Stop Press!
1. The Process Working group are drafting a Communication and Decision Making Process framework to review by the community.
2. We still need volunteers to become the Facilitators of the Groups. Several groups are already active, including EVE and the Old Dairy facilities management group. If everyone can join and participate in one group that will really help reduce the workload of others and move the community forward.
Please email support@villagehub.com.au if you can coordinate any group related to your interest. There are over 40 to choose from. Many are not overly active yet so there is very little work to do.
2. All Members - Please join the Groups you are interested in, to receive information on those topics The main AllMembers Group will soon be used for Generic Key Community information only.
3. Please keep your Profiles up to date.
Live video stream:
Beach head at Currumbin
Click on the above image to see live streaming of what's happening at Currumbin Beach right now. Streamed from CoastWatch website.
Hello Stranger, welcome to the Ecovillage Community Portal. You are NOT logged in.
About
About the Ecovillage Community
The Ecovillage, located at the entrance to the Currumbin Valley on Queensland's southern Gold Coast, is established as a residential community comprising 147 eco-homes and community facilities, including a Village Centre. Development of this magnificent 110ha site, located only 7kms to beaches and urban facilities, targets self-sufficiency in water, energy and food production and its innovative design is intended to foster and promote community.
In a true testament to the sustainable initiatives employed at The Ecovillage, the project was awarded the prestigious International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Award for World's Best Environmental Development in June 2008 and has been recognised as Qld's best Small Residential Subdivision for 2 consecutive years (2006 / 2007) and Best Ecologically Sustainable Development by the Urban Development Institute of Australia in 2007. Another 19 State, Local, National and International awards have accumulated recognising the project objectives and outcomes as significant.
The Village Centre will cater for Valley and Ecovillage residents and visitors needs with supply of a café, bakery, convenience store, medical practitioners rooms, office spaces and some small scale shops.
In the Recycling Centre there will be a couple of libraries, workshops and caretakers office at this centrally located facility. Community gardens, a pre/primary school, and communal nature corridors are part of the facilities as well as over 20kms of bike and walking trails. Residents also enjoy use of the Village Hall, communal kitchen and dining areas, a lap and childrens playing pool and many other recreational facilities.
About the Ecovillage "Village Hub" intranet portal
The Ecovillage eCommunity Portal (commonly known as the VillageHub) is an online community software application that allows the community to communicate more effectively. It was designed by Creatop and is run by residents for residents.
If you are a member of the public you can join the Ecovillage mailing list by going to: friends mailing list. This is ideal for neighbours to the Ecovillage who want to know about the events being held in and around the Ecovillage, or for those just wanting to know what is new in Currumbin.
If you are a resident and do not yet have your login to the site, please go to: join link.
Research and Study on the Ecovillage at Currumbin (list of know Studies)
1. Quality of Life (QoL)
The study will analyse interview data WITH biophysical data coming out of ecovision systems from specific homes. For example match Ecovision temperature house data, with the external weather station data, and the Residents opinion of the relative comfort.
Contact: benocallaghan@villagehub.com.au or Professor Richard Hyde at the
2. Water Supply Study - CSIRO
CSIRO and The University of Queensland are currently undertaking studies examining community perspectives on alternative water supply options, and in particular the use of decentralised supply systems. Understanding these perspectives can potentially be used to inform government and water policy makers, helping to ensure that water supplies meet community expectations in addition to providing long term, sustainable supplies.
The first stage of this research was to conduct a number of in depth, qualitative interviews with people experienced in the use of alternative water supplies, as well as members of the general community. These interviews were conducted by CSIRO researchers in November 2009, and included interviews in the Currumbin Ecovillage as well as other locations in South East Queensland.
Contact: Dave Tucker david.tucker@csiro.au Australian Research Centre for Water in Society (ARCWIS)
3. Sustainable community formation / Creative Community Collaborations
The project aims to investigate the potential role of creative practice in sustainable community formation and is being conducted under the supervision of VU academic Christine Babinskas as part of a PhD in Performance Studies through
4. Urine Separating Toilet Research -
The first urine separating toilet was installed in November 2007 and is working well in the Living Laboratory at
There are another nineteen of the imported toilets now waiting for installation. Once there are more toilets collecting their ‘liquid gold’ the project will progress to a scientific analysis of the storage process and the fertilisation potential. The more toilets are installed, the sooner the next important stages of the project can begin.
To help understand the science behind this project testing is carried out by scientists from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water. Samples are taken for nutrient and microbiological analysis and some testing (pH, salinity and temperature) is carried out on site. A number of families have expressed an interest in helping us in this research by having a free toilet installed in their new home, but there are still unallocated toilets. The Urine Separating Toilet project will be featured in the February edition of the Australian Water Associations “Water” journal, and we can email you a copy if you would like to see it. Also if you want more information about what is happening or becoming a participant in the project please feel free
Cara Beal – 07 3896 9221 cara.beal@nrw.qld.gov.au
-END-