Somerville Ecovillage Update 1st May 2006

Executive Summary

Driving force at the moment is ensuring that we are on track to commence infrastructure works on site by January 2007. This is critical to ensure that the bulk of this activity commences prior to winter at which time it may not be possible. In order for this to occur a whole range of items need to be developed in parallel which may not only be linked but also dependent on each other. This remains a focal point for the team at the current point in time.

Following rezoning and selection of lots community members will need to commit to purchasing a lot. In order to do this a higher level of detailed information will be required. This is another key focal point.

Time is of the essence and it will be essential that we continue to operate as efficiently and effective as possible in order to ensure that key timings can be achieved. Ensuring that the most competent and professional resources are available to take Somerville through to the next phase is essential.

Rezoning and Approvals

The rezoning has moved through the Mundaring Shire process and is now in the hands of the WAPC/DPI. This is another review process at the State level in which the officers will make recommendations to the Minister in relation to the project. We have developed a lobbying strategy which will be implemented this month. This will include direct contact with key people from the WAPC and senior officials at the DPI/Ministers office. Key aim in this is to expedite the rezoning process and to ensure that we recover permissibility’s in our village centre relating to a village shop/retail.

The next stages of approvals involve the submission of a final LSIP (Local Subdivision and Infrastructure Plan) which requires approval at the Shire level. Then the submission of a formal Subdivision Application, which goes directly to the WAPC, for approval. An overall project timeline has been developed which is being used for guidance and milestone setting for project activity. This stage requires full level of details in relation to the design and layout of the village. This will go hand in hand in the evolution of the detailed village design.

The above activities are linked to each other and there is a level of dependency between them. This area is on the critical path and remains a core focal point for the project team.

Ecovillage Design

Lot selection process for the pioneers started on April the 17^th and is currently in progress. This follows on from finalisation of cluster and lot designs after a extremely detailed and iterative process which has unfolded over a couple of years. There is an air of excitement as the pioneers begin to decide where they will live at Somerville and the community begins to take a physical shape on the ground at Somerville.

We are currently in the process of finalising the roads and main paths throughout the village. This is a key component following which the infrastructure detailed design layout can take place. We are evolving a Hierarchy of Movement which outlines the various levels of movement through out the village from large commercial vehicles through to pedestrian traffic. It is from this point that the components which create the shape and feel of the village can then begin to be defined and located on the ground.

We have decided against a competition to locate a project Architect. A brief is in the process of being compiled following which selected Architects will be invited to submit a tender. This will relate to the community house and other village buildings and projects.

Further investigation has taken place on the area of our water supply system. It has become evident that whilst we have sufficient good quality water for our needs, there are issues in relation to being able to access it during the dryer months of the year. It will be necessary to develop significant on site storage in which excess water during the winter months can be directed for use in the dryer summer months. A water management group has now been formed and the aim of this group will be to compile a comprehensive and coordinated water management strategy for Somerville. This will include all inflows and outflows and how we manage the water resource at Somerville. The key will be ensure that we are able to satisfy our water requirements without excessive or unnecessary infrastructure or costs.

Development of onsite facilities for Temporary accommodation continues to unfold. Ablution block will be fitted out and the biolytix system should be installed in the next month. This will make it possible for more people to begin to move out to Somerville either in a part time or full time basis.

Funding and Finance

A detailed cash flow through to the end of August 2006 has been developed. This indicated that an additional finance facility would be required. The bank has approved this facility and negotiations are currently in place to develop the most appropriate facility for our needs. This facility will take us through to rezoning. Once rezoning takes place then a new facility will be established to move us through the next phase. This will be linked to a revised new valuation of the Somerville property.

A new valuation of the property took place with April. The property increased in value to $2.69 million – this is the current pre rezoned value of the land.

We are now beginning to consider sourcing of funds for the development phase of the project. Clearly NAB are interested in provide this service to us. We are currently involved in the process of creating an ethical investment fund through a new entity on the Australian Stock Exchange. This will provide another option for project funding as it is expected that this will list on the exchange in the last quarter of this year.

Enterprise Development

There has been significant progress in the enterprise activity across a range of areas.

An Enterprise Champion engagement methodology has been developed. This process commenced with KT Lim in relation to the Solar Power enterprise and has now been applied, as a process, to a number of other enterprises. The purpose behind this process is to establish a supportive and clear working relationship between the Champion and Somerville. This includes method of engagement, payment for service, responsibilities and timings. By establishing this clarity the Champion is free to evolve the enterprise as quickly as possible.

