SALA Homes Newsletter June 2008

In this months newsletter we have loads of great reading. We hope that you enjoy it.

In a shameless display of self congratulations, we detail our recent success in becoming finalists in not one, but two prestigious environmental awards. Check it out here.

If you're looking for solar hot water, click to read about what years of research has revealed to SALA.

There are a plethora of rebates available to the new home owner and home renovator. We look at some of these in this issue.

We have also had some staff changes and, if you are looking to work with the SALA Group, we have four positions open.

Read on and please feel free to forward our newsletter on to your friends. If they would like to receive future newsletter’s direct, tell them they can subscribe on-line at http://www.salahomes.com.au/newsletter.html

A portable heating device for Earth Guardians
by Bruce Connell

Many years ago when I was attending boy scouts, the leader of the troop organised an Aboriginal man from the Fisheries and Wildlife department to come in to speak with us. He spoke of many things but two things he said resonated and started many of his audience along the road of understanding. Read more..

SALA Homes in the Finals!

On the back of winning last year’s Queensland Sustainable Industries Minister’s Award for Climate Smart Leadership, SALA Homes has recently been named as a finalist for two more major awards! Read more...

Solar hot water solutions
by Scott Elsom

The SALA Group have never offered traditional 'flat plate' solar hot water heaters with our kit homes. The inefficiencies of this technology, coupled with the monopolisation of the solar hot water industry over the past 20 plus years has resulted in artificially high prices in Australia. However, developments over the past five years have resulted in a number of international suppliers entering the Australian market with traditional and non traditional solar hot water products. After over seven years of research, it is only recently that SALA has commenced supplying solar hot water heaters as a standard inclusion on every SALA home.

For more about what we have learned about solar hot water heaters over the years click here.

Price Rises

Continual improvement of our systems and processes, as well as improved purchasing power have allowed us to hold off on any price increases to our customers for well over two years. Unfortunately recent increases in freight, steel, timber and other building materials have meant that the inevitable has to occur. As of  1st July, 2008 the price of all SALA homes will be increasing by around 7%.
Please use this link to our price page  

Available rebates and discounts

Not only does a SALA home reduce your living costs, but with recent increases in energy and water saving rebates and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) each SALA home is now eligible for up to $12 000 in government rebates and discounts (depending on where you live). Now that’s affordable housing!

Details of some of the rebates available can be seen here.  For regular updates on the market price of RECs visit the Habitat Hardware (www.habitathardware.com.au) home page which is updated daily with the latest REC prices.

Friends of SALA – Planet Radio

Planet Radio 88fm is the world’s first environmental radio service. Based in Brisbane, it promotes environmentally friendly, sustainable business, music, art and living practices. Rather than trying to ‘sell’ the benefits of this uniquely Australian commercial radio station, we thought we’d just give you a link so it can speak for itself. To listen to some great Australian music and talk, listen to the live stream or to visit the Planet Radio main site for more information on what makes them tick.

SALA’s move to Cairns a welcome success

SALA's agent in the Far North, Ghis Gallo, has been very busy and has been working with the local community in broadening awareness of sustainable housing.

Greenliving Expo
by Ghis Gallo

On a fabulous 30 degree Autumn day that can only be experienced in Cairns, the inaugural Greenliving Expo hosted by the Tropical North Queensland TAFE and supported by ABC regional radio was attended by close to 1000 visitors. Workshops throughout the morning included worm farming, permaculture, green motoring and of course sustainable living presented by SALA’s own Ghis Gallo. Read more...

Staff changes

This month at SALA we bid farewell to Nigel Chilton, who has returned to his first love – hands-on building. Nigel has his own business - Creative Living - which has been certified as a SALA Green Team. Green Teams are independent tradespoeple who are very familiar with SALA homes and make an excellent choice for customers who are looking for builders to construct their SALA home. While we say goodbye to Nigel, we welcome Adrian Lewis to our team in the role of Estimator. Adrian has recently completed a Databuild course and is nearly finished a HIA Estimators course. He is an electrician by trade (in England) and has some experience with estimating and drafting. He has made a conscious career choice to become an estimator and it is an honour that he has chosen us to start that career.

Employment Opportunities

The SALA Group currently has the following vacancies:
Projects Co-ordinator – SALA Homes
Sales Agent – Gold Coast – SALA Homes
Hardware Co-ordinator – Habitat Hardware
Sales Agent – Habitat Hardware
For more information on these positions visit the employment page  or contact the Employment Manager at jobs@salahomes.com.au

Brisbane’s Green Festival

The Greenfest website is now live and can be accessed from www.greenfest.com.au to find out all about Brisbane’s Green Festival.

We hope you find lots of interesting things in our newsletter. Don't forget to pass it on. Your friends can subscribe to the newsletter at http://www.salahomes.com.au/newsletter.html

The SALA Homes Pty Ltd newsletter is a bi-monthly newsletter aimed at keeping SALA's clients and friends up-to-date with company happenings. If there is a new section you would like to see in our newsletter or you have some information that may be of interest to us then please email the Editor – Julie Richardson at admin@salahomes.com.au.

Click here to read previous newsletters.

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