The Environmental Initiatives
The owners have ensured the cabin development did not adversely impact on the fragile and sensitive nature of the coastal dune environment.
Negative impacts were minimized by:
- Providing environmentally sensitive designs in empathy with the site.
- Limiting disturbance to areas to be occupied by construction only.
- Replacing all topsoil, grass and vegetation to prevent degradation of the fragile ecology and to protect the excavated dune area from erosion.
- Conserving soil moisture by the use of seaweed and other mulches.
- Retaining all native vegetation, plus additional planting of trees and shrubs to create further screening and camouflage the site.
- Ensuring that external colours of the cabins complemented the foliage.
- Leaving the site clean and tidy and all timber off-cuts, rubbish and surplus building materials removed, to minimized pollution.
- Placing all services to the cabins underground to prevent unsightly poles.
- For energy conservation, commercial gas is used for instantaneous hot water, heating and cooking.
- Rainwater is collected and delivered by electric pump to each cabin. Plugs are fitted to all basins and dual flush toilets installed.
- Floor and window vents are used in the ecocabins. Solar blinds also absorb excessive heat during the day.
- Vegetated areas and wildlife corridors have been created to encourage bio diversity with the assistance of Landcare and Natural Heritage Grants.
- An efficient waste management system involves the recycling of all bottles and composting of vegetable matter.
- Natural, non-animal fat, eco-toiletries are used.
- Cleaning materials and multiple use toiletries are purchased in bulk.
- Only bleach free, non-toxic, biodegradable detergents are used.
These actions have been taken to reduce the negative impact on the environment, fragile ecology and to protect the health, bio diversity and productivity of the land for the benefit of future generations.