Alternative Technology Association, and Bank Australia

If you are already a member of the Alternative Technology Association ATA you will have heard about this new initiative.  If not, perhaps this is a good time to become a member!  ATA is all about supporting their members in making their homes and communities environmentally friendly. They can help you with installing solar power or a rainwater tank. Or help reduce your energy bills with guidance on energy-efficient lighting or insulation.

One area that may still need attention is your banking. While you have worked hard to reduce your home’s carbon emissions, the interest you pay on your home loan may be being used to invest in coal-fired power stations or other greenhouse intensive industries.

To help you in this area the ATA has teamed up with Bank Australia (formerly known as bankmecu) on an exciting new partnership.

Bank Australia is Australia’s first customer owned responsible bank and over the years has supported a number of ATA activities including sustainability webinars, Speed Date a Sustainability Expert, Sustainable House Day and their solar lighting and solar technician training program in East Timor.

Bank Australia is offering another way to support the ATA while helping you make the switch to a responsible bank. If an ATA member switches their home loan or take out a personal loan with Bank Australia, they will give a percentage of the loan amount to the ATA.

It is a win-win situation as you can:

• Switch your home loan to a responsible bank and know that your home loan is not being used to fund carbon-intensive industries
• Support the ATA with Bank Australia giving the ATA a payment for every member who switches [1]
• Know that your home loan will be doing even more when ATA uses the funds to provide the unique and vital role of providing independent and practical advice for a sustainable future

To prove how serious they are, Bank Australia is offering any ATA member who switches their existing home loan or takes out a new home loan a competitive rate of 4.10%p.a. [2] (4.11%p.a. [3] comparison rate), one of the lowest on the market.

Switching your home loan is easy – a small amount of time to make a big impact. Sleep soundly while your home loan adds value to your bottom line without compromising your values.

Join ATA here.

And if an ATA member, if you are interested in having your home loan reviewed, please click here bankaust.com.au/ATA and complete the details. You will then be contacted by a specialist lender from Bank Australia who will help you through the process.

[1] It's a one-off payment of 0.40% of the loan value, but it doesn't affect your interest rate, fees or loan structure in any way.
[2] Variable rates correct as at 17/06/2015, however are subject to change at any time. Check www.bankaust.com.au for the latest rates. Offer available to new and existing borrowers. Excludes investment loans. For existing borrowers the new loan funds must exceed $100,000.
[3] The Comparison Rate is based on a loan of $150,000 for 25 years. Fees and charges may be applicable. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. 

A new Activist Centre in Hobart?

A new not-for-profit organisation called "The Activist Centre" is a Hobart based group wanting to establish a space and supportive network for activists and activist organisations. The centre will be run by volunteers and encourage new members to get involved either by use of the space or voluntary work within the centre. The centre will provide a space for already existing organisations within the environmental and social movement sphere, who don't currently have a space or the practical or personnel resources needed to best deliver their services/knowledge to the community.

A volunteer role would include a convenor of the space to give guidance and support to activists or members of the public which will promote already existing organisations, promote growth of new groups/orgs and encourage individual projects. The space will foster diversity to allow for collaboration and cross pollination of environment and social rights groups as we feel this is what is needed to build strength and support for the activist community, whilst allowing for engagement with the community.

The Activist Centre will be holding its first fundraising event this week (see the poster below). Come along and meet the group and hear more about their plans and hopes for the future of the Tasmanian activist community. 

Starting from the 18th of September we will occupy the space of Sustainable Living Tasmania Centre on Fridays as a chance for us to start a dialogue with the public and as a test run for how The Activist Centre will work. 

Fundraiser Event: 

What: Film Screening of 'Transition 2.0' 

Where: Sustainable Living Tasmania on 1/71 Murray St. Hobart 

When: 7 PM, 4 September

Event can be found on Facebook as "The Activist Centre Fundraiser-Transition 2.0". 

Also see poster attached. 

Watch the trailer here:  

http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/in_transition_20_2012/