About Tim’s Place Apartments – A Green Host Eco Ok

Environmentally Friendly Accommodation in the Grampians

Tim’s Place Apartments is an environmentally friendly accommodation venue that is located in Halls Gap in the Grampians National Park. It is centrally located in the Wonderland region of Halls Gap. In fact, it is located in the gap in the mountain range found by Charles Hall in 1842.

It took 20 years after this discovery before the first white community settled in Halls Gap. Halls Gap, also known as Budja Budja was previously occupied by 41 aboriginal clans speaking the Djab Wurrung language.

Tim’s Place Apartments adheres to an environmentally and socially responsible policy of respect for the environment and the community.

Tim’s Place Apartments – A Green Host Eco Ok

There are four apartments at Tim’s Place Apartments. The two-bedroom apartments are fully self-contained and located at 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap in the Grampians / Gariwerd National Park. The front apartment is occupied by the owner / manager.
The business has been designed to have a low carbon footprint and to be environmentally responsible.
The following concepts show how Tim’s Place Apartments achieves its’ goals.

Building Construction

1. The main building is north facing with clerestory windows.
2. There is concrete, terrazzo floors inside the buildings which retains heat during the winter months and keeps the apartments cool during the summer months.
3. Along the north side of the building there is a pergola with deciduous vines. This allows heat in during the winter and keeps heat out during the summer.
4. The clerestory windows are open during the summer to allow heat out of the building and closed during the winter to keep the heat inside the building.
5. The clerestory windows also allow light into the south side of the building which reduces the need for lighting.
6. The clerestory windows allow sunlight into the south side of the building during the winter which heats the rooms.
7. All windows and doors are double glazed which keeps heat in during the winter and heat out during the summer.
8. All walls and ceilings are well insulated which allows for a more stable and comfortable temperature inside the building.
9. Heaters which are energy efficient with thermostats are used in each room during the winter.
10. Fans are used during the summer. Windows are opened during the summer nights to allow the cool, mountain air into the building and then closed during the day with the fans operating. This keeps the internal temperature very comfortable even with extreme temperatures outside.
11. The two other apartments have similar qualities but do not have clerestory windows.

Energy

1. There are three solar panel systems in place with a total capacity of 13 kw/h. There is a 5.5kw/h battery connected to the solar panels. This system reduces the electricity bill significantly. The battery also provides electricity should there be a blackout in the grid.
2. Rain water tanks are installed with a capacity of 48,000 litres. This system provides water to the apartments for 8 – 10 months each year.

Waste

1. Worm farm is on site. All the food waste and general waste is put into the worm farm each day. The worms break down the organic waste into castings which are then put back into the garden.
2. Recycling bins are installed in all the apartments. The local council collects general rubbish weekly and recycled rubbish fortnightly.
3. Cans and plastic bottles are collected and returned to a collection depot in Stawell. The money received is donated to the local Community Garden which Tim’s Place sponsors and maintains.
4. Grey water waste from the washing machine is directed back onto the garden during the dry summer months.

Community

1. A Community Garden is located 50 metres from Tim’s Place Apartments. Tim’s Place Apartments sponsors and maintains the garden. All produce is freely available to guests.
2. A herb and salad garden is located in the garden at Tim’s Place Apartments. Guests are welcome to pick the produce.
3. The land to the south of Tim’s Place Apartments is land controlled by DEECA ( Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action ). Tim’s Place Apartments manages the land for the Department. There is a campfire pit 20 metres from the apartments which the guests are welcome to use subject to weather conditions. The firewood is brought to the site by the park gardeners. It is a good outcome for the gardeners and the guests who use the campfire pit.

Conservation of the Environment

1. A V Line Bus stop is located in front of Tim’s Place Apartments. There is a daily service to and from many destinations. Tim’s Place apartments has been a Public Transport Advocate for many years and encourages guests to travel by Public Transport.
2. Two bikes are provided for guests to explore the township of Halls Gap. A bike track which is located opposite the apartments runs between Lake Bellfield and the Ararat Road. It is 8km long and meanders through the township of Halls Gap.
3. Tours are available from Tim’s Place Apartments. Grampians tours offers tours which showcase the Grampians / Gariwerd National Park.
4. An Electric Vehicle charging power point is available in the carpark.
5. Deciduous and native trees and shrubs have been strategically planted in the garden to provide shade and shelter during the summer months and to allow sunlight in during the winter months.
6. The established garden provides an ecosystem for the birds and animals.