Date

Event

20 May 2000

Paul Antonelli attended an Ecovillage Community Building Workshop at City farm in East Perth. Serina recommended the course. Max Lindegger was the presenter from Crystal Waters.

10 June 2000

Paul & Robyn Antonelli and Jamie & Serina Ablett agree to undertake the project of Building an ecovillage in the Perth hills. The early beginnings of the project team.

1July 2000

Had a look at a property on Toodyay Road – Glamorgan – as the first site visited to get a feel for what an Ecovillage could look like on the ground.

13 July 2000

Began the development of the detailed Strategic Plan.

14 October 2000

The First Draft of the Strategic Plan was completed

17 October 2000

Work commenced on the construction of a questionnaire which would be an online survey to test the findings and basis for the strategic plan.

21 November 2000

Attended a meeting at the Mundaring Shire to look at issues relating to the Town Planning Scheme. A submission was documented and presented to the shire in regards to Rural Cluster Dwellings.

2 December 2000

The Ecovillage Questionnaire was launched.

Date

Event

2 February 2001

100 completed questionnaires have been submitted.

20 February 2001

Compilation and analysis of questionnaire results begins.

28 April 2001

Paul attends a two week Permaculture Design Certificate Course at Crystal Waters. Carries out on the ground research on an Ecovillage in Queensland.

15 June 2001

The Strategic Plan has now been revised to include key findings from research and study to date.

14 July 2001

Ecovillage Landhunt Launch took place at Darlington Hall. This was the first public presentation of the work to date. Over 100 people turned up from all over Perth to learn about the project and register their interest.

Many of the early pioneers and eventual community members attended this launch including Dave Moore, Judy Carlsson, Julie Woodman, Paul Moes, Arthur & Salamah Pope, and Vida & Dominic Carlino. Enough interest was shown at this meeting to give the Antonellis and Abletts the confidence to continue with their dream.

5 August 2001

Land Requirement Overview distributed to real estate agents in potential locations.

10 August 2001

The first of many on site inspections began. This in all directions from Perth and at varying distances from the CBD. This was an important process to get a feel for prices and what is available.

12 September 2001

First meeting with the Shire of Swan. Provided preliminary information about the process required

6 October 2001

Paul presented information about the Project at an Environmental Seminar organised by Judi Moylan at the Mundaring Shire Offices. Much interest from the public and the Mundaring Shire.

24 October 2001

First meeting and contact with the State Planning Commission. Discussed the project and key issues for consideration in order for the project to succeed.

31 October 2001

Potential sites had now been identified. These varied in location, price, size and suitability. Developed a clearer understanding of what sites would be better suited for the project.

9 November 2001

Paul attends an Ecovillage Design Course and Practicum at Crystal Waters. This two-week course provides a foundation for which to base a design and to move forward.

29 November 2001

Meeting with Mundaring Shire to discuss the project and provide information. Also better understand the processes required.

8 December 2001

Ecocom Solutions Launch and Ecovillage Update - Darlington Hall.

The idea of Ecocom Solutions Incorporated was first floated to the public at a meeting held at the Darlington Hall. This was in planning for some six months prior. The objective of Ecocom was to assist in the development of ecovillages in Perth by offering paid membership to potential residents, or even interested parties, who as members would have the opportunity to be kept informed of progress on the project.

Late 2001

In late 2001 Jamie & Serina Ablett decided they no longer had the commitment to continue with the ecovillage dream. This left the Project Team well under resourced and so the net was cast. The fish caught were Brad and Laura Fewster, David and Samali Nicholson and Dominic & Vida Carlino, with Paul and Robyn Antonelli doing the fishing.

As far as the Strategic Plan went all things were running to plan. The intent had always been to gain committed additional resources (the Project Team), and to have a group of interested potential residents (Ecocom) to contribute funds in return for an opportunity to purchase a lot. The other pivotal idea was that a development company would be established to purchase the land and be responsible for carrying out all the required studies, planning, design and approval submissions. Once all the required approvals were obtained the land ownership would change hands.

Date

Event

23 January 2002

Ecocom Solutions was officially incorporated.

13 February 2002

The Project Team came together for the first time.

This team will focus on the moving forward the physical aspect of the project. The project team consists of Dominic and Vida Carlino, Brad and Laura Fewster, David and Samali Nicholson and Paul & Robyn Antonelli.

23 February 2002

The Project Team carried out detailed site visits of properties in Muchea, Brigadoon, Chidlow using land feasibility assessment technique.

