Expert Eco Chats 2022
Brought to you by the Nillumbik Shire Council Practically Green funding
​
Are you thinking about solar power, batteries or a hot water heat pump? Looking for more comfort or lowering your energy bills? Renovating or building and looking for environmentally friendly options? Redesigning your garden, installing water tanks or purchasing an electric vehicle?
​
Get free, one-on-one advice and tips from Melbourne's leading sustainability experts at our upcoming Expert Eco Chats 2022.
​
When: Saturday 29 August, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Where: Zoom
Format: 20 minute one on one sessions with experts of your choice. Maximum 2 bookings per household.
​
1. Scroll down to read the profiles of last year's participating experts to give you an indication of the expertise available.
​
​
Any questions, contact events@cleanenergynillumbik.org.au
​
Glen Morris - Solar Quip
Solar PV
Off grid and battery systems
​
Clean Energy Council accredited installer
​
Australian Solar Council member
SolarQuip specialises in off grid solar PV installations carefully designed to provide clean energy through the winter months. Alongside solar PV installations, SolarQuip has installed wind turbines, steam generators and small scale micro hydro power plants. solarquip.com.au
Jesse Glascott -GLUX Builders
Certified Passive House Builder
Cost efficient ways to build
High performance building products, structural methods
​
​
G-Lux Builders is an established family business with over 20 years experience in the construction industry. Specialising in building passive houses and low energy consumption homes. We are experts in using different construction methods and materials that will suit your project. Our qualified in-house team with Passive House and ESD consultants liaises with you and other experts (architects, designers, engineers, etc.) before construction to achieve the best outcome regarding cost and performance for your build project. gluxbuilders.com.au
Jesse's own Warrandyte home featured in Sustainable House Day. The Panel House
John Hassall - Greenly Landscapes
Permaculturist
Enjoys discussing
biodiversity;
​
waste reduction;
​
urban agriculture;
​
rooftop gardens;
​
garden walls.
John Hassall has plenty of experience in building and landscape management - designing, planting and maintaining green roofs and walls. John’s background in waste management sparked his interest in green roofs and walls because they typify modern society’s ability to overlook or waste valuable spaces.
​
He can answer all of your garden design questions, on the ground or on roofs and walls. greenly.net.au
Steffen Welsch - Steffen Welsch Architects
Sustainable Architect
​
Residential building designs that celebrate light, balance and beauty.
​
​
Adopting an ecological approach to the building and its environment, Steffen Welsch Architects work hard to find the right balance between cost efficiency, environmentally sustainable design and implementing innovative systems and products.
Narelle Edgar - Architect
Principal of Narelle Edgar Architect
Collaborates with residential builder, Whitehead Constructions, as Green Box Studio
25 years experience specialising in environmentally responsible homes
Green Box Studio specialises in design and construction of innovative homes, utilising passive design principles, sustainably produced materials, energy and water efficient fittings and systems, low VOC and non-toxic finishes, and waste minimisation strategies.
We believe architecture should make a positive contribution to place and environment, landscapes being inseparable from structures, the environment inseparable from building requirements, and enhancing the lives of those experiencing these interlocking elements is our ultimate goal. Our highly collaborative design approach is key to achieving this, leading to the creation of warm, inviting, materially rich, unique and personal outcomes. greenboxstudio.com.au
Craig Byatt - Craig Byatt Architecture
Holistic architect
​
Based in Nillumbik Shire
​
Specialises in designing environmentally sensitive and energy efficient homes.
Passionate about permaculture principles and working with natural and reclaimed building materials.
With 22 years architectural experience on over 200 projects around Australia, Craig has developed transparent and practical methods to help clients manage budgets, navigate planning requirements and find trusted builders and tradespeople.
​
Having also designed and built his own off-grid family home, Craig knows how important the right advice, information and local connections are in creating a home you love. craigbyatt.com.au
Ratko Mrkogaca - 3ARK
Assesses building performance.​
Advises occupants on how to improve the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of your home.
​
Advises architects and builders on quantifying and identifying improvements to airtightness.
Ratko Mrkogaca became interested in improving the often overlooked aspects of improving the comfort and energy efficiency – especially the “airtightness” of buildings after years of seeing many poor construction practices and habits by occupants that resulted in uncomfortable homes and inefficient buildings. 3ark.com.au
Mark Van Haandel - MVH Constructions
Certified Passive House builder
​
Local to Nillumbik Shire
​
Believes passive homes provide many key benefits including:
improved air quality;
low emissions;
sustainability.
​
MVH Constructions founder Mark van Haandel is passionate about building homes that not only look fantastic but perform equally as well. Mark believes the Passive House standard of building is a solution that provides not only a home that is energy efficient, but also a home that is a healthy environment for its occupants.
Danielle King - Green Moves
Residential energy efficiency
Residential efficiency scorecard ratings
Improving comfort, sustainability, water efficiency
Building net zero homes
​
Renovating for comfort and efficiency
Danielle is a highly respected expert in the sustainable built environment. Her qualifications include a MBA (International Business), Diploma of Management, Sustainability and Carbon Accounting. She is a fully qualified and accredited Residential Efficiency Scorecard Assessor, Energy auditor, carbon accountant and Educator in the field. Danielle sits on several advisory boards and works with state government programs and other sectors to assist in creating efficient sustainable outcomes for both residential and commercial sectors. She co-authored 'The Smart Living Handbook'. greenmoves.com.au
Marie Carrel - Planet Architecture
Specialises in design of new green homes, extensions and renovations
​
Particular attention to:
​
high functionality;
passive solar design;
carbon footprint;
conservation;
non-toxicity.
