Project history

Project History Timeline

Date	Event
20^th May 2000	Paul attended an Ecovillage Community Building Workshop at City farm in East Perth. Serina recommended the course. Max Lindegger was the presenter from Crystal Waters.
10^th June 2000	Paul & Robyn and Jamie & Serina agree to undertake the project of Building an ecovillage in the Perth hills.
1^st July 2000	Had a look at a property on Toodyay Road – Glamorgan – as the first site visited to get a feel for what an Ecovillage could look like on the ground.
13^th July 2000	Began the development of the detailed Strategic Plan.
14^th October 2000	The First Draft of the Strategic Plan was completed.
17^th October 2000	Work commenced on the construction of a questionnaire which would be an online survey to test the findings and basis for the strategic plan.
21^st November 2000	Attended a meeting at the Mundaring Shire to look at issues relating to the Town Planning Scheme. A submission was documented and presented to the shire in regards to Rural Cluster Dwellings.
2^nd December 2000	The Ecovillage Questionnaire was launched.
2^nd February 2001	100 completed questionnaires have been submitted.
20^th February 2001	Compilation and analysis of questionnaire results begins.
28^th April 2001	Paul attends a two week Permaculture Design Certificate Course at Crystal Waters. Carries out on the ground research on an Ecovillage in Queensland.
15^th June 2001	The Strategic Plan has now been revised to include key findings from research and study to date.
14^th July 2001	Ecovillage Landhunt Launch took place at Darlington Hall. This was the first public presentation of the work to date. Over 100 people turned up from all over Perth to learn about the project and register their interest.
5^th August 2001	Land Requirement Overview distributed to real estate agents in potential locations.
10^th August 2001	The first of many on site inspections began. This in all directions from Perth and at varying distances from the CBD. This was an important process to get a feel for prices and what is available.
12^th September 2001	First meeting with the Shire of Swan. Provided preliminary information about the process required.
6^th October 2001	Paul presented information about the Project at an Environmental Seminar organised by Judi Moylan at the Mundaring Shire Offices. Much interest from the public and the Mundaring Shire.
24^th October 2001	First meeting and contact with the State Planning Commission. Discussed the project and key issues for consideration in order for the project to succeed.
31^st October 2001	Potential sites have now been identified. These vary in location, price, size and suitability. Developing a clearer understanding of what sites would be better suited for the project.
9^th November 2001	Paul attends an Ecovillage Design Course and Practicum at Crystal Waters. This two-week course provides a foundation for which to base a design and to move forward.
29^th November 2001	Meeting with Mundaring Shire to discuss the project and provide information. Also better understand the processes required.
8th December 2001	Ecocom Solutions Launch and Ecovillage Update - Darlington Hall.
23rd January 2002	Ecocom Solutions was officially incorporated.
13th February 2002	The Project Team came together for the first time. This team will focus on the moving forward the physical aspect of the project. The project team consists of Dominic and Vida Carlino, Brad and Laura Fewster, David and Samali Nicholson and Paul & Robyn Antonelli.
23rd February 2002	The Project Team carried out detailed site visits of properties in Muchea, Brigadoon, Chidlow using land feasibility assessment technique.
9th April 2002	Andrew Lavell informs us of this new property in Chidlow - A new one. 399 acres. Paul & Robyn visit the property and walk off the property knowing that the property where the Ecovillage is going to be located has now been found. This is the one!!!
13th April 2002	Second walk around the property with many people from the community invited to be involved in the walk around and provide thoughts and comments. About 30 people turn up and the initial feelings and thoughts on this special property have been confirmed. Independent assessment and scoring carried out. The decision was made to put an offer on the property. This will take place in the next few days.
16th April 2002	Offer was put in for the purchase of the property on Coothallie Road Chidlow
19th April 2002	Offer was accepted in principle by the owners of the property. Settlement date has been set for the 15th August 2002.
20th April 2002	Inaugural Meeting of Ecocom Solutions at Darlington hall. Land information was presented as well as preliminary information on the Community Funding Pack. The Ecocom Committee was Elected.
17th May 2002	First Ecocom Committee meeting . Somerville Name decided for ecovillage.
28th May 2002	Contract signed and accepted for Somerville Land.
30th May 2002	Community Funding Pack launched to the community at Darlington.
