In a village built on principles of sustainability and community living, there's one rule with no exceptions: no cats and dogs allowed.
For 77-year-old Bill Smart, who has lived in Currumbin Ecovillage since 2003, it's not just about the animals; it's about creating a balance between humans and nature. The village, which was founded on the site of an old dairy farm, aims to be a wildlife sanctuary and corridor for native Australian animals.
"It is a rule we've learned to be firm about," says Smart, who has been instrumental in building and maintaining the community. "Certified service animals are the only exceptions."
While it may seem like a radical idea, Currumbin Ecovillage was conceived as an intentional community, one that pools resources and works together to achieve sustainability. The concept dates back to hippy communes formed after the 1973 Aquarius festival in Nimbin, Australia.
For many residents, living in such a close-knit community has its perks – like when someone gives birth and the entire village rallies round to help with meals for two weeks. It's these social connections that make up for the lack of pets, according to Smart.
"We've learned to be more than just neighbors; we're friends," he says. "It's not about the structures; it's about the people."
In this eco-friendly haven, you'll find all sorts of wildlife – wallabies, kangaroos, frogs, snakes, birds, bandicoots, koalas, echidnas, and platypuses. Some residents even keep pigs, goats, and chickens.
While some buildings no longer meet the original sustainability standards due to financial constraints, the commitment to living in harmony with nature remains strong. The village has replaced its A$2m wastewater treatment plant with a new system that allows for re-use of water for non-consumption.
For Smart, who runs community workshops on woodworking skills and even helps teach cooking classes, it's all about working together. As he puts it, "It's not just about the environment; it's about the people."
As Currumbin Ecovillage celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend, residents are reflecting on what makes their community so special – a mix of hard work, dedication to sustainability, and most importantly, strong bonds with one another.
For 77-year-old Bill Smart, who has lived in Currumbin Ecovillage since 2003, it's not just about the animals; it's about creating a balance between humans and nature. The village, which was founded on the site of an old dairy farm, aims to be a wildlife sanctuary and corridor for native Australian animals.
"It is a rule we've learned to be firm about," says Smart, who has been instrumental in building and maintaining the community. "Certified service animals are the only exceptions."
While it may seem like a radical idea, Currumbin Ecovillage was conceived as an intentional community, one that pools resources and works together to achieve sustainability. The concept dates back to hippy communes formed after the 1973 Aquarius festival in Nimbin, Australia.
For many residents, living in such a close-knit community has its perks – like when someone gives birth and the entire village rallies round to help with meals for two weeks. It's these social connections that make up for the lack of pets, according to Smart.
"We've learned to be more than just neighbors; we're friends," he says. "It's not about the structures; it's about the people."
In this eco-friendly haven, you'll find all sorts of wildlife – wallabies, kangaroos, frogs, snakes, birds, bandicoots, koalas, echidnas, and platypuses. Some residents even keep pigs, goats, and chickens.
While some buildings no longer meet the original sustainability standards due to financial constraints, the commitment to living in harmony with nature remains strong. The village has replaced its A$2m wastewater treatment plant with a new system that allows for re-use of water for non-consumption.
For Smart, who runs community workshops on woodworking skills and even helps teach cooking classes, it's all about working together. As he puts it, "It's not just about the environment; it's about the people."
As Currumbin Ecovillage celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend, residents are reflecting on what makes their community so special – a mix of hard work, dedication to sustainability, and most importantly, strong bonds with one another.
living in harmony w nature is everything! no cats & dogs allowed? that's like, totally cool 
bill smart is a total genius! who needs pets when u have wallabies & kangaroos as ur neighbors lol 
plus, it sounds like the community vibe is EVERYTHING 
people coming 2gthr 2 help w meals 4 two weeks? that's literally the best thing eva 
can't wait 2 see more eco-friendly villages like dis in future! 
I'm loving this idea of a cat-free zone in an eco-friendly village 
it's actually really refreshing to see people prioritizing the well-being of wildlife over their own desires for pets 
Plus, I can imagine how amazing it must be to have such strong bonds with your community – from helping each other out during births to sharing meals and skills 
It's not about being radical or restrictive, but about living in harmony with nature and the people around you 
Currumbin Ecovillage sounds like a real gem, and I'm sure it'll continue to thrive for many years to come 
. The idea of having a community come together to support each other during life's milestones is really inspiring 
! But what really gets me is how these residents prioritize their relationships over material things – that's the real magic 
. The residents' sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility for one another's needs is truly remarkable. It's clear that the lack of pets has not hindered social connections in any way – if anything, it seems to have fostered a stronger sense of community and cooperation 
. The replacement of their wastewater treatment plant with a new system is a significant achievement, demonstrating the community's dedication to reducing their ecological footprint 
! It's awesome that they're creating a balance between humans and nature, and I'm all about the social connections too 
. And I'm all about the community workshops - woodworking skills and cooking classes? Sign me up! 
. Can we get more eco-friendly communities like this in the world, though? 
That would be amazing 
Just kidding, I get it, the whole no-pets thing is about creating a balance between humans and nature... or so they say 
. Seriously though, it's kinda cool that Currumbin Ecovillage has found ways to make sustainability work for everyone, even if it means giving up some comforts like pets 
. And I'm sure those community bonding activities are super fun (I mean, who doesn't love having 14 people helping with meals for two weeks? 
). All in all, it's great that the village is finding creative solutions to live in harmony with nature... and each other 
also, 20 years of living in one place seems like a pretty big sacrifice for some people. i'd love to see more flexibility in these kinds of communities...just a thought 
makin it a real community feel 
. And I love how they're always innovating and finding new ways to reduce waste – that A$2m wastewater treatment plant upgrade is huge! 
I just think there might be some pros to having furry friends around...
its like the ultimate test of friendship lol but seriously, im all for it, theres somethin special about havin a community thats so close-knit & works together to achieve sustainability. its like, when someone needs help, u just rally round & lend a hand 
Can they just call a nearby animal hospital or do they have one within the village? I'd love to see some data on the effectiveness of this rule and how it's impacting resident mental health and well-being. 
. We should definitely take note of their approach to working together and taking care of the environment. Who knows, maybe one day we'll all live in eco-friendly villages like Currumbin Ecovillage 
. I'd love to visit sometime and see how it all works in practice 
.
they're like the ultimate example of sustainable living and community vibes!!! 20 yrs ago and still going strong 
and then having all those adorable wildlife friends roaming around