BlueScope Steel Supports Ian Kiernan's Latest Challenge

Location:	Bathurst, New South Wales
Country:	Australia
Architect:	Henry Bialowas
Builder:	Ian Kiernan AO
Landscaper:	Rosanne Paskin
Products Used:	ZINCALUME® steel for Roofing ZINCALUME® steel for Walling TRUECORE® steel
Awards:	Energy Australia National Trust award for Conservation Built Heritage for a project under A$1 million.

Clean Up Australia founder, Ian Kiernan AO, has created an award winning 1830s experience of Australian country life, with the assistance of modern products such as COLORBOND® steel, ZINCALUME® steel and BlueScope Water WATERPOINT® rainwater tanks.

Ian's painstaking restoration of the Westham Farmhouse, Bathurst, built in 1830, has been recognised with the Energy Australia National Trust award for Conservation Built Heritage for a project under A$1 million. At the same time, Ian was this year's recipient for the prestigious National Trust Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to an individual, whose body of work has had a profound effect on our built, cultural or environmental heritage. As a recipient of the award, he now follows such luminaries as Tom Uren, AO; Dr Jack Mundey, AO; and Clive Lucas, OBE.

David Bare, Marketing Manager Building, BlueScope Steel, said that Ian well deserved recognition for his lifelong work in the building industry and in preserving Australia's heritage. "BlueScope Steel is extremely proud to have supported Ian Kiernan in a number of projects including the restoration of Westham Farmhouse and the construction of the Lord Howe Island Museum."

"His understanding of how ZINCALUME® steel and COLORBOND® steel are suited for Australian conditions is remarkable," Mr Bare said.

With more than 40 years experience as a builder of more than 1,000 homes, and 20 years as one of Australia's most prominent environmentalists, Ian is a great advocate of steel and is appreciative of BlueScope Steel's products in particular. "The BlueScope Steel range of products are simply outstanding. They are recyclable, durable, easy to use, with zero off cut if carefully measured. They are totally appropriate for Australian conditions," Ian said.

In the case of the Westham Farmhouse, Ian has maintained the integrity of the original materials such as galvanised iron whilst blending new materials such as COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel.

"To see the evolution from shingle roofing to roofing made from ZINCALUME® steel continually reminds me that the best roof, gutter and roof flashings for today's changing climate are ZINCALUME® steel and COLORBOND® steel. Their durability, water collecting abilities and overall appearance are unsurpassed for Aussie conditions and climate," he says.

Additionally, nine above ground interlocked BlueScope Water WATERPOINT® rainwater tanks have been installed to provide drinking water. "These particular tanks are my choice for healthy, safe water storage, as well as being aesthetically correct for this significant rural setting," Ian says.

Warwick Krigstein Director Urban Water, BlueScope Water, said that Ian Kiernan's choice of WATERPOINT® rainwater tanks underscored his commitment to best environmental practice.

The large number of tanks is required because the property is not connected to town water supply and hundreds of visitors are expected as the farm will also operate as an educational centre showcasing life in the 1830s overlaid with the best environmental practice of 2006.

When Ian and architect Henry Bialowas took over the project, the farmhouse was close to collapse. Their first job was to surgically remove inappropriate additions exposing the original pise and slab building, which was the core of the fine colonial farmhouse. The restoration work was carried out to strictly adhere to the Burra Charter and preserve the patina of use that all facets of the building displayed.

The kitchen and bathroom floors are an ochre coloured concrete which represent earth floors. Structural hardwood beams and tree trunks, the two separate shingle roofs, comprising cottage and verandah, and a section of the rammed earth walls are displayed within the house.

The chimneys have been rebuilt and flashed in the traditional step flashing method and the exterior brickwork repaired and whitewashed as the original house was. Verandahs have been repaired retaining a number of original detail posts. The 32 metre brick well has been repaired and a windmill is currently under repair.

The next stage of development is construction of the barn and the dairy. Framing made from TRUECORE® steel and ZINCALUME® steel sheeting will be used for walls, roofing gutter and flashings. "Henry Bialowas has designed the extension of the dairy to use horizontal ZINCALUME® steel for external walling that will look quite stunning against the ZINCALUME® steel roof and gutters," Ian said.

To complete the 1830s experience, heritage landscaper Rosanne Paskin has overseen the planting of orchards and the heritage house garden.

A website is currently under construction so that visitors can follow the progress of the project and be inspired to visit the farmhouse where all environmental services, energy, water, wastewater, solid waste, food and transportation will be displayed as they would have been circa 1830. An audio visual will explain the concept of an environmentally managed farm.

Westham Farmhouse will be available to rent for small groups seeking a unique Australian experience, while a lecture room in a separate building will be available for up to 30 people.