Affordable Housing – Living Cooperatively – Nubeena, Tasmania

Lynne Seddon from the Tasman Village project has contacted us about their ‘affordable’ community village project at Nubeena on Tassie’s south-east coast.

The Mercury reports that plans for a 65 lot community village on nine hectares at Nubeena have been approved by the Tasman Council and that this new village will surround the existing Parsons Bay Retreat.

A Village For a Range Of People And Activities

Developer Ilan Arnon says the Tasman Village project will offer affordable housing for retirees, young families and sea-changers and he expects the development to appeal to a wide range of people, including those looking for a holiday property.

The land is strata titled so people will be able to sell whenever they wish.

The blocks are small but every participant shares the open space, parklands, recreation and food-production spaces.

Ilan’s development in Nubeena is being created on 24 acres of disused golf course surrounding a 19 unit holiday complex. The Parsons Bay Retreat, built in the 1970s, will be rejuvenated and used as a base that will include tennis courts, a swimming pool, a licensed cafe, therapy rooms and areas for arts and events.

This Tasman Village development had been his life-long dream, inspired by years spent in a kibbutz in Israel as a teenager.

What Ilan Says About His Project

People of all ages from interstate and overseas are being attracted to the development which is still in its still in its early stages.

“I believe this is an idea whose time has come..

A kibbutz is a collective community in a rural environment where people choose to work cooperatively with shared resources aiming to be self sufficient. In these very uncertain times we need to look at becoming more self sufficient and not be dependent on complicated infrastructure..

Self sufficient small communities have the ability to be more resilient and adapt quickly to global economic and climate change.

I am not saying to make a direct a copy of a kibbutz, as there were some aspects that weren’t successful, for example the extremes of shared ownership have shown they do not work.

There needs to be personal ownership and it has to be affordable for young families who want to share quality time with their children instead of being stuck in the rat race.

It is the sharing of resources, the work load and access to drinking water and locally grown food that is important.”

Travellers/helpers from interstate and overseas stay for extended periods and receive full board in exchange for help in the gardens, maintenance, construction, kitchen and housekeeping. This successful program, introduced 18 months ago, has had more than 70 people participate for periods ranging from 4 weeks to 7 months.

At any one time there can be up to 16 people from all over the world living and working together giving the opportunity of authentic cultural exchange.

Communal dinners which are held three times per week are a focal point with the opportunity for shared experiences as well as culinary delights. The helpers get to meet the locals and have time to explore the area properly. Many friendships have been made.

As Self-Sufficient As Possible

The village will be as self-sufficient as possible. Grey water will be recycled, the buildings energy-efficient and there will be compostable toilets and plenty of room for production of organic fruit and vegetables.

For More Info

You can contact Ilan Arnon:
Tasman Village, 1583 Nubeena Rd, Nubeena TAS 7184
Phone: 03 6250 1111
Mobile: 0488 99 5555

Email: ilan@tasmanvillage.com.au
Web: www.tasmanvillage.com.au

Another affordable community opportunity