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.
