News & Events

From the Editor’s Desk – May 2019

Our place in the world “The future depends on what you do today.”  ― Mahatma Gandhi On writing this column I began to reflect on the broader implications of what we are doing here at the Witchcliffe Ecovillage. For me and my colleagues, this project has always been so much more ...

Garden update – May

One of the most important features of the Witchcliffe Ecovillage master plan is the location of large community gardens at the heart of each residential cluster. These gardens will grow the bulk of fresh food for residents in the clusters, which is vital for a community wanting to minimise its ...

Designing landscapes

As Sustainable Settlement’s Landscape Architect, I am leading the charge on all things landscape design. My portfolio influences many areas throughout the Ecovillage, including residential cluster community gardens, streetscapes, plant specification and public open space planning and design. During the last month, I’ve been working largely on the streetscape detail ...

Profile: Ecovillage calls across the country

Editor’s Note: As avid and longtime followers of the Witchcliffe Ecovillage, we invited Ken and Pam to tell their story to the Village Collective. We look forward to profiling more prospective Ecovillagers in the coming months in an effort to showcase the diversity of people drawn to this unique project ...

What is an ecovillage?

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.7″ custom_padding=”||51px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.22.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.22.7″] This image by @russellordphoto is of Sativa Sanctuary Holiday Home, a solar passive hemp house recently built by Hemp Homes Australia in Witchcliffe. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.22.7″ text_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] Ecovillage, sustainable community, co-housing, intentional ...

Soils: A gardener’s guide to the Ecovillage

If you’re seriously considering living in the Witchcliffe Ecovillage, it’s probably safe to assume you have a green thumb, or at least, that you’re interested in eating organic, nutritious, fresh produce. And as all gardeners and permaculturalists know, the building block for growing healthy food is healthy soils. Growing conditions ...

Tribute to Stan Perron

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Many of you will know from reading our website that the Witchcliffe Ecovillage is a joint venture between Sustainable Settlements Pty Ltd and Perron Developments Pty Ltd. It is the culmination of a 22-year association between Mike Hulme and the Perron Group on various ...

New staff join the Ecovillage team

The new year has heralded all sorts of beginnings for the Witchcliffe Ecovillage team, including the exciting addition of two new staff members: Jeff and Jo Thierfelder. A husband and wife duo, they individually bring a wealth of professional skills and experience to the team, which boost our overall capability, ...

Construction update: dam building

Construction has commenced on two new dams at the Ecovillage. The dams are a key part of our strategy to capture stormwater runoff from the village and to recycle it for use in growing food in the community gardens and agricultural lots. They will also enable us to maintain high ...