Greetings one and all,
A few weeks ago I was cooking for a group of permies-to-be at a permaculture design certificate course (PDC) dreaming of an eco-village on a block of land in the North of Tasmania that I'd spied on my way to the course.
That particular dream was shattered on my way home as I stopped in to see the block again only to discover that it was put under contract just a day before. :-(
Ah, such is life. Well the overall dream hasn't died, it's just reincarnated - it's very hard to kill an idea! We've decided to take small steps and grow slowly, scaled back a bit on the number of initial people that are needed while expanding on the acreage desired. Currently we are looking at a couple of blocks:
http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=7193558&f=20&p=10&t=rur&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=53718553&s=tas&snf=rbs&tm=1203591014
or
http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=7189507&f=40&p=10&t=rur&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=53718553&s=tas&snf=rbs&tm=1203591014
Of course either of these could go under contract at any moment - yet there are always other good* properties coming up for sale and if we are prepared we will be able to buy one. We are doubtful that we will find a block with a pre-existing house that is big enough for future growth at a reasonable price, so we will have to buy bare and build preliminary accommodation before the next stage of design and building. As the first building step we envision constructing a massive pre-fab steel shed (they are still relatively cheap per square metre, and easy to get through planning approval - having to sacrifice some environmental values to achieve the greater long term outcome here- sorry!), then we'll fit it out to accommodate everyone - possibly straw bale insulation all around and straw bale interior walls for noise control -for anyone who has been in a straw house they are extremely quiet**. After rendering over the bales we will have transformed a steel box into a massive fireproof natural house with rooms for all, multiple kitchens and bathrooms, communal laundry, plus office space, and even room to park vehicles and equipment - I did say large shed didn't I!(Picture a great big eco-ark that hopefully won't be floating anywhere any time soon.)
The Preparation:
By forming a holding company we can collect investors to buy and build. Each investor will own a percentage of the company based on the amount invested and thus be entitled to the same percentage of whatever profit the farm generates. Our current estimates indicate we need to sell six (6) shares with a minimum cost of $80k each to raise a minimum total capital of $480k. We will raise the funds for our two shares with the sale of the Huon property, which means at this junction we are asking a minimum of four other people to invest with us. The third share is already under consideration. Any are welcome to invest more if they wish. Under our current estimates, we are allocating space for two people (two bedrooms) in the initial housing for each share -i.e. those six total shares represent a potential total of twelve people joining this first stage of the project residentially, each with their own room.(From where we can work on more ambitious housing and/or goals.)
All up, this funding will enable us to purchase the land, and build the preliminary accomodation.
From there we can actually begin the next stage of development and building of the eco-farm/village while living on site and taking our time to get things right. Our plans can evolve at a natural pace. If you're wondering what it might be like to live in an eco-community check out http://www.windward.org/ This gives some nice insight into a well established eco-community in North American, many of whose ideals we share and that provides a good model for our development.
There are many details left that will unfold as we evolve. Those details will be influenced by those who choose to participate and evolve as the company is formed, as we decide in which businesses the farm will be engaged, how many ultimate investors we want to share with (and thus how many people will live there), creation of a trust, group insurance, transport, animals, pets, personal projects, etc, etc. Having only 6 initial shareholders and a proper legal framework we will be able to resolve such problems readily.
If this sounds to you like a great opportunity and you want to talk, ask questions etc. then let us know. Even if you're not quite ready to make such a step but are curious and would like to be kept informed then tell us. We don't want to plaque you with emails either if you're just not interested, again - let us know and we can take your address off the contact list.
Many Thanks,
Tyler, Della, Solomon & Elly - Abeo tribe
Notes:
- A good property = basalt soil, high rainfall, elevated away from plantation runoff, and preferably a low frost probability zone.
- Despite the close quarters, it is still possible to attain a high level of privacy and personal space, and we will endeavor to design to that end.
Carpe Verum - change as a way of life - http://abeo.earthsociety.org
Be the change you wish to see in the world.