SOME FEATURES OF CRYSTAL WATERS

PERMACULTURE VILLAGE DESIGN
The first village in the world to be consciously designed using the principles of Permaculture.

ECOLOGICALLY DESIGNED HOUSING
neighbourhood clusters, healthy building materials and local timber, natural paints and finishes, rammed earth, strawbale, timber, recycled materials, mudbrick domes, poured earth

ENERGY CONSERVATION & APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
solar passive design, low energy bulbs, solar power systems, co-generation, reduced energy consumption patterns, design for good insulation and ventilation, waste minimisation, the largest collection of operational composting toilets in the world, grey water treatment systems, quantum heat pumps, solar hot water heating, solar driers, solar cookers

CLEAN WATER
rainwater collection, clean natural drinking water, domestic water recycling, flowforms, natural swimming pool, swimming dam and creek waterhole

FORESTS
native forest protection and restoration, revegetation using endemic species, community tree planting projects, riparian zone restoration, wildlife corridors to closeby national parks and state forests, habitat restoration, environmental weed management, woodlots, fire retardant species

ABUNDANT WILDLIFE
kangaroos, wallabies, platypus, antechinus, bandicoots, echidna, possums, phascogale, bats, sugargliders, 26+ frog species, 160+ bird species (some rare), snakes, fish, 17 wildlife dams - some with island refuges, bird and bat boxes, no cats or dogs

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & LOCAL ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION
polyculture, chemical-free permaculture gardens, herbs and flowers, plant propagation, seed saving, raised garden beds, mandala gardens, mulching, compost systems, worm farms, natural fertilisers, animal forage systems, chicken tractors, free range chickens, organic eggs, organic beef cattle, organic wool production, goats, alpacas, beehives and honey, bamboo farm, aquaculture farm, certified organic fruit and nut orchards, agro-forestry, edible water plants, bush tucker, food forests, soil and pasture improvement, cell grazing, zone and sector planning, green mulches and cover crops, groundcovers, pioneer species, intercropping, natural pest management, swales, weather station

INFRASTRUCTURE
reduced road pavement and drainage of run-off back to land, common trenching for services to lots, reticulated water system from creek, multi-functional dam design

ECO-EDUCATION
Crystal Waters College, ecovillage design courses, permaculture courses and workshops, permaculture camps for high schools, international ecological studies program, international university student programs, educational tours, hands-on permaculture workshops, natural health workshops, ecovillage expo, conferences - communities, permaculture, public lectures, slide shows

COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Ecocentre, community house and meeting rooms, rural fire brigade, picnic hut, information centre, training centre, community cafe, commercial kitchen, organic bulk food buying group, function room, BBQ, activities room, sports area

ORGANISATIONS
SEED International, Crystal Waters College, GENOA Inc (Global Ecovillage Network Oceania/Asia Inc), Crystal Waters Community Co-op Ltd, Crystal Waters Body Corp., Crystal Waters Community Living Association Inc.

LOCAL ENTERPRISES
ecovillage design consultancy, sustainable design consultancy, permaculture gardeners, eco-adventure tours, biodynamic diary, biodynamic cheesery and yoghurt, organic wood-fired bakery, organic produce, organic garden supplies, mail order businesses, tree nursery, farm foresters, natural cosmetics, leatherwork, silk painting, marbling, painting, lead-lighting, thatching, soap making, jewellery design, bicycle hire, weaving, sewing, woodworkers, builders and carpenters and more

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICS
connected to regional LETSystem and community credit union, ethical investment, local employment policy

HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE
yoga, meditation, naturopathy, acupuncture, massage, watsu, aikido, sound therapy, gestalt therapy, bowen technique, kinesiology, feldenkrais

CULTURAL DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY INTERACTION
16 nationalities, ages range from newborn-90 years, film nights, music evenings, community cafŽ, community celebrations, rituals, play group, share and care group, inclusive decision-making processes, discussion groups

COMMUNICATION
internet and email access, community email dialogues, Centel phone system (free calls within Crystal Waters), monthly newspaper, community noticeboards, webpage designers and managers

VISITOR ACCOMMODATION
guesthouse, bed and breakfast, self-contained cabins, homestays, bunkhouse cabin, camping

RECREATION AND SPORTS
swimming in natural swimming holes and dam, enjoying the peace and quiet, reading, painting, photography, cycling, mountain-biking, BMX track, canoeing, volleyball, running, fishing, feeding animals, bushwalking, gardening, tree planting, circle dancing, belly-dancing, yoga, aikido, bird-watching, stargazing, body percussion, drums and percussion, music groups, choir, healthy cooking (and eating shared meals).

GO BACK TO CRYSTAL WATERS INFORMATION PAGE

GO BACK TO MAIN PAGE