Eco online: environmental news, features and opinion from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Environmental news from Eco online, Sunshine Coast and Queensland environmental news, with indepth sections including interviews, sustainable business, eco adventures, green living and wildlife
Ian Christesen puts some questions to Professor Tim Smith PhD who is the Director of the Sustainability Research Centre at University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). Prior to his appointment with USC, Dr Smith was a senior research scientist with the Resource Futures Program of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. He works on a number of projects around … [Read more...]
By Paul Mischefski The movement towards a return to living in communities is one that is growing in momentum in Australia and world-wide. Smaller micro-communities and larger ventures are springing up alongside others that have been long-established. Yet many people also consider a move to community living with a mixture of curiosity, dread, … [Read more...]
Anyone who has attended meetings will know -- the greater the number of people, the less chance there is of obtaining an outcome. Therefore the outcome of Copenhagen should come as no surprise. Governments from wealthy countries know that voters are easily swayed by economic arguments. Poorer countries want more for their people. While we all … [Read more...]
Letters to the Editor Open letter to the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh Dear Madam Premier, Recently I had a short and enjoyable holiday in Noosa but was dismayed to read in the local papers of the plans by the Minister for Infrastructure to “reform” planning approvals and the possibility of development in the ‘Wild Horse’ … [Read more...]
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...]
As the Sunshine Coast continues to push towards sustainability, the state government appears to be doing its best to undermine our local community’s efforts. Narelle McCarthy reports. Major amendments to the Integrated Planning Act 1997, carrying implications for local planning powers and the critical assessment of applications, have … [Read more...]
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...]
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 is often promoted in the mainstream market as an easy fix; add a bunch of systems on to a building that offsets the power and water usage, throw in some ‘family friendly' features and you get the Big ‘S' badge. Only a handful of companies in the mass market are genuinely promoting responsible material choices and … [Read more...]
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