Aldinga Arts Eco Village is a residential, arts, community and commercial development. It is sited on previously farmed 33 hectares within a rural township area, 40 minutes from Adelaide.

Only 17 hectares are allocated to accommodate 150+ dwelling sites. Open space enables development of village commons, community gardens, and horticultural and recreational areas.

Through Community Title, purchasers own their plot outright, together with a share in the common land, farm, and the community cultural facilities. They are obliged to respect strict bylaws requiring environmental sensitivity and social responsibility. Houses must be energy efficient, and served by a minimum 10KL rainwater tank.

The heart of the village design is the Community Facility, which will include inspiring buildings for recreational, educational, art and community activities. “Plaza” areas designed for markets, festivals, displays, performances and celebrations. A Café / Restaurant and an Interpretive Centre are also proposed.

The village “farm” of approximately 16 hectares contains recycling sewer treatment, lagoons, tree buffers (wood lots) community plots for individual plantings, and organic food crops, all developed by members of the community on Permaculture principals. All road reserves are to be planted with food bearing trees and with under story and ground cover vegetation.

Public access to the village through walking paths and participation in community arts, food and social events will raise awareness of environment, community and design innovation.

Infrastructure available to residents:

• Storm Water retention in ponds, fed by swales from roads and buildings.
• Waste Water Treatment Plant with reuse of reclaimed water for irrigation.
• Renewable energy.
• Household rainwater collection is required to minimise mains water usage. Mains water will only be used in times of scarcity, and is available from storage on site.
• A sophisticated communications Network, incorporating telephone; internet; MATV and radio signals; and in house monitoring of various kinds.
• Internal roads are constructed to calm traffic and provide safe access ways for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Edible and indigenous planting in common areas and encouragement of them in private gardens.
• Commercial lots to provide goods and services to residents, including health care, financial services, building technologies, gardening supplies etc. in keeping with the philosophy of the Village.
• The Central Facility presenting opportunities for the development and encouragement of the visual and performing Arts.

Environmental and Social Design Considerations
Sustainable principles throughout:

• Permaculture techniques for decorative landscaping and food production areas
• Sewerage to be treated and reclaimed water used for irrigation on site
• Underground services, in Polyethylene (non PVC) pipes and conduits
• Centralised: postal services; refuse and recycle collection; and cultural facilities.
• Proposed wind power energy processes
• Extensive communications system, supporting ‘work at home’ industry.

Adelaide Thinker in Residence Herbert Girardet featured the Aldinga Arts Eco Village in his report “Creating a Sustainable Adelaide” (p.57). Go to www.thinkers.sa.gov.au and follow the Herbert Girardet link to access a digital copy of his full report.