Bellbunya Community Association

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Bellbunya Community Association

Loacted in Belli Park, Queensland, Australia

Mission Statement
We are exploring living in ways that are spiritually, socially, environmentally and economically sustaining, whilst sharing and engaging with the world.

Community Description
We are individuals united in seeking to create conscious community that are havens liberating and nurturing the potential of all through social equity, integrity, courage, transformative growth, collaborative enterprises, and celebration and care of the planet.
In December 2008 we created a four-bottom-line intentional community / ecovillage on the Sunshine Coast hinterland at Belli Park, near Noosa, to model sustainable community living.

The first bottom line is personal transformative growth and the recognition of the connection that exists in all of us and our planet. The community thus has a spiritual, though non-denominational, basis. Our intention is fundamentally outward focused, with the intent to interact and contribute to society in positive ways.

The second is social sustainability and connection. This incorporates facilitating people from different ages, backgrounds and economic circumstances, setting a community size of 12 or more. It incorporates governance that is honouring to all, recognising the need to be heard; and communication and conflict resolution skills. We have clear processes in place to give transparency.

The third is economic sustainability, which incorporates the community’s stability as well as desirable industry that supports individual economic sustainability. We also seek the growth of non-currency based internal economies.

The fourth is environmental sustainability, which incorporates food production on our rural site; rainwater harvesting, treatment, and dispersal; building design, construction, and refurbishments; and renewable energy. Overarching this is respect and care of the natural country of which we are the current stewards.

Our 16 hectare (40 acre) property has conference/workshop facilities including a hall, restaurant, and suites of accommodations for small groups. We welcome enquiries for holding workshops and retreats that further our sustainable and ethical practices.

We are also open to additional community members at this stage. There may be building sites and rental spaces for like-minded people who share our vision and have the energy and enthusiasm to see this project through.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 16 hectares
Current Residence Types: Room(s) in a house or building, studio cabins
Current Number of Residences: 12
Planned number of residences: 7
Planned Residence Types: Room(s) in a house or building, Lots to build on
Housing Provided: Purchase, Rental
Land owned by: Community controlled Association
Additional Comments:
Off-grid water supply (dam, collected rain water, bore if necessary)
Registered Deductible Gift Recipient as Environmental Organisation
Existing buildings have rooms/studios for rent. According to processes, building lease purchase allows building of cabin (maintenance fees apply).

Membership
Adult Members: 12
Child Members: 1
Non-member Residents: 4
Percent Women: 50%
Percent Men: 50%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Casual visitors are welcome. We have have a range of accommodation available at affordable rates. WWOOFing/volunteering is also available. Visit our website for information about coming events, accommodation options, volunteering opportunities. Go to www.bellbunya.org.au
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
All decisions regarding membership (beyond 28 days) are made by the Bellbunya Community Circle and can be initiated as a request/application or as an invitation.
Those staying longer than a month may be invited to take part in BCC meetings.
*A sponsor/mentor is allocated for each member (after first month for up to a year)
*reviews are held by the BCA at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and thereafter annually for all members.
*sponsors can check in with candidates using the Community Commitments (see website) for reporting/feedback, at the intervals indicated. BCC reviews can be held at the BCC meeting closest to the intervals stated.
*You may be invited to become a Full Member after at least 6 months membership. A $5000 membership fee becomes due. ($8000 for couples) Your level of participation, personal contribution and responsibility will increase as will your opportunity to affect the direction of Bellbunya. At the same time, some costs will decrease.
Additional Comments:
Spiritual basis, but many paths represented. Dogmatism is foreign. Those who have done personal “work” feel most at home.
Private & public school buses near gate

Economics
Join Fee: $4000
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Regular Fee per Month: $500
Shared Income: None
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 8
Open to members with existing debt: Yes (some debt)
Additional Comments:
Expect at least 8 hours/week (doesn’t include sared meal roster, meeting attendance). Commited community members generally don’t count!
Membership and other (rental) fees – figures above will vary with exchange rates and space rented
Food pool, utilities are extra although economy of scale operates advantageously!

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
Current renewable energy generation: 50-75%
Energy sources: Solar, Clean Energy from the Grid
Planned renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%
Current food produced: Between 26-49%
Planned food produced: From 50-75%
Food produced locally: From 50-75%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Internet, guest accommodation at low cost
Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
Internet Fast?: No, it is slow.
Cell Phone Service: Good for some people.
Shared meals: Approximately all dinners
Dietary Practice: Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), Mostly Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Somewhat – there are some dietary restrictions or customs.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Tobacco Use: No, this community does not permit tobacco use.
Additional Diet Comments:
Restricted diets may be catered for within the food pool budget (other than meat). Other food choices are at own expense and preparation
Common Spiritual Practice(s): Eclectic (integrates multiple religious or spiritual beliefs), resistance to dogmatic beliefs)
Education Style(s): Up to each family or individual
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual
Additional Comments:
We recognise that community living is both exciting and challenging. It offers great opportunities to grow, connect, live sustainably and make a difference in our world. We create it with our shared intentions. To help us make it happen we have created the following personal commitments (see full text on website).
1.        Personal responsibility and integrity
2.        Creating a safe space
3.        Proactively building relationships
4.        Being present and connected with myself and others
5.        Doing my best to learn and grow
6.        Creating and joining in opportunities for fun, joy and celebrating diversity
7.        Shared leadership and making decisions with the wellbeing of all in mind
8.        Seeking to make a positive difference
9.        Bringing issues/conflicts into the open (with the people concerned) and working towards reconnection, understanding and resolution as soon as possible.
10.        Being open to receiving the support and guidance offered by others
11.        Offering solutions for problems that I present
12.        Acknowledging and valuing others

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/bellbunya-community-association/
               http://www.bellbunya.org.au