A core theme of permaculture is the idea of “people care”

The Eco House & Garden has been designed, built and operates using Permaculture Principles and why this important Eco Stop is created to show the meaning and story behind the entire Discovery Trail.

Permaculture was created by the bringing together of knowledge from many different areas such as agriculture, architecture, observations of natural systems, science, technology and renewable energy. It guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we can find in nature and can be applied to all aspects of human habitation, from agriculture to ecological building, from appropriate technology to education and even economics, to design a productive system based on the relationships between us, animals, plants, buildings, services and the natural world.

“The word itself is a contraction not lonely of permanent agriculture but also of permanent culture, as cultures cannot survive for long without a sustainable agricultural base and landuse ethic……The aim is to create systems that are ecologically sound and economically viable, which provide for their own needs, do not exploit or pollute, and are therefore sustainable in