FAQ
How far is it from Afterlee Ecovillage to the nearest town?
- It takes 20 minutes to get the local town of Kyogle
- It takes 1 hour to get to Lismore which is the regional service centre
- It takes 1 hour 40 minutes to get to Byron Bay
What services does Kyogle have?
There is an IGA supermarket, post office, hardware, butchers, green grocer & deli, nurseries, hospital, high school, council swimming pool, art gallery, cafes and more – please see here for more info:
- Kyogle Council https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/
- Kyogle Visitor Info https://www.visitkyogle.com.au/homepage/
How many people will be living in the Afterlee Ecovillage?
The final plan for approval is for 65 homesites maximum within the ecovillage. This could mean the population could eventually be around 150 people including children once all dwellings are developed.
Are you allowed cats and dogs at Afterlee Ecovillage?
The majority of areas in the ecovillage will allow cats and dogs with some restrictions. In some areas of the ecovillage cats and dogs are not allowed due to proximity to bushland and separation from the village area
Are you allowed any other animals, like horses?
The current draft Afterlee Ecovillage Landsharing Policy allows other animals on your homesite however limits the numbers housed there. Larger animals like horses would need to utilise the community’s paddocks so would require agreements with the land working group or similar.
How does the community make decisions?
Afterlee Ecovillage is owned and managed by Healthy Living Community Cooperative (HLCC). The Co-operative runs under the co-op rules and any endorsed policies by members. Day to day decisions are made by the 7 elected board members in line with the members ethos and best interests. Policy changes and larger decisions that may impact the co-operative and ecovillage, are made by all members.
The Afterlee Ecovillage Landsharing Policy also details other decision making which includes delegation of decisions to active working groups and a number of further decisions that require whole member decision making.
Is the Afterlee School open?
There are plans to reopen the Afterlee school in 2026 and members are encouraged to join this working group to help establish a school for the ecovillage as well as the broader community of Afterlee and neighbouring localities.
Can I own a share with multiple people?
Yes, however there are associated factors that need to be understood before exploring this option, with the biggest consideration that each share/homesite only allows one dwelling entitlement.
What size homesites are there?
There will be a range of homesites – a majority being one acre in size and smaller village sites of a minimum of a quarter acre around the village center that are priced accordingly.
What can I build and do on my homesite?
Each homesite can legally build one dwelling after approvals are sought. Associated with that dwelling can also be outbuildings, studios and sheds if they do not constitute a separate dwelling. The definition of a separate dwelling usually revolves around whether the building contains kitchen facilities and multiple bedrooms and spaces. Home based commercial activities and businesses involving the public on-site may require community approval. One tiny home/caravan can be associated with an established dwelling on-site.
What additional costs might there be?
Besides construction costs, there may be additional costs when developing your site for a dwelling such as individual DA costs, off-grid power, individual wastewater systems and approvals, construction certificate fees if applicable and council contribution fees on completion of the dwelling. These fees are sometimes incorporated as part of building cost quotes by builders in Australia.
As this is a land sharing community where collectively members own the one title no separate Torrens or community title is available for your homesite. This makes finance options to construct with lending institutions difficult.
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