Nine Steps was built to be environmentally friendly with a six star energy rating, LED lights, low energy appliances and water saving plumbing. We’re also members of our local Landcare Group and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Fire safety
Nine Steps was built to meet or exceed the BAL29 standards (BAL – bushfire attack level). The frame is made from steel, the decks are clad with villa-board and the windows and glass doors meet the higher BAL 40 standards.
We encourage you to be prepared for fire and to have a plan for when the Fire Danger Rating is severe, extreme or code red. The CFA's Porepunkah and Bright Community Information Guides are provided in the welcome folder.
A radio is provided in the kitchen and 102.1 Edge FM is an emergency broadcaster and a basic emergency kit is located in the laundry.
Nine Steps is set on 29 acres of bushland and backs onto the Mount Buffalo National Park – which means we have a variety of wildlife as neighbours. At night you can often spot deer and wombats and you will likely hear the deer during the night. Occasionally you can see a wallaby in the bush behind the house during the day. If you wander around the property you will see many wombat burrows, hear many birds (lots of kookaburras!) and you may hear deer stomp on the ground if you are too close to where they are sleeping.
We've never seen a snake on our property – but that doesn't mean they aren't there - so always be mindful of snakes.
If you see a wombat during the day please let us know as it may mean the wombat has mange and needs to be treated. We're in regular contact with Mange Management Victoria to ensure our resident wombats are happy and healthy.
Water supply and sewerage
Nine Steps is self-sufficient for water - with a 10,000 litre tank under the house that collects rainwater from the large roof area. The tank under the house is also topped up via a 13,000 litre tank that is feed by a natural spring that runs all year round. The water is then treated by sediment and UV filters. We appreciate our guests being water wise during their stay.
Nine Steps uses an on-site, sand filter septic treatment system that is gravity fed.