11th June 2002	Information night held at Fremantle Town Hall.
15th June 2002	Open Day - Chidlow. Well promoted open day on the land with stalls and guest speakers. In total over 400 people attended the day. Incredible confirmation of interest for the project.
17th June 2002	Information Night held at the Guildford Landing Function Centre.
30th June 2002	Information Afternoon at the Earthwise Hall in Subiaco. After an interesting method of entry - it turned out to be an incredible day with about 100 people attending.
7th July 2002	Ecocom Homestretch Celebration Luncheon held on the land. An amazing day attended by over 70 people. Tour of the land, vision sharing, great pot luck lunch in an old hay shed. An amazing dedication ceremony where we planted a Persimmon Tree as Carol did a Chant - which just seemed to bring the rain on queue! First shared meal for the community.
21st July 2002	Information Afternoon at the Harmony Centre in Doubleview.
26th July 2002	Project Team presents project feasibility to the Ecocom Committee regarding the Somerville Ecovillage Project. Committee unanimously voted to proceed with the purchase of the land in Chidlow.
31st July 2002	Variation to purchase contract signed. The contract to purchase the land became unconditional. New target settlement date is 15th September 2002.
25th August 2002	Second Open Day held on the land. Tours, talks, food, entertainment, chooks, raffles, plants, kids, smiles and a great day. Enjoyed by over 500 people from all over Perth.
29th September 2002	Spring on Somerville held. A presentation at Chidlow hall followed by a tour of the land and some lively spring socialisation on the land. The reality of the settlement of the land is drawing closer.
31st October 2002	Final funds were received on the 29th October 2002. Settlement took place at 3.30 pm. The Somerville land now belongs to Ecocom Solutions Inc and the community. This was achieved with no external funding or financial support.
16th March 2003	Open day on site. This was held around the yellow shed. in total we had about 400 people attend. It was a glorious day.
6th April 2003	First community forum in the yellow shed.
14th April 2003	Mundaring Shire Council Strategic Policy Committee meeting. First opportunity for councillors to discuss the project. Outcome was a motion being passed to support the Somerville Ecovillage project.
19th April 2003	Antonelli Family move out onto Somerville in the original cottage - named Walnut Cottage.
23rd April 2003	First baby born on Somerville. Dante Marcus Antonelli arrived at Walnut Cottage.
23rd April 2003	Information Evening at Guildford Landing.
9th July 2003	Information Evening for service and supplier companies interested in submitting an Expression of Interest to be involved in Somerville Ecovillage.
18th July 2003	Closing date for Expressions of Interest submissions. Many submissions received from a complete spectrum of companies.
2nd August 2003	Leif Johansen - Somerville Landcare Manager moves onto the land.
9th to 16th August 2003	Max Lindegger brought over by the Project Team. Ecovillage Workshop, Landcorp Seminar, Information Evening and Somerville Community day.
10th September 2003	Formal Rezoning Submission into the Mundaring Shire Council
14th September 2003	Spring Open day held on Somerville. Approximately 300 people attend a great event.
30th September 2003	Paul Antonelli officially ends his position as Convenor for Ecocom Solutions Inc.
1st November 2003	1st Year Anniversary for the purchase of Somerville Land celebrated by a Bush dance on the property.
2nd November 2003	Ecocom Solutions Incorporated AGM held in the yellow shed at Somerville. Malcolm Robb elected new Convenor for Ecocom Solutions Inc.
11th November to 20th December 2003	Antonelli family undertake a six week research trip around the east coast of Australia visiting 11 diverse eco type projects.
1st December 2003	Official response from Mundaring Shire Council in relation to Rezoning Submission received.
24th March 2004	Expanded Project Team meets for the first time on site.
4th April 2004	First Ecocom Workshop relating to the development of the Somerville Interim Community Building.
27th April 2004	Mundaring Shire Council formally Resolves to initiate rezoning of property so the project can proceed.
2nd May 2004	Second Ecocom Workshop relating to the development of the Somerville Interim Community Building.
12th May 2004	Next Phase Survey released to gauge needs and preferences of potential residents, current level of commitment and the basis for this, expected level of involvement for the process ahead and economic sustainability requirements and enterprise plans.
