Jamie Durie is returning to the small screen with a new TV show, Growing Home, and it isn’t just another regular reno show.
It’s set to showcase a whole lot of heart, with the many ups and downs of building a sustainable, luxury dream home for his family, with his family, on Sydney’s stunning Northern Beaches.
As an environmentalist, international award-winning landscape designer, and seven-time Logie-winning host of shows such as Backyard Blitz, The Block and many more, Jamie Durie is embarking on what he’s called the biggest challenge of his career.
“After 26 years making TV shows all over the world, this is the show I’ve always wanted to make. And if we’re creating a show around sustainability, then my family and I need to do it first and practise what we preach,” says Jamie.
Growing Home is an honest depiction of the struggles and accomplishments of building in one of the most sensitive and difficult sites in Australia, in front of Australians.
It’s been “five long years of planning and researching the most eco-friendly partners, methods and technologies we can find, and we’re finally ready to build this house,” Jamie says.
Who will be in Growing Home with Jamie Durie?
While Jamie will be the host, along for the ride is his partner, singer/songwriter Ameka Jane. Passionate about sharing real-life stories with the world – whether this be with a guitar in her hand, on a build site, finger painting or walking a red carpet – Ameka is on a mission to create a life that is authentic, gentle and beautiful.
“I think there is a common misconception that ‘sustainable’ or ‘eco-friendly’ means that it’s complicated or that we have to compromise on style and function,” Ameka says. “We want to show Australia how easy and accessible it is to create a green home on any scale. Small changes can make a big impact. I was a green novice at the start of this mission, so if I can do it, anyone can.”
Their two gorgeous children, three-year-old daughter Beau and 18-month-old son Nash, will also make appearances.
Not only will this show be an entertaining watch, but it’ll educate on sustainable ways to build homes, showing what a greener future for all Aussies could look like.
Growing Home with Jamie Durie… hijacked?
In an unexpected turn of events, while filming, another family moved into the construction site at Pittwater in Avalon.
The unique topography of Jamie’s building site required the installation of a 42-metre crane which set the stage for an incredible wildlife encounter.
Perched on top of the crane’s counterweight were two gorgeous eastern Ospreys ready to create their own family. There are only about seven nesting pairs of the threatened species in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, so Jamie applied to the local council for permission to install a nesting pole on his property so they could have a permanent home there.
When the application was denied, Jamie went for a permit to safely remove the nest before they began laying eggs. In collaboration with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the nest was removed in July. However, the birds had other plans.
They rebuilt their nest on top of the crane and have since laid their eggs, with one already hatching.
Jamie decided to keep the crane in place until the chicks have all safely hatched and left the nest, and it’s easy to say they have the best view in the entire Northern Beaches.
The best part is they have set up a camera to live stream the birds, so nature enthusiasts everywhere can witness the remarkable footage of the Ospreys raising their family against one of Sydney’s most stunning backdrops.
When will Growing Home with Jamie Durie start?
While no exact date has been announced, Growing Home with Jamie Durie is set to commence in the near future on Channel 7 and 7plus.
