Recently I have got back walking around mainly Wareena Wetlands and One Mile Creek from Perry Street bridge to Rowan Street bridge, small distances only, but the only area I have heard a frog is near Rowan Street bridge. There used to be heaps of frogs everywhere, very loud sometimes and deafening. I have noticed also there is limited water flow into Wareena Wetlands and One Mile Creek in this area and the water in sections doesn’t look healthy. I noticed this discoloured water coming from a drain and into the creek near Wareena Wetlands, which I did report. EPA is going to follow up and see if they can find where the discoloured water is and which drain system it might have come from - they will keep me informed. As for the frogs, I guess if I was a frog and polluted water kept coming into my home, I would move out too, or if there was not enough water for me to live in that could be a downer. So what can we do and who can help us make the Wetlands and One Mile Creek water good enough to bring the frogs back and keep the water flowing not just when it rains? If anyone has any suggestions where to start or who to speak to I would be grateful, as I’m at a loss where to start. A friend who lives near the Roy Street bridge said he noticed several years ago that the frogs were moving out. Has anyone else noticed that the frogs have gone near your area, or maybe you have heard them in a particular area? Send me an email if you'd like to: diane.farmer@bigpond.com. It would be interesting to find out how bad the problem is or am I just not walking at the right time? I’m walking around 9am - midday. Diane Farmer, Wangaratta A treasure of 1960s sustainable design – irreplaceable Wangaratta was an early adopter of sustainable housing when Bruck Australia commissioned leading Australian architect in sustainable small housing, Robin Boyd, to build a collection of houses in Bruck Court along with Bruck House in the 1960s. Amid the current housing crisis, where affordability and sustainability are pressing concerns, we should draw inspiration from the innovative approach of the Australian Institute of Architects “Small Home Service” that ran from the 1950s until the late 70s. We could do well to apply the principles developed and applied by Robin Boyd in addressing the contemporary housing challenges we face today. Boyd focused his small house designs on modular homes and their flexibility. The design allowed for easy expansion or modification as the homeowner’s needs changed. Whether it was adding an extra bedroom, expanding the living space, or incorporating sustainable features, Boyd’s modular homes were adaptable to evolving lifestyles. This flexibility not only catered to individual needs but also made the homes more sustainable in the long run. Architect-designed small homes were promoted to combat the shortage of affordable housing and empower individuals to realise their dreams of homeownership. Even in the 1960s, the Small Home Service recognised the importance of sustainability. The designs incorporated energy efficient, passive design strategies, such as orientation for optimal natural light and ventilation, being responsive to the prevailing landscape, with minimal impact on the environment. Additionally, the use of energy-efficient materials and technologies was promoted. The Australian Institute of Architects’ Small Home Service from the past mid-century offers valuable insights that can be applied to address the current housing crisis. The principles of efficient space utilisation, design innovation, and sustainability, offer affordable and environmentally conscious housing solutions for the masses. Our Bruck Court houses stand as a testament to innovative thinking and building both in design and building, of which we in Wangaratta should be proud. Claire Russell, Wangaratta
