"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 may have the opportunity to be as involved
as much or as little in this teaching process as they wish.

…village

We hope to build a thriving community of 300+ people of all ages and
diversity. 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 in the city 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 not too far from Sydney, near the coast with
fresh air and a mild climate. We will endeavour to develop positive and
inclusive relationships with the surrounding community, our nation 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 energy, water supply, drainage, garbage
disposal and recycling.

…good health

The ethos of our village may actively promote physical, emotional and
spiritual health. We will pursue activities to attract 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 may 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 will develop a system of caring that will
be agreed upon, documented and implemented.

…other options that may evolve

We may 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 fresh
perspectives and develop effective processes of decision making and dispute
resolution.

The idea is that the village may form the context in which you can design the life you
wish to lead. The layout will encourage neighbourly interaction while
respecting people's privacy - we will have a strong sense of belonging.