The beautiful home above is a multi-award winning, contemporary, energy efficient building. This home was awarded as Australia's Greenest Building of the Year by the HIA Greensmart programme.
The home showcases compact design and affordability. It features two spacious bedrooms and living areas that fully integrate with large connecting decks almost doubling the internal space. There are also full designs and approvals for an ensuited extra bedroom or home office.
The home is energy self-sufficient with its 1.5kW grid connected solar power system. Thermal mass elements in the form of beautiful highly polished suspended slab floors to the dining room and internal rock walls help the home to be warm in winter and cool in summer. The home also incorporates an innovative hydronics heating system to some slabs and the rock wall. The hydronics distribute hot water through piping in the elements free from a solar hot water system. Floors and walls are double insulated and the creative curved roof is the well insulated Ritek construction. Cross ventilation features throughout as well as all the passive solar design features. Construction utilises a range of environmentally sustainable products that ensure low toxicity for healthy and comfortable livability. Also, the home enjoys the unrivalled aesthetics of many attractive recycled components.
Water storage of over 50,000 litres capacity is provided through the use of both underground concrete water cells doubling as subfloor and thermal mass and galvanised above ground tanks. Solar panels provide energy and along with the water self sufficiency will ensure those high energy and water bills are a thing of the past!
Click on thumbnails for larger images (images courtesy of Zenstick Photography Brisbane http://www.zenstick.com.au)
facilities
a feast for the eyes
The Ecovillage, with it's many water features, forests, outstanding landscapes and exceptional valley vistas is a veritable banquet of beauty for the senses. The built features have been designed to blend and harmonise with the existing landscapes and with charm and grace they achieve just that. Picture the stone bridge crossing the main swale, the many exquisite ponds with their rock gabiens spilling water during a wet, the bubbling creek visible from the sitting platforms on the Ridgey Didge Bridge. The Village Green with it's picnic shack and open air amphitheatres offer a touch of paradise. Many of these features are constructed from recycled materials
Come for a visit to The Ecovillage - your eyes will enjoy the views.
old dairy recreation centre
The Old Dairy Recreation facilities are proving to be a well utilised community asset. Constructed around and utilising previous dairy buildings from bygone dairy farming days on site, the facilities include pools, community kitchen / dining, childrens playgrounds, a woodfired pizza oven, gym, spa pavillions and many other amenities.
The completed Village Hall, part of the facility was used for the community's 2008 Australia Day Bash - a wonderful venue for the bush dance. The Village Hall is the first of the facilities finished and the community is already enjoying the use of this space for coffee mornings, birthday parties, workshops and other gatherings. The Village Hall includes a full commercial-sized kitchen, community dining area and smaller dining / meeting room.
Constructed from approximately 80% recycled materials, the building allows an enormous amount of cross ventilation and natural lighting. Many windows line external walls and clerestory louvred windows allow warm air to escape from ceiling areas. With beautiful rammed earth walls providing thermal mass there are also practical items on the Old Dairy theme that become quirky and funky aesthetic features such as the 'fresian' wall, light fittings made from cream cans and milkshake cups in keeping with the true 'dairy' theme.
The swimming pool construction is complete with the 3 lane lap and recreational pool ready for enjoyment by Ecovillage residents. The toilet block is complete with showers and eco-friendly toilets ready for use.
The two tropical-styled thatched spa pavilions are ready for resident yoga classes and loads of other activies.
The Piadori cob pizza and tandoori oven has been sculpted and now residents can enjoy wood fired pizzas. The gym is almost complete and the childrens adventure playgrounds are already being regularly visited.
village centre
Enjoy the Village Centre with its cafe / bakery, convenience store and other small scale commercial buildings. The accessible location of the practitioners rooms as well as serviced office areas ensure that residents needs are met as close to home as possible.
The tastefully designed Home Studios cater for small-scale commercial areas with studio apartments on an upper floor.
The Cafe / Bakery is the ultimate social hub of the village. A short stroll from any precinct within the Village, The Frolicking Frog will provide a meeting place for Valley residents, Village residents or visitors to The Ecovillage.
Landmatters have finalised design of the Cafe / Bakery Building and are now seeking Expressions of Interest for business operators. Phone Kerry at the Landmatters office on (07) 5598 7377 to register your interest.
the rrr centre
The Reduce Reuse and Recycle (RRR) Centre provides a central resource management area that will be a social centre for the community. Residents deliver their recyclables, organic matter and other refuse to the RRR Centre for sorting. There they will also find workshop areas, libraries (tool, toy, book etc) and many other useful community amenities.
The RRR building itself is an ex-Telstra industrial shed which is being given an architectural makeover with a 'recycling' theme.
The Recycling Centre, seen as the 'hub' of the village centre, will include workshops, the Caretaker Manager's office, the many community libraries the centralised waste facility and much activity.
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downloads
online sustainability information
The team at Landmatters have as their vision "to inspire and educate the development industry in world's best practice for sustainable development".
Due to strong demand from all sectors of public and private arenas,the wealth of knowledge and expertise that have been gleaned from the experience of developing the World's Best Enviromental Development (FIABCI Award 2008) and 24 other international, national, state and local awards we have made available some downloads.
Landmatters also have available planning documentation and other helpful sustainability resources. These items include:-
planning reports to educate in World's Best Practice Planning, Design and Construction techniques
technical manuals and reports included in the application processes
Information Flyers, Practical Building Notes and other reports
Fact Sheets
These will soon be available online, but for now please contact for further detailed information.
Landmatters will also be holding future Sustainability Master Classes. Development of these seminars is now under way. Join the database of interested parties by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to register your email address for updates.
testimonials
life is good
Many community members are now enjoying life in their own homes within The Ecovillage. Here's what a few of them have to say:-
When we first heard of the Ecovillage we weren't sure about the concept as the only eco-communities we knew of were the old hippie communes of the 60s. Once we made the decision, however, we discovered how far removed this perception was. Living in the Ecovillage has transformed my family's lifestyle. Here are just a few examples:
My kids (6 and 8 yrs old) are much more independent and spend most of their time outside the way we did as kids
My husband and I, who work from home, are surrounded by idyllic scenery populated by kangaroos, remarkable birdlife and even the occasional echidna
We knew no one on the Gold Coast when we arrived six months ago but the Ecovillage community is big enough that we have now met plenty of people we like and have a great social life of fire-pit parties, BBQs, swimming pool gatherings or just Friday night drinks
We can pick the kids up from school and be at the beach in 7 minutes
The village hub website means we can find babysitters or walking buddies, sell our unwanted goods and share information with the rest of the community, at the click of a button
Our last electricity bill was a credit of $25 - our EcoVision system, which shows us how much energy we use, means that even the kids turn the lights off when they leave a room
We now eat fruit and vegetables that our children pick from our garden every night, courtesy of the shared knowledge on organic growing that I have learnt since being here. The free range eggs we buy from other residents are a steal at $5 a dozen - the largest eggs I've ever seen
I can honestly say that the reality of living here has far exceeded even my greatest expectations. Perhaps the biggest accolade is that we regularly do house swaps and everyone who has stayed here has pleaded to come back as they love living in our eco-resort.
