Narara Ecovillage Masterplan

“Imagine a group of people of all ages, living sustainably as a thriving community in a contemporary development near Sydney – having fun, living lightly, being connected…”

Narara Ecovillage is an intergenerational residential community on the Central Coast of Australia, surrounded by bushland, close to pristine beaches and an hour north of Sydney.

The Ecovillage will have 150+ homes and is to be phased in 3 stages. Stage 1, with houses being built now, is almost fully subscribed. It includes 42 standard blocks (av 550sqm), as well as 18 house and land packages available in the Bower Cluster, which is situated in the heart of the ecovillage.

Stage 2 is in the planning stage (see draft concept below). Sign up for  updates here!

Approximately, 12 hectares are zoned for residential development with another 12 hectares available for agriculture and common gardens. The remaining hectares are native forest and bushland. We plan a small housing zone, so that we can maximise food production, recreation and conservation. We have big plans for the existing structures, including two residential dwellings, a Visitors Centre, offices, and greenhouses, sheds, garages and workshops perfect for growing food and cottage industries.

Draft Concept for Stage 2

Site Map of Stage 1

Want to learn more?
The best way to find out more about us is to visit one of our events.

Our Location

This extraordinary bushland setting is nestled in the Narara Valley, on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia. Just 1 hour drive north from Sydney.

Comprising of 64 hectares, the property has an existing dam, a creek and an abundance of beautiful views. The land is bordered on three sides by the award-winning Strickland State Forest. Approximately 12 hectares of the land is zoned for residential development with another 12 hectares available for agriculture and community gardens. The remaining hectares of native forest and bushland are to be dedicated to conservation.

The site is about 30 minutes from local beaches at Terrigal and Avoca, has good local bus access, is a short walk to Narara station on the main Sydney-Newcastle rail line, and within easy reach of local schools, shops, retail and commercial facilities.

Conservation

Two thirds of the Ecovillage property is zoned as conservation forest (E2) where a number of Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) and rare and/or endangered plant species are present. Narara Ecovillage is committed to preserving this environmental heritage and natural ecosystems and to do as much as possible to minimise human impact to these high value conservation areas.

History – Rich in Heritage.

For the past 100 years the site was the home of the Gosford Horticultural Institute and there are over 50 existing structures and buildings, including greenhouses, outbuilding and workshops that are prefect for food production and cottage industries. There are residential dwellings, offices and other buildings ideally suited for community facilities. Some of the buildings and trees are heritage listed providing further interest on the site, and of course before this the land had a rich indigenous history.

Agriculture

Many of our members currently live close to or on the Ecovillage site and are actively involved in maintaining and upgrading the agriculture infrastructure and undertaking small agricultural projects, including:

  • Mixed fruit and nut orchards
  • Community gardens
  • Seedling propagation
  • Chooks
  • Beehives