A place to connect. A chance to contribute. An invitation to learn from a living permaculture village and support its continuing story.
Explore becoming a Friend
“I value what Crystal Waters represents, and I want to be part of its future.”
THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDS OF CRYSTAL WATERS
Established in 1987 in Queensland’s hinterland, Crystal Waters is a residential ecovillage designed around permaculture principles. It is a place where ecological living is explored through everyday experience, community activities and education.
Friends of Crystal Waters is being developed for people who value that story and want an ongoing connection: current and former residents, course participants, visitors, neighbours and supporters near and far.
Whether you have visited many times or are discovering us for the first time, there is a place for you in our wider circle.
Markets, music and shared community spaces offer ways to encounter the people and everyday life of Crystal Waters.
Explore village life ↗
A conversation over coffee, a return visit or an invitation to a gathering can be the beginning of a lasting relationship.
Discover connection ↓
Permaculture, community experience and respect for wildlife are part of a story that continues to evolve.
Explore learning ↓The proposed Friends program brings together meaningful connection, practical opportunities and a shared commitment to Crystal Waters’ future.
The benefits below describe the offering being developed. Final inclusions, fees and availability will be confirmed before subscriptions open.
Stay close to the people, projects and evolving story of Crystal Waters, wherever you live.
Enjoy opportunities to experience village life and contribute your time, interests or skills.
Explore practical lessons from permaculture, ecological design and the experience of living in community.
Help sustain the community places and activities that make connection and learning possible.
A simple annual connection or a deeper contribution: the proposed levels offer different ways to support the same shared purpose. All amounts are in Australian dollars.
Indicative subscription options. Fees, inclusions and terms remain subject to final confirmation before launch. Subscriptions are not yet open.
For people beyond the village who feel a connection with Crystal Waters. Whether you are a neighbour, former resident, visitor, past student or discovering us from afar, you are welcome in our wider circle.
For current Crystal Waters residents who want to support the shared places, activities and connections that enrich village life. Celebrate your connection with the community and help its wider circle flourish.
For people who would like to contribute more each year to community places, communication and learning.
A one-off foundation contribution for people wishing to express a lasting commitment to Crystal Waters.
For values-aligned organisations and businesses that want to connect with and support Crystal Waters.
A shared foundation across the program: Village Friend and CW Resident Friend are separate options at the same annual price, with the same proposed core benefits. the core offering being developed includes news, selected portal resources, invitations and ways to contribute. Specific discounts, priority bookings and additional tier benefits will be advertised only when confirmed with the relevant organisers.
Residents and Co-operative members may also choose to become Friends. Friends subscriptions remain separate from Co-operative membership and resident portal permissions. No subscription grants voting rights, residency or unrestricted facility access.
The Crystal Waters Community Co-operative is a not-for-profit organisation that manages community and visitor facilities, including the Village Green, Deck and Kitchen, EcoCentre, and EcoPark accommodation. It supports the village markets and provides venues for events.
Friends subscriptions contribute to the Co-operative’s work, including community facilities, education, events and environmental initiatives. This ongoing income helps sustain shared places and develop opportunities for connection and learning. As the program develops, support could help:
Subscriptions support the Co-operative’s overall work unless a specific project contribution is identified. Naming a facility does not imply unrestricted access or that funds are allocated to that facility. Updates will share how Friends’ support is contributing as the program develops.
We’ll begin with regular updates, selected learning resources and invitations to activities. As more people become involved, we hope to offer further opportunities to meet, learn and contribute, drawing on the interests and experience within our community.
These are possibilities for development, subject to capacity, organiser agreement and Board approval.
No. The program is being designed for people locally, elsewhere in Australia and overseas. Updates and selected online resources will help distant Friends remain connected, while in-person opportunities depend on your ability to visit.
Village Friend welcomes people in the wider Crystal Waters circle, locally and around the world. CW Resident Friend is for current residents who want to support the shared life of the place they call home. Both are A$27 per year and have the same proposed core Friends benefits. Joining as a Resident Friend is voluntary and separate from existing resident access and Co-operative membership.
No. A Friends subscription is a supporter relationship. It does not provide Co-operative membership, voting rights, residency or decision-making authority.
The indicative contributions are A$27 per year for a Village Friend or a CW Resident Friend (two separate options with the same proposed core benefits), A$100 per year for a Supporting Friend, A$500 once for a Lifetime Foundation Friend, and A$220 per year for an Organisation / Company Supporter. Final fees, benefits and terms will be confirmed before subscriptions open.
No blanket inclusion is proposed. Events, courses, tours and accommodation may carry separate charges and booking requirements. Any Friends discounts or priority booking arrangements will be specifically identified when confirmed.
Crystal Waters is a residential community. Friends participation will follow the arrangements for each activity or venue, respect residents’ privacy and observe visitor guidelines. A subscription will not provide unrestricted access to residential areas, private property or facilities.
Discover the four themes and consider the supporter level that suits your interests and contribution.
Contact the Co-operative with questions, ideas or a preferred subscription level while the program is being developed.
Once final fees, benefits and terms are available, you will be able to decide whether to subscribe and receive your Friends welcome information.
If you feel an affinity with Crystal Waters, we would love to hear from you. Contact the Co-operative to ask about the developing Friends program, share your interests or explore ways to contribute.
Subscriptions are not yet open. The email button opens a draft in your own email app; nothing is sent or registered through this page.