Mandy Johnson“Living in the Currumbin Valley Ecovillage has exceeded our expectations. Not only is it situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, we were able to build a home with minimal environmental impact which includes enough space for our home based business to operate. Since the birth of our first child we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our neighbours and the warm welcome from community members. The offers of support whether it be baby sitting, a meal, looking after our chooks or watering the garden while we were in the hospital, has been priceless and exceeded our expectations of living in a community orientated estate. We constantly pinch ourselves in reminder that we are lucky enough to be able to raise our family amongst local wildlife with wonderful people in such a beautiful, peaceful location.
Mark, Louise & Orlando Marron
"What we had hoped for has been exceeded. What we fantasized about has become a reality. What more could we possibly wish for? We have a beautifully designed and sustainable house, we live in a wonderful caring, fun-loving and empathetic community and we are in the surrounds of a green valley with views that change all day."
Clare and Denis Johnston Since moving into the Ecovillage, 5 months ago, our family of 4, have been settling in and having some great times with our neighbours.
There's a real village atmosphere, which is a credit to the developers who had such a great vision for sustainable living and connecting people who live within it. Our two teenagers are even enjoying it. They like having a home that is so pleasant to live in, with the added bonus of riding down the rapids on the creek on their boogie boards after the rain.
We enjoy the country like atmosphere; the expanses of green all around and how fast our garden is growing. The community amenities are a focal point and we regularly ride our bikes for a swim in the pool to relax on a hot day. Our home is wonderfully livable and we plan to be here for a long time.
Will and Karen Collins
My husband (a solicitor) and I (a teacher, currently on maternity leave) have a two year old daughter and a 5 month old son. We moved into the Ecovillage in April 2007. There are so many things we love about living at The Ecovillage it is hard to know where to start! Every morning we let out our 6 chickens, who provide us with more eggs than we can eat, and we pick the vegetables that we need for dinner. When the sun is shining our solar panels provide us with all our electricity. The rainwater we drink tastes great and the recycled water means that even when it's dry the garden never is. In the afternoons we stroll over to the fantastic swimming pool and playground and meet up with other parents and children. We know our neighbours, and have lots of laughs doing all kinds of things from playing badminton on the grass to building chicken runs with them. Living here feels like going back to the good old days with all the added benefits of today's technology.
Ian Kennedy & Sascha ValewinkI was attracted to living at the Ecovillage because of my desire to live in a "real" house within a "real village". The people I have met here care about each other and have our children and grandchildrens future in mind. Everyone is here for a reason, whether it be for their own quality of life or helping the environment and everything in between.My dream...........to live amongst kind, caring, wise, thoughtful, positive, creative people in a beautiful nurturing setting. I have to leave here far too often to go to my place of earning money. My intention is to live AND work here so I never have to leave!!"
Carol D'Anvers We had been living in London for 7 years when we decided to move back to where we both 'grew up'... and after a 3 month trekking trip and seeing first hand what was happening to the wildlife and environment in Europe (due to climate change) we decided to make as little impact to our environment when we bought/build our new home. How excited we were when we discovered that the Ecovillage was on our doorstep!
We moved into our new eco-designed home just before Christmas and we love coming home to our 'home', where our home isn't like the house next door. We have the most wonderful neighbours and that is ALL the people living in the village as well as those that live within our hamlet. We have tried to have as little impact on the environment as possible and we have timber in our house that you can't even buy anymore - beautiful 2nd hand doors, the list is endless! Some parts of our home are over 130 years of age. My daughter and I can spend hours watching the wildlife and the views. Our latest thing to do is construct a living roof over our garage - what fun! Eva has so many little friends to grow up with.. what a wonderful place and way to grow up.
Amanda, Travis and Eva QuennellLIFE SINCE WE MOVED IN TO THE ECOVILLAGE
20th December 2008 What a day that was! Our first day in our new home in the Ecovillage and lots of action, beds assembled and made up, desks and chairs brought in, boxes unpacked, rubbish everywhere, streams of well-wishing visitors, lists of things to do. At the end of it we sat down in the lounge room and congratulated ourselves on the days work and the years journey. In my quiet reverie I took in the rammed earth walls, the lofty pine clad ceilings, the views in all directions I'm pleased we persisted.
Since then the rubbish has been removed, the lists reduced but the views have never changed. Life has settled to a nice pattern. For the next year, Denise's sister and husband will be sharing the house with us whilst they build their own house in the Ecovillage. This is a wonderful arrangement as we are all close.
So what is a typical day like? It's a mix of regular and random events.
It may well start with my poring over the jigsaw puzzle on the lounge room table and then be interrupted by Peter suggesting it's time for a bike ride. We've got two standard runs: up the Valley to Mt Cougal National Park or down to the beach and along to Coolangatta. That choice is a beautiful dilemma. We settle for the climb the air and scenery are sublime.
Breakfast on the deck and discussion about the days chores probably some more shelves to be put up. Do we get a lot done? No, but we get a lot of visitors. Clare and Denis drop in on their bike ride, Chantal also comes by bike to give us something from her garden, Filippa and the kids walk past and stop for a quick chat, Steven and Meredith linger on their way back from a walk - pleasant conversation; lots of laughter.
At the end of the afternoon we go up for a swim in the pool but it's really a chance to just paddle around and chat with whoever's there.
Then we have dinner on the deck, regardless of the weather. These are times for conversation and moments for reflection. All the doors and windows are open, the breeze blows and we're secure.
As the night falls we are reminded of the dark sky policy for the Ecovillage. Is that the best feature of this wonderful place? It's got to be close to it. Or is the best feature the size of the allotments, the house designs that evolve from the community management statement or the greenways that will soon be abundant with growth? Or is it the warmth of the community that has developed with friendships developing across the ages, races and backgrounds? With that last thought the choice is easy.
Then, back to the jig saw puzzle! With some warm anticipation I know that tomorrow will be the same.
