Useful Links

For links to websites for companies which have supplied HIllside Project, click on the PARTNERS 
tab above.

The following links are useful resources relating to designing and building an environmentally                              efficient and fire safe building:

Your Home Technical Guide An Australian Federal Government initiative offering a suite of materials (including a brilliant Technical Guide) on environmentally sustainable homes.  www.yourhome.gov.au	Calculating sun angles: Geoscience Australia  Here is where you can calculate sun and moon azimuths and elevations, to assist with calculating eave widths to allow entry of winter sun through window openings but block summer sun. www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/astro/smpos.jsp
Identifying prevailing winds: Bureau of Meteorology   Provides information on prevailing winds for your area (speed and direction).  www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/selection_map.shtml	Solar passive building design  A good outline of solar passive design.  www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_building_design

Federal Government rebates  Details the rebates available for solar panels, solar hot water rebates, rainwater/greywater rebates etc.  www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html	Changes to Building Code of Australia and thermal performance of precast concrete  An excellent publication produced by National Precast Concrete Association Australia, summarising latest requirements of the BCA and outlining complying precast solutions. www.nationalprecast.com.au/datasheets/Precaster_News_Iss%2046WEB.pdf
Energy efficient building and benefits of thermal mass   Download a range of publications covering climate responsive house design, solar passive design and thermal benefits of solid construction.  www.concrete.net.au/search.php?category=Thermal performance&menu=3	5 star requirements  Download a 5 star house fact sheet outlining how new homes and extensions can comply with changes to the BCA and the SA Housing Code. www.planning.sa.gov.au/download.cfm?DownloadFile=5FFD3CDA-F203-0D46-A0B993E30D0C0385

Other useful links:

SA Dept of Transport Energy & Infrastructure energy publications (see Residential advice)
http://www.sustainable.energy.sa.gov.au/publications

City of Newcastle NSW Energy smart home technical manual 
http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/5181/ndcp2005__tm__09__energy_smart_homes_051011.pdf

Energy efficient house saves money http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/06/energysaverhouse/

Green building with concrete http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/greenbuildinginformation/

Designing in High Fire Danger Areas:

Archicentre's Bushfire Design Guide http://archicentre.com.au/bushfireguide.pdf

CSIRO's Landscaping & Design for Bushfire Areas, publication http://www.csiro.au/resources/psiy.html

Fire Protection Association Bushfire Resistant Design information http://www.fpaa.com.au/information/docs/Bushfire%20Resistant%20Design.pdf

Your Home Technical Manual Bushfire information http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs35.html

Bushfire Info website - great ideas to help you become ready and stay safe in bushfires http://www.bushfireinfo.com/

Cease-Fire website - infomation on products and services to assist with protection against fire http://www.ceasefire.com.au/pages/

Houses for Bushfire prone sites, publication by Cement Concrete Aggregates Australia http://www.concrete.net.au/media/pdf/Bushfires.pdf

Australian Standard AS3959-1999 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire prone areas http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/file_system/attachments/State08/Attachment_20071220_F5C26EE1.pdf

NSW Rural Fire Service, Building in a bush fire prone area information http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1009

Tips from Architect Lindsay Johnston on making your house bushfire proof http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/feature_stories/article_1265.asp?s=1