During the tour, a lot of questions raised by the participants addressed expenditure such as rates and access fees, and all very impressed at how low-cost living at Bend was.  

Brian and Adrienne Miles were visiting from Sydney who attended as their son lives at Bend and they wanted to learn more about the Bend community. 

“We have learnt a lot today about how it all works,” Ms Miles said.

“It’s an amazing experiment in community living, and I was impressed with the positive nature of everyone’s input. 

“We think it is very magnificent down here – its very beautiful coming to Bega.

“Each time that we come we see the area moving ahead.”

 “It’s an amazing concept - I think that it is mind boggling,” Mr Miles said. 

Nick Neenan and Rachael Hunter have recently bought a farm in Wyndam, were they are hoping to use permaculture principles to live out the “permaculture dream”. 

“The idea of community housing is fantastic,” Ms Hunter said.

“I thought it was interesting,” Mr Neenan said.

Mr Neenan said that he had heard of other such sustainability-based communities like Bend not working out, and he was glad to see that Bend was operating successfully. 

“It all seems to be working well,” he said. 

“I always thought it was a great idea,” local Elvie Preo said of the Bend community.

“I think it is brilliant to catch water from Casuarina [Nursing Home] which would otherwise be wasted.” 

Resident Bend Jenny Spinks was pleased at how the open day had gone. 

“It has been just fantastic, I’m so glad the weather turned out the way it did,” Ms Spinks said. 

“Having the permaculture people [John Champagne, Julie Davies and Kathleen McCann] organise things made our jobs very easy!

“We have had so much support in the community.”