The Interpretive Centre at The Ecovillage is a Queenslander. One of the oldest homes in the Currumbin Valley, the cultural and heritage significance of the building was immediately apparent to Landmatters.
A restoration process began including some contemporary architectural changes to accommodate pergolas and features necessary to make the building more climactically comfortable. Generally speaking, the building remains aesthetically true to it’s architectural heritage but with a few very innovative twists.
The theme of sustainability was the highest priority for the building and to showcase to buyers within The Ecovillage and the general public visitation eco-products and services.As it now incorporates the project management offices for The Ecovillage and the Sales and Interpretive Centre, it is important that the building itself as self sufficient as possible and it’s users aware.
Complete water self-sufficiency is achieved by the inclusion of 9 tanks dotted amongst the landscaping, used as features and placed on stands. Electricity is generated by means of the grid connected BP Solar photovoltaic system on the entry statement to the village. The use of recycled building materials abounds and the many renewably resourced building materials are on show also. Non-toxic finishes as well as energy efficient lighting and plumbing fittings are clearly visible and able to be used in situ.
Over 45 promotional partnerships were forged to create the Interpretive Centre and many signs around the centre give interpretation of product knowledge and benefits to the environment.
The Interpretive Centre was opened in December, 2006 by Auntie Hilma, an elder of the local Kombumerri People and the then Premier, Mr Peter Beattie at an official ceremony.
the partners
Landmatters wish to thank the partners and sponsors of The Interpretive Centre and is proud to have trialled and used their products in the course of the project’s construction and usage.
Media
Press releases pertaining to the development of The Eco Village are linked below. The files open as pdf documents in a new browser window or may be downloaded to your computer by right-clicking the links and choosing "save target as."
Links
Government agencies and authorities which could assist in promotion and education of ecological services are:
Business Directory
The Landmatters team have brought together a wealth of Ecologically Sustainable Development expertise in their panel of consultants. We are proud to acknowledge the services of the following participating firms in the Ecovillage design:
The Landmatters team has also compiled a directory of suppliers of ecological products and services which may assist you. These companies could potentially provide services or products compliant with The Ecovillage By-laws and sustainability building codes within the project.
Landmatters takes no responsibility as to the suppliers reliability of supply or quality of reputation. Individual research should be undertaken to qualify these things personally.
Building Construction
Too Easy Builders
5522 0366
5522 0366
jason@tooeasybuilders.com.au
Recycling Centre
The Ecovillage at Currumbin
639 Currumbin Creek Road
Currumbin Valley Q 4223
Building Construction specialising in sustainable construction techniques, use of recycled materials etc
EnviroSwim - Watertech Services International
5559 2944
info@enviroswim.com.au
www.enviroswim.com.au
PO Box 5835
Gold Coast Mail Centre
Bundall Q 9726
Specialists in recreational water treatment and swimming pools
Ecovision Solutions Pty Ltd
07 5569 0166
07 5569 0177
stevemiller@optimate.net.au
http://www.ecovisionsolutions.com.au
129 / 80 The PinesElanora Q 4223
Intelligent Resource Monitoring System
properties
Land is now for sale at The Ecovillage at Currumbin.
Home parcels that offer proximity to services, some that are nestled into quiet bushland, others with magnificent creek aspects are available. Stage 1 and 2 offer limited opportunity with the last remaining lots now for sale.
The final stage, The Highlands at Currumbin, combine small acreage living with elevated positions - some with superb ocean views.
Stage 1 - the creek ecohamlets
Consisting of 40 lots ranging from 400sqm - 1600sqm the Creek Ecohamlets are situated on level land for ease of design and building. Close to the Village Centre and Old Dairy Community Recreation Facilities, the Creek Ecohamlets residents enjoy cooling summer valley breezes and north orientated lots to harvest the winter sun.
The Home Studios will be the last release in The Creek Ecohamlet precinct. Home Studios form an integral part of the Village Centre. Located in the Village Centre, the Home Studios are six contemporary studio residences above small scale commercial spaces fronting Village Way, The Ecovillage's main thoroughfare.
Live in Comfort - Work in Style.
Stage 2 - the valley terraces
The Valley Terraces feature 58 lots of varying topography. Gently undulating sites as well as slightly sloping areas are located near ponds and nestled closely near forest. Experience rural living whilst having a thriving metropolis nearby to enjoy whenever you like.
Only a few remaining lots are now on offer and Currumbin Valley views and enjoyable rural amenity have never been realised at this price. Contact the Sales office on 55987 355 for the latest availablity list.
Come and be part of this world's best practice Ecovillage and share in over 269 acres of space to recreate, relax and enjoy.
Stage 3 - The Highlands
Within The Highlands precinct you will discover remnant rainforest, mesmerising valley to ocean vistas, amazing fauna habitat, peace and seclusion.
The first release of The Highlands will include 16 spectacular homesites ranging in size from approximately 3,000 square metres to more than 6,000 square metres. Set in 200 acres of the best nature can offer, you will enjoy large acreage aspects: buy an acre, feel like you own ten and enjoy 200!
Visit the Sales Centre or click here for the Highlands website or fill in an Expression of Interest Form to register your interest.
Awards
the world's Best and that's official
The Ecovillage is Australia's most awarded residential development. This recognition, via mainstream and sustainability awards programmes, is a valuable tool to effect change in the development industry.
The Ecovillage at Currumbin, is a project that has as one of it's "caps" The World's Best Environmental Development" (see FIABCI Prix D'Excellence Award below). This highest accolade judged by peers in the development industry was a goal of the Ecovillage team at the outset of planning the project.
The project has been acclaimed with over 30 international, national, state and local awards recognising the Landmatters vision and include the following. (See whole Awards List).
“This is an award for innovation, bravery, inspiration..and setting the highest benchmark - about signalling and guiding the future.
This project acknowledges innovation in urban design, a place that is an exemplar for others, something that lifts the urban design in this city and sets an example for the future. I class this award as one of the most prestigious available in this industry.
This project, above all projects we saw, is the one with the very real potential to deliver future sustainable outcomes for the city and set a benchmark for Australia. To the project which I believe embodies all the principles we as a jury agreed were most important: community, sustainability, responsibility, exemplar design, art, community engagement, ecology, connectivity, adaptability and safety etc etc etc. this trophy is awarded to The Highlands and The Old Dairy at The Ecovillage at Currumbin.” Elizabeth Watson Brown - EWB Architects
This unique award is given to outstanding projects that show excellence at every stage of their creation.
