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Frequently Asked Questions
How
can I become part of the SomerVille Ecovillage™ ? How can I become part of the SomerVille EcovillageTM? You may want to become part of the SomerVille EcovillageTM, or be involved in its creation. Here’s how this can happen: In order to qualify as a full member of SomerVille Ecovillage™ Inc you must have signed an Agreement to Purchase a Lot at SomerVille. There is a second (non-voting) membership category, catering for those who wish to support the project but who are not intending to purchase a lot. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how this works please contact Greenedge Projects on 9572-3672 or info@greenedge.org It is up to each member wishing to support the project to determine an appropriate contribution. At present the minimum contribution is set at $25,000. Will I get interest on my deposit? There will be no interest paid on contributed funds. This is logical as, if interest were to be paid, it would be funded only from the sale of the lots, which means you would pay more for your lot to recoup the money paid back to you as interest. Is there any penalty if I withdraw? If you change your mind about buying a lot at SomerVille once you have contracted to purchase a lot, there will be a cost incurred of $7,000. SomerVille EcovillageTM Holdings Pty Ltd reserves the right to relax this requirement at its sole discretion. When will I be able to buy a lot and build my house? We are well advanced on the process of rezoning the land and obtaining approval for our ecovillage subdivision from the Western Australian Planning Commission. This is a complex process involving consultations with numerous agencies during which delays are likely. The sale of lots can only commence when all approvals have been received, so it is not possible to predict with certainty the date at which this will occur. However, our expectation for receiving these approvals is 4th quarter 2007, after which we intend to offer the sale of lots off-the-plan. Infrastructure development will also begin once approvals have been obtained and should be completed within a period of 4-6 months. On the basis of this time frame we hope future residents will be able to commence building their homes in mid to late 2008. Will people be able to make a quick profit from the project? No. There is a non-speculation clause in the agreement to purchase a lot and this will be embodied in the sale of all lots. Will I have to perform Community Duties? In keeping with our community ethos, we envisage there will be a requirement for all residents of SomerVille to contribute some hours towards “community duties”. Further details will be developed during community/governance facilitation. Will everyone pay the same price for the “same” lot? Pioneer benefits have been granted to those members who contributed funds prior to 31 August 2005 as recognition for their crucial contribution during the early days of the project. These benefits include a lower average lot cost by way of a Pioneer Discount. Will I still have privacy in a community? The design of SomerVille Ecovillage™ will seek to both facilitate community interaction and preserve individual privacy. We see these as complementary rather than conflicting needs held by each individual and family. The design and layout of housing clusters and the skilful integration of natural vegetation corridors into the built landscape will ensure community interaction is enhanced without sacrificing a sense of privacy. Will houses on the ecovillage need committee approval? All buildings must meet council regulations. Additionally lot owners will be required (and supported) to build in an environmentally sustainable and energy efficient manner. To this end, a set of building guidelines have been established and an assessment tool has been developed to help residents attain the necessary standards and comforts within their homes. It is also envisaged that an “Owners Manual” with valuable information on sustainable building practices will be provided to lot owners and that related educational workshops will be held. Additionally environmental standards will be stipulated in village by-laws. Our draft by-laws are based on outcomes from all of the community processes which have taken place to date. The body corporate is a representative body for lot owners in accordance with the Strata Titles Act. It will be established following the creation of strata titles and its primary role is to manage the common property and facilities. Can two families build two houses on one block? In accordance with zoning regulations only one dwelling will be allowed per lot. Nonetheless, a co-housing arrangement between families or individuals will be possible in dwellings, which are linked in a manner that conforms to council regulations. What type of agriculture will be used in the Ecovillage? Areas of the common land will be reserved for sustainable agriculture as determined by the body corporate. The use of pesticides, herbicides or other potentially harmful chemicals will be prohibited by the by-laws. Residents may choose to grow organically within their individual lots or in conjunction with other residents on the common land. If I don’t have enough finance to be a home owner is there any chance of living at the ecovillage? Yes. Ten lots have been set aside for housing to be developed for low-income tenants. In this way those who cannot afford home ownership may still have the opportunity to be part of the ecovillage community. After buying a lot are there any restrictions on selling it? As a lot owner under the Strata Title Act you will hold freehold title over your lot and thus have the right to sell it as and when you require. However, due to the expected demand for lots we have introduced a process to dissuade involvement by buyers for financial gain. Will I be required to build within a certain period after buying a lot? To reduce the risk of land speculation and to facilitate the development of the community, lot-owners will be encouraged through the by-laws to start building within a specified period after purchasing a lot. It is hoped that SomerVille Ecovillage™ will become a sanctuary for local wildlife and that the community land will include several wildlife corridors for native fauna. Accordingly it is has been decided by the community that dogs and cats will not be allowed at SomerVille. Will there be a school on the Ecovillage? Considerable interest already exists within the community for the development of some form of educational facility for home-educated children. As with other facilities this will be determined by the unfolding needs of the community. Water supply analysis is well under way by the project team. Initial data has shown that the community’s water needs can be met and exceeded through a combination of systems such as rainwater tanks, bores, dams and catchment systems.
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