Patanga - a Place in
Paradise!
The values that inspire the Patanga Community include a recognition of the
spiritual dimension in the relationship between individuals and the group,
a common caring and respect for the land and its flora and fauna; and the
idea of a group of people living in balance with this land, as caretakers.
We choose to enjoy a socially and environmentally caring lifestyle based on
maximum personal responsibility and freedom. Communal participation is
encouraged, with provision for individual privacy.
In this community, we aspire to love and understanding as being most
important in providing the atmosphere for emotional support and positive
growth. The Community unfolds organically without rigid expectation, with
emphasis on day-to-day living together and accepting each others'
differences as contributing to the strength of the community as a whole.
In practice, these ideals require committed input and energy, choosing to
give regular service to the maintenance of the farm, the land and its
people.
The Land
"Patanga" was a cattle and crop farm for many years before it was purchased
by the Company in 1981. Patanga members have cared for the land (whilst
building their homes and earning incomes) to enable regeneration of
bushland to co-exist with human habitation and agriculture.
"Patanga" has BFA Organic and, in parts, Biodynamic certification. This
means, among other things, that we agree to use no chemical fertilisers,
herbicides, or pesticides in our agricultural practices. The property is
also a registered Wildlife Refuge with approximately half the property
(riparian zones, gullies and steep slopes) being reserved for regeneration.
Hence residents are asked to use environmentally friendly products, not to
burn as weed control, not to collect live or dead wood from regenerating
areas, and to respect and conserve the native flora and fauna. No resident
cats or dogs are permitted, and visiting animals are requested to be on
leashes.
The Legal Structure
The legal framework of "Patanga" is a council approved multiple occupancy
owned by the company "Valerie Farm Pty Ltd". The Company holds title to all
of the land which is some 66 hectares of river flats, gentle slopes and
forest. There are 15 shares in this company and 15 directors of the Company
(one director per share). Family members are also community members.
Each share is allocated approximately one hectare of land for private use
(dwelling, gardens, small business etc). All building decisions on any
share must have Company as well as Council approval. All decisions re the
use of common land (eg agriculture, or animal husbandry or agistment) are
also made by the Company. All other land and buildings, together with the
communal infrastructure such as internal roads, the water supply system,
farm machinery etc, are communally shared and maintained. All members are
expected to help in their upkeep and to share in decision making.
Each share is levied $80 per month to help finance this upkeep and pay for
Council rates, Company administration, and insurance of commonly owned
buildings, equipment and for public liability. Members are also expected to
contribute labour to communal work on monthly Saturday workdays, or to
spend an equivalent amount of time on any other given day if Saturdays are
not possible due to their employment.
Full Company meetings are usually held 2 to 4 times a year. Consensus is
striven for with decisions, but if after a reasonable time this has failed,
then a decision is reached by a majority vote. Within the dynamics of group
communication, we have used conflict resolution processes and referred to
outside mediators and group facilitation.
Rental of Shares
Occasionally the temporary absence of a shareholder makes a house at
"Patanga" available for rent. In such cases there is a strong preference
for tenants who as a priority want to experience the style of community
living there is at "Patanga". Such experience would be of considerable
benefit should the tenants subsequently show interest in buying any share
that might become available.
New Members
No new Patanga shares remain available, but occasionally a member moves on
and their share becomes available for purchase.
To help ensure compatibility between a new member and Patanga, there is a
"getting to know you" process. This begins with a written expression of
interest from the prospective new member, to the Community. It then
involves participation as fully as possible in the life and work of the
Community, including attendance at two meetings.