The prestigious Prix d’Excellence trophy embodies the FIABCI ideal of providing society with the optimum solution to its property needs. The Ecovillage has achieved it's goal of "creating the WORLD'S BEST ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT" which assists with the Landmatters vision of inspiring the development industry to take up the task of sustainability that is so within its grasp.
Whilst the award was based on design and planning parameters, now that the village is home to many residents, they believe they are living in The World's Best Environmental Development - see "Testimonials" page for their stories.
The UN Assoc of Aust recognised The Ecovillage at Currumbin in the Sustainable Residential Development category for the World Environment Day Awards for 2008. Water self sufficiency, energy autonomy and social infrastructure were greatly praised as initiatives of The Ecovillage.
">URBAN LAND INSTITUTE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE 2007
This is the third year of the ULI Awards for Excellence program in the Asia Pacific region. The Ecovillage received top honours in a field of five projects from three countries: one from Australia; two from China; and two from Japan. The five winners were chosen from a field of 11 finalists. The Ecovillage now moves into the 2007 Global ULI awards programme with winners announced later this year.
The Living Laboratory located on Lot 105 in The Ecovillage has been awarded the Greensmart Building of the Year. Recognised as "capturing the absolute essence of what GreenSmart is about by addressing the full suite of sustainability criteria for a building responsive to the environment" the Living Laboratory Home has utilised recycled materials (about 70%) and other sustainability features to ensure carbon neutral living and self-sufficiency. The home is also part of the Qld Sustainable Homes project.
The UDIA National Awards recognises excellence in a particular category. The Ecovillage at Currumbin was recognised for it’s contribution to Environmental Excellence
This award is especially significant in that peer recognition as well as industry achievement is acknowledged.
HIA’s Greensmart Awards are a National programme showcasing sustainable outcomes in the built form.
Development of the Year was awarded to The Ecovillage for its innovation in sustainable components such as complete water autonomy, power self-sufficiency aims, social design, flora and fauna conservation.
Awarded for two consecutive years, the Ecovillage cuts through the two categories of Sustainability and Small Residential with this award.
Recognised for innovation in design and environmental features, the Small Residential category also focuses on quality of life and amenity for residents.
The Ecovillage was recognised for getting ‘sustainability out there’ in the general market and achievement for sales of a specialised non-mainstream product with budget constraints.
registration
Register your interest here to live in The
Ecovillage at Currumbin.
Send us your details (below) if you wish to receive a current availability list or news of the Final "Highlands" release.
This ensures that you receive current information and news as
it becomes available, stay informed of all future milestones and are aware of the next steps for living
in this exciting and innovative project.
* Denotes a required field.
formation/friends
community forms
With strong sales achieved and homes now being built and lived in, community is forming like never before.
For two years now members of the Ecovillage community have enjoyed monthly events called Coffee Connect where information is passed on about sustainable living and much meeting and greeting is achieved.
Management of Ecovillage processes and assets is now being carried out by residents and owners in the form of committees. An Earthcare group, Village Design Panel, Ecovillage Social Committee and other groups have been formed for moving the community now into the living phase.
Functions and events are regular occurrences in the completed Village Hall and, as other recreation facilities are completed, many other activities can be enjoyed so close to home.
ecovillage communications network
Planning for the future, Ecovillage residents will experience the best possible communication infrastructure. An advanced fibre-optic 'Ecovillage Network' provides quality communications service and offers many other features such as:-
television signals with no need for individual domestic aerials
free intra-village phone calls
cheaper external phone calls (both local and STD)
community portal website (The Village Hub) catering for a multitude of online communication needs
access to very high speed transmission and receiving
provide 'future-proofing' to the Ecovillage and homes
The Village Hub will enable Ecovillage and Currumbin Valley residents to keep up to date with community activities. Some features of the Hub will enable community members to sign up for carpooling, join community groups and view their recent accomplishments and notices, book the village hall and other village facilities.
During the course of The Ecovillage conceptualisation, design and marketing, we have met many persons who have registered their interest for "Friends of the Ecovillage". These are people who, quite happy residing in their present homes elsewhere, wish to be part of this unique and exciting project - its initiatives, objectives and activities.
This could be something like assisting community groups to form or even volunteering at a planting day! Friends of the Ecovillage sincerely and genuinely believe in the principles of ecology and sustainable living and wish to help us achive our goals.
Register your interest in becoming a Friend of the Ecovillage by calling into the Visitors Centre located on site at 639 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley or phone (07) 5598 7377.
precincts
the creek ecohamlets
The First Stage precinct, Creek Ecohamlets:Many stunning eco-homes are now occupied with some under construction. Residents are enjoying sustainable living including water autonomy, solar powered homes, vegetable patches, greenway parks and the beautiful ponds and Currumbin Creek.
The Old Dairy Community Recreation Centre is now complete. The lap and recreational pool, day spa pavilions and gym, village hall, community kitchen and dining areas and playgrounds are all regularly enjoyed by residents and owners.
The Valley Terraces (Stage II) with it's many ponds and mature Native Hoop Pine forest is truly a superb location. With varying topography offering sites and opportunities for flat or gently undulating home parcels, many of these blocks are tucked into natural sanctuaries of their very own.
Residents are proud to show off their eco homes. Others are now building.
No developer stock remains on these precincts. For current resales contact the Sales Office on (07) 55987 355
The final release, "The Highlands" features large magnificent elevated lots from 2500sqm - 8000sqm. Some lots in this majestic precinct offer ocean views and many features of natural beauty. The Highlands has exquisite abundant open space and unique acreage and seclusion. Contact Ken for a guided tour on 55987 355 or 0423 859 856 or email us.
events
The Ecovillage Community has been forming over the past couple of years with a series of events and functions including:
Slide Presentation night on Village Homes Village in California
Tropical Fruit Tasting Permaculture Talk by the creek
Clean Up Australia Day groups
Regular walks on site, tours of the concept, Highlands and home parcel layout
World Environment Day Stalls
Woodford Folk Festival Stalls
Year of the the Ecovillage Picnic
The Village Christmas Main Event
Coffee Connect (third Sunday of every month)
Australia Day Picnic and Bushdance
The common denominator of these events is Sustainable Living Practices - the vision of the Ecovillage, to impart awareness of these to the public at large.
Sustainable House Day
As part of the 8th annual Sustainable House Day, homes across the country will open so others can learn and experience the benefits of all aspects of sustainable living. What’s more, these houses appear normal on the outside…so it’s only when stepping inside that the learning begins!
