These ads were seen during April and May 2007 in the Victorian metro and regional areas and the ACT.

Located on the edge of bushland in the Blue Mountains, this ambitious owner builder project illustrates how vision and drive can be converted into an elegant dwelling.

Faced with the dual requirements of reducing the bushfire fuel load, while retaining as much water as possible from this formidable roof, the choice of Smartflo gutters was obvious. The broad shallow upper profile of Smartflo provides very little purchase for leaves which fall into the gutter, so that subsequent winds can blow this material off the top of the gutter. This action reduces the fuel load at the eaves, consequently reducing the risk of ember attack during a bushfire.

With collection capacity around 20% higher than conventional quad gutters, Smartflo gutters are also providing a clean rainwater harvesting system for the large poly tanks installed at the rear of the house.

These pictures also illustrate how to tackle the problem of spreaders when using Smartflo gutters. On an open quad gutter, the convention for draining an upper roof into a lower roof is to place a spreader at the foot of the upper downpipe. These are normally only about 400mm in length with 3-4 holes drilled into them. This arrangement does not work with Smartflo gutters, because the lower gutter is not open along its length, but has discrete entry points spaced at 500mm centres. The best solution is to run the upper downpipe across the top of the lower roof and cut it into the top of the lower gutter. This offers total control of the rainwater from the upper roof and ensures no overflow. Other solutions are to make spreaders 1.8m wide with 15-20 small holes, and to cut additional filters into the top of the lower gutter at the base of the spreaders.

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Garden shows are more in demand than ever as people look for drought-friendly alternatives in their gardens.

This was the case with gardeners turning out for the recent annual Kuringai Garden Show at St. Ives Showgrounds in Sydney's north.

Once again, the Smartflo Guttering System was on display with the compact Aquarius Watermaster Tanks. The display was designed to inform gardeners and home owners of the latest technologies in rainwater harvesting.

The wet conditions proved an ideal backdrop to the display, as it demonstrated just how efficient Smartflo is. In combination with the Watermaster tanks, visitors were able to see the most cost-effective way to save and distribute water.

Water conservation, particularly for the garden, has become a national obsession as water restrictions are in place across most of Australia. People are starting to rethink the varieties of plants they grow, and the means by which they will sustain them.

Smartflo's revolutionary gutter design separates water from fallen leaves. While the leaves remain on the shallow pre gutter, clean water drains through filters spaced at 500mm into the running channel below.

The show, run by Kuringai Rotary Club, has once again proven to be a successful showcase for Smartflo and its partners.

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The Sustainable Homes Program is a lasting legacy of the Queensland Government's Year of the Built Environment Program launched in 2004.

It encouraged local councils throughout the State to build display homes using state-of-the-art water and energy saving strategies.

Livingstone Shire Council in Yeppoon, which is located 680km north of Brisbane, is close to completing one such display home and the intelligent Smartflo Guttering System has pride of place on the building.

It was selected as the most efficient method to feed the rainwater tanks. Lattitude Homes' Joe Cragg, who is overseeing the project, and Katie Mitchell of Livingstone Council, who co-ordinated the suppliers, were both impressed with Smartflo's environmental and aesthetic benefits.

"If it looks good and it works well, then it's a recipe for success," says Bill Sanderson of Smartflo who was on hand for the installation. Mr Sanderson said it is important to recognise that people are often torn between doing the right thing and compromising their standards.

"Smartflo doesn't put anyone in that position," he said.

With cyclones a risk in the Livingstone Shire, additional bracing screws were used to lock the gutter down onto the brackets, to ensure that no updraft could dislodge the gutter from the brackets.

Completion is due by May this year after which the home will go on display for six months. The objective is to highlight sustainable initiatives which are readily available at relatively low cost.

Mr Sanderson says the Government was using the program to encourage sound planning and visionary ideas, such as Smartflo, as a way to make these initiatives the norm in housing construction, rather than the exception.

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Ark Space set the benchmark on sustainable housing, so it came as no surprise when they chose Smartflo Gutters for their newest demonstration home in Sydney.

The enclosed gutters will feed the sub floor rainwater catchment.

The company operates on the principle of "sustainable and environmentally sound products which have low environmental impact". Rather than pay lip service to the philosophy, they literally live the dream of housing that adds value to the human experience while minimising the impact on the environment. This is evident across the lifecycle of their projects, from design through to factory-based construction, choice of materials and site protocols.

