"We will research, design and build a stylish, inter-generational, friendly demonstration ecovillage near the coast not too far from Sydney, blending the principles of eco and social sustainability, good health, business, caring and other options that may evolve for our well being."

Robert Gilman defines an ecovillage as a "human-scale, full featured settlement in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world in a way that is supportive of healthy human development and can be successfully continued into the definite future". The definition is further explained on the Context Institute web site.

...stylish, inter-generational and friendly
The look of our village may be clean, green, modern, quality, organised and loved. There will be a good mix of public and private space. We will encourage community interaction yet our need for privacy and seclusion will be respected. Our village construction will be based on ‘best practice’ guidelines relevant to the mainstream.

...demonstration
Our village and our processes will be a showcase and teaching ground for interested visitors. We will endeavour to inspire others to live more lightly on the earth and show that it is possible without compromising a comfortable lifestyle. Residents will have the opportunity to be as involved as much or as little in this teaching process as they wish.

...village

We aim to build a thriving community of 300+ people of all ages and diversity. The layout will encourage neighbourly interaction while respecting people's privacy - we will have a strong sense of belonging.

Some people with homes in our village may be part of a village based business or they may choose to continue their city lives renting part or all of their village home and visiting us on weekends and holidays, others may work part-time perhaps spending a couple of nights a week in an apartment that they (or the village) may own in the city. Consultants, artists, writers may come and go as assignments dictate, perhaps making use of our village Business Centre. In any case, we wish to attract people who want to create a life that aims beyond the ordinary.

...the coast near Sydney

Our village will be located at Narara, one hour north of Sydney, 20 minutes from the coast. We aim to build positive and inclusive relationships with our neighbours, Australia and the world.

...ecosustainability

We will live in harmony with nature, preserving natural habitats on village land and build a home with minimal environmental impact which considers orientation, thermal mass, planting for privacy and temperature control, insulation and zoning, energy efficiency and environmentally friendly materials, as well as eco-friendly water supply, drainage, garbage disposal and recycling.

...good health

Our village aims to actively promote physical, emotional and spiritual health. We will pursue activities to develop good health and freedom from disease and pain. Facilities may be set up for those who wish to participate, for example fresh juice 'happy-hour', a healthy food cafeteria, a restorative guesthouse for retreat and recuperation, massage, yoga and exercise. These possibilities will develop and change over time, and include both residents and guests.

...business

We hope to develop a business incubator to encourage and nurture enterprises set up in our village - so that people can live, work and play here.

...caring

We plan to establish a system of caring so that you will know what will happen in the event of a dramatic life change e.g. your partner should die, you become dependently sick, you have an accident, you need permanent care or you need temporary assistance. We hope to develop a system of caring that will be agreed upon, documented and implemented.

...other options that may evolve

We will set up flexible systems to oversee the necessary changes to our evolving village and to encourage ongoing, fresh initiative and enterprise. We will support a diversity of activities, new thoughts and perspectives to keep the energy of the village alive.