Crystal Waters Community Cooperatives

Crystal Waters Permaculture Village was established at the headwaters of the Mary River in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in 1988. Around 230 people live on 84 residential lots within the 650-acre property.

On Saturday in the middle of the PDC course, the Crystal Waters Monthly Market welcomes you to enjoy the relaxed and creative ecovillage ambiance on the Village Green. Fill your basket with local organic fresh produce, freshly baked sourdough organic bread, veggie seedlings, herbs, raw honey, gourmet foods, handmade soaps, and a range of other products. Shiatsu, acupuncture, and massage are also available to help you unwind. Enjoy food and drinks from the cafes and food stalls and take in the morning program of live music and children’s activities offered on the green.

Crystal Waters also provides a unique alternative Venue for all types of Events such as music gigs, festivals, weddings, conferences, and workshops.

Courses they offer:

The Crystal Waters Permaculture Course

Some of the subjects covered in this PDC Course include:

• Introduction to Permaculture
• History, Principles & Ethics
• Observing Natural Systems
• Patterns in Nature
• Permaculture Design concepts
• Zone and Sector Planning
• First Steps in design
• Zone One Planning
• Water in the Landscape
• Basic principles, construction, keyline
• Aquaculture concepts
• Dam construction and methods towards drought proofing
• Dealing with waste systems
• Zone One System
• Establishing productive gardens
• Weeds ID & management
• Toward all year production
• Seed saving, seed raising
• Pest management – a healthy garden without poisonsMaking liquid fertilizers
• Establishing Orchard Systems
• Selection criteria
• Planning in time and space
• Maintenance of fruit trees
• Animals in the PC System
• Keeping animals for food or profit; from Bees to beasts
• The Place of forests
• Visit local CW forest areas
• Establishing & maintaining forest systems, tree choice
• Windbreaks and their design
• Soils
• Leanne Harper: (Home Soil Solutions) Important steps to improve soil conditions
• Nutrients & Microbes
• Understanding soil tests
• Organic matter & Composting
• Green manures & mulching
• Healthy Building
• Visit to low-energy Home example (Barry Goodman)
• Towards energy efficient design
• Myths and facts about energy systems & materials
• Visit natural building examples
• Village Design
• The CW story – the challenges and lessons learned
• Community Food Systems
• The school gardening scheme
• City Farms, community gardens
• Urban Issues
• The place for Permaculture in high-density environments
• Applying your skills
• Some business development ideas & discussions
• Robin Clayfield: Working as a Permaculture Designer, making a living
• Social Permaculture
• Group Dynamics
• Introduction to Ethics & Whole Systems Design. Richard Mochelle (see description below)
• Creating good Design
• Guidance in steps to Permaculture Design for a piece of land
• Past student’s Design examples PDC 2015/16/17
• Practical experience in Permaculture Design development
• Discussion & Feedback on Student design exercises

To Contact them: