How big is the AAEV?
I'm not an artist: can I live in the AAEV?
What makes the AAEV environmentally sustainable?
I am mainstream: will I fit in to the AAEV?
How is the village organisation structured?
The total land size is 34.45 hectares, of which 16.7 hectares is for the purpose of community development and 12 hectares is available for farming. The land development consists of 142 residential and 11 commercial plots designated for sustainable dwellings.
Other projects include a common building, an affordable housing development, townhouse house & land packages, and additional community facilities.
The therapeutic and relaxation benefits of ‘art' have been well documented around the world for hundreds of years. You do not have to be an artist to live in the AAEV, although many artists are drawn to live here because of the close proximity to other artists. Many of these artists work from home which supports a cross culture of creativity and inspiration. The benefits of art are experienced through participation, regardless of whether you're an artist, performer or even naturally creative.
Walking around the AAEV, you can see that art has forged a strong identity amongst the landscape, from the character of unique house designs to the placement of rustic artworks, both decorative and functional. The proposed community development will include a central arts facility, and a gallery and workshops, providing many opportunities to learn creative techniques for both pleasure and profit.
The AAEV Arts Committee continue to deliver community arts projects - including mosaics, art exhibitions, and seasonal arts & crafts markets.
Residents are active participants in their environment with an understanding of sustainable principles and an awareness of their impact on the environment. This is achieved by working together, teaching and learning from one another, about the subject of Permaculture [the conscious design of sustainable human settlements].
This design includes creating edible landscapes and community orchards with gathering places located close to residential homes. It also includes both private and community vegetable gardens that provide a direct clean food source for residents or visitors. Revegetation programmes are integral and support biodiversity, through retention and expansion of natural landscapes. Urban design programmes will place human requirements before those of automation, and renewable sources of energy will continue to be used extensively to power domestic, commercial and community facilities.
Waste minimisation strategies and guidelines are circulated to all builders on site. Recycled building materials are available for purchase on site. A building development committee is available for advice and support, including information on access to non toxic building materials and finishes, and knowledge of local trades and services.
The sewage treatment plant treats and recycles all waste water for irrigation of the farm crops. Swales are located throughout the AAEV and collect stormwater and direct it to dams that stock native fish and yabbies.
The AAEV is like many commercial housing developments whereby your privacy and lifestyle choices are not compromised. A big difference, however, are the principles that surround you – encouragement of creativity, environmental awareness, traditional community values and local business development.
The community is ‘managed' by a democratically appointed group of residents from the Community Corporation that has been established under the Community Title Act. This is an environment where people come together to create the lifestyle that they want, using collective intelligence, capacity building, social enterprise, and community driven projects to enrich and develop the lives of all residents.
Some residents choose to live in this community because they are artists or environmentalists. Some because they want a safe place for their children to play and grow up. Some because they want supportive neighbours that they can get to know and trust. Some because they want to share resources, tools, vehicles, storage space, or knowledge. Some because they have a vision for the future and want to address global warming and climate change by reducing their footprint. Some because they want to demonstrate a sustainable lifestyle by example. Some because they want to live and work at home. Some because of the Willunga Waldorf school. And some just because of the picturesque landscape and beautiful coastline.
Aldinga Arts EcoVillage Pty Ltd [ABN 59 084 016 017] is the developer with
a team of Directors and support staff responsible for this scope of work. Once
completed the development will be managed by elected experts and residents,
under the Community Corporation of the Village.
Board
Chairman/Project Director – John Maitland 8410 4999
Finance and Business Development – Lou de Leeuw 8211 8171
Permaculture – Steve Poole 8556 6379