Speed date a sustainability expert

Published on 31 May 2018

Community members will be given a chance to ‘speed date’ with a number of sustainability experts in the first ever event of its kind in Western Sydney.

The event, ‘speed date a sustainability expert’, is supported by Blacktown City Council and will be held by the not-for-profit Alternative Technology Association. It will be hosted at the Blacktown Civic Centre on Sunday, 17 June.

Leading industry experts including green home architects, designers and sustainability professionals will provide free advice to the public during 20-minute "dates".

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said the free event is a must for those interested in being green.

“It’s a great initiative to aid the community in becoming more environmentally friendly,” Mayor Bali said.

“The advice which will be provided by the experts will go a long way in helping residents be sustainable.”

The sustainability experts will cover a range of issues including, energy efficiency, solar power and batteries, lighting, sustainable gardens and renovations.

MODE homes director and sustainable architect Matthew Dynon designs and builds prefabricated homes and home extensions from a factory in Blacktown.

Mr Dynon – who will be present at the event - said there were many initiatives which could make a home more comfortable in both summer and winter.

"Insulation is very important to keeping warm, but also keeping cool,” Mr Dynon said.

“Insulate your ceiling, but also think about insulating your walls and floors to ensure cool air is kept inside in summer.

"Shading is also crucial. If you have external shades in the right places, they can make an enormous difference to inside temperature. Make sure you effectively seal the draughts in your house and start considering double glazing,” he said.

"Thermal comfort has a lot do with controlling air flow. If you are planning to build, design your home so there are airlocks that reduce the spread of hot air and place doors and windows for good cross-ventilation for the cool change."

"And there are many other things that people can do without significant cost that can improve their home."

ATA chief executive Donna Luckman said Speed Date a Sustainability Expert is an informative and fun event.

"It's a really fun experience as well as being informative in a no-obligations environment.", she said; "It's free but you must book first."

Speed Date a Sustainability Expert

When: Sunday, 17 June from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm. Where: Blacktown Civic Centre, Nirimba Room, Entrance via Campbell Street Blacktown Cost: Free! Bookings are essential. Register: http://sdse.ata.org.au/sdse_event/blacktown/ or call 03 9639 1500.

For comment from Alternative Technology Association and high-res images please contact Sasha Shtargot on (03) 9631 5409 [email protected]

Media contact:

Communications Unit, Blacktown City Council Martha Azzi – (02) 9839 5926 Robert Grieve – (02) 9839 6543 (phones divert to mobiles after hours) email:  [email protected]