9 April 2002

Andrew Lavell informs us of this new property in Chidlow

A new one. 399 acres. Paul & Robyn visit the property and walk off the property knowing that the property where the Ecovillage is going to be located has now been found. This is the one!!!

(You can view more details of the property at www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/land/ and if you are interested in viewing the property please visit www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/get_involved/viewing.htm)

13 April 2002

Second walk around the property with many people from the community invited to be involved in the walk around and provide thoughts and comments. About 30 people turn up and the initial feelings and thoughts on this special property have been confirmed. Independent assessment and scoring carried out.  The decision was made to put an offer on the property.

16 April 2002

Offer was put in for the purchase of the property on Coothallie Road Chidlow.

19 April 2002

Offer was accepted in principle by the owners of the property. Settlement date has been set for the 15th August 2002.

20 April 2002

Inaugural Meeting of Ecocom Solutions at Darlington hall. Land information was presented as well as preliminary information on the Community Funding Pack.

The Ecocom Committee was Elected and the inaugural committee members were Paul Moes, Judy Carlsson, Dave Moore, Salamah Pope, Phillip Bailey, Andrew Lavell (replaced shortly thereafter by Robin Garbutt), and Paul Antonelli.

25 April 2002

Ecocom Website Launched (now superseded)

16 May 2002

First Ecocom Committee meeting.

The Name SomerVille was decided for the ecovillage.

(If you are an Ecocom member you can view the Ecocom Minutes in the members only section located at www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/members)

28 May 2002

Contract signed and accepted for SomerVille Land.

30 May 2002

Community Funding Pack launched to the community at Darlington.

11 June 2002

Information night held at Fremantle Town Hall.

15 June 2002

Open Day - Chidlow. Well promoted open day on the land with stalls and guest speakers. In total over 400 people attended the day. Incredible confirmation of interest for the project.

17 June 2002

Information Night held at the Guildford Landing Function Centre.

30 June 2002

Information Afternoon at the Earthwise Hall in Subiaco. After an interesting method of entry (had to break the window to get in, then call someone to come and replace window) it turned out to be an incredible day with about 100 people attending.

7 July 2002

Ecocom Homestretch Celebration Luncheon held on the land. An amazing day attended by over 70 people. Tour of the land, vision sharing, great pot luck lunch in an old hay shed. An amazing dedication ceremony where we planted a Persimmon Tree as Carol did a Chant - which just seemed to bring the rain on queue!

(You can view a photo of this event at www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/inc/images/Home%20Stretch%20Group%20Photo.jpg)

21 July 2002

Information Afternoon at the Harmony Centre in Doubleview.

26 July 2002

Project Team presents project feasibility to the Ecocom Committee regarding the SomerVille Ecovillage™ Project. Committee unanimously voted to proceed with the purchase of the land in Chidlow.

31 July 2002

Variation to purchase contract signed. The contract to purchase the land became unconditional. New target settlement date is 15th September 2002.

25 August 2002

Second Open Day held on the land. Tours, talks, food, entertainment, chooks, raffles, plants, kids, smiles and a great day. Enjoyed by over 500 people from all over Perth.

(If you are interested in viewing the land please visit www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/get_involved/viewing.htm)

28 August 2002

Greenedge Website Launched (you can view the website by visiting www.greenedge.org)

29 September 2002

Spring on SomerVille held. A presentation at Chidlow hall followed by a tour of the land and some lively spring socialisation on the land. The reality of the settlement of the land is drawing closer.

31 October 2002

Milestone

Final funds were received on the 29th October 2002. Settlement took place at 3.30 pm. The SomerVille land now belongs to Ecocom Solutions Inc and the community. This was achieved with no external funding or financial support.

Date

Event

January 2003

First Ecocom Newsletter published, followed by one in March and another in May. (to view the newsletters please visit www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/newsletters)

16 March 2003

Open day on site. This was held around the yellow shed. in total we had about 400 people attend. It was a glorious day.

6 April 2003

First community forum in the yellow shed

14 April 2003

Mundaring Shire Council Strategic Policy Committee meeting. First opportunity for councillors to discuss the project. Outcome was a motion being passed to support the SomerVille Ecovillage™ project.

19 April 2003

First SomerVille Residents

Antonelli Family move out onto SomerVille in the original cottage - named Walnut Cottage.

23 April 2003

First baby born on SomerVille . Dante Marcus Antonelli arrived at Walnut Cottage.

23 April 2003

Information Evening at Guildford Landing.

9 July 2003

Information Evening for service and supplier companies interested in submitting an Expression of Interest to be involved in SomerVille Ecovillage™ .

