Hey AI, how can we be sustainable?

That AI query just used around 10wh of electricity and 20ml of cooling water and thats without me adding my usual "good Morning AI" and therefore eliciting a friendly greeting in return.

AI did tell me it was a "Great Question" but then got straight to the point with "practical and realistic solutions".

We dont want to be the next Maralinga...

Solution One - decrease water usage. A rough estimate of water used to cool a 300 litre pot still for 8 hours is around 1200 litres (thats 2.2 million queries to AI - or 654 Government reports, AI generated by hardworking consultancy firms).

The amount of mains water used to cool the still, and the amount lost to constantly bursting pipes, could have watered a healthy rice field, perhaps even a small barramundi farm. Not great in an arid environment like Streaky.

The answer was to install 2 huge rainwater tanks and cool the condenser using a closed loop recirculation.

Solution Two - decrease electricity use. Running the still for 8 hours is equivalent to 9900 AI Queries - or 879 AI prepared court documents by starving lawyers.

Our still needs 3 phase power, at least in the initial stages of heating. Anything less is like boiling a tub of water with a candle. Our local electrician Jai had already installed solar for us, so other than switching back to fewer elements as soon as the liquid hits 78 degrees, we ran out of ideas.

Solution Three - offset some emissions by planting trees. In 2023 we planted 600 natives, the equivalent of 24 million queries to AI. (or 22 million essays written by tech savvy Gen Z's in their pursuit to prove "P's get degrees"). 2024 we planted 400 trees, and 2025 saw another 200 holes being dug by the two Tony's (Bagnell and Smith).

600 holes dug with a shovel by the two Tony's

We then ran out of positions for trees on our block and ended up giving a lot away. Which is still a great outcome as they are being tendered by other locals, pumping their goodness into the Streaky Bay air and soil.

So is that it? Great story Pop....

No, its not the whole story. It turns out that what we have done so far is just the beginning. Our little Streaky Bay Distillery has just been accepted into the 2026 Sustainability in Distilling Program and we are pumped for it.

The program, developed by Green Industries South Australia and Distillers SA, focusses on Sustainability, energy efficiency and emissions reduction.

Less questions to AI and more progress in reducing our footprint.

Watch this space - Small town, Big spirits.