timeline

  • Dec 2013 - the knock at the door (landowner asked Pete and Eshana if they wanted to buy!)

  • Dec 2014 - deposit paid on the land

  • 2015 - potential “fatal flaws” researched including bushfire risk & soil contamination; detailed land survey; draft concept plan prepared. Trees and seedlings of local species marked.

  • Aug to Oct 2015 - original “seed investors” and “land bankers” loaned money to Sustainable Futures Australia Pty Ltd to purchase the land and engage consultants to prepare Development Application.

  • 21 Dec 2015 - Settlement of land purchase. Woo hoo!

  • Weed removal - understory of lantana, mickey mouse plant, and other woody weeds mechanically controlled (Jan & April 2016, Dec 2018)

  • 2016 - More research & reports: civil engineering, environmental planning and design; flora and fauna studies; bushfire report; traffic study incl. safety in Hoschkes Lane; geotechnical (landslip, house footings); feasibility of solar energy and interactive microgrid technology.

  • Early 2017 - Additional research into alternative energy; Aboriginal heritage inc. cultural heritage assessment; landscape design plan finalised.

  • June 2017 - community consultation with adjoining neighbours.

  • May to Oct 2017 - preparation of Development Application involving a 120 page Planning report, plus 14 background specialist reports, including meetings with Council planning and engineering staff.

  • Nov 2017 - lodged official Development Application with Clarence Valley Council.

    2018

  • Feb 2018 - DA on public display (12 local people wrote supportive submissions; 4 concerned).

  • 26 June 2018 - Development Application approved at full Council meeting. YES!!! Definite cause for celebration.

  • Aug 2018 - Hidden Valley Dance Party held at Foresthaven to celebrate with community members and supporters; first community meeting of aspiring residents.

  • Oct 2018 - We challenged Council’s decision to charge full contributions for water and sewerage even though we are substantially “off grid” (approx. $10,000 cost per lot). Councillors voted to support the our claim to the extent of no water contributions ($5300/lot) ands potential reduction of 2 sewer contributions ($23000) if we can prove we will reduce hydraulic load by 80% and nutrient load by 30% when we have 7 houses built.

  • Nov 2018 to Nov 2019 - detailed civil engineering plans including access roads, stormwater management & reuse, water and sewer supply; geotechnical reports and sign off; flood study for entry area; habitat restoration and weed management plan; solar street light research and detailed submission; detailed draft costings for community roads and other infrastructure and full costs of carrying out the development; research into and liaison with manufacturers in relation to carbon reduced road making options; research into legal and financial structures to provide shared ownership of the project, and funding for construction of shared infrastructure (decided upon Unit Trust).

    2019

  • Feb 2019 - creation of this website!

  • 29 June 2019 - our first Open Day onsite, with presentations by project team and community members, walking the land, and working bee on clearing lantana at the shared “Top Spot” and planting ceremonial fig tree.

  • Dec 2019 - application submitted to Council for Civil Certification (seeking sign off on detailed plans and permission to begin construction).

  • July 2019 to July 2020 - get the word out and “gather the tribe”; applications to purchase and become part of Jagera are reviewed by our existing community members; money deposited into a Unit Trust and held there until enough funds are raised to construct shared infrastructure.

  • Ongoing - site management including stacking fallen tree timber and maintaining vehicle access, slashing and weed management.

    2020

  • Jan to July 2020 - establishment of Unit Trust legal and financial structure which enables self-funding of construction phase, prior to conversion to Community Title.

  • July 2020 - received Civil Certification (ie., Council permission to start construction of upgrade to Council laneway, solar street lights plus all features up to the Jagera entrance). Yahoo. This is a major achievement, the final bit of Council approval that enables us to “turn a sod!”

  • 5 August 2020 - Jagera EcoCommunity Pty Ltd is born!!! The land and project is now owned by the community itself.

  • August-October 2020 - series of regular, small covid-safe and virtual Open Days.

  • September 2020 - Jagera Unit Trust is established as legal and financial mechanism to allow group ownership of land and project prior to conversion to Community Title.

  • October 2020 - confirmation from Council that “tiny houses” can definitely be part of the mix of accommodation on Jagera; and private certification of all shared community infrastructure (i.e., determination by independent engineer that all detailed engineering drawings meet conditions of consent set by Council in DA). Another huge milestone!

  • November 2020 - preliminary design of community buildings, shared spaces and some private houses with ecoarchitect Digby Hall.

  • December 2020 - pre-construction tasks including access to repurposed, recycled and sustainably sourced materials; negotiations and contract arrangements with preferred project construction contractors Valley Earthworks and establish construction phase project management team.

    2021

  • January to May 2021 - nature connection and regenerative living workshops as part of the Plunge festival; further design and model-making of community buildings by ecoarchitect Digby Hall with input from community members; electronic interactive model of Jagera started by John Howland; presentations at RenewFest and Yes&.

  • May-June 2021 - Search for, find and engage project managers for construction phase: BASEC Engineering.

  • June-September 2021 - BASEC to develop project management plan for construction of shared infrastructure; prepare tender documents & manage tender process; calculate final project costs.

  • August 2021 - New investment opportunities! Raise funds for construction phase through friends, family, colleagues and wider conscious community investors in Jagera Unit Trust; and extending our existing Land Bank scheme to the new Village Makers scheme.

  • September 2021 - tenders for construction of shared infrastructure released.

  • November 2021 - launch of Hopeful Homemaker and Angel Investor scheme to increase diversity of community members able to join us living here

    2023

  • August 2021 - Dec 2023 - “community glue”: onsite gatherings, smoking ceremony with Aunty Glenda MacPhail, concerts, open days and working bees as custodians of this precious land; bush regeneration of the rainforest creek and “top spot”.

  • November - Dec 2022 - clearing the creek of silt and rubbish, planting riparian zone; earthworks by Corbetts to form “all weather” entrance road onto site; shipping container donated by John Bragg.

  • March 2023 - construction of ‘The Pod’ (shared working space, hang out place) at entrance through container transformation by Marty Lawler and Pete Cuming; power is switched ON.

  • May 2023 - construction of “cubby” tool shed and camp kitchen at entrance by Jagera members (thanks for the cubby Marty and Viv!)

  • August(?) 2023 - official ‘letter of commencement’ of construction from Clarence Valley Council (we have offically begun!)

    2024

  • January 2024 - installation of solar system on ‘The Pod’ by Geoff Bragg Sunman (all recycled panels and labour donated .. thank you!)

we are here

  • Gathering our community! Final applications for “founding members” to join us living on the land; and raise funds for construction by “selling off the plan” through Jagera Unit Trust and through Angel Investors.

  • Updated tenders from construction contractors, decide between tenderers for construction of our shared infrastructure; calculate final costings of project to finalise exact individual Lot prices.

  • Meet with local Yaegl elders for another smoking ceremony on the land; organise employment of local Yaegl people in onsite works; engagement and relationship building between our communities.

  • July - October 2024 - Construction contractors and subcontractors prepare site and construct internal ring road; water mains; electricity & communication conduits and other infrastructure; required upgrade of Hoschkes Lane including drainage.

  • Dec 2024 - Pegging out of lots (woo hoo!); edible landscaping and initial restorative work on habitat and weed management.

So … 2025

  • Release of linen plan and registration of title with the NSW Lands Title Office (LTO). 

  • Community members sign contracts for individual ownership of residential lots under Community Title, submit building applications to Council and begin construction of their own homes (YAHOO!!)

  • Detailed design, building applications and construction of community buildings (in collaboration with community members). 

  • Livin’ the dream!! :D