Cohabitants

Cohabitants include tenants and the current owner (me). We are generally engaged or working on something at home or outside related to sustainability or the caring profession. It is a share house that could transition to cohousing. Key goals are maximizing sustainability, self-sufficiency and minimizing support for the detrimental industrial food and monetary systems.

Newcomers go through a familiarization process that is common to many cohousing and intentional communities; you’ll be introduced to a group of people who want to create, with you, a happy, harmonious, fair and friendly place to live. The residents are a fluctuating population whose age, sex, sexuality, ethnicity and profession matter less than their character and personality… where incompatibility may be accommodated through being open to learning and a genuine interest in sharing perspectives respectfully. English is the common language.

For prospective tenants, joining our household meetings, gardening times and meals is a good first step.  Moving in is dependent on circumstances, and always probationary until confirmation of an on-going tenancy agreement. The first fortnight is a trial period, after which we reassess and discuss if things are working out according to our expectations. If so, a 3 month agreement follows. If not, we see if it’s possible to resolve the differences before ending the agreement. You can deselect and leave at any time. A 6 month review precedes an indefinite stay, which includes regular household meetings.

Growing Food

In keeping with the above goals, everyone participates in producing and providing food as best they can, regardless of ability. If your green thumb is new, you can learn a lot about permaculture and organic gardening. We meet at least every week for shared meals and a gardening bee to coordinate tasks. Considerable expense and labour has gone into providing the means and opportunity to produce a variety of fresh and preserved pantry food. Ongoing expenses include tools, fertlizers, soil and many other things that a garden requires. The garden is there for you to make the most of. The proceeds from produce that is sold outside (to a local food coop like FoodConnect) goes toward ongoing expenses.

Maintenance & Management

Everyone benefits from a well-cared-for home, no matter how long or short their tenure. Cleanliness, orderliness and aesthetics are things that contribute to a shared sense of well-being. The ideal housemate – be they tenant or potential resident – is someone who facilitates this rather an impedes it. Whilst ownership remains in my hands, I provide the funds for it, but not all the hands.

Communication, decisions and working together

Communication is the key to good relationships and pre-empting conflicts. Non-violent communication is central to successfully managing differences of style and personality. Every week we gather together to garden and have a meal. We also share meals informally and when moved to, meet for a heart circle. When making a decision that affects others, consult them. If you feel an issue rising, seek a way to broach it. If necessary, call a meeting to discuss the matter.

The rent is comparable to market rates and adjusted by negotiation. The costs of covering accommodation are known and book-keeping done every month.

If you think some time living here might be for you, please enquire.

A one-week internship at guest rates is available to find out what it’s like to live sustainably in the suburbs. Please enquire.

When there’s a perceived need for detailed accounting of produce there is a home-grown, in-house system which I have dubbed “TemptyTrust” and utilises the Community Exchange Network online. The purpose of this system is to manage quantities when the need arises. It can provides a means to account for consumption and contribution. 

Woofers and HelpXers have been visiting and joining in on the life of the household since January, 2013. Here they have found acceptance, good quality accommodation, company, food and interesting activities. To become a part of the fun, read the descriptive guidelines to see if you are a suitable candidate, then make an enquiry via the Contact form here.

You can find the same information by looking up Host 20066 on HelpX

Foreign visitors should show their passport and visa, and provide contact details of a friend or relative for emergencies. Equanimity Foundation is covered by Queensland Householder Workers’ Insurance.