Life on the Edge

Today is an important day in Windgrove’s history as it marks the end of one stage and the beginning of another. This new stage is about enhancing the existing infrastructure at Windgrove and to allow for the design, building and running of small programs that will deal with the creative process of healing ourselves, the land and the world at large.

Nearly three years ago, a planning process involving eco-development consultants, the Tasman Council, surveyors, road construction crews, lawyers, land conservancy people, environmentalists, friends and neighbours was begun. In the mail this week I finally received the titles to two new blocks of land: that portion of Windgrove’s land that has been subdivided off as a strata title development. The long wait and protracted negotiations have insured that whoever buys into Windgrove will be buying into a very unique, special and stunning landscape. 

In the book, “The Devil in Tim: Travels in Tasmania”, the author writes: If there is a piece of paradise on this earth, the sculptor and environmental philosopher, Peter Adams, has come close to finding it with his coastal property Windgrove, overlooking Roaring Beach and Storm Bay on the western side of the Tasman Peninsula. Tim Bowden then proceeds for the next eight pages to describe what is here. Not bad publicity, if one is looking for it.

Well, I am, because Tim Bowden’s honest words, rather than those of a real estate agent’s, is what will help sell the land.

Both blocks (one at 9 acres and the other at 15 acres) border the Roaring Beach Conservation Area (a status almost akin to being a National Park), have excellent views to the ocean and have excellent building aspects to the solar north. The land is strata titled which means that, although they will be privately owned, the blocks will remain part of the whole of Windgrove and are protected by the established by-laws of Windgrove. For the most part, these by-laws reflect environmental concerns, thereby, protecting all households living at Windgrove from damaging development.  More importantly, the by-laws ensure that those who chose to live here do so because they are in accordance with and supportive of Windgrove’s philosophy of living in harmony with the environment.

The driveways have already been put in and the two house sites (nestled in coastal trees around 30 metres/100 feet above sea level) have been cleared and are ready for building upon. 

And so today, my partner, Sally, and I are officially announcing the sale of a portion of our home, Windgrove, to the public; first, via this blog and later in the year, through other channels. My reason for going through this blog is that I feel that anyone who has been a regular reader of “Life at the Edge” will understand what is on offer and how living here and being surrounded with good neighbours is as important as the view from the window. 

For anyone interested in building a home here and joining the Roaring Beach community for a life of relative quiet surrounded by native bush and a fantastic surf beach at your doorstep, well, this is your chance. To chose to buy this land is to also chose to support the future of Windgrove as the money earned will be invested back into the many aspects of Windgrove.

For further information or to register an expression of interest, please contact:

I came across an article this week that talked about a proposal before the English parliament for a 4,000 km continuous corridor of clear and well managed public access along the entire length of England’s coast. Such a great idea. Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “The principle is clear: the public should have consistent and secure access around their coastline.”

I couldn’t agree more. “Power to the feet”, I say.

Ever since reading Rebecca Solnit’s, Wanderlust: a history of walking, I have been fascinated with, and desirous of, creating paths for people to walk along. Surely, the two kilometre Peace Walk is a working statement of this fact.

However, as beautiful and inspiring as it might be, the Peace Walk is still on private land and the public has no legal access to it. This I don’t intend to change.

But, in total agreement with the English proposal above, I have been working with my local council to create a public footpath along Windgrove’s northern boundary (a distance of around half a kilometre) and all legal hurdles were recently completed after I “sold” a six foot strip of land to the council for $1. This now allows my neighbours and the general public legal access to the Roaring Beach Conservation Area.

As well, I am creating and maintaining a continuation of this path along the western boundary (adjacent with the RBCA) and connecting it to an existing path to the beach.

Some would argue that I am giving up control and privacy; that hooligans and trouble makers will descend like vultures onto the land; that the selling value of the land might even be lessened.

I would argue back that, as an owner of a coastal headland, I am morally obligated to provide this access. Growing up in America where wealthy land owners slowly closed off the public’s access to the coastal areas by building “gated communities”, I have seen how the average citizen can be locked out of experiencing the beauty of such areas.

In a way my motive is selfish. I want the earth’s natural treasures to be preserved. The more paths there are for people to walk or bike along the earth’s body, the more they will come to love her and, hence, protect her.

Instead of hooligans, I see kids with surf boards walking along the path, neighbours out for a stroll and gladdening hearts everywhere.

When I wake up in the morning, I want to wake up feeling kindness to all.