The choice of Smartflo reflects this belief, not only for its superior water catchment abilities but the clean, smooth lines of the guttering. It has been described by company principles, Pierre and Julie as the "perfect complement to the steel and glass fabrication style, which is the hallmark of Ark Space."

Ark Space is highly regarded for its contemporary design and the use of passive solar heating, convection-based ventilation and water conservation. This is achieved without any substantial increase in the cost of construction.

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Unless you've been living on Mars you would be well aware of the impact that climate change is having on our way of life.

From the devastating fires to the record drought, the evidence is all around and demands an immediate response. Well, one retired couple from Melbourne's east has set a shining example for the rest of us to follow.

A little over four years ago the Hughes family from Knoxfield built a two-bedroom house on a small block (530 square metres) with an emphasis on sustainability. The house is passive solar in design, completely self-sufficient in water, has a solar hot water service in series with a gas instantaneous boost for the winter months, a grey water recycling system for toilet flushing and garden use, and produces at least 55% of its electricity from a 2.4 kW Photovoltaic Array on the roof. Phew! And that's just for starters!

The couple installed the intelligent Smartflo Guttering System which has become the centrepiece of a water collection and distribution system, a necessity for an environment in distress. Rain is collected via Smartflo and passes through a first-flush device system, i.e. the first run-off from the roof which may contain dust and contaminants, does not flow directly into the 6,000 gallon/ 27,240L polyethylene tank. The house is not connected to the mains supply.

Smartflo also eliminates the need to keep gutters free of leaves and other debris. Not only does this improve water quality, it also avoids the need to climb ladders. Another plus for an older couple.

Water efficiency has been achieved through the use of AAA water efficient appliances. These include shower heads, a front-load washing machine, dishwasher, and 3/6 L dual flush toilets. Water from the bathroom and washing machine is collected, treated biologically by peat to Class A water, aerated and stored for toilet flushing and garden use.

As a result of this inspirational couple's vision and dedication, it has taken three and a half years to use the same amount of water that the average household in Melbourne uses in one year! Apply these statistics across a community of 20+ million people, and it doesn't need Einstein to recognise the positive impact this would have on our environment, economy and quality of life.

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Climate change is contributing to Australia's unpredictable weather patterns and placing pressure on manufacturers to revisit their claims about product performance in the face of recent catastrophic natural events.

Sydney in particular has been prone to these events, including a hailstorm in 1999 that resulted in record insurance losses of around $1.5 billion. A report in 2004 by Macquarie University researchers has linked land clearing in western Sydney to significant climatic changes in that city.

Newcastle-based Sankey Australia Pty. Ltd., manufacturer of Smartflo Low Maintenance Gutters, has released details of a Technical Assessment of the guttering system by Newcastle University in 1999 that validates the product's ability to cope with heavy rain and so-called 'one in twenty year' storms.

Bill Sanderson, Technical Advisor with Smartflo, said it was important for manufacturers to revisit their claims in light of the effects of global warming, and called on the Australian Government to demand that claims be substantiated.

"Product development and innovation is the key to success in the manufacturing sector," Mr Sanderson says. "But this must keep pace with changing conditions, be they technical or environmental."

"The public must have confidence in the products they buy and manufacturers must keep faith by ensuring that their claims are substantiated."

The leafless Smartflo Gutter was designed to optimise rainwater catchment while minimising maintenance. This may appear to be at odds with its broad, shallow curve on the upper pre-gutter area, however an independent study by Dr Shaun Manning of Newcastle University's Research Division found that the system can handle storm events of more than 180mm (7 inches) per hour. This makes Smartflo one of the most effective guttering systems of its type on the market.

By keeping organic matter separate from the collected water, the organic decay which is commonplace in conventional quad gutters is prevented, improving water quality and increasing the longevity of the gutter.

Further details and technical specifications can be viewed on www.smartflo.com.au

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The increase in the number of aged care facilities contructed in order to cope with the ageing population in Australia has put substantial pressure on maintenance of these facilities. The installation of Smartflo leafless gutters can minimise these maintenance costs by reducing the need to clean leaf and debris from gutters, protect buildings from water damage, and reduce the risk of ember attack during bushfires.

Smartflo enclosed gutters have been used at nursing homes and aged care facilities throughout Australia. The benefits to operators of these facilities are apparent within the first few months of operation. Many of these facilities including tanks to supplement an uncertain water supply, Smartflo is contributing cleaner harvested water in conjunction with reduced maintenance.

