Beginnings
On a Sunday morning, back in September 1996, a group of five inner Sydney residents met
in a park in Randwick to discuss the possibility of establishing a re-use and repair centre in
inner Sydney. They had attended an Earthworks waste minimisation course together, where
they learnt about these practices in relation to the local environment. All were dedicated
urban scavengers who canvassed back lanes and council cleanups for re-usable material.
Just over two years later, on the last day of 1998, the strawbale warehouse that is the
Bower Re-Use Centre home base was a reality. But not without dramas.
The group of five first formed with others the Bower Advisory Committee in early 1997 to
seek funding and location for the project. They were successful in winning a grant from the
NSW Environmental Protection Agency to establish a location for a re-use centre.
In February, the group employed the Bower's first co-ordinator, Jane, who'd been running a
waste re-use type shop in north-west Sydney, and set about creating the structure of the
Bower organisation.
In March 1998, the group called the inaugural meeting of the Bower Re-Use and Repair
Centre Co-operative, adopted a constitution, and elected a Board of Directors. Around 50
local residents formed the co-operative.
The Building
The Board boldly (we can say that now!) decided to build their own warehouse on a site
within the Addison Road Community Centre, located in Marrickville, an inner Sydney
suburb. The centre was originally an Army camp, the site the ruins of a burnt out stores
room. But the Community centre was supportive, and in the same complex was located
Reverse Garbage--another type of re-use centre focussed on industrial waste, and well
known throughout inner Sydney. The idea of re-using an ex-military site had appeal.
One of the co-operative members, Shane, suggested a low-cost, alternative technology
building that could become an educational showpiece here in the heart of urban Sydney.
The idea was to create a warehouse-sized strawbale building. With some reservations, the
idea generated enthusiasm amongst the co-op members. The plans for the strawbale
building were drawn up, and work commenced on clearing the site and putting down
footings in July 1998 following a supportive Marrickville council's approval. Meanwhile, The
Bower had set up temporary premises across the carpark, and started to gather
householders' re-usable waste items from surrounding areas.
By late August, the site was ready to bring in the straw, two semi-trailer loads all the way
from Cowra in the state's west. They arrived with a large number of local helpers around to
offload, and two strawbale building consultants waiting to give a training workshop that
would put up the walls.
And then it rained. And rained. And rained with a passion. It rained in August when Sydney
is usually dry. So up went tarpaulins and everyone struggled along underneath.
And then the money went. And went. The budget overuns were high, and the delays had
eroded the reserves. Without trading to rely upon, the Bower was almost broke before it
opened. Fortunately for the Bower, the Southern Sydney Waste Board was looking to
support a re-use and repair centre in its region, and came to the Bower's aid.
Hit the Road Running
And on the last day of 1998, it came to pass that the final touches to the Bower were made
(at least to occupation stage). The sigh of relief was heard as far away as the carpark.
The Bower opened its doors on 13 March 1999, with 3 staff, and a few old sticks of furniture.
Few of the original workers are left now, but the co-operative is thriving. Many have moved
away, some as far as Europe. The Bower is diverting more landfill than ever, and starting to
become known for repair.
Staff levels have grown, now employing 8 local area residents. Contact is growing between
the Bower and other re-use centres around the country. Creativity and enthusiasm are on a
high.
The Bower in 2001 began to be a favourite amongst TV lifestyle shows, appearing on
Groundforce and Big Arvo. In late 2000 and early 2001, the centre had major refits, and an
awning section was added to the rear while a mezzanine level for the office was added
inside.
Following a long and sometimes harrowing application and appeal, the Bower was registered
as a charity for environmental reasons in 2001. This also lifted the imposition of GST on our
scavenged items.
One of our aims at that time was to extend the production of unique items made from reuse
bits and pieces. We have created worm farms from old fridges and placed them out with
local schools. [See Remanufacture page]
Since Then
Much water has gone under the bridge ...
The Bower has undergone a great deal of reorganisation to improve the experience for
customers and staff alike.
Most obvious has been the layout of the store. A new workshop was built outside entirely
from reused materials, excluding the new floor of concrete. This moved the noise and dust
of workshop away from the retail space and allowed for better ordering of the workshop
itself. A new dedicated electrical workshop was established away from the main retail area.
Racks for the plumbing, bathware and outdoor furniture were created. Non permanent
covers were added to these areas to stop wind, sun, and leaf debris from degrading the
stock too much. The rear awning was fully paved, guttered and tarped to make more of an
all weather shopping space. Two terraces were added in front of the timber rack to store
filing cabinets etc on flat surfaces. The west end of the building had a roof added to
protect stock, like paints and whitegoods, which were also put on pallets to further avoid
contact with rain and moisture.
A dedicated passageway was created so the fuse box could be accessed quickly at all times.
A gravel ramp was added leading to the timber rack, allowing for improved wheel chair
access and less OH&S issues. Yellow safety makings were introduced for all major
passageways, exits and possible obstructions for the same reasons. Two new security doors
were added to the back awning entrance.
Undercover colour-coded shelving was introduced for different departments. Racks and
dedicated space was allocated for lighting, bedding, mirrors, frames, chairs, recreation
goods, etc. Three new glass counters/cabinets were added to the front sales area. A
compactus sliding storage unit was introduced tot he electrical goods area.
The staff area was plumbed, walled, paved, and shelved. Planter pots were added to the
front of the store and planted with native species. The grass in front of the store and the
small garden bed beside the driveway was similarly planted out with native grasses, bushes
and trees. The main doors and front windows were painted an unifing colour. A stylised
Bower bird footprint was created and painted down on the roadway linking Reverse Garbage
and the Bower. There was the addition of picnic tables to the ARC space under the shade
trees in front of the Bower. The driveway and front fence was screened off with tarps and
shade cloth.
The Bower Prop Hire system was established. Sales records and most operations were
computerised into a searchable database including sales, contacts, banking, electrical
testing, holds (like laybys), prop hires, enquiries, reuse referral service, membership, retail
price guide and staff timesheets. A comprehensive operations procedures along with OHS
policy & procedures handbooks were written - also in a searchable database format.
The corporate logotype of the reused 'letters' was straightened and the tagline «traders of
the lost artefact» added. The website was revamped and more information, links and photos
added. A simpler web address and email address were incorporated. The Bower joined the
new world with an upgrade to broadband internet. A network of Macintosh computers and
PCs was established.
Around $60,000 in external funding was sourced, mostly for project based work, the bulk of
it not existing grant related, but Bower initiated projects, which included working with 11
other green enterprises to promote sustainable living in Sydney's inner west, and one third
of Sydney councils to promote reuse of household goods. The Bower was awarded Winner
status for Leadership in Sustainability category in the Marrickville council business awards.
The Bower truck finally transitioned to biodiesel as a renewable fuel source.
More good stuff is hopefully still to come, like a proposal for the Bower to host a community
eco-library in Green Design, Do-It-Yourself and Reuse issues.