Rockcote’s innovation recognised again

Kate Jones, MP with Bob and Christine Cameron of Rockcote

Yandina-based company Rockcote has added two more awards, to an already impressive list.  In a time when many businesses are struggling to stay afloat, Rockcote is leading the way in sustainability and innovation. Szencorp Green Building Award Rockcote recently took home the Szencorp Green Building Award at the recent United Nations … [Read more...]

Is eco tourism saving the whales?

image: stock.xchng

By Valerie Lewis President of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council All over the globe, people gather in their hundreds on boats, or are taken swimming with the sole purpose of watching one of their favourite cetaceans, whales. This activity has expanded to such an extent that it is now considered to be a major eco-tourism endeavour in all … [Read more...]

Buying Green

Illustration: Alex Mankiewicz

Green consumerism in Australia is increasing.  There is a growing list of products that are marketed under the labels environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, recyclable, biodegradable, climate neutral, organic or just simply green.   Advertisers are finding all sorts of ways to the promote the environmental credentials of products and … [Read more...]

Rockcote wins international recognition

Bob Cameron at the Rockote Design Centre

Australia's first sustainable commercial building wins international recognition Yandina-based Rockcote, manufacturers of eco-friendly paints and renders, have gained international recognition for their Gold Coast showroom. The Rockcote Design Centre, Australia's first truly sustainable commercial building, is built on a former wasteland at … [Read more...]

Balanced Business

beeonflower255x88

The only reason to be in business is to make money. When I hear people say that, it reminds me of bees. Their only reason of existence is to collect honey (ok, pollen). Of course I can't hold still and have to talk about my truth: that there is more to business than making money. That it is a vehicle to increase the wellbeing of everyone … [Read more...]

Ten don’ts when building

worstdressed_house1

Fast forward ten, or even twenty years and fashionistas are doing to houses what they've been doing to celebrities for years. I can hear Carlson Kresley and co, condemning today's suburbs as soooo PCC (Pre Climate Change). So as a community service to our dear readers and to help avoid fashion disasters of future decades, I've put together a little … [Read more...]

Rockcote shows its green colours

Addressing the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bob Cameron of Rockcote remembers the course he took with them years ago. "I was taught that a company is made up of plant, equipment and capital. Staff is outside the company and just employed to run things," he said. He disagreed back then and still does. "A company is a community … [Read more...]

Sustainable housing a must

Sustainable housing design and development must come out of the too-hard basket if greenhouse emissions are to be seriously combated. This edition of Eco brings sustainable development home, exploring the issues of housing in a changing climate. Ann White reports. The recent international Green Cities Conference heard that each resident of … [Read more...]

Affordable eco-houses

Building a house using traditional methods can result in waste and large environmental footprints, but a number of local building companies are rethinking how it's done. Their different approaches, selection of materials and careful design can reduce a home's ecological footprint during construction and over the life of the building. Complete with … [Read more...]

Living smart homes generates change

Signing up to the Living Smart Homes Project has proved a catalyst for deep changes in how one family view the environment. Image: Dayle Batistic and daughter Elleah, and the others in their household, are reaping the rewards of completing the energy and water modules of the Living Smart Homes Project. Photo: Courtesy Batistic … [Read more...]