House building underway!

I have previously mentioned we're building a new house (both here and here).

Well on Tuesday the building commenced!
Not much to date, but they have done the site preparation, and will be digging the foundations and hopefully laying the concrete slab this week.

Obviously this will be dependent on the actual weather. This week isn't too promising, but next week is! Hopefully a 'few showers' means that work can still progress and that they are only light.

Wednesday A few showers. 16^oC
Thursday Showers developing. 16^oC
Friday A few showers. 16^oC
Saturday Becoming fine. 14^oC
Sunday Fine. 15^oC
Monday Fine. 16^oC
Tuesday Fine. 16^oC

My folks were out at the block (they are also building out at Bannockburn themselves).
They took some photos to show us the progress being made. (Thanks Dad and Mum!) You can click on each image for an enlarged view.

Front of the block. Left hand side.

Front of the block. Right hand side.

Back of the block. Left Hand Side.

Back of the block. Right Hand Side.

It's great to finally have something happening on the block. It's a little frustrating doing the paperwork dance and it was November when we purchased the block. So just over 6 months later the physical work can now start.

All going well... we'll be in September - October of this year. Truthfully, we'll be happy to be in for this Christmas, anything earlier will be a bonus.

I'll post more photos as the building progresses. We'll be heading down to Bannockburn this weekend and will look at taking more shots, hopefully the plumbing and slab are done by then.

For those that want a reminder of what we're building, here is a copy of the houseplan (well we've made some minor adjustments and the carport is actually a double garage!).

We've just finished the actual final electrical and the network plans for the house.

On top of that we also think we've found the water tank we'll be putting in a 10,200L tank off the side of the house. After we move in I'll probably put another 5,000-8,000L tank off the garden shed. The smaller tank will be used to supply a vegie garden, whilst the larger one will be used for some lawn and drinking water.

I've already been doing a lot of smart planning for the garden/lawns. We'll be laying Sir Walter lawn (or similar) - which is drought tolerant but vibrant in colour.

I'll also be planting a native Australian garden. My parents gave me a wonderful book about Native Australian gardens and designs for my birthday earlier in the year. It is amazing at the rich colour and diversity that is available to us all using our own natives.

It's well worth a read for anyone considering how to reduce their water requirements but keeping a colorful and lively looking garden. Many of our own native plants show the beauty of the traditional European gardens we have traditionally planted. It's not all about mulch and grey coloured foliage!

I've actually requested that all the site excavations from the property be left on site and will be incorporating this into the design of our garden. I'll be creating undulating garden beds, with heavier water thirsty plants at the bottom whilst hardier and less water hungry plants positioned on the top of these mounds. Using this method I can use the 'natural' layout of the land to deliver the right amount of water to the various plants (either with rain or watering).

I think over the next 10 years we'll see more frustrated gardeners who have given up trying to grow a European style garden (without it dying off or turning brown) move across to this style. Like many gardens it can be setup relatively maintenance free, or not. This really depends on the type of garden and time you have available. I'll probably plant for something in the middle. The idea of getting off the computer and doing something with nature is quite appealing.