Houses showcase inspiration, ideas and the key to sustainable living

THE doors of sustainable houses across the Bellarine and Geelong will fly open to the public next weekend.

Sustainable House Day will give people the chance to inspect properties that have been designed, built or retrofitted for energy efficiency, comfort and sustainability.

Held on Sunday October 14, visitors can chat with experienced homeowners, join informative tours and receive expert technical advice from designers, builders, solar installers and product suppliers.

Graceburn is a classic brick veneer home built in 1980 with low verandah all the way round, orientated east-west on five acres on the outskirts of Drysdale.

It’s a work in progress for Kate Lockhart and Justin Grace and their young family.

Since 2006, Kate and Justin have spent a few thousand dollars each year transforming a conventional house to a more sustainable home.

“Despite a tight budget, each year they invested in improvements including water tanks, insulation, rammed earth studio, skylights, solar hot water, double glazing, efficient wood heater, solar power and a freshwater swimming pool,” event coordinator Vicki Perrett said.

“They are adept at sourcing and repurposing secondhand materials.

“They use a closed loop food waste approach, where all vegetable waste is fed to their chooks and then the chook manure is distributed to their orchard of 70 fruit trees and vegie patch. They are delighted to see native birds returning as the habitat is restored.

“Landcare volunteers will also be running garden tours of the five-acre property.”

This year will mark the 10th time Geelong Sustainability has coordinated the annual event for the City of Greater Geelong.

Ms Perrett said she wanted people to discover firsthand the economic, wellbeing and environmental benefits of sustainable living and smarter homes.

“We want people to wander through a wellorientated home and feel firsthand the benefits of passive solar house design,” Ms Perrett said.

“It is knowledge not money that is the key to a comfortable, cost-effective home.”

There are 13 properties opening to the public across Geelong and the Bellarine.

Open times are staggered so people can visit more houses with those in and around Geelong open from 10am to 2pm, and those on the Bellarine from 1pm to 5pm.

A gold coin donation is requested from adults at most properties with accompanied children free. Go to geelongsustainability.org.au/shd for more information so you can plan which homes you want to visit.