A project years in the making, Tassie’s biggest passive solar greenhouse design is taking shape in the small community of Miena in the Great Lake highlands region of Tasmania. After many hurdles that threatened to derail the vision, seeing the nine-metre high structure rising above the community centre is creating a buzz like no other. So when will it be able to feed this eager community?
Steps towards a sustainable greenhouse
Before the food can grow there is still much to do. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it seems it takes a whole community of helpers to take a sustainable greenhouse design through to reality! From the hours of research on greenhouse technology to proposals, permits, building plans and grants it’s a project that to this point has been a rocky road.
HED Consulting is there along the way, often in problem-solving mode. David Abel, HED Consulting Building Designer notes, “These projects are visionary and with that comes some unknowns, but we are able to solve the issues that arise to keep it progressing in the right direction. Finding ways forward is one of our strengths and it’s been put to the test, thankfully with success so far”. An operational and sustainable greenhouse is now in sight.
The greenhouse build
With permits issued, AJR Construct was engaged to construct the greenhouse. Toni Glowacki from the Miena Committee who has been a part of the project team from the beginning, says that the approach from HED Consulting and AJR Construct has really helped morale around the project. “They’ve been there with so much support and guidance, helping with any problem-solving needed and really becoming a part of the community when they’re here. We feel that we’re in safe hands, like a big family project.”
Construction materials began arriving earlier in the year and when the slab was poured it showed the community the scale of the greenhouse from plan to reality. With the biggest crane Miena has ever seen, nine vertical metres of steel framing was installed over three days.
It quickly became a flagship icon soaring above the community centre, generating a lot of conversation for the town and also some new visitors. Driving around Great Lake, visitors as far away as Darwin have been too intrigued not to find out what this structure is. One has been so impressed with the adaption of the passive solar technology that they’re returning to Darwin to reverse it for their hot climate, using the nighttime cool air to maintain a daytime optimal growing temperature.
Most recently the framework for the mezzanine floor has gone in and walls are transforming the structure into its final shape. As with most builds, decisions have been made along the way and seen some changes to the original plans. For example, the storage shed within the greenhouse has been removed from the plan to keep the focus on growing food within the available space. The committee have never lost sight of the purpose of this project – to grow their own food and nourish their community by managing temperature extremes throughout the year. Being able to do it in a way that keeps costs low and respects the environment remains at the heart of the project.
Tassie weather impacts greenhouse progress
Timelines mean nothing when the highland winds decide to blow. On the day we spoke to Toni, it was tools down on getting the $30k of polycarbonate installed. Until the wind drops it’s just not safe to continue so the committee must find patience once again.
However, they feel excited and confident that by the end of 2023, they’ll have some seedlings planted in the greenhouse to pour the next stage of research, care and attention into. The community of Miena are planning what will be a great celebration party inside the greenhouse to mark this forward-thinking use of sustainable technology in such a remote part of the State before its true purpose takes hold.
Funding to the finish line
With costs skyrocketing since the inception of the greenhouse design, funding applications are ongoing. The fans for example have gone from a $3k purchase price to a $7k outlay which has a huge impact on project viability. Small grants are being sought to help with the final stages with a list of items still required. A generous $10k donation by FRRR has meant that a trailer for transport and garden beds are possible but more is needed. Every bit counts including the second-hand roller door and kitchen sink kindly donated to the committee and the virtual brick fundraising campaign underway that anyone can be involved in.
A passive solar greenhouse is a unique project to contribute to and ties in with the sustainability initiatives that many businesses want to be proactive in so the community is hopeful of further support to get across the line.
Going for a greenhouse record
This is certainly a creative committee who have got a new goal in its sights with the technology they’ll now have in their backyard. They’re taking on the Tasmanian Royal Botanical Gardens in a competition to grow a banana tree that yields fruit! With their climate-controlled passive solar greenhouse, they are hopeful they can do what the botanical gardens haven’t been able to…produce a banana ripe and ready to eat. Not content with one tropical fruit, the committee are also going for a pineapple as well. It will be two years in the making so time will tell!
Greenhouse trialling
Head gardener Ron Roach will be leading the community in learning how exactly the greenhouse can operate to its best. They’ve decided to implement self-watering garden beds and there will be testing and trialling of the battery and sensor systems to fine-tune them for maximum plant growth. Working with nature and sustainable technology will take some learning but there’s no shortage of enthusiasm from the Miena local to see it succeed.
When the first fruits, vegetables and herbs sprout we’re sure it will be the beginning of a new phase of growth for this budding Tasmanian community. When design, engineering and construction come together on projects like this, it’s a reminder of the positive direction we can take our skills for community and connection. If you have a sustainable project that requires expertise, contact our team at in**@****************om.au.
