New, smart building materials can change some of their properties in response to external stimuli, such as temperature. And they are being incorporated into materials such as bricks and roof cladding to make homes more resistant to heat fluctuations. Find out how they work here.
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A Green Roof on a Mini Viking Long House in Blackheath
Inspired by Norwegian sod roofs, Blackheath engineer Mark Liebman built a green roof on his shed. This innovative design significantly reduced stormwater runoff during 2024's heavy rains, potentially by 65 per cent, while also providing excellent insulation and attracting wildlife. The family now fondly refers to their shed as their mini Viking Long House!
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Cool Mountains – Your Guide to Beating the Heat in Blackheath & Surrounds
Doctors for the Environment and Planetary Health
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How to Make Your Home More Fire Resilient
The villages of Bell, Clarence and Dargan found themselves in the path of two converging fires at the end of 2019. Afterwards, the communities engaged fire consultant Tony Hawkins and produced three videos on how to make your property more resilient in the face of fire.
Read More » June Local News
Inspirational, Intergenerational Play in Blackheath
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Gaining Hope And A Home
The Homes for Older Women (HOW) program is a successful community-based solution to the national housing crisis. Since launching in May last year, the Blue Mountains not-for-profit has secured accommodation for 47 older women facing housing insecurity and homelessness.
Read More » Planetary Health: What Does It Mean And Why Does It Matter?
A Carnival of Camellias: Beauty and Biodiversity at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
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Growing Community at the Blackheath Vegie Patch
Mel Michael is the newish owner of the Blackheath Vegie Patch. We talk about making lemonade from local lemons, a philosophy of abundance, and how businesses can make communities more resilient.
Read More » Fire Resistant and Fabulous: An Off-Grid Home in the Megalong Valley
Recreating the Social Benefits of a Corner Store in South Blackheath
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Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo
Glossy Black Cockatoos are listed as vulnerable in NSW. Two upcoming events aim to make a difference for these beautiful birds by creating connected habitats from the Blue Mountains to the Central West.
Read More » ‘Come Friends, Listen’: A Raingarden for Community & Country
June Local News
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How smart home materials can shield us from extreme heat and cut energy bills all year
New, smart building materials can change some of their properties in response to external stimuli, such as temperature. And they are being incorporated into materials such as bricks and roof cladding to make homes more resistant to heat fluctuations. Find out how they work here.
Read More » Drone-powered Conservation: The Search for Fletcher’s Drumsticks
Sustainability at School: Lessons in The Cycles of Life
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Charmaine Ledden-Lewis on Stories for a New World
Hamish Dunlop interviews prize-winning children’s book illustrator, mother, activist and proud Bundjalung woman, Charmaine Ledden-Lewis about the power of storytelling and how we can inspire our children to build a better world.
Read More » Orchids in the Blue Mountains: An invitation Into Mystery
‘Somewhere to Live’: Singing the Song of Homelessness
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Rooves, Tanks & Rain Gardens: Things We Can Do at Home to Save Water and Help the Environment
Planetary Health Initiative writer Hamish Dunlop talks to Amy St Lawrence from Blue Mountains City Council’s Healthy Waterways Team. Amy explains what she’s doing at her home to collect and use water. She also talks about how her rain garden reduces run-off during and after rainfall.
Read More » Govetts Leap Catchment Group: Collaborating to Protect our Wilderness from Weeds
Blue Mountains achieves global standard in Ecotourism
