If you’re interested in joining the Co-operative you can apply for membership, and if approved buy a share, if one is available. Members have rights to occupy home improvement sites or lots of approx 5,000 sq.m (1.25 acres), grouped together in several ‘hamlets’.

The Co-operative owns all land on behalf of its members, who do not hold freehold title for their lots. The share entitlement to a designated lot includes exisiting improvements (dwellings, dams, gardens, sheds).

• Carefully consider our website information, including membership and costs. Your membership must be approved by the community before you can acquire a share.
• Visit the Co-op, talk to members. After initial contact with our Secretary, visit arrangements can be made, including attendance at community meetings and social events.
• Read ‘Creating a Life Together’ by Diana Leafe Christian.
• Read the rules, by-laws and code of conduct (under Rules), setting out member rights and responsibilities. It is a condition of membership that members agree to abide by them. 

 If you decide to apply, the application process will help you learn more about us and for us to get to know you. Visits to the Co-op and meeting members are also required steps in the process.

Initially, contact the Secretary (secretary.goolawah@gmail.com) and a Membership Guide will be assigned to answer questions and help with the membership process, which can take up to 8 months. 

Initial Share Acquisition

On completion of the membership application process, your application is voted on by the community. If approved, and a member is willing to sell you a share, then you proceed as follows:

• Purchase of a member share, which entitles you to occupy a residential site, is negotiated directly with members selling and paid directly to them.
• Share capital of $13,000 is paid by the buyer directly to the Co-op and is recorded on the share transfer form and share certificates.
• A joining fee of $10,000 is also payable by the buyer to the Co-op.
• Share transfer – once eligibility for membership is approved and payments made, the community formally ratifies your share transfer. The Co-op’s official share register is then updated and a new share certificate issued to you.

Ongoing Costs of Membership 

Members are legally obligated to maintain active membership by paying their annual levies/charges, which are decided by the Co-op and subject to change:

Membership Levy:  $800 in 2023/2024 financial year for single or joint members.

Annual Work Levy: volunteer 20 hrs of your time to the community or pay $300 levy per share.

Infrastructure Levy:  $1450 in 2023/2024 per share (for new roadworks).

Other Levies/Charges: if the community incurs costs on your behalf (e.g. fire hazard reduction work on your site) these costs will be charged to you.

Building Costs

If you purchase a share with a blank site to build on, you should budget for these costs:

• Dwelling structures must meet Australian Standards and receive Council approval. Contract building costs are similar to suburban constructions.

• When a Development Application for construction is approved by Kempsey Shire Council, it levies a one-off Section 94 Contribution (for public amenities like local roads and recreation areas) on top of DA fees. S94 fees are determined by the number of bedrooms (approx $3,700 for one bedroom in 2021) and are CPI-linked.

• The Co-operative is off-the-grid. Water collection and onsite sewage management systems (including compost toilet) must meet approved standards ($4,000+), and stand-alone solar power system (typically up to $20,000, depending on your energy needs) is necessary.