October/November 2016

FLIR0001Work on the ClimateSafeHouse project has begun. At present this involves Home Performance Assessments provided at no cost to some residents in the low lying areas of Waitati and Long Beach. Information on the scope of the ClimateSafeHouse project will be soon available online at www.climatesafehouse.nz. This is a project about community, collaboration and climate action, and we’re very pleased with all the partnerships that have been developed around this project. We’re particularly grateful for the support being provided by the Otago Community Trust, Otago Polytechnic staff and students and Tom Clark.

Other services we are currently able to provide to the community include:

 

  1. Cosy Energy Advice: free household energy advice and guidance over the phone (local call: 03-9291323).
  2. Affordable firewood and insulation: email [email protected] or look online for details.
  3. Healthy Rental Certification: to help landlords meet their legal obligations to provide healthy rental properties. Email [email protected]
  4. Home Performance Assessments: we provide a subsidised service that includes an assessment of the house, a diagnosis of problem areas, and an assessment of options with prioritised recommended actions. This service can currently be provided at no cost to some residents as part of the ClimateSafeHouse project. Email [email protected] or call in to visit.
  5. Local Food Directory: free online listing of local producers, and local food outlets. Email [email protected]

These services and the ClimateSafeHouse project are examples of some of what we currently do in the community and they are something that we’d like to do more of. There is potential for more if and when funding becomes available. We’re also working with partners and exploring smart-grid and micro-grid options. This is about using the local grid in a more intelligent way by allowing households who generate electricity to join together and use their own electricity and energy from the grid in the most cost effective way.

You can find us on Facebook as Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust, on Twitter as @BlueskinPower and you can call 03 4822048 or call in to visit and find out more about any of our work. Our office is located in Waitati at Waitati School and you can contact us by email at: [email protected].

By Scott Willis