Council’s sustainability manager, Alice Howe, said Sustainable House Day was all about putting ideas and advice in the hands of homeowners who want to help the environment by making their property more sustainable.

“In 2016, more than 17,000 people visited ‘green homes’ across Australia on Sustainable House Day, and I’m proud to see a Lake Macquarie property on the list this year,” Dr Howe said.

The Murdochs’ house was a great case study in sustainable design, as it was an older home, set on piers, that had been renovated to increase its energy-efficiency, Dr Howe said.

“The three-bedroom family home features double-glazed windows with retractable blinds to protect against the hot summer sun, under-floor insulation and draught proofing, solar hot water and power, water tanks, efficient lighting and appliances, an organic vegetable garden and more. 

“The owners are both qualified permaculture designers, who will be on site on the day to share their knowledge and experience with guests.”

People interested in touring the Murdochs’ home should first register as a visitor at sustainablehouseday.com/subscriber-registration.

Lake Macquarie City Council continues to be one of the top performing local government areas in the state when it comes to the energy efficiency of newly constructed homes and units.

Lake Macquarie City is ranked third in the state, and the best performing council outside Sydney, for carbon emission savings, according to NSW Department of Planning and Environment figure, with estimated accumulated emissions savings of 132 kilotonnes from more than 13,300 new homes and units built since 2005.

These new builds have also saved more than 3,800 million litres of water.

“This is an excellent result that highlights the continued success of council’s comprehensive land-use planning and development assessment process,” Dr Howe said.

You can learn more about sustainable residential development at Council’s Living Smart Festival at Speers Point Park on Saturday, September 23.

Council’s development assessment and compliance officers will be on hand to provide general advice about new builds and renovation projects.