The problem of siltation and composting in eaves gutters is easily solved with the installation of Smartflo leafless gutters. Smartflo leafless gutters offer a robust and long lasting solution. The upper pre-gutter is broad and shallow, causing leaves which land in it to dry out and blow off. Meanwhile, domed filters spaced 500mm apart allow water to drain through into a lower running channel which remains clear of compost and silt.

Smartflo leafless gutters are a proudly Australian product made from BlueScope Colorbond Steel in Newcastle, NSW.

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Mosman Green is a living, breathing, real-time, environmental renovation project of the 21st century by Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Archicentre provides professional, independent services to homebuyers, homebuilders and home renovators. Both aesthetic and functional, the Smartflo leafless guttering system was chosen by Archicentre for the project.

Smartflo leafless guttering was chosen for the collection of cleaner tank water, without interfering with the natural vegetation around the house. Leaves which land in the gutter dry out and blow away, while rainwater passes through domed filters into the running channel of the gutter and then on into down pipes and tanks.

"The aim of the project is to demonstrate the stages involved in the renovation process, the benefits of using an architect and how energy efficient and sustainable design can be incorporated into all renovation projects."

With well established trees on the boundary, it was clear from the outset that highly efficient leaf protection would be essential to prevent the sub floor water storage and down pipes from filling with organic matter and debris. Archicentre chose Smartflo leafless gutter to eliminate fallen leaves from the rainwater harvesting process before the composting process commences.

Using Smartflo enclosed gutter in Deep Ocean Colorbond, the architect, Stephen Petrie, has a smooth clean line of gutter to provide the perfect edge to the tiled roof.

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The all too familiar problems of poor performing gutters faced by home owners, managers of tourist parks, aged care facilities and other commercial enterprises is easily solved by Smartflo's innovative guttering system.

For high fronted gutters, accumulated leaf and debris in gutters and downpipes often overflow into the eaves and wall cavities. Low fronted quad gutters, under the same conditions, bend down under the load and create a spill point.

Smartflo leafless gutter addresses these problems at the earliest stage. The broad shallow pre-gutter exposes leaves to the drying action of sun and wind, allowing the wind to clear leaves from the gutter. Composting of damp organic matter laying in the gutters is reduced, leaving the running channel and downpipes clean. Smartflo is extremely effective on broad deciduous leaves and eucalypt leaves. Fine pine needles and jacaranda leaves are easily brushed clear from the pre-gutter.

Eliminating one problem also solves another. Rainwater tanks are fast becoming a common addition to domestic dwellings. By eliminating most of the debris from gutters and downpipes Smartflo cuts by over 90% the particulate matter which accumulates as silt in rainwater tanks. This gives the obvious advantage of dramatically reducing number of times a tank will need de-sludging each year. Once again Smartflo provides another smart solution to a common problem.

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When Michael Mobbs and Heather Armstrong embarked on the renovations of their 100 year old Chippendale terraced house in 1996 they did not image their small dream would grow into something much bigger. The project has since become a foundation model for sustainable urban living in Australia, inspiring the book "The Sustainable House". Their ruling principles were threefold; rainwater harvesting, solar power, and waste recycling.

For rainwater collection and control Michael used Smartflo enclosed guttering, a product manufactured in Australian using Australian Bluescope Colorbond steel. He was able to cater for all the water used in the house. Smartflo's self clearing properties exclude up to 94% of particulate material from the rainwater tanks. Small domed filters at 500mm intervals along the shallow pre-gutter prevents leaves and debris from entering the running channel, leaving them exposed to sun - which dries the leaves - and wind - which blows the dried leaves out of the gutter.

In addition to free clean water, gutter maintenance on the two storey terrace is minimised, further adding to the savings. Clearly, Michael and Heather have looked a long way into the future for their home, and innovative products like Smartflo leaf free gutter have helped realise their dream.

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Recent bushfires in the north west Victoria caused substantial damage to property and bushland. While the surrounding bush was being consumed in the blaze one Pomonal resident was breathing easy after deciding to install a leafless gutter system by Smartflo on his house. "Well worth the investment." he said. The self clearing gutter system ensured that the gutter was free of fuel when the fire approached.

The significance of ember attack in home roof cavities was highlighted in the Canberra fires of 2003, and is now widely recognised as a prime cause of damage to domestic dwellings during bushfires. The NSW Rural Fire Service has also observed the advantages of leafless gutter systems, with new fire stations at Forbes, Rylestone, Cranebrook, Wangi Wangi and Tingira Heights all having the enclosed gutter system by Smartflo specified.

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