18 July 2003

Closing date for Expressions of Interest submissions. Many submissions received from a complete spectrum of companies.

2 August 2003

Leif Johansen - SomerVille Land Care Manager moves onto the land.

9 to 16 August 2003

Max Lindegger brought over by the Project Team. Ecovillage Workshop, Landcorp Seminar, Information Evening and SomerVille Community day.

10 September 2003

Formal Rezoning Submission into the Mundaring Shire Council

14 September 2003

Spring Open day held on SomerVille . Approximately 300 people attend a great event.

30 September 2003

Paul Antonelli officially ends his position as Convenor for Ecocom Solutions Inc.

1 November 2003

1st Year Anniversary for the purchase of SomerVille Land celebrated by a Bush dance on the property.

2 November 2003

Ecocom Solutions Incorporated AGM held in the yellow shed at SomerVille . Malcolm Robb elected new Convenor for Ecocom Solutions Inc.

11 November to 20 December 2003

Antonelli family undertake a six week research trip around the east coast of Australia visiting 11 diverse eco type projects.

1 December 2003

Official response from Mundaring Shire Council in relation to Rezoning Submission received.

Date

Event

24 March 2004

Expanded Project Team meets for the first time on site.

4 April 2004

First Ecocom Workshop relating to the development of the SomerVille Interim Community Building.

27 April 2004

Mundaring Shire Council formally Resolves to initiate rezoning of property so the project can proceed.

2 May 2004

Second Ecocom Workshop relating to the development of the SomerVille Interim Community Building.

12 May 2004

Next Phase Survey released to gauge needs and preferences of potential residents, current level of commitment and the basis for this, expected level of involvement for the process ahead and economic sustainability requirements and enterprise plans.

23 May 2004

Third Ecocom Workshop relating to the development of the SomerVille Interim Community Building.

26 May 2004

Enterprise Information Evening held at Swan Leisure centre to launch this phase of the project.

13 June 2004

Confirming the Vision workshop held at SomerVille . 118 items discussed -106 of these items were accepted as givens. 9 items were flagged as requiring further discussion. 4 items were marked as not relevant and an additional 2 items were added.

27 June 2004

Enterprise Forum Workshop held at SomerVille . First step in the economic model creation for SomerVille .

18 July 2004

Sustainable Development guidelines workshop held on site. This was the first step in creating a guideline document in relation to sustainability.

21 July 2004

Kicked off the Sustainability Series with Peter Newman in Fremantle. The focus tonight was on Community and Sustainability.

1 August 2004

Second workshop relating to the Economic and Enterprise strategy at SomerVille . Jill Jordan from Maleny was brought over to provide valuable input and experience as part of this process.

2 August 2004

Second evening seminar in the Sustainability series run by Jill Jordan. This focused on Economics and Sustainability and was held in Northbridge.

14 & 15 August 2004

SomerVille Ecovillage™ Design Weekend held on site. Max Lindegger was brought over as part of the process. This session covered a wide range of issues and the outcome was high clarity regarding the layout of the village.

17 August 2004

Third Information Sustainability Seminar with Max Lindegger held in Floreat focusing on the Environment

24 August 2004

The George Negus Tonight interview on the ABC with Paul Antonelli went to air tonight all over Australia. To read transcript click here!

19 to 25 August 2004

Pegging of the lots on the ground at SomerVille . This was a follow on from the previous activity and workshops. Dominic Carlino, Paul Moes, Helmut Hilz, and Paul Antonelli were involved in this process which saw the placement of 10 clusters and 94 lots.

29 August 2004

Presentation and review of draft Ecovillage Design and on the ground review of pegged lots. This was an exciting stage where people could begin to visualise where their homes on site may be. An inspiring day.

(You can view photo's of this event at www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/photos/2004-08-lots.htm)

1 September 2004

The Antonelli family depart Australia for a 5 month Global Ecovillage Research Tour through Europe and the USA. (you can read more about this trip at www.greenedge.org/roving/)

6 September 2004

Environmental Protection Agency advise no formal assessment required

12 September 2004

SomerVille Sustainability Fair held at SomerVille . A fantastic day attended by over 500 people from all over Perth.

(You can view photo's of this event at www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/photos/2004-09-spring_festival.htm and at www.greenedge.org/fair/index.html)

13 September 2004

SomerVille Ecovillage™ On-line Forums are announced. The discussion forums help keep everyone up to date with the project- especially those who don't live close enough to regularly attend events. (You can view the forums at www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/forums)