In this process the Enterprise Champion outlines how they would like to see the enterprise developed and established so it can satisfy their requirements. The Enterprise Action Group and Core Enterprise Group will then provide feedback and input to ensure that it meets and satisfies the requirements of the community. To date this process appears to be operating well.

To date there are 10 Enterprise Champions in progress. A summary of this can be seen below:

Identified Enterprise	Enterprise Champion
Solar Power Utility	Koon Tin Lim – In progress
Car Sharing with Hybrid cars.	?
Chalets	?
Insurance	Reijer Groenveld – Kick off
Workshop/Storage/Hire	Helmut Hilz – In progress
Bakery	?
Groceries/Fruit & Veggies – CSA	Allan Werner – kick off
Building Materials/Procurement	?
Recycling/Second Hand/Salvage Yard	?
Finance Provision	?
Construction Labour/Trades Registry/Service	?
Phone/Internet/IT Services	Neil Robertson – In progress
Café	?
Business Support Services	?
enterprise development Services	?
Ecovillage Model /Consulting	Greenedge Projects – In progress
Health & Healing	Vida Carlino – In progress
Education	Robyn Antonelli
Clothing/Lead Light	Sarah Robertson – In progress
Somerville School Farm	Jorg Unseld – In progress

A goal has been set to have 15 enterprise champions in progress by the end of June 2006.

There have also has a number of other community members which have submitted enterprise applications in relation to developing businesses at Somerville. These will be evolved as part of the process ahead.

Enterprise	Enterprise Applicant
Book Keeping Service	Gabi Hilz
Flower Essence Therapist	Debbie Targett
Fibreglass Products – Mostly Signs	Peter Weatherly
Building Design and Drafting Service	Aaron Boultbee
Breath Therapy	Rebecca Macleod

Julie-Ann Harper from Chidlow has been engaged as our Enterprise Coordinator. Julie-Ann is not only passionate about enterprise with over 20 year’s active experience in business support and facilitation. She has authored a number of books in this area, delivered a range of business training courses as well as having established a number of her own successful enterprises. Her role will be to provide support to enterprise champions and the general evolution of businesses here at Somerville.

We will also be engaging Bart Curnow who is a Commerce/Sustainable Development final year student from Murdoch University. His role will be the economics/enterprise Cadet to provide support and input in this area. This is being done through a scholarship basis at Murdoch University which is being funded by us. This is another key resource to support the evolution of enterprise at Somerville.

An information booklet for other potential enterprise champions is currently under compilation. Once this is complete an advert will be run in various newspapers in the next month order to potentially attract additional enterprise champions to our project.

On May 20^th an enterprise and economics planning day will be held. This will involve members of the enterprise groups and all enterprise champions. The purpose behind this day is to conduct a detailed synergy mapping process so that all champions can share information about what they are planning and where they are heading. This will then be compiled in order to provide the required information to complete our Economic and Enterprise Business Plan for Somerville. We hope to have information about the number of enterprises to be created, number of part time and full time employment opportunities, level of turnover and cash flow generated. This will then be used as a guide to make sure we stay on track and achieve the key objectives.

Social/Cultural

We are currently looking at the evolution of how we operate and function as the rezoning is imminent. This will also be closely linked to a higher clarity as to which members of the community commit to making Somerville their home through the lot selection process. This will lead to the formation of a more defined group - Somerville Residents.

Both of these key milestones will provide the opportunity for us to review how we organise ourselves and the most appropriate structures for the next phase of the development process. This process will need to take into consideration taxation, legal requirements, Somerville resident’s needs, financial implications and requirements for the development phase of Somerville over the next year.

Currently we are investigating additional resources in this area which could include the engagement of a Social/Cultural Cadet, Community Development consultant and resources linked to the evolution of strata title requirements in line with the subdivision application process.

Project Operational Aspects

Our new Administration Manager , Halimah Halse started with us in April and will provide key input into administration and documentation support. Discussions are currently in place to engage the services of a Marketing consultant to assist in various marketing and sponsorship projects. It is envisioned that this person will be in place within the month of May.

Greenedge Projects moved into an office in the Chidlow Wells shops. This is not the final office but the office next door as the final office is currently being refurbished. Movement into the final office will take place by the end of May. This has become the new meeting and working place for the project providing a much needed operational hub for the evolution of Somerville.

Work continues on the implementation of Cheops our Cost Control and accounting package. All previous data is currently in the process of being input and updated.