Organic sugar cane at $10 a bale (it is compressed so turns out to be a very large amount) available at Kmart, Bunnings, Masters is an option. Some of the rescues here used it a few years back when the flooding devastated wood shavings and hay production. I used it myself successfully before I switched to fabric bedding. Some fabric options can be very cheap too if you don't mind a weekly wash. Kmart has waterproof terry towelling mattress protectors for $19 for a single, which can be cut to size.. They also carry fleece throws at $5 (on sale for $4 now with summer almost here). Aldi, Coles or Woolies store band liquid laundry detergent is $1.49 for 2 litres. And Kmart sells their version of Napi-San 4 kilos for $4. My mattress protectors tend to last for about 2 years. The fleeces are still going strong after 3 years. I also use vet bed which, although initially expensive, lasts practically forever. Mine is now 4 years old. Here is the source I use for Aussie vetbed
https://www.facebook.com/peperonepetsupplies
The sugar cane mulch is surprisingly cool and very soft. I also find fabric bedding to be cool even the vetbed.
