RIVERS ROAD ORGANIC FARMS - A UNIQUE COMMUNITY 

Rivers Road Organic Farms (RROF) is a unique model of rural development - Community Title under an organic covenant. Community Title may be compared with Strata Title of high rise apartments who share common facilities such as elevators. In Community Title freehold landowners form a Neighbourhood Association which owns shared facilities such as water distribution, buffer zones, native revegetation and roadways. The total area of RROF is 140 hectares, divided into 12 irrigated farm blocks. All but two of the farm blocks also have a house lot in a cluster on the ridge in the middle of RROF, and all construction is of ecological design and materials.

The Statham family, who planted their first organic vineyards and olives in 1997, lodged the Development Application for the project in 1998. Today they are just one of seven different owners growing certified organic grapes, olives, figs, vegetables, wool and lamb.

The project differs from all other known similar projects, in that all of the growers share this objective: "The objective of this Neighbourhood Scheme is to facilitate the creation of viable intensive organic agricultural developments by promoting co-operation and self-reliance among the proprietors of Lots in the Neighbourhood Plan." (Rivers Road Organic Farms Management Statement, By-Law 1)

With this objective, RROF is now an example of the organic spirit of cooperation and diversity – with the growers coming from a wide range of backgrounds – working together in the aim of becoming successful organic horticultural producers.

To find out more about RROF visit www.organicfarms.com.au