Our guest speaker at 7.30pm will be Kate Tucker, who is currently serving as the Technical Manager of Strategic Land Use Planning at Huon Valley Council.

Kate will detail the journey of designing and owner-building a contemporary, off-grid Earthship in Cygnet, Tasmania. The project was a collaboration between Matt Ellis, the primary owner-builder, and Kate, who managed the planning, design, and approvals process.The presentation will cover key design and sustainability elements, including:

– Rammed-earth thermal mass
– North-facing passive solar greenhouse
– Underground earth tubes
– Cob and light earth walls
– Recycled bottle-brick details
– Off-grid rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems

The session will also discuss the performance solutions used to achieve regulatory approval for internal water recycling—a topic highly relevant to professional builders and designers. Additionally, Kate will provide insights into the owner-builder process, cost considerations, and the long-term vision for a five-household Earthship micro-village under a Strata Title framework.

This project was open for inspection on Sustainable House Day 2026 and was recently featured on Grand Designs Australia Season 12 (ABC TV, 2025) and received a Highly Commended recognition at the 2026 Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards.

CBOS have advised that this training has been approved for 2 CPD points for Architect, Builder, Building Surveyor, Building Designer, Building Services Designer, Engineer, Permit Authority.  It is not considered relevant for electricians and plumbers, which is disappointing.