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Perth's First Ecovillage
SomerVille EcoVillage Map
Tree change, green energy and carbon credits are environmental catch phrases that reverberate around government and community. Though climate change and the environmental agenda are now firmly ensconced in our daily vocabulary, the changes required to turn the catch cries to action and activity are often left to the individual.
Around the world, these individuals are increasingly choosing life in an ecovillage as not only their environmental contribution, but a lifestyle choice.
Perth’s first ecovillage is located in Chidlow, and was recently launched. The SomerVille Ecovillage provides Western Australians with an opportunity for a unique lifestyle.
Dominic Carlino, Director at ecovillage developer Greenedge Projects, said SomerVille is a landmark development for WA. “The SomerVille Ecovillage is the first development of its kind in Perth. Ecovillages have been popular in Europe for decades, and are now operating very successfully around Australia,” he said.
Mr. Carlino said that SomerVille has been developed with three distinct strategies. “The creation of ecovillage communities requires environmental, economic, and social development to interact together to achieve a complete sustainable outcome and ecovillage,” he said.
“Environmentally, the installation of solar panels and 60,000L rainwater tanks at every home, and design guidelines ensuring that each house will attain a thermal performance rating of at least seven stars are just the beginning of the environmental measures being implemented at SomerVille.”
“Economically, the SomerVille Ecovillage will generate an estimated 77 long term direct and 739 long term indirect jobs within the community. Much of this work will come through the SomerVille Enterprise Champion Program, which assists budding entrepreneurs to establish businesses in fields like education, health and wellbeing, IT and media and community supported agriculture.”
“Socially, the SomerVille governance process ensures open and transparent decision making, and considers community engagement and consultation as fundamental. In addition, 10 lots within the Ecovillage have been set aside for affordable housing.”
“We have much to credit Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, for this milestone Ecovillage, having intervened twice with the Planning Commission to assist in driving the development across the line. Somerville has achieved a landmark rezoning, “Special Purpose Ecovillage,” due to the delivery of true sustainability.”
Located just two kilometres from the centre of Chidlow, the SomerVille Ecovillage is set on almost 400 acres of land, 70% of which is covered by natural bush vegetation. The gently sloping land features an established orchard, agricultural area, a winter creek, spring-fed dam, State Forest on southern and western boundaries and a historic bridle trail on the northern boundary.
The Ecovillage layout is community centred with lots existing in clusters that surround the village centre. SomerVille’s amenities will be a short distance from all homes and the village centre is completely car-free, delivering an area of 50 acres that is safe for recreation and play and affords risk-free transit for pedestrians and cyclists.
Around the world, these individuals are increasingly choosing life in an ecovillage as not only their environmental contribution, but a lifestyle choice.
Perth’s first ecovillage is located in Chidlow, and was recently launched. The SomerVille Ecovillage provides Western Australians with an opportunity for a unique lifestyle.
Dominic Carlino, Director at ecovillage developer Greenedge Projects, said SomerVille is a landmark development for WA. “The SomerVille Ecovillage is the first development of its kind in Perth. Ecovillages have been popular in Europe for decades, and are now operating very successfully around Australia,” he said.
Mr. Carlino said that SomerVille has been developed with three distinct strategies. “The creation of ecovillage communities requires environmental, economic, and social development to interact together to achieve a complete sustainable outcome and ecovillage,” he said.
“Environmentally, the installation of solar panels and 60,000L rainwater tanks at every home, and design guidelines ensuring that each house will attain a thermal performance rating of at least seven stars are just the beginning of the environmental measures being implemented at SomerVille.”
“Economically, the SomerVille Ecovillage will generate an estimated 77 long term direct and 739 long term indirect jobs within the community. Much of this work will come through the SomerVille Enterprise Champion Program, which assists budding entrepreneurs to establish businesses in fields like education, health and wellbeing, IT and media and community supported agriculture.”
“Socially, the SomerVille governance process ensures open and transparent decision making, and considers community engagement and consultation as fundamental. In addition, 10 lots within the Ecovillage have been set aside for affordable housing.”
“We have much to credit Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, for this milestone Ecovillage, having intervened twice with the Planning Commission to assist in driving the development across the line. Somerville has achieved a landmark rezoning, “Special Purpose Ecovillage,” due to the delivery of true sustainability.”
Located just two kilometres from the centre of Chidlow, the SomerVille Ecovillage is set on almost 400 acres of land, 70% of which is covered by natural bush vegetation. The gently sloping land features an established orchard, agricultural area, a winter creek, spring-fed dam, State Forest on southern and western boundaries and a historic bridle trail on the northern boundary.
The Ecovillage layout is community centred with lots existing in clusters that surround the village centre. SomerVille’s amenities will be a short distance from all homes and the village centre is completely car-free, delivering an area of 50 acres that is safe for recreation and play and affords risk-free transit for pedestrians and cyclists.
