Our Fantastic Story

Our Fantastic Story

The SomerVille Ecovillage™ project is a not for profit community based initiative that is creating a world class ecovillage in Chidlow, only 45 minutes drive from the centre of Perth. The village design is based on Permaculture principles and Pattern Language as utilised successfully in leading ecovillages around the world.

Exhaustive planning and research from the outset has minimised risks and increased the likelihood of the success of the project.

Two families, Paul & Robyn Antonelli and Jamie & Serina Ablett, initiated the project in 2000 and involved the wider community in a unique and very successful approach to research people’s expectations of what an ecovillage should be. Following the review of 16 sites throughout Perth over a nine month period, in 2002 the community purchased a 399 acre (162 hectares) highly suitable property in Chidlow for 1.1 million dollars, funding the entire purchase price in less than five months from within the community. No external finance was needed.

The property consists of gently sloping north facing land with 70% natural vegetation and 30% cleared land. There is already an established orchard, existing cottage and other improvements. A winter creek and small spring-fed dam supply water to the property. It is proposed that there will be 104 lots on the land with lot sizes between 1000 and 2000 m².

Applying to rezone the land started in December 2002 and after due process, the Mundaring Shire resolved to adopt the rezoning proposal for the creation of the SomerVille Ecovillage™ in April 2004. This was a key milestone for the project. Since this time the rezoning application has moved to the EPA and WA Planning Commission. Consent to advertise the proposed rezoning was received in April 2005. In March 2006, the Mundaring Shire approved the proposal.

The Hon Alannah MacTiernan advised us in February 2007 that she will allow the rezoning amendment for SomerVille Ecovillage™. We now proceed with the Local Subdivision Infrastructure Plan and Subdivision with the Shire of Mundaring. We hope that these will be approved by the last quarter of 2007.

Community involvement has been a key ongoing feature of the project with the vision being, "A village where community flourishes, in which every person's needs are supported, in balance with a sustainable ecological ethic."

The SomerVille Sustainability Series was conducted during 2004. Key note presenters included Peter Newman on sustainability and community, Jill Jordan on enterprise and community and Max Lindegger on the environment and sustainability. The presenters have made invaluable contributions to the Sustainability Guidelines, the Enterprise Strategic Plan and the Ecovillage Design.

The Antonelli family conducted a five month trip visiting ecovillages in Europe and the United States in 2004/2005. This included 23,508 kilometres of road travel, visiting 13 countries, 25 communities and 6 educational facilities. New insights in areas such as governance, social and economic structures, layout and design will now be applied to the SomerVille Ecovillage™ .

The SomerVille Way

The overseas research trip provided opportunities to compare SomerVille with many inspiring projects around the world. Here are some of the key areas in which The SomerVille Way is different and diverse from the way in which most communities are formed:

Small group to wide group process

In creating The SomerVille Ecovillage^TM initially a small group facilitated an approach in which a common basis and foundation could be developed. This formed the basis of what is now known as The SomerVille Way. Most projects start off with an approach where everyone decides everything, usually by consensus, and often poorly trained in consensus. Different people want different things. Conflict occurs with fragmentation. The dysfunctional or demanding drive out the functional and reasonable.

Linking money input with potential outcomes and benefits.

Providing financial support in the SomerVille way was all about providing a value exchange and encouraging those who could put in more funds to do so through incentives. This process was open to all and whilst members had an option there was no obligation on members to have to end up purchasing a lot at SomerVille . In most other projects the amount of money put in is not linked to anything – and there is an expectation that you will end up living in the community.

Survey and market research as the key basis

The SomerVille Way is about not making any assumptions and carrying out continual market research and surveys to provide direction and clarity for the project. This minimises risk and allows as many people as possible to provide input. Most projects carry out very little if any market research, and make many assumptions with very little understanding of what people want.

Sufficient money not only for land but also infrastructure and other needs.

Under The SomerVille Way the financial model has been developed to ensure that all aspects of the project have been provided for. This includes acquisition of land, development of infrastructure and support of enterprise and economic activity. Most projects aim to purchase the land with little consideration at the outset for the other financial needs further down the track.

It has become apparent from our research that there is nothing like the SomerVille Ecovillage™ project any where else in the world. The SomerVille Ecovillage™ will set a new bench mark for sustainable development not only in Australia but the world. We as a community should be proud of what we have achieved and what we are working towards creating.

For more about our story, see SomerVille Ecovillage™ in the Media and some of the original historic SomerVille Ecovillage™ Title Deeds.

You can also read some of our members personal stories.

The SomerVille Vision:
"A vibrant village where community flourishes, in which every person is supported and contributes
in balance with a sustainable ecological ethic."