Archicentre Newsbreak                                                                   4 August 2009
Archicentre Poll
With superannuation capped at $50,000 would you put your extra funds into:
* The renovation of your own home.
* Invest in a negatively geared property. 
* Invest in shares.

Have your say on the Archicentre Poll


 
Archicentre Free Seminars 
 
FULL LISTING NOW ONLINE
 
The Seminars continue in August in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
 
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 Archicentre Green Training
    
Archicentre's Green Training is aimed at providing qualified and certified assessors for the Australia Government Green Home Loan program across Australia.
 
Under the program the Australian Federal Government is assisting Australian households to install solar, water saving, and energy efficient products with a $300 million, five year program.
 
Households will need to engage a qualified Home Sustainability Assessor to investigate their current energy and water use and provide recommendations and advice. Households may then have access to a low interest Green Loan.
 
The assessment fee will be paid by the Federal Government and is between $150 to $200 per assessment.
 
Archicentre is continuing this four day training course and certification to industry and individuals to become Home Sustainability Assessors during August.

Victoria: Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 August 2009 and Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 August 2009 at the Australian Institute of Architects, 41 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
 
New South Wales: Tuesday 11 - Friday 14 August 2009 at the Home Ideas Centre, 63 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria.
 
Queensland: Thursday 20 & Friday 21 August 2009 and Thursday 3 & Friday 4 September at Archicentre, 70 Merivale Street, South Brisbane.

To download Registration Form, click here. 

To review course particulars, training dates and contact, please click here. 

Home Owners warned on rats and mice
 
Australian home owners are facing an increase in the number of rats, mice and possums invading their homes and causing damage.
 
Figures released by Archicentre reveal that Victoria has by far the worst incidence of infestation.
 
Statistics compiled from Archicentre's pre-purchase pest inspections show that 63% of Victorian homes had evidence of rats and mice with 9% of New South Wales and 7% of Queensland homes being affected.
 
The figures also showed that 22% of Victorian homes had evidence of possum infestation with 2% of New South Wales and Queensland homes being affected.
 
The dramatic differences between the states appeared to be due to factors such as animals looking for warm sheltered places in a cool climate and Victorian home owners using more mulching of gardens, open compost bins and garden fertilisers which provided food sources and large trees close to homes which provided entry pathways.
 
Rats and mice were an increasing problem in all states not only because they caused diseases such as salmonella, ringworms and leptospirosis but they had a habit of gnawing on electrical wiring and plumbing pipes potentially causing house fires and unsanitary conditions.
 
Archicentre inspectors have seen a number of instances of rats nesting in central heating units and dust from their droppings being blown around inside the house.  They have also seen significant damage to ceilings from possum urine and to car paintwork from possum droppings potentially causing thousands of dollars in repairs.
 
Some species of rats had developed a taste for soap and had been detected in bathroom waste pipes which they gained access through the sewer system.  This obviously presents potential health hazards when rats move from the sewer system to the insides of homes.
 
Archicentre has established an urban pest inspection service to help home owners deal with pests without endangering the health of their own families or the environment by misusing baits and poisons.   

Archicentre pest inspections