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Kirra Ecovillage Community

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Forming
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2020

What we do

Welcome to a place called Kirra!
“A place where those who thought they could never have beautiful things, will find abundant beauty in all things. A place where those who thought they could never have a wonderful home, will find a wonderful place to call home. A place where those who question humanity, will find unconditional care and support!”
Imagine…
A place where it doesn’t matter how much money you have; the most valued commodity is self.
A place where money isn’t the currency, but kindness and respect have eternal value.
A place where there are only 3 rules –
No Advice – You will give no advice unless your counsel is sought.
No Judgement – You will not judge the moral decisions of others.
Respect Choices – You respect their choices and in turn they respect yours.
And… a lifestyle you don’t need a holiday from.
There is a place… a place called Kirra!

Our Mission

With a philosophy of Science, Faith and Hope, Kirra is establishing itself as a resource for locals and other communities in the Darling Downs, the state, country and around the world.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Ecovillage
  • Commune
  • Activities
  • Farming
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Networking
  • Services Business
  • Others

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2020
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2022
  • Started living together
  • 4 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
9

How to join

As per our Rules of Association and By-Laws
4. MEMBERSHIP
Any natural person (“the Applicant”) may apply to become a Member of the Kirra Ecovillage Community Association by undertaking the following process:
All Applicants must:
a) Submit a formal application, in the first instance, requesting a 21-day trial membership, together with any required security deposit; and
b) If approved, undertake the purpose of the application, a trial period as determined by the Governance Committee; and
c) At the conclusion of the trial period, submit a formal application for the purpose of becoming a probationary member, together with any required security deposit; and
d) If approved, complete the probationary membership; and
e) At the conclusion of the probationary membership period, submit a formal application for the purpose of becoming a fully-paid financial member; and
f) If approved, pay all membership fees to complete the membership process, which will include a buy-in appropriate to the plot selected by the applicant; and
g) Commence the purpose of their membership application within 30 days of notification that their application has been accepted.
(i) If the purpose for a member’s application has not commenced within 30 days of acceptance, the membership application will automatically terminate regardless of a formal decision to do so issued by the Governance Committee; and
(ii) The applicant will need to re-apply, unless the Governance Committee deems that the existing application is still valid.
In order to be eligible to become a Member, an Applicant must (among other things):
a) Satisfy the Committee that the Member supports the Purpose; and
b) Agree to be bound by these Rules and the Kirra By-Laws; and
c) Demonstrate that they have the financial means to meet their financial obligations as a community member (of the membership class requested in the application) as and when such an obligation falls due; and
d) A parental (or guardian) member application may need to satisfy the Committee that they can meet the financial obligations of any and all dependants.
Once the Committee has made a determination regarding the Applicant’s application, the Committee will contact the Applicant as soon as possible to tell them whether the application has been approved or rejected.
The status of any member automatically reverts to a guest membership (and assumes the title “Applicant” for these Rules) from the time a membership application is lodged for consideration by the Committee; and
a) Remains a Membership of the Class “Guest Member” until such time as the Committee issues a determination for the application and notifies the applicant.
In the event that an Applicant’s application is rejected, the Association does not need to provide reasons to the Applicant, but should not unreasonably withhold a reason if a request is made by the Applicant.
If an Applicant’s application is rejected, this does not preclude the Applicant from submitting a further or subsequent application.
a) An applicant may not submit more than one (1) membership application in any thirty (30) day period after a membership rejection.
b) A member of any status may not exceed the period or duration of a membership on a Kirra property, unless a provision is made by the Committee; and
c) Any such provision shall be advised to the applicant forthwith.
These rules apply to all Members and Casual Guests visiting upon any property of the Association.
A Member accepts full responsibility for the behaviour and actions of any Casual Guest they invite onto the property. To the extent that:
a) Any damage done is the responsibility of the Member; and
b) Any disciplinary action may be taken against the Member.
Any Member may request that a Casual Guest leave the property.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Contact the Governance Committee and make arrangements.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Majority Vote

More than 50% agreement needed.

Governance structure

  • Representative/Democratic

Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.