Over the years Sustainable House Day has been showing people the benefits of energy efficiency in their homes, we have seen a dramatic increase in interest. People now realise they need to reduce their energy, water and waste needs in their home…but are confused on where to start.
That’s where Sustainable House Day can help. There is nothing better than talking to people who have already done it. You can learn the good, and the bad, from the home owner’s personal experience and talk to architects, builders and designers. Once you have experienced living in a home that is cool in summer, without air-conditioning, and warm in winter with little or no heating, it’s hard not to get excited.
This year, on September 13 there will be 3 homes within The Ecovillage open for public viewing FOR FREE. The aim is motivate and provide information so people can go home and start implementing some of the fundamentals straight away.
The day will also see the public launch of Innovation Estate - the Gold Coast City Council's adoption of The Ecovillage as a model for sustainability for the city. This is a first for Australia - collaboration between a developer and a local authority to showcase environmental outcomes for an entire estate.
The Open Day will include compost / worm workshops, Lexus Hybrid cars on display, tours of the EV, 3 homes open for public viewing, music, radio broadcasts, childrens activities. A fun day for all the family and educational as well.
For further information on Sustainable House Day click here
Held monthly, Coffee Connect is a chance for social connectivity and information dissemination for residents only.
Topics such as sustainable architecture and building, water tanks, solar power generation and gardening have been presented by experts.
Coffee connect has been an essential and valued tool for community interaction and sharing of design ideas and mentoring programmes. A lot of fun is had too on a social basis.
event location: Village Hall
event contact: Michelle Close
ph 07 55987355 michellec@theecovillage.com.au
interpretive centre open
Come and learn about the concept of The Ecovillage, it’s environmental features and objectives.
Our Interpretive Centre is open every day from 10am - 4pm. You are welcome to watch the dvd, browse and find sustainable products being used.
event location: 639 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley
event contact: Martin Jackson
village well
The Village Well Newsletter
Village Well Newsletters keep the forming community updated. Download below.
The Gold Coast City Council has adopted the award-winning environmental community, the Ecovillage at Currumbin, as its first Innovation Estate.
The 12 month partnership will promote to developers, the general public, regulators and visitors to the Gold Coast, world’s best practise in sustainable development.
The Innovation Estate collaboration is the first time a living community has been used by an Australian local government to help promote sustainable development and is consistent with Council’s ‘Bold Future’ vision.
The Interpretive Centre at The Ecovillage, well equipped with it’s displays, design room and environmentally friendly product suppliers brochures stocks, is open 7 days a week as a Green Living Centre. Friendly staff, all residents of The Ecovillage are well qualified to provide information and practical knowledge on how to live green and incorporate ecological practices in your life.
Council’s Bold Future is part of the Corporate Plan for the next five years and sets out to ‘inspire the city’s leaders and the community to achieve social, environmental and economic sustainability into the future’.
The Bold Future covers six key themes which form the framework for its Corporate Plan: a city leading by example; a city loved for its green, gold and blue; a city connecting people and places; a city with a thriving economy; a safe sity where everyone belongs; and a city shaped by clever design.
The concept of the Ecovillage as an Innovation Estate follows Council’s Innovation House programme which saw the third in the series situated in The Ecovillage. Innovation House 3 was the last in a series of Council chosen innovative residences on the Gold Coast and was selected for its multi-award winning sustainability achievements. It was the best attended of the Innovation series and therefore showed public interest is indeed high for good quality environmental criteria.
The objectives of Innovation Estate are to promote to the public and industry: energy efficient and more sustainable home design; the concept of more sustainable subdivisions; and more sustainable products, features and services associated with home construction and operation.
This announcement comes at a time when climate change and sustainable economics are the number one global issues. Being chosen as Council’s first Innovation Estate is further recognition of what The Ecovillage residents are achieving and shows governments are starting to take notice.
The Ecovillage boasts huge sustainability credentials including complete water autonomy and focus on energy self-sufficiency. Smart design and excellent energy ratings assist homes within the estate to be comfortable year round with low environmental impact. Other features including grid-connected solar power, edible landscapes, vast areas of open space and environmental reserve, permaculture and waste minimisation and recycling. All of these things show innovation in residential living with a developer who has implemented them for the community in order to make it easier to achieve.
Careful building codes ensure homes are not only architecturally-stylish but also energy-efficient. They feature rainwater tanks, solar power and EcoVision - an intelligent monitoring system that allows residents to keep track of their water, gas and electricity consumption.
Mayor of the Gold Coast says of Innovation Estate: “After 14 years in the making, the Gold Coast’s own The Ecovillage represents the pinnacle of sustainable living. The Ecovillage is the future of the housing industry.”
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
If you have a query, please do not hesitate to contact our infoline on 07 5598 7355 or email us.
Check this page regularly as the content could change according to new information to hand and more questions being asked.
All developer stock is sold in the first stage. There exists the opportunity for 2 resale lots. Call the office (55987 355) for further details / price list.
The second stage, Valley Terraces, has only one developer lot for sale. Lot 239 is an elevated block offering a secluded space living space. Call the office (55987 355) for details and a price list. Some opportunities for resale lots in the Valley Terraces offer large lots with a variety of topography including flat with creek views, elevated and gently sloping for split level designed homes.
Our jewel in the crown, The Highlands, is arguably the Gold Coast finest acreage land. It offers superb large lots between 3000sqm and 8000sqm. Ocean views, creek frontages, remnant rainforest, forested platforms and secluded pockets abound and every home parcel has a natural feature that takes your breath away. Visit The Highlands website for details and book your very own guided tour of The Highlands with Bill Egan on 0423 859 856 or 55987 355.
Immediately upon settlement, you can begin construction of your approved dwelling. Construction must begin within 12 months of settlement on your property with 18 months to complete.
We will forward you an information pack via the mail. We suggest that you endeavour to make it to our Sales Centre, an informative and educational building showcasing the project and sustainable living products right on site. Take a guided walk with Bill and explore the
wonderful features of this project.
When your thirst for information about the project is quenched - and this may take a couple of visits, a Purchaser’s Agreement can be completed, giving us relevant details to enable a contract to be drawn up for forwarding to you and/or your legal representative. At this time a fully refundable holding deposit of only $5000 is held in trust. You then have sole rights to the home parcel of your choice during the 14 day period granted to review the contract documentation. Upon signing of the contract the balance of 10% deposit is held in trust until settlement.