Marie is the Director of Planet Architecture, member of the Building Designers Association of Victoria and a registered building professional.
Marie pays special attention to integrating environmentally sustainable design with high functionality and stylish aesthetics in her work and has thorough knowledge of the environmental value of building materials. planetarchitecture.com.au
Bryce Gaton - EV Choice
Expert on electric vehicles
​
Contributor for
Renew Economy; and
​
Currently crossing the Nullabor in his EV and looking forward to telling you all about it!
Bryce Gaton has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice. evchoice.com.au
Helen Gibson - Off Grid Energy Australia
Off-Grid energy systems
Solar & Batteries
Back-up generation
Multi-mode inverters/battery chargers/transformers
Australian products
Helen’s a renewable energy consultant with diverse experience in the solar industry, helping Victorians since 2018 to navigate the information, technology choices, rebates and compliance required to install home and small commercial Solar PV and Storage.
Now specialising in custom design and quoting off-grid energy systems for Off-Grid Energy Australia, she’s proud to offer great service based on good
listening and attention to detail, while striving to make the technology easier to understand so that
you can take control of your energy independence.
Helen has a MSc (Science) and is a Climate Reality Leader – she’s passionate about understanding
the issues surrounding a range of renewable energy enabling technologies. offgridenergy.com.au
Chris Johnson - EcoMad
Sustainability consultant
Energy efficiency auditor
​
Draught sealing
Insulation
Hot water systems
​
Chris Johnson is a sustainability consultant, energy auditor and managing director of EcoMad. He specializes in energy efficiency for the built environment including energy audits (2000+), building plan reviews, and product supply and/or install (Draught Sealing, Insulation, Hot Water systems, etc). ecomad.com.au
James Rosier - EcoCraft
Insulation
Draught Proofing
Home audits
Scaling and prioritising home upgrades
We know the average Australian home is very inefficient. But with so many potential upgrades to choose from, James is passionate about cutting through the noise, finding the highest priorities upgrades and scaling work to suit the client’s needs and budget. James is the development manager with Ecocraft, that has helped countless homes, large and small to build comfort and save energy. Ecocraft has also been deeply involved in the delivery of state and local government programs. ecocraft.com.au
Maurice Beinat - EcoMaster
Maurice Beinat co- founded ecoMaster to help reduce the environmental impact of existing homes and help people to achieve affordable and low carbon living that protects from extreme weather and comfortable all year round. If your home is too cold in winter, too hot in summer and has huge energy bills, ecoMaster can fix it for you, permanently and without structural change to your home.
Using his own 1.5 star home as a test case, Maurice has developed and applied technologies to reduce his home's energy consumption by a massive 84% in a very affordable manner. Now carbon neutral, it rates 7.6 stars and pays the family to live there. ecomaster.com.au
Simone Schenkel - Gruen Eco Design
Certified Passive House Architect
​
Architectural studies in Germany based on sustainability and passive house design principles.
​
Australian Passive House Association, Victorian Chapter Chair
​
Gruen Eco Design is passionate about sustainable design, believing that it is something that can and must be affordable for everyone. For Gruen Eco Design it’s important that sustainability is integrated naturally throughout the whole design process, rather than designing something and trying to make it sustainable later.
​
Gruen Eco Design is really proud of their 9.4 star self sufficient home in Smith Gully, which was built on a restricted budget yet achieves all the sustainable and energy efficient features the clients were aiming for. gruenecodesign.com.au
Tony Devlin - Australian Building and Maintenance
Solar PV systems, Batteries
Efficient hot water
Heating/cooling systems
Energy saving
Draught proofing
Green building practices
Tony is a registered electrical contractor and A-Grade electrician, solar accredited design and installation for both grid-connected and stand-alone systems. He has a Cert IV in Renewable Energy and Building Construction, is a GreenSmart Registered Builder, a licensed plumber, and educated in thermal performance assessments. abm.com.au
Rob Catchlove - Wave Consulting
Expert in :
smarter use of rainwater tanks;
water efficiency;
raingardens and water sensitive urban design;
greywater treatment units and;
solar and energy options for homes including batteries, community solar, microgrids and all electric homes.
Wave Consulting is an innovative consultancy focused on tackling climate change through smarter water and energy systems. Rob Catchlove, Director, is an environmental scientist with 18 years’ experience in the water sector. His unique skill set includes science, engineering, social science and community engagement. waveconsulting.com.au
Lucinda Flynn - Going Green Solutions
Accreditated Residential Efficiency Scorecard Assessor
​
Insulation
​
Windows
​
Draft proofing
​
Heating and cooling systems
​
Hot water systems
Lucinda loves to help people understand how their homes use energy, and can advise on a range of upgrades you can make to your building shell and major appliances, to reduce your energy use and be more comfortable. This includes insulation (ceiling, wall, underfloor), windows (double glazing, secondary glazing, cheap glazing improvements, frames, coverings and shading), draught proofing, the most energy efficient ways to heat and cool your home and efficient hot water options. www.goinggreensolutions.com.au/scorecard-energy-efficiency-assessing-services
Michael Stewart - Yarra Solar
Solar PV
​
Batteries
​
Energy efficiency
​
Heat pump hot water systems
​
Federal and Victorian State Government rebates
Michael has been working for the last 14 years in the solar industry, designing and installing solar and battery systems to meet household needs .
He can also advise on other house hold energy efficient appliances mostly relating to electricity. yarrasolar.com.au
Show Michael your latest electricity bills and he'll help you from there.