Cate Blanchett's eco-renovation

Cate Blanchett’s bid to save the planet has come home to roost as she ‘greenovates’ her sublime Sydney mansion.

Cate Blanchett, and her playwright husband Andrew Upton, have pledged to transform their Hunters Hill home into an eco-friendly haven for their family. Grey water recycling, a 20,000-litre water tank, solar panelling and energy-saving lights feature in the greenovation, according to a Fairfax publication. Palm Beach-based Lesiuk Architects, who specialise in environmental jobs, is in charge of the renovation.

However, as most renovators know, things can go wrong, and it appears the project has had a couple of setbacks, according to Hunters Hill General Manager, Barry Smith. “Like any of these projects – these big projects – they get an approval for a building and say, ‘oh hang on it doesn’t work’, she’s had a couple of those,” Smith said, referring to the pool renovation that was awaiting approval.

Surprisingly, while Smith said he is happy the high-profile Aussie movie star was ‘greenovating’, he played down the notion that Cate is an eco-pioneer for the prestigious Sydney suburb. Smith said many residents are environmentally conscious and have renovated their homes to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Indiana Jones star seems to be on a push to eco-overhaul everything she touches; catching eco-friendly taxis at the airport and publicly announcing her eco-political views. And Cate’s green thumb is already showing itself at the Sydney Theatre Company, where she is co-artistic director with her husband. The pair has confirmed their plans to make the company green, with new works set to reflect those at their home.

"We intend to initiate discussions with companies with the aim of making the building self-sufficient, to green the building. We are talking solar panels, rainwater, the works," Upton told a press conference. "This would ideally generate enough power to do a whole season off the grid. This would be the first theatre company in the world to do that."

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