Hamilton architect Bianca Scaife will present a case study of such a house, looking at how comfort and style can still be achieved with a design that maximises energy efficiency. 

The second annual expo at the Hamilton Institute for Rural Learning (HIRL) will offer a range of other seminars, workshops and more than 20 exhibitors. 

They include Crafted Green, which produces joinery free of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, a product that has been available overseas for some time but is new to the Australian market. 

Other presenters are Andrew Lang, a leading expert in the use of wood products as biofuels, John Liddell from Beyond Zero Emissions, Peter Reefman from Keppel Prince and Heinz de Chelard, a home energy efficiency expert. 

Workshops on composting, vegetable gardening, worm farming and an indigenous garden tour are part of the program and there will be an “up-cycled fashion parade” featuring clothing from local op-shops. Food will also be available, including pizzas topped with freshly-sourced vegetables made in the HIRL’s new wood-fired pizza oven. 

Southern Grampians Shire sustainability coordinator Kylie McIntyre said the expo was a must for anyone thinking of building, renovating or retro-fitting their home for energy efficiency.

But she said there was also something on offer for anyone who was simply interested in living a more sustainable life and a large part of living sustainably was “keeping it local”.

“People are looking for a quality product, but where it comes from and where their advice comes from is equally important,” she said.