Developers of The Paddock Eco Village in Castlemaine, Neil and Heather Barrett, and Crosby Architects can now see a blaze of light at the end of the tunnel after seven years of hard work and a bit of stress at times.
The project is now expected to be completed by local builder, RHB, in April next year. Forty people will then occupy the former duck farm.
Heather said it was wonderful to see the change in this paddock, which was sold to them by Felix Cappy 40 years ago.
“At that time, there were 20 large duck sheds on it and a mountain of duck poo, though no ducks. Now it’s a great place to live and is becoming a beacon for people wanting to build and design eco villages themselves,” she said.
“They can come here and see attractive, well-designed, zero-emission houses set in a horseshoe shape, with food growing on the inside and cars and bikes on the outside. And they can meet and chat with interesting people just to make their day.”
Neil, a former coordinator of Friends of the Earth Victoria, is particularly pleased with the 100kW of solar they’ve managed to install, as well as the innovative financing model they’ve arrived at.
“It’s part bank, part relatives and part friends and acquaintances. And we’re rapt that the money saved by not relying completely on the bank will go towards a campaign to help people in our shire to change from gas to solar and heat pumps,” he said.
People interested in buying either of the last two three-bedroom houses available are invited to register on The Paddock website for a site visit this Saturday August 19. Enquiries can be made to Neil on 0419 327 791.