23rd May 2004	Third Ecocom Workshop relating to the development of the Somerville Interim Community Building.
26th May 2004	Enterprise Information Evening held at Swan Leisure centre to launch this phase of the project.
13th June 2004	Confirming the Vision workshop held at Somerville.118 items discussed -106 of these items were accepted as givens. 9 items were flagged as requiring further discussion. 4 items were marked as not relevant and an additional 2 items were added.
27th June 2004	Enterprise Forum Workshop held at Somerville. First step in the economic model creation for Somerville.
18th July 2004	Sustainable Development guidelines workshop held on site. This was the first step in creating a guideline document in relation to sustainability.
21st July 2004	Kicked off the Sustainability Series with Peter Newman in Fremantle. The focus tonight was on Community and Sustainability.
1st August 2004	Second workshop relating to the Economic and Enterprise strategy at Somerville. Jill Jordan from Maleny was brought over to provide valuable input and experience as part of this process.
2nd August 2004	Second evening seminar in the Sustainability series run by Jill Jordan. This focused on Economics and Sustainability and was held in Northbridge.
14th and 15th August 2004	Somerville Ecovillage Design Weekend held on site. Max Lindegger was brought over as part of the process. This session covered a wide range of issues and the outcome was high clarity regarding the layout of the village.
17th August 2004	Third Information Sustainability Seminar with Max Lindegger held in Floreat focusing on the Environment
24th August 2004	The George Negus Tonight interview on the ABC with Paul Antonelli went to air tonight all over Australia. To read transcript click here!
19th to 25th August 2004	Pegging of the lots on the ground at Somerville. This was a follow on from the previous activity and workshops. Dom Carlino, Paul Moes, Helmut Hilz, and Paul Antonelli were involved in this process which saw the placement of 10 clusters and 94 lots.
29th August 2004	Presentation and review of draft Ecovillage Design and on the ground review of pegged lots. This was an exciting stage where people could begin to visualise where their homes on site may be. An inspiring day.
1st September 2004	The Antonelli family depart Australia for a 5 month Global Ecovillage Research Tour through Europe and the USA.
12th September 2004	Somerville Sustainability Fair held at Somerville. A fantastic day attended by over 500 people from all over Perth.
13th September 2004	Somerville Ecovillage On-line Forums are announced. The discussion forums help keep everyone up to date with - especially those who don't live close enough to regularly attend events.
1st October 2004	Somerville Ethical Investment Opportunity which was offered to members was fully subscribed. Once again demonstrating the commitment and capability within the community.
2nd October 2004	Radio National's Earthbeat program aired a program about sustainable living including an interview with Paul Antonelli and Dom Carlino about the Somerville Ecovillage. If you missed it, you can listen to the program online.
23rd October 2004	First Creating Community Workshop was held at Somerville. The workshop was followed by a Bush Dance and camp over so we were able to put into practice some Community Building skills.
29th October and 5th November 2004	Briefings were held on site for consultants who responded to the Expression of Interest in, "the design, construction and integration of Perth's first fully featured and worlds best practice Sustainable Development".
7th November 2004	Second Creating Community Workshop was held at Somerville. The workshop was well presented and received and delivered some tangible outcomes.
2nd February 2005	The Antonelli family return home after spending 5 months researching Ecovillages throughout Europe and the USA.
27th February 2005	"2005 Year of Action" launched at a celebration lunch the desired outcomes the year were announced and a presentation was given on stunning revelations on Global Ecovillage living by the roving Antonelli’s.
22nd March 2005	During a meeting of the Ecocom Committee, Project Team and other interested parties, a decision is made by consent to investigate Sociocracy as our governance model.
18th March 2005	Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) survey is launched.
30th March 2005	Enterprise Launch Evening is held at the East Perth Railway Function Centre. Turning passions and dreams into successful businesses!
10th April 2005	Open Day held with tours of the land, plans for the new Community Building on view, and updates on the project presented.
1st May 2005	The community discussed governance at Somerville. A strategy will be developed by a core group of community members interested in governance, on what will be our governance model and how this will fit in with our current and future needs.
27th April 2005	A significant milestone achievement has been achieved. The Hon Alannah MacTiernan has formally advised us that she is willing to allow the rezoning amendment relating to Somerville to be advertised for public comment.