Margaret River’s Ice-Block Challenge shows ratepayers to ‘think smaller’ on climate change

Organisers of the Margaret River Icebox Challenge which set up in the town’s main square in April say they’re happy with the demonstration which proved their point about sustainable building design.

The challenge, which saw two locally-made “tiny houses” demonstrate thermal efficiency during a fortnight based in the Fearn Avenue festival precinct, ended with a stark difference for the two 800kg ice blocks each contained.

Willcox and Associates architect Timmo Bleeker, who oversaw the project, said the ice-block in the tiny home built to the national construction code lasted eight days before melting.

In contrast, the block in the second house, built with passive-house principles to minimise the need for heating or cooling, lasted 14 days.

Mr Bleeker told the Times the project was buoyed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s support.

“The aim of the event was to raise public awareness towards the benefits of achieving thermally better-performing buildings beyond the standard construction code in Australia, that operate energy efficiently and don’t cause a risk to comfort and health,” he said.

“The broader environmental benefits, with lower emissions and reduced running costs, contribute to better outcomes for society.”

The challenge was backed by the Shire because planners were interested to explore further options around houses with smaller footprints as well as more rigorous sustainability measures.

Shire sustainability planner Jared Drummond said the challenge was directly linked to the objectives of the Shire’s Climate Action Plan and sustainable housing initiatives outlined in the latest draft Local Planning Scheme.

“It was fantastic to see how well the passive house performed thermally compared to the house constructed to the National Housing Code,” Mr Drummond said.

Shire president Paula Cristoffanini told the Times the challenge was welcomed as a practical demonstration of the benefits of energy-efficient design.

“We hope this event inspires people,” she said.

“Australian building standards fall far below international standards and we believe our community deserves better.

“Energy-efficient homes result in lifelong savings in utilities, a much more comfortable life, and have less impact on the environment.”

Cr Cristoffanini said the challenge, hosted in the town’s centre so residents could see the hands-on demonstration, also showed people smaller actions could help address concerns around climate change.

“We build the largest homes in the world,” the president said.

“We hope to encourage our community to build smaller homes with big benefits — lower bills, healthy people and a safer planet.”

Mr Bleeker said housing was a key way to address climate change because about 35 per cent of global energy consumption came from the building sector.