MERRI COHOUSING at a glance

Who We Are

Merri Cohousing and EcoVillage Inc. (MCH for short) is a nonprofit organisation set up in August 2000 to facilitate the development of cohousing in the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne, on behalf of its members. Membership of Merri Cohousing is open to those who are interested in living in a cohousing community ('active' members), and also those who wish to support the project or just want to be kept informed ('supporting' members).

Cohousing is a specific form of 'friendly' housing design popular in northern Europe and the USA. Some members of MCH have taken part in cohousing groups in the past. 'Cohousing' as understood by this group differs from both 'eco-housing' and 'intentional communities'. It is a resident-initiated neighbourhood design in which private dwellings coexist with shared facilities and a 'common house'. It facilitates human interaction and works against 'alienating suburbs' while allowing residents to choose privacy whenever they wish to. Cohousing exists in Denmark, the USA, Tasmania and Perth.

Our Vision

Merri Cohousing seeks to create:

A functional, supportive, sharing community made up of individuals of all ages
An inspiring model of an environmentally sustainable, affordable urban village
A beautiful, well-designed space containing homes, gardens and shared facilities
A sense of place, a manifestation of the principles and aesthetics of the residents

Background

In April 2000, buildings on a large site in Roberts Street, East Brunswick (opposite CERES) were demolished. This came to the attention of Maya at CERES who arranged a public meeting to discuss the potential for cohousing on the site with an 'environmental' theme. Maya's enthusiasm was the inspiration for the Merri Cohousing group which formed as the outcome of this meeting. The group now has members extending from Brunswick to East Malvern, with expertise in architecture, environmental design, group processes and other cohousing groups.

The Merri Cohousing group is currently focussing its intentions on the Roberts Street site. There is room for about 60 'medium-density' dwellings on this site, with all having north-facing sunlight. This is more than is practical for cohousing which typically involves no more than two dozen households. The current owners of the site are developers Fauchon Pty Ltd. They intend to develop the site as an 'ecovillage', comprising the most environmentally friendly housing in Melbourne, with a cohousing component of perhaps 24 houses. It is expected that most occupiers of the cohousing will be homeowners, with some private renters and possible Minstry of Housing involvement. Ownership through a unit trust of members is also being considered.

Negotiations are underway between Fauchon, Merri Cohousing and Moreland City Council, with the hoped-for outcome that Merri Cohousing will design and purchase 24 dwellings in the central portion of the site, with Fauchon to develop the remainder. Fauchon have however expressed interest in applying environmental principles to the entire development.

Financing the Project

We are working toward an agreement with the developer under which MCH will appoint architects and design our portion of the site. Once plans are agreed, it is anticipated that MCH members will purchase off-the-plan from Fauchon. People seeking to 'buy into' the cohousing development will be initially liable for architect and other professional fees (in the order of several thousand dollars per household) as well as housing deposits.

Estimates of the cost of cohousing dwellings on the Roberts Street site are in preparation. We expect firm estimates to be available from the developer in mid-September. It is clear that the group will need to reach a compromise between environmental values and affordability in order to attract a suitably diverse group of future neighbours.

Group Structure and Processes

The day-to-day business of the group is handled by a Committee of 12 members, which meets every Wednesday evening. The Committee is an administrative body only and does not make substantive decisions on behalf of the group. Members are welcome to attend Committee meetings but should contact the Secretary in advance to avoid overcrowding problems. Intending members may also attend by invitation.

Every fortnight a general meeting is convened at which all members are welcome and encouraged to participate. These usually take the form of a 'workshop' where members focus on a current issue of importance and make decisions on key process and design questions. All members are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops, as these are where the key decisions are taken on the eventual 'look and feel' of the cohousing community. These take place at CERES alternately on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Separate 'information sessions' are organised on alternate Thursday nights and Sunday mornings. These are intended to introduce the concept of cohousing in general and Merri Cohousing in particular. Anyone is welcome to attend; intending residents should attend at least one of these sessions before becoming further involved with the group.

Working Groups

Working groups have been formed to handle particular aspects of the Merri Cohousing project. You must be a member to participate in a working group. The working groups are as follows:

Process: Develops the decision making and other participatory processes for Merri Cohousing.
Design: Coordinates the design activities (other than environmental design) on behalf of the group, brainstorms ideas, conducts design workshops, consults architects and planners.
Environmental design: Complements the role of the Design group in environmental features.
Transport: Develops our Transport Management Plan, researches options to reduce car dependence.
Finance: Investigates options for the financing of the cohousing project by its owners.
Renters: Represents the intending renters in the overall group process.
Property Syndicate: Develops the framework for investor-owned properties.
Public Housing: Investigates options for Office of Housing involvement in the project.
Legal: Develops the legal frameworks for the group and consults lawyers on its behalf.
Partnerships: Develops relationships between the group and possible partners or sponsors.
Education: Explains and publicises cohousing, through information sessions, stalls and media.
Induction: Coordinates the 'buddy system', fosters group cohesion and skill sharing.

Discussion Papers

Discussion papers are short documents that embody the working 'policies' of the group. Any member of Merri Cohousing may write and circulate a discussion paper on any issue affecting the group. New discussion papers are 'tabled' at a Committee meeting, after which feedback is sought from the entire membership before the paper is formally 'adopted' at a Committee or General Meeting. For more information about discussion papers contact the Process working group or the Secretary.

Merri Cohousing: c/- CERES, 8 Lee Street, Brunswick East 3057. — Info line: (03) 9482 1239 — Fax: (03) 9381 1844.
Email: info@merricohousing.org — Web: <http://www.merricohousing.org/>

Maintained by Tony Morton and Adam Tiller — webmaster@merricohousing.org — Last updated: 7 September 2001