The Grove
Shire of Peppermint Grove
Overview
| Funding | $1 500 000 |
|---|---|
| Location | Peppermint Grove, Western Australia |
| Estimated annual savings | Water: 1 590 kilolitres Energy: 213 000 kilowatt hours CO2 emissions: 174 tonnes |
| Project completed | June 2011 |
The Grove
Source: Shire of Peppermint Grove
The Grove Library Project, now complete, involved the development of a green precinct demonstration site in Peppermint Grove, Western Australia. The demonstration site includes a library, community learning centre and administrative offices now known as The Grove.
Several innovative and ecologically sustainable design features and technologies were incorporated into the building and landscape of this site.
Key initiatives
Key initiatives of The Grove include:
- a 20 kW photovoltaic system, a solar hot water system and a wind turbine system
- energy and water efficient fixtures and fittings, including sensor lighting control
- climate sensitive building design
- a rainwater harvesting system
- onsite treatment and reuse of wastewater and stormwater
Community engagement
On 21 May 2011 a community planting day was held at the Grove. The day provided an opportunity to showcase the water and energy efficiency measures and for the community to take ownership of the site by planting a variety of Western Australian native shrubs. The day included: tours; information and produce stalls; entertainment and activities; and, of course, planting.
Site tours have been conducted for: industry groups; Australian, state and local government representatives; community groups; and schools.
Take a virtual tour of The Grove .
Sustainable September 2011 took place at The Grove, following the success of the 2010 program. Sustainable September aimed to raise awareness and knowledge of sustainable attitudes and behaviours. A diverse array of activities was planned including: a movie screening; soap making; up-cycling and refashioning wholefood cooking; water wise gardening; and keeping chickens.
In December 2010 The Grove hosted an exhibition of furniture made from recycled materials by Curtin University architecture students. The students were challenged to design a prototype of a piece of furniture or light fixture to be made from waste materials or industry off cuts. The aim was not only to focus on the design process through different stages of construction, but also to explore how to design an environmentally friendly furniture piece, taking into consideration all of the stages in its production, including transportation and material in the design. The end results were very diverse with students: welding bicycle sprockets together; shaping acrylic waste from phone booths or cassettes into lamp shades; making furniture from off cuts and aged timber; and upholstering a seat from used car tyres.
Further information
Projects
- Green Precincts Fund Home
- Australian National University
- Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE
- Blue Mountains City Council
- CERES Community Environment Park
- City of Onkaparinga
- Clean Energy for Eternity
- Essendon Football Club
- Launceston City Council
- Manningham City Council
- Shire of Peppermint Grove
- Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
- Sydney Theatre Company
- Wide Bay Water Corporation