Conflict resolution approach

10. THE COMMITTEE AND SUB-COMMITTEES
The Association will have an Association Governance Committee (“the Committee”) which is made up of committee members (“Committee Members”) within the KIRRAcivic sub-committee.
The Committee has the following role:
a) Governing the Association;
b) Managing the day-to-day operation of the Association;
c) Ensuring that the Association is managed responsibly;
d) Ensuring that the Association operates in pursuit of its purpose.
The Committee will have all of the specific powers and functions that the Association has, except for those powers or functions which are reserved to be exercised by the Members.
The Committee may delegate its powers or functions to sub-committees, staff members, Members of the Association, or to Committee Members, as permitted by law.
Committee Members will be elected at a general meeting of the Association, by a ballot of the Members.
The Committee must have a minimum number of 3 Committee Members at any time.
At the first Committee meeting after each annual general meeting, the Committee must appoint a Committee Member as chair of the Committee (“the Chair”).
The Committee has the power to appoint and remove Committee Members from various positions, and may determine the roles and responsibilities of any Committee Member.
A Committee Member is appointed for a term of up to one year, and stops being a Committee Member at the end of the annual general meeting after that Committee Member was appointed.
After a Committee Member’s term ends, that person may be appointed as a Committee Member for a subsequent term.
If a Member wishes to join the Committee or Sub-Committee, that Member must:
a) Have another Member support their application; and
b) Put forward a nomination by writing to the Committee, or put forward a nomination at a general meeting where an election for the Committee is being held.
c) In order to be eligible to be a Committee Member, a person must:
i) Be a fully paid Member, both at the time of that person’s nomination, at the time of their appointment as a Committee Member, and for the duration of that person’s term as a Committee Member; and
ii) Be nominated in accordance with this clause; and
iii) Provide to the Association a signed consent to act as a Committee Member.
d) A person stops being a Committee Member if that person:
i) Provides to the Committee written notice of resignation; or
ii) Is removed by a resolution of the Members; or
iii) Stops being a Member; or
iv) Is absent from all Committee Meetings, without the consent of the Committee, for three months or more; or
v) Dies.
In the event that the number of eligible applicants nominated to be Committee Members is equal to the number of Committee Members required, the Chair may appoint those nominated Committee Members as Committee Members without holding a ballot.
In the event that a Committee Member stops being a Committee Member before the end of the annual general meeting after that Committee Member was appointed, the Committee may appoint a Member endorsed by any Lifetime Member to be a Committee Member until the next annual general meeting, without requiring a meeting of the Members to do so.
The Sub-Committees within the Association may include:
a) KIRRAutility;
b) KIRRAnet;
c) KIRRAlabs;
d) KIRRAag;
e) KIRRAmaker;
f) KIRRAkitchen;
g) KIRRAretail;
h) KIRRAcivic.
11. COMMITTEE DUTIES
In addition to any other duties and responsibilities provided by law or elsewhere in these Rules, the Committee has the following duties:
a) Ensuring that accurate minutes are kept in relation to general meetings and committee meetings; and
b) Ensuring that other records are kept in accordance with these Rules; and
c) Ensuring that the Association’s documents are made available to Members as required by these Rules.
12. COMMITTEE MEMBER DUTIES
Committee Members must:
a) Comply with their duties under Australian law; and
b) Ensure that the Association complies with its duties under Australian law; and
c) Act in the best interests of the Association; and
d) Act only to further the Purpose of the Association.
This section applies to any sub-committees formed for the Purpose.
13. COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A Committee Member may call a meeting of the Committee (“Committee Meeting”) in the following circumstances:
a) By providing reasonable notice to the other Committee Members if the Committee Meeting is urgent; or
b) By providing seven days’ notice to the other Committee Members in all other circumstances.
The Committee may determine how often it will hold Committee Meetings.
The Committee may determine the manner in which Committee Meetings may be held, including whether Committee Members must attend in person, or whether they may attend via technological systems such as telephone or video link.
The Chair will chair any Committee Meetings.
In the event that the Chair is not present at a particular Committee Meeting, the Committee may appoint a different Committee Member to act as chair for that particular Committee Meeting.
For a resolution to be passed, more than half of the Committee Members present at the particular Committee Meeting must vote in favour of the resolution.
The Committee may, in the Committee’s discretion, permit circular resolutions.
The Committee may, in the Committee’s discretion, determine the method by which Committee Members may vote on a circular resolution, which may include but is not limited to the following methods:
a) Australia Post;
b) Email;
c) Digital signature;
d) Electronic forms;
e) Other electronic means.
In order to pass a circular resolution, the resolution must be proposed in writing and every Committee Member must agree in writing to the resolution (by a means as determined by the Committee, in accordance with the preceding sub-clause hereof). The circular resolution is passed at the time that the last Committee Member has agreed to it in writing.
14. QUORUM FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A quorum for Committee Meetings is more than 50% of the Committee Members. If more than 50% of the Committee Members are present at a Committee Meeting, the Committee Meeting is validly held.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: $7533
Regular fees: $198
Labor: Encouraged or suggested (20 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Housing buy-ins range from AUD $11,450 to AUD $66,000. Buy-Ins are returned to the member (or their estate) if they leave the community or die. So effectively free!
Housing and Meals are subsidised by the Association in return for 20 hours of community contribution each week.
Members may choose not to participate but they will be required to pay the full amount and not receive any association subsidy. Currently the full monthly unsubsidized amount is USD $ 998 (AUD $1,517) plus provide their own food, the subsidized amount is USD $ 198 (AUD $325) with food provided in return for 20 hours each week.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Hot tub or hot springs, Outdoor Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Recreational vehicles, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary type

  • Vegetarian Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • Transition Town (post-petroleum and off-grid communities.)
  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Ethical Business, Investment Group, or Alternative Currency
  • Organization, Resource, or Network
  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use is frequent and public in the community
  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Family-focused (many children and parents)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Cohousing

    Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
    interaction while maintaining independence.

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

  • Commune

    Communal living with shared resources, property, and often income or work responsibilities

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Wind
  • Photovoltaic Solar
  • Biomass (from wood or other organic materials)

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Greenhouse / aquaponics

Waste management practices

  • Reuse or repair systems
  • Land area size
    33 acres

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Promoted Needs and Offers

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