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Friday 21 February 2020
Tiny Lifestyle to go large
Small team, big idea: From left, Reggie Luedtke, Simone Kidner (with Esme), Liv Scott and Graeme Scott in front of their development site. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
One couple’s dream of creating an ecovillage in Golden Bay is about to become a reality following their purchase of a large tract of residential land on the edge of Takaka. Graeme and Liv Scott are no strangers to sustainable building; they co-founded Tiny Lifestyle along with architect Simone Kidner, and other social entrepreneurs and investors, specifically to develop and construct a range of healthy homes out of locally-sourced, naturally-resistant timbers. The couple also devised Golden Bay’s Living Wood Fair and run Golden Frames Woodworking School. Graeme says the 14.5-hectare site, located directly opposite Golden Bay High School at the corner of Meihana Street and Rototai Road, is ideal for their development. “It’s a great piece of land; it’s residential, flat, it’s close to the school and you can walk to town. It ticks so many boxes it would be crazy to lose the opportunity.” Now they have acquired the real estate, the team can begin to plan their field of dreams. “Once you have the land, you can start
visualising it,” says Liv. Helping them visualise the village, the community has already provided input through Tiny Lifestyle’s co-housing picnics, and Graeme says such involvement is a key part of their ethical business culture. “It’s a new, dynamic way of doing business based on honesty, transparency, communication and conflict resolution.” It is still a business, however, and that means the money needs to be managed. “We’ve got a lot of good minds supporting us, giving us advice on financial stuff,” says Liv. As a result of that advice, the couple formed Mohua Ventures Limited to purchase and develop the site. Having recently paid the deposit on the land Graeme explains they are now seeking to raise the balance through selling shares in the company. “The earlier people invest, the better the rate of return.” Liv says that the design of the development is a work in progress. “At the moment it’s really open.” She outlines one option. “In our co-housing model everyone has their own private dwelling; they will own that and the land immediately around it and own a share
of communal space, including a hall, a dining area, kitchen and spare bedrooms.” That may not necessarily be the outcome, however, says Liv. “We have a few different models – all affordable, but we want the community to be happy with what we do. The most important thing is that we work really hard to make sure it’s non-toxic.” Graeme says that some key issues will be discussed at the next co-housing picnic on 14 March at the Sustainable Living Centre. “We will investigate a constitution - the guidelines governing the ownership and management of the village.” As they begin the planning process, Graeme accepts that council rules and regulations, for example on minimum floor height levels, will place some limits on their ambitions. “We’ll put in a pre-application to see what the first hurdle will be.” But while there is a long way to go, he is happy to be taking such a bold step. “It’s realising a 20-year dream. Sometimes the stars do align; a whole load of people on the same page at the same time.”
Water Conservation Order JO RICHARDS
A decision from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on the Te Waikoropupū Springs and the Arthur Marble Aquifer Water Conservation Order looks imminent. But it may not be the final word on the controversial proposal. A post on the EPA’s website states, “The hearing for this application closed in August 2018. The Special Tribunal members have nearly completed their recommendation to the Minister for the Environment and expect to deliver the final report in February 2020. The report will be made publicly available.” The statement is backed up by Minister for the Environment David Parker in his recent letter to founder and keeper of Save Our Springs Steve Penny. But the minister goes on to explain that, when the decision is released, parties dissatisfied with the content of the WCO will have the opportunity to subject it to further scrutiny. “At that time submissions may be made to the Environment Court, which may cause the court to conduct a public enquiry in respect of the report.” Should this not eventuate, Mr Parker will be the final arbiter. “If no submissions are made to the Environment Court, I will make a decision to either accept the report of the tribunal, or state my reasons for not doing so to the House. The applicant and every person who has made a submission will be provided with written notification of any of these steps within 20 days.” It’s taken a lot of time and effort to reach this stage. The original application for the WCO, drafted by joint applicants Ngāti Tama Ki Te Waipounamu Trust and Andrew Yuill, was lodged with the Minister for the Environment in April 2017. The minister formally accepted the application on 5 June 2017, before referring it to a Special Tribunal for consideration. The subsequent tribunal hearing, which ran over a period of four weeks, closed in August 2018. Andrew is frustrated that, while the deliberations continue, nutrient concentrations appear to be increasing. “It’s 20 months since the WCO hearings closed, longer than anyone expected. In that time nitrate-N at the springs has risen to 0.52 milligrams per litre - higher than ever before, and 30 per cent higher than when Friends of Golden Bay started monitoring four years ago.” In his letter to Steve Penny, the minister reiterates the current administration’s determination to address water quality... Continued on page 4
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INSIDE: Sustainability Hui Garden Column Book Review Heritage plaque THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2020
S c h e d u l e d • S c e n i c • C h a rt e r ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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