ON AN 112-hectare site at Butterwick an $8.9 million concept for a different model of rural living is gaining momentum after a master plan for the site was lodged with Port Stephens Council.
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The plan allows for 29 dwellings to be constructed in a cluster on a hill on the property, with the remainder of the land used for organic farming, cattle grazing and other types of agriculture.
Described as a "land sharing community" it is not a commune and it is far from suburban sprawl.
Instead, it is a group of like-minded people who are developing a hub for the renewal of agriculture and rural village life - and it is believed to be a first for the Port area.
Long-time Duns Creek resident Lucie Bruvel is behind the move, which is known as Shepherds' Ground, and said it was inspired by her time in France.
For years Ms Bruvel said she enjoyed the benefits of an inter-generational community where retirees would look after the children in the village, everyone would on occasion, eat meals together and farmers worked on the grounds surrounding the area.
"Everyone had an amazing view of the countryside," she said.
When she came home she wanted to replicate the rural lifestyle but encountered problems with the resources and work needed to keep it in order.
From there she came up with Shepherds' Ground, a not for profit co-operative, which is planned under the provisions of the State Environment Planning Policy No 15 - rural land-sharing communities.
Under the co-operative model households share a piece of land in a village-like arrangement which in turn creates lower-cost living and ensures the land is protected from any further subdivision or development.
Households are invited to buy a share in the venture if they want to live there. Port Stephens Council's development assessment and compliance manager Matthew Brown said a master plan for the proposal had been lodged and was being assessed.
"The proposal seeks to gain approval for the site to be used as a rural land-sharing community, internal roads, drainage and agricultural activities," he said.
"Future DAs will address the proposed 29 dwellings and community infrastructure."
Ms Bruvel said all homes would be built based on the same materials and model. People would be able to sell their shares if they wanted to move on and there was an exit policy in place.
