Merewether E Change: the David Wells and Jo Denham story

I work as environmental advisor for road construction projects.

In 2006 we bought a 1970s east facing tri-level house on 600m2 in Merewether, a beachside suburb in Newcastle.

For the age of the house, some of its original features were quite advanced:

• full roof insulation,
• substantial eaves on the east and west side of the house, and
• large window openings to pick up the N/E cooling sea breeze in summer.

What's been done

During our ownership, we have made a number of significant changes to the house and garden to make it more energy efficient and enhance biodiversity. These measures include:

• The demolition of a 35,000 l in-ground swimming pool which consumed large amount of electricity, water and chemicals. The pool’s removal and subsequent back filling increased the size of the back yard and made more permeable areas thereby reducing surface water runoff.
• The removal of all exotic plant species and replanting with a full indigenous native garden comprising groundcover, shrub and canopy species. Species include bush tucker plants which are harvested for fruit, and in damp areas moisture loving plants such as Casuarinas and Paperbarks. All plants have been grown from locally sourced seed grown by a community nursery.
• The construction of shade devices on east and west sides of house now minimise sun intrusion in summer by providing shade in the early morning and late afternoon but still let in sun during winter.
• A leaking tile roof was replaced with more thermally efficient corrugated iron. Additional R3.5 insulation was installed as were whirly birds for cooling and heating benefits in summer and winter.
• All incandescent light globes have been replaced with compact fluorescents.
• An electric hot water storage unit is in the process of being replaced with a solar unit that will be operational soon.
• The construction and planting of a vegetable garden means we now have a supply of organic seasonable vegetables.
• The building of a chicken coop with three hens now means we have fresh daily organic free-range eggs. The chickens are let out into the garden to forage on a daily basis. We have to take care as I am sure our kelpie-cross dog sees roasting chicken on plate whenever she gets close.
• All green-waste from the kitchen is either fed to our three chickens or composted through two compost units. Compost is reused throughout the garden.
• The installation of 1/4 turn garden taps reduces wastage as do the on/off triggers on all hoses.

What's left to do

• We are going to fit water tanks with vacuum operated electric pumps to supply garden needs as well as for laundry and cistern flushing.
• We would like to fit photo-voltaic cells for electricity generation but we are holding off making an investment until the situation becomes clearer.
• The replacement of current deteriorating aluminum window units with new double glazed units.
• A kitchen renovation with current inefficient appliances (stove and oven) dating from the early 1970’s being replaced with a mixture of efficient modern gas and electric units.

It’s all great! We eat better, we feel good, we save money, and there is more time for leisure including surfing yeaaaa!