nalinī estate

nalinī is on the edge of the tiny village of Bundook, 25 minutes North East of Gloucester.

This particular block of land is 3.3 acres. It is at the top edge of the village. The soil is mostly topsoil, very good for growing. It has two dams on it which are spring-fed and did not dry up during the drought. The dams are covered in lily pads. There is a large fig tree, an 80 sq m shed, and a small dairy farm shack at the bottom of the property. Most of the property is clear of trees and has been used for cattle grazing. The aspect from the top of the property is North East, capturing maximal sun during winter. There is patchy mobile reception at the property.

The road from town to the village has been tar for about 5 years. This area was not able to be accessed by as many people before then. Now it is able to grow more in value as people with nice cars can travel there. The road is very infrequently used, you might see a ute every half an hour.

Top half – seclusion + yoga + quiet cabin zone

Jacqui and Josh particularly feel that the top half of the property comprising the top dam and the top ridge running alongside the stock route should be considered as a quiet and personal reflective space for yoga and an introspective atmosphere. With that in mind, Jacqui and Josh have located their sleeping cabin in this spot to ensure they get the solitude and privacy they desire.

The top ridge running along the stock route, continuing all the way to the boundary with the neighbours, has been identified as a good spot for further cabins, with appropriate spacing to ensure quiet privacy. Note that as you go further along the stock route toward the north boundary, the tree cover ensures shade after midday, and thus you could expect a cooler environment in the summer.

A yoga deck near the top dam (or both dams) would be a marvelous addition to the property, for use by unitholders, taking advantage of the picturesque view and the attractive reflective water.

Bottom half – social + recreation area

The area comprising the wide-open spaces, the fig tree, the existing sheds, being just over the ridge line and mostly out of visual range of the quiet zone, along with its obvious facilities and accessibility, lends itself perfectly to social activities, glamping, visitors, and things might generate noise or have people coming and going.

Permaculture could be performed in almost any location on the property.

Investment in common infrastructure

Around $15,000 will have been spent on common facilities once the deck, bedroom, kitchen, and toilet using the existing sheds is complete. This includes grounds maintenance equipment and outdoor pavers and other similar items. This shall be considered to be the sum total of the joined investment on making the land habitable for all unitholders.

Portable nature of future work

The purpose of the trust is to provide access to stunning land and to manage basic operations. We are not aiming to make capital gains on the value of the land via property development. The relationship between the landowner and the trust is thus to facilitate use and enjoyment of the land.

Any future improvements or additions ought to be conducted (after agreement from the trust) with personal funds. If a unitholder wishes the future ability to remove such work from the property in the case that they withdraw from the trust, they should ensure that the items are removable.

Permanent development could still be performed, but it would be on the proviso that it remains on the land even in case of withdrawal of the owner from the trust.

Ongoing costs

An equitable division of ongoing costs like council rates and tax accounting should occur and can be figured out in due course.

Ownership and usage arrangements

The primary function of this property is to provide a lifestyle facilities to the owners. That is, a cabin or cabins that can be used as accommodation. It would feature biodynamic and permaculture oriented gardens and landscaping. Cows could be invited to graze. We want to build a jetty stretching out over one of the dams. There would be communal power, toilet, water, and an under cover deck.

The most expedient way to purchase the property, given the need to satisfy a bank, is for JH to purchase it in her name only. This is simple and reliable, and it provides certainty and accountability. It also means that a unit trust structure will be needed to enable others to buy in. The trust will have a legal agreement with JH providing exclusive access.

In the short term we need seed funding to make up a shortfall in funds to buy the land itself and to pay for basic shared infrastructure (water tank, solar panels, toilet, deck). We wish to invite a small number of people to be involved in the trust in this initial stage of development. Here is a rough example of how the unit trust could be split initially, with 1 unit valued at $10k:

• JP – $20k investment buying him 2 units
• HE – $20k investment buying her 2 units
• DP – $50k investment buying him 5 units
• JH would not be putting any funds into the trust, having used the mortgage money to buy the property. The trust would allocate her units in exchange for exclusive access, say 18 units reflecting her $180k investment.

Members of the trust would then have access to the property and be invited to contribute to the development if they desire. Works to the property such as tree planting would be considered gifts to the land, valuable for their own sake and enjoyable to perform.