Timaru’s first EcoCentre on track for April 2022 opening
Sustainable South Canterbury Trust have a very special project underway, which is closely aligned with the values and goals of Sustainable is Attainable.
We’re excited to share the news that Timaru’s first EcoCentre is on track to open in April 2022. The centre is part of a network of ‘Environment Hubs’ across New Zealand, and will respond to the urgent need for action on carbon emissions, control of air and water quality, and food security.
Check out Environment Hubs Aotearoa to see what their work is all about. You can also take a look at the interactive hub map here, which demonstrates the significant South Island gap that needed to be filled!
The EcoCentre will be a venue for school, business and wider community education on sustainability issues, from energy efficiency to water use, nature conservation and diverting useful waste materials away from landfill. The building has been converted from the former Highfield sports clubhouse, extended and relocated onto new foundations, on a closed Timaru District Council landfill site facing Redruth Park.
Just a few sustainable building features include:
- Timber building redesign (by Rushton Architecture) uses passive solar design based on new north-facing windows.
- Rooftop power generation via photovoltaic panels.
- Insulation at ‘above code’ thickness, featuring NZ wool and fibreglass batts (installed by Energy Smart Timaru).
- Waste treatment system donated by Natural Flow.
- Roofing donated by NZ Steel.
- Water heating generated by heat pump system, donated by Warmth NZ.
- Floor coverings from Interface.
- Rainwater tanks donated by RX Plastics.
Sustainable South Canterbury Trust are also the organisation behind Timaru’s popular re-use shop The Crow’s Nest, right next door to the new EcoCentre. Funding support has been kindly provided by Mid & South Canterbury Community Trust and Timaru District Council, alongside legacy donations and gifts from local businesses and community groups. It’s fantastic to see so many sponsorships and donations provided, demonstrating the commitment from local businesses to showcasing more sustainable products and systems.
The EcoCentre will be available for businesses to demonstrate products and promote sustainable aspects of their business as soon as it opens in 2022. The Trust will recruit a part-time coordinator, to build contacts with potential business users of the venue, who will be able to host mini-conferences, training and display events.
The coordinator will also work with our community to plan a programme of workshops and short courses, addressing the pressing environmental challenges we are currently facing. In addition, various sectors can utilise the facility to convey sustainability messages to their suppliers and customers, as well as Councils, Government departments and non-government organisations.
Everyone in the community will have access to this fantastic resource, and the Trust welcome all to join in creating it.
If you would like to get involved with the EcoCentre, send us an email and we can connect you with the right people!