You will have freehold title (private ownership) on your home parcel under Community Title structure and a share in the common property of The Ecovillage. The Ecovillage, like many new master planned communities is community title which gives rise to a body corporate and, as such community bylaws and provisions are set up to effectively administrate and manage the common property and other facilities owned by the community. A full set of the bylaws of The Ecovillage at Currumbin Community Title will issue with the contract of sale and should be perused by both yourself and your legal representative prior to execution of contract.
The Architectural and Landscaping Code has been produced to assist all residents to design their home confident that they have the best environmental, ecological and social outcomes. The Code includes requirements for solar design, appropriate building materials to use, building setbacks - it even offers suggestions for colour schemes and many other tools. The Code is available from the sales team as a reference document - and for a layman’s easy-to-read version request your copy of “Building Your Home”.
Within the first stage: The Creek Ecohamlets, the sizes of home parcels range between 600sqm and 1630sqm offering a vast array of land configurations.
The Valley Terraces comprise more undulating topography with home parcels in size from 1650sqm to 2500sqm.
The Highlands, the last stage of the project offers exclusive ecological living in exceptional natural sites and includes home parcels up to 8000sqm some offering sweeping views of the ocean.
Three Ecovillage residents opened their homes for Sustainable House Day 2009. Sustainable House Day is an annual national event held to showcase sustainable design and construction to the general public to educate and inspire green living.
No other residential estate in Australia boasted so many homes and over 1000 people visited The Ecovillage on the day to see just how these homes are exemplary models of sustainable living. The homes are all energy efficient, water self-sufficient and quite frankly, very beautiful.
Ecovillage homes comply with strict Architectural and Landscaping Covenants so as to maintain a high standard of environmental criteria whilst still remaining aesthetically pleasing and contemporary in their design. They offer comfortable temperatures year round, healthy air quality, low impact building materials and light building footprints.
See the Testimonials page on this website for residents’ experiences of living in their wonderful homes.
“Like nothing you’ve ever read!
Anastasia will have you dancing with delight and squealing with excitement as you re-discover YOU - in all your glory! Like waking from a dream, you will find yourself suddenly remembering who you REALLY are! Her soft-spoken words will go straight to your heart - like nothing you have ever read!”
Many residents within The Ecovillage at Currumbin have made a discovery. They are all interested in and inspired by the Anastasia Ringing Cedars series of books. A group of community members is getting together to form a Discussion Group to learn from and gain further insight into this marvellous information.
The Anastasia series speaks of Ecovillages and places where humans co-exist with fauna and flora and with deep respect for the planet and their environment. A couple of devoted Anastasia fans have become Ecovillage owners as they sought to find a place that embodies the principles found in these fascinating and inspirational writings.
community spirit
Ecovillagers are now enjoying the benefits of their wonderful Old Dairy Recreation Facilities. These facilities house a Village Hall, gym, dining room, commercial-style kitchen, spa pavilions, wood-fired pizza oven, childrens playgrounds, lap / recreation pool, picnic and bbq areas and much more.
Monthly movie nights, community games evenings, weddings, parties, soup nights and lots of other enjoyable organised evenings are spent as well as the occasional impromptu informal get together.
Community living certainly has its virtues as children can play freely in easily visible proximity to parents as they socialise and gather with neighbours and friends. The indoor / outdoor nature of the facilities takes great advantage of our year round fabulous climate.
ecoliving
Living with nature
With approximately 80% of The Ecovillage site left as Open Space and approximately 50% of this as flora / fauna reserves with conservation status in perpetuity, a more harmonious living relationship with nature is one of the many benefits of life in the Ecovillage at Currumbin.
Ecohamlet planning allows for a social mix with a variety of home parcel sizes and prices contained within each precinct. This has resulted in neighbourhoods of varying ages, socio-economic status and family groups living life as it was meant to be. A diverse and vibrant community has already formed and are enjoying life in The Ecovillage.
Food producing streetscaping and landscaping throughout the village will provide opportunities to pick your own fruit and vegetables not only in your own backyard but throughout the entire site! This is happening right now with lucky Ecovillage residents experiencing crops of sweet potato, citrus and other foods. The Ecovillage Earthcarers Group (EVE) meet regularly to plant, weed and attend to maintenance of open space areas. Ecoliving has never been so ripe!
the future is now
Just owning your own home parcel gives you a share in the Ecovillage facilities. Ecoliving need not just mean growing, harvesting and creating resources.
Enjoy the 20kms of walking and biking network throughout the village, be close to recreation facilities such as the 3 lane lap and recreation pool, gym and Village Hall, take a walk to the nearby Village Centre for convenience items or that cup of coffee and social chat.
An intelligent monitoring system installed to each home - EcoVision - offers ‘real time’ monitoring of resource levels. Water, gas and electricity generation and consumption are monitored and reported. Know exactly how much energy your PV panels are inputting into the grid, know the levels of water in your tanks and, importantly, know what your family is consuming.
The Ecovillage Community Network: fibreoptic cabling fed throughout the community offers high speed communications including tv reception, internet connections, free internal community telephone calls, cheaper external telephone calls and the like. Operating a business from home has never been easier and the sky’s the limit with this well considered and extremely valuable resource.
An Ecovillage community portal caters for online communications ranging from intranet services to groups facilitation and other multitudes of services.
the village
"a world leading ecologically sustainable & conscious community where people & nature flourish in beauty, harmony & integrity"
The Vision
The Ecovillage at Currumbin aims to create a community that will have as its core - Living Sustainably - Developer of The Ecovillage at Currumbin, Landmatters, had a vision to "inspire sustainable living and development practice awareness" by creating a world-class ecologically sustainable village.
The goal is to preserve and enhance the current beauty of the site, improve its biodiversity, and nurture the regeneration of the land into a leading example of sustainable community living.
To achieve the project's environmental objectives, it has been important to challenge conventional thinking by employing practices, processes, systems and designs that embody innovation and excellence. Just some examples of features incorporated in the projects sustainability initiatives are:
• food productivity as an 'overlay' to the entire village implemented throughout streetscapes and landscapes
• provision of many services and facilities close to home to alleviate often unnecessary vehicle trips
• minimised laneways to enable easier access throughout the village by walking and cycling tracks than by car
• a diverse range of lot sizes to cater for many different socio groups and the changing needs of people
• an architectural code that ensures buildings 'tread lightly' on the earth
• grid connected solar power systems mandated to each home and community building
• complete water self sufficiency for the entire village
the implementation
The Community Recreation Facilities are currently under construction. The Old Dairy Village Hall has now been completed and the community have begun utilising it for functions and meetings.
Further facilities include gym, lap pool, pavilion areas for yoga / tai chi / exercise classes etc, childrens’ playgrounds, community kitchen and other useful conveniences.
These facilities enable many activities that would normally occur outside of an estate and save residents time & money from gym memberships to commuting costs.
The Village Centre, located on Village Way provides small-scale commercial facilities as services to village residents and local Currumbin Valley neighbours.
These facilities include a convenience store, cafe /bakery, practitioners rooms, serviced office areas and small pre / primary school.
When completed, The Village Centre will have all the charm of a traditional village and offer the ancient benefits of community and convenience.
Also part of the Village Centre, the Reduce Reuse and Recycle (RRR) Centre provides a central resource management area that will be a social centre for the community.
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The Home Studios provide the opportunity to operate a business as part of the bustling Village Centre and live in a contemporary architecturally designed studio above.
The six Home Studios enjoy commercial space frontage to Village Way the main thoroughfare of the Ecovillage.
Full details of the Home Studios are available from Martin or Michelle at the office (07 55987355)and release is imminent.
See Live Here - Facilities in this website for more information.
Currumbin Valley’s character and integrity are special
As part of the project planning, Landmatters presented a genuine Community Consultation process inviting Currumbin Valley residents and other interested groups and parties to identify issues of relevance to the existing community, determine future needs of the Valley and address matters of concern. Around 450 residents and interested people attended public meetings and small workshops, viewed the displayed concepts and met with team members – in other words, they were involved in having a say.
The Valley
Currumbin community identifies strongly with its beautiful environs. Social interaction includes activities around resident groups, environmental groups, local schools, rural fire brigades and an assortment of clubs. So whether it’s the annual “Spring Fair’, a local kid’s sports tournament, dragon-boat racing, surf life saving regatta, the annual SWELL Sculpture Festival on the beach or the “World Environment Day” event in a nearby park, it’s likely there’ll be something in the Currumbin locale to fulfill your interest.
Some of the facilities within the valley include recreational swimming holes and waterfalls located in world heritage listed national parks, cafes and specialty shops, amazing beautiful Estuarine beaches and lagoons, Currumbin Valley State School, Camp Eden Health Retreat and National Park walking tracks. There’s virtually something for every age and budget.
Beautiful walks and places to stay abound. The Currumbin Valley truly offers a piece of wilderness with the very best of nature's special treats.
local groups
Having such a rich and beautiful place to protect and enhance, Currumbin is full of identities and awareness groups. GECKO (The Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council) has its headquarters at Currumbin Beach. Friends of Currumbin and SWELL Sculpture Festival are also actively working for environmental, cultural and arts representation for the area.
tours
Intellectual Property Visits Now Available
We hold many visits to The Ecovillage from industry bodies, government agencies and representatives, school and educational facilities, interest groups and the like.
Previous visitors include a Sri Lankan contingent post-tsunami to learn about sustainable design and construction techniques, landscape architects from Shanghai China to learn about productive landscaping in urban / semi-urban context, Goulburn City Councillors and staff, VicUrban CEO and executives, Victoria Water Board(s) technical officers and senior executives, ALDE Conference group delegation, Campbelltown City Councillors, Mayor and technical officers, Urban Pacific Executives, Wide Bay Water Board, students from many primary and secondary schools as well as university students, local interest groups and many many more.
A general presentation of The Ecovillage will give the broad picture of the high standard of ecologically sustainable development achieved here. Also, we tailor and customise visits for groups to focus on particular areas of interest.
These include:-
Community Consultation Government and regulatory body liaison
Planning Engineering & Social design
Water and waste water
Sustainable Architecture
Tenure
Marketing and market uptake
As a general rule of thumb, an itinerary for a visit to The Ecovillage combines:-
Viewing of The Ecovillage audio visual presentation in the media room
General presentation of The Ecovillage planning and construction in the Interpretive Centre with Master Plan
Located on Australia's picturesque Gold Coast in the south-east corner of Queensland, The Ecovillage at Currumbin boasts an incredibly green address right amidst city facilities which is only 7 kms and 7 minutes from the Pacific Ocean beaches of Currumbin Estuary.
the perfect climate
South-east Queensland enjoys a mild sub-tropical climate with yearly temperatures averaging between 15C min. and 25C max. Because of the warm ocean currents the water temperature does not drop dramatically during the mild winter. The yearly average for days of sunshine is 263.
Southern Gold Coasters enjoy pristine beaches including quiet estuaries and also world renowned surfing destinations. There is no shortage of commercial and lifestyle facilities at this most beautiful tip of the Gold Coast. Festivals such as D'Alliance, SWELL Sculpture, In the Bin, Wintersun and others abound throughout the year.
Connecting Southern Gold Coast is a local association caring for business, recreation and environmental issues of this exquisite part of the vibrant city.
For more information on South East Queensland see:-www.goldcoast.gov.au www.visitqld.com
the perfect location
The Currumbin locality offers a comprehensive range of business services, recreational activities and both public and private health and educational facilities; as well as a vibrant café scene and a variety of shopping centres.
Other nearby natural features within the lush and peaceful Currumbin Valley are World Heritage listed rainforest areas of superb natural beauty with waterfalls and rock pool swimming holes.Don't be worried about quality - Currumbin Beach has been voted as the Gold Coast's best beach due to its quiet swimming estuary, iconic surfing beach "The Alley" and chic cafes and restaurants. As a popular destination accommodating surfers, swimmers and families the beach precinct offers walking tracks, surf clubs and plenty of activities. Take a look at the present conditions with surfcam.A plethora of private & public primary & high schools abound in all directions from this location - some commutes offer only a couple of sets of traffic lights. Nearby shopping facilities include regional shopping centre The Pines, Robina Town Centre, Stockland West Burleigh and the centres of Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach, Tugun, Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.Nearby hospitals include the newly opened Robina Gold Coast Hospital facility (public), John Flynn Hospital (private) and Tweed Heads Public Hospital.<
The Ecovillage is in close proximity to a multitude of services and facilities - just some of these include:-
how to find us
the land
"Willumbin" - the ecovillage site
history: indigenous & pastoral
The large (110ha / 269acres) and magnificent Ecovillage land parcel has a diverse array of topography and features.
“Willumbin”, as it was known in recent times, has had an interesting history. This extraordinary site forms an important part of the beautiful Currumbin Valley which, in pre-European settlement must have been an absolute paradise.
