Living Waters - Introduction

The common ethics of Permaculture - Care for the Earth, Care for the People, and share the surplus - are demonstrated in this embryonic eco-village, set among some of the last remaining Yellow Tingle forest in Denmark, in the south west of Western Australia.

Like minded people are coming together and using alternative building materials for their homes and other structures. Water is harvested on site for drinking and utility and treated using biological systems before re-entering the water ways. This makes us conscious of how we dispose of potentially hazardous substances - paints, hair dyes, cleaning fluids - and calls into question the need for them in the first place!

The provision of safe organic food is an increasingly important concern. This starts with the soil, using compost and minerals to enhance the health of the ecosystem at all levels - including us. The land on the north slope was previously infested with watsonia (a bulbous weed), and we used pigs to clear it over several years, it is now a vibrant community in its' own right, with veggies, herbs and fruit and nuts, not forgetting the chooks of course!

There is a solar herb dryer under construction, enabling the value adding of produce grown here, or to service the increasing number of organic growers in the region. Office and meeting space will be available for residents to use, so it will become the prime focus for the community, and help provide possibilities for "right livelihood", and the chance to operate from home. It is a truly multi-functional building, with anything possible!

We found an article (reproduced in full here ...) that seemed to embody our feelings about our situation and what we wish to achieve -

"Hamlets, once common in Europe, are distinct from villages in several ways. Usually located outside of a village or town, on marginal land, they are responsible for their own livelihoods. Food is grown to meet the needs of the community, not primarily as cash crops, with some arts and crafts sold as income. Most of the homes are owner built, and the people are resourceful, the water and power being down to the individual. The end result is an economically viable and resilient community, small enough for human harmony."

We believe that ultimately the journey is about taking responsibility for our own actions at every level. Health, water, energy, waste, food, shelter, community. It is too easy to think it beyond our influence, and so remain part of the problem.

Permaculture courses have been run on the property for over 10 years, and it is still the best way to become immersed in the lifestyle, and find out how easy it is to make the changes you need to move towards sustainability!

Another way to sample the lifestyle is by WWOOFing which involves work in exchange for food and board. This is certainly the most hands on way to learn and experience things here. There's always plenty going on, and lots to do!

You might like to have a look at this very short historical introduction to Living Waters.