Big blue backyard is committed to a sustainable business

To embrace, enhance and protect the bush land setting. Regenerating the natural environment and sharing this commitment with guests by enabling them to witness and live within this endemic indigenous coastal precinct.

Commitment:

BBB’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in:

• The design of the main house is passive solar.

• Building materials, wherever possible were sourced from sustainable renewable choices.

• Locally sourced and (handpicked) granite was used to create the winter heat bank on the southern wall, releasing the warmth in the chill of the evening and aiding cooling in the summer.

• With the aid of maximum ceiling and wall insulation as well as thermal mass in the ceiling, there is no need for air conditioning in either the house or the hideaways. The only cooling comes from ceiling fans.

• Heating in the hideaways are Nobo panel heaters. Although electric, BBB has found them both efficient and clean.

The three hideaways, built subsequently, have followed a similar philosophy. Independent of the main house they are reached via treated pine boardwalks through the bush with minimal impact to the environment.

Although the area is well bushed with local tea tree (leptospermum laevigatum) and coastal beard-heath (leucopogam parviflories) research shows prior to the lime burning history of the area, the plant diversity was much more extensive. With this in mind Paul, Chef and owner, has undertaken a propagating and planting program over the last ten years to increase the indigenous diversity.

Species added to existing limited varieties are:

Drooping She Oak, Boobialla, Coast Daisy Bush, Moonah ,Coast Pomaderris ,Native Violet , White Correa Kangaroo Apple, Coast Tussack Grass, Coast Sword Sedge.

Further sustainable applications that big blue backyard has embraced:

• Garden path lighting is low energy and on sensors. BBB is currently part way through a process of replacing conventional to LED globes within this area.

• Interior lighting is low energy or LED

• All waste is treated on site. Grey and black water passes through the treatment plant and is recycled to the garden, assisting the re-vegetation of the site.

• All green waste is treated within the property. Weeding is by hand (no chemicals are used) and then composted.

• Storm damaged, fallen and dead tree branches are all mulched on site and spread back onto the garden.

• All paper, cardboard, glass and cans are recycled, leaving minimal general waste. All food waste is composted, creating valuable nutrients for the vegetable and herb garden, produce of which is used in the food preparation for the guest menus.

• Wherever possible the kitchen uses produce which is seasonal and purchased locally.

• BBB is a member (and has been for 10 years) of the Clean Ocean Foundation. An organization fighting for the health of Australia’s Oceans and Waterways. Clean Ocean Foundation first formed to fight the outfall at Gunnamatta which is the beach next to St Andrews Beach.

• Guest amenities are made from natural ingredients (olive and essential oils) and sourced locally. All soaps, sometimes only used once, are collected and returned to the soap maker for recycling.   We need photo of the basin with soap

• All cleaning materials used at BBB are 100% natural and sustainable and 99% biodegradable. They are made up of a mixture of natural colloidal agents and plant based essential oils including Clove, Cypress, Savoury, Mint, Eucalyptus, Pine, Rosemary and Thyme.

• All laundry is done on site; a new more efficient front loader has just been purchased to streamline efficiency and water wastage.

• Linen and towels are sun, air & wind dried and BBB has a small tumble dryer for guest convenience.

A few other recycled projects are:

• Old towels get sewn into dog bed covers

• Breakfast and dinner cotton napkins get recycled into tea towels in the kitchen once they become stained or dull

• All light globes and batteries are collected and recycled (to local waste transfer station).

Additional innovations:

• To sustain and improve BBB’s guest experience, blue arrows were painted on stones and strategically placed along an existing track from BBB through the National park to the beach. This subtle hand painted signage allows the guests easy and adventurous access to the beach to and from their hideaways optimizing their ocean beach experience in a purely natural innovative way.

• BBB has become a member of Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere.

• BBB has converted to natural gas from LPG bottled gas. Although a significant financial investment the conversion reflects BBB’s commitment to more efficient use of resources. This will reduce BBB’s carbon miles by eliminating the monthly truck deliveries.

• Lastly, BBB’s Chef and host now cycles to the local fishmonger and other local suppliers for the guest’s dinner requirements (20 - 40 kilometers). This has led to less vehicle usage and emissions to the point BBB now only runs one vehicle and at the same time supports local businesses and suppliers. Also, one of the owners is getting very fit!