Located just a few hundred metres upstream from the tidal salt water of Currumbin Creek, Willumbin has a diversity of land forms from creek flats to hillside ridges, an elevated valley and a second water course that surely proved a magnificent home for the indigenous owners who resided in the locality for thousands of years. We have been advised by our cultural heritage consultants that the main ridgeline on Willumbin formed an important ‘foot highway’ from the coast through to lands to the west including rainforest areas of Springbrook and beyond.
Apparently, the ridges were ‘public property’ for travellers, whilst the lower lands were tribally guarded and used for hunter gatherings and camping of the local groups.
European settlement commenced with timber getting of rainforest species with the valley being a rich resource. This was followed by farming procedures which saw much of the slight sloping land cleared for beef cattle pasture.
Banana farming around the turn of the century completely cleared most of the valley hillsides including Willumbin’s slopes leaving only crerk vegetation, giant Fig trees, some mango trees and scattered hardwood along the ridge - the Ecovillage land was almost totally denuded.
After the banana ‘bunchy-top’ epidemic in the early 1920s and a moratorium on all banana production, dairy farming was resumed on the site. The land was used for dairy grazing with fodder cropping on the creek flats through to the 1980s.
There has been much vegetation regrowth since the site was simply used for agistment grazing purposes and The Ecovillage has a comprehensive revegetation plan to beautify the site and enhance biodiversity.
In the 1970s the then owner planted a 25 acre native Hoop Pine forest which is now a mature feature. This forest now requires thinning to make the most of this much loved area and timber will be used sustainably in the making of community buildings. It is envisaged that this forestry initiative will, over the years, offset the wood used in home construction by enlightened forestry practice.
land use: wise and sustainable
The diverse landscapes of “Willumbin” allowed a site led design to unfold throughout the planning stages of The Ecovillage. The precincts fall predominantly into three main types:
• The Creek Ecohamlets bordered by Currumbin Creek Road and the pools and cascades of Currumbin Creek;
• The Valley Terraces gently sloping elevated pasture overlooking Currumbin Creek; and
• The Highlands, an elevated undulating valley system with its own forested ridges, small creek and views towards the Pacific Ocean.
For an aerial view of the site with precincts marked click here.
live amidst nature
in an inspirational community
Awarded as the World’s finest example of sustainable residential living, The Ecovillage at Currumbin offers something inspirational ... the chance to live a natural lifestyle within a vibrant community atmosphere amidst one of Australia’s most liveable cities.
Escape the madness of suburban life and come live in Australia’s greenest location. Nestled within picturesque Currumbin Valley and with world heritage rainforests providing a lush back drop, just 7 minutes and 7km from some of the Gold Coast’s most exceptional beaches and comprehensive services, The Ecovillage sits, amidst paradise but near to all urban facilities.
Quality homesites set in what the International Real Estate Federation awarded as the World’s Best Development . Like living in your own private National Park with full resort amenities.Peaceful community living with that quality of life and older-style community feel that we all long for. Residents of The Ecovillage love living here (read the Testimonials page).
the highlands at the ecovillage
<>, the final residential land release of just 38 large lots, is now selling.
Enjoy seclusion in your own tucked away private space with The Ecovillage recreation centre and other facilities within easy walk or bike ride. State-of-the-art fibre optic cabling throughout the village delivers a high speed communications network so that working from home has never been this easy.
Conceptually, The Ecovillage embraces this extraordinary site, enhancing what is already beautiful ... a piece of paradise, where you can have the comforts of contemporary life yet harvest the many benefits of world class sustainable living: a wise investment for the future.
Visit the Property Information Centre at 639 Currumbin Creek Road open 7 days a week. Phone 07 5598 7355 for further details. Enjoy the information contained in this website.
“Living in the Currumbin Valley Ecovillage has exceeded our expectations. Not only is it situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, we were able to build a home with minimal environmental impact which includes enough space for our home based business to operate. Since the birth of our first child we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our neighbours and the warm welcome from community members. The offers of support whether it be baby sitting, a meal, looking after our chooks or watering the garden while we were in the hospital, has been priceless and exceeded our expectations of living in a community orientated estate. We constantly pinch ourselves in reminder that we are lucky enough to be able to raise our family amongst local wildlife with wonderful people in such a beautiful, peaceful location.
Mark, Louise & Orlando Marron 
Since moving into the Ecovillage, 5 months ago, our family of 4, have been settling in and having some great times with our neighbours.
There's a real village atmosphere, which is a credit to the developers who had such a great vision for sustainable living and connecting people who live within it. Our two teenagers are even enjoying it. They like having a home that is so pleasant to live in, with the added bonus of riding down the rapids on the creek on their boogie boards after the rain.
We enjoy the country like atmosphere; the expanses of green all around and how fast our garden is growing. The community amenities are a focal point and we regularly ride our bikes for a swim in the pool to relax on a hot day. Our home is wonderfully livable and we plan to be here for a long time.
Will and Karen Collins
I was attracted to living at the Ecovillage because of my desire to live in a "real" house within a "real village". The people I have met here care about each other and have our children and grandchildrens future in mind. Everyone is here for a reason, whether it be for their own quality of life or helping the environment and everything in between.My dream...........to live amongst kind, caring, wise, thoughtful, positive, creative people in a beautiful nurturing setting. I have to leave here far too often to go to my place of earning money. My intention is to live AND work here so I never have to leave!!"
Carol D'Anvers 
We had been living in London for 7 years when we decided to move back to where we both 'grew up'... and after a 3 month trekking trip and seeing first hand what was happening to the wildlife and environment in Europe (due to climate change) we decided to make as little impact to our environment when we bought/build our new home. How excited we were when we discovered that the Ecovillage was on our doorstep!
We moved into our new eco-designed home just before Christmas and we love coming home to our 'home', where our home isn't like the house next door. We have the most wonderful neighbours and that is ALL the people living in the village as well as those that live within our hamlet. We have tried to have as little impact on the environment as possible and we have timber in our house that you can't even buy anymore - beautiful 2nd hand doors, the list is endless! Some parts of our home are over 130 years of age. My daughter and I can spend hours watching the wildlife and the views. Our latest thing to do is construct a living roof over our garage - what fun! Eva has so many little friends to grow up with.. what a wonderful place and way to grow up.
Amanda, Travis and Eva Quennell
Within The Highlands precinct you will discover remnant rainforest, mesmerising valley to ocean vistas, amazing fauna habitat, peace and seclusion. 
The Gold Coast City Council has adopted the award-winning environmental community, the Ecovillage at Currumbin, as its first Innovation Estate.
The Currumbin locality offers a comprehensive range of 
