining Australia celebration in Sydney. There were home owners and developers from all over Australia presenting their projects. It was a great oppportunity to 'educate' the media, politicians and industry about sustainable development.

And there was one particularly exciting opportunity that arose…read about it here.

You can also read the Australian Financial Review's report on the night. Click here for more.

So what's wrong with concrete?

SALA Homes try to reduce the amount of cement and gypsum used in our range of houses. We have already eliminated the use of gypsum in our homes, but recent testing of a new footing product means that customers are now able to build our homes without the use of any cement or gypsum (used in the manufacture of plasterboard). The new system is cost effective, quick to install and requires no excavation.

But why do we want to use less concrete? Read more ….

Price rises

At SALA we aim to keep the price of our homes to a minimum. However, the cost of materials has increased by over 9% in the last 12 months, so it is inevitable that we pass on a price increase.

The good news is that we have been able to increase our volume and improve our systems and designs, resulting in significant cost savings of our product. As a result we have been able to limit our annual price increase to 1.5%.

The increased prices will be reflected in home contracts dated January 1 st 2007 onwards.

Have a stickybeak

Want to see some examples of constructed SALA homes? We take regular tours to show off our homes at The Green on Brisbane's southside. The next tour takes place on Sunday December 17 at 2pm . Only $10 per person. Email Mike Duggan to book your place or get more details.

The good people at 'Living Smart Noosa' have been tracking the progress of our first house to be built in the Noosa area. You can track the progress of Jeff and karen Zoch by clicking here.

Want to know a secret?

In 2007 we will unveil a brand new display home in inner-city Brisbane. This house will be our first two-storey home, built on a challenging small, steep block. But we can't tell you any more yet …stay tuned.

Green gift ideas

Looking for an environmentally friendly Christmas gift? We sell a couple of useful items which we really believe in and maybe they would be the perfect present for the greenie you know who has everything.

1. A gift of inspiration – the book that changed how many people think of their houses and proved it IS possible to live sustainably. Michael Mobbs' Sustainable House – it's a classic. Send $40 and we'll send it to you to put under the (plantation grown) xmas tree.
2. A light at the end of the environmental tunnel – a top quality torch that never needs batteries or a globe. Give it a shake and it gives you light – it's reliable and cheaper in the long run too and perfect to have at home for the coming storm season.

The Daintree thanks you

SALA customers have saved over 1600 m² of irreplaceable Daintree rainforest from development. For every SALA resource pack purchased, SALA donates a portion of the funds to Rainforest Rescue so that they can purchase privately owned patches of rainforest and ensure that it will never be developed. What a great achievement and we'll definitely keep the donations flowing to this great cause. Who knows how much of the Daintree we can help protect?

Looking for work you believe in?

Come work for us at SALA Homes! We've got two jobs vacant and we want people passionate about sustainable living to fill the roles.

Could you be our new Sales Agent or Bookkeeper or do you know someone with the skills and desire to work in this fast growing industry?

Water saving tips from China

What our Chinese exchange student taught us about water...click here for more

We're all goin' on a summer holiday…

Wow, what a year 2006 has been! Thanks very much to all of our customers, suppliers and partners for joining us on the journey.

But soon our dedicated SALA Homes staff will take some time off over Christmas and the New Year to relax and recuperate. Our office will be closed from December 22nd 2006 to January 11th 2007.

If you have any urgent issues please contact us on our mobiles or via email as we will check for messages throughout the Christmas break.

Have a cracker of a Chrissie and best wishes for the New Year. Stay cool…

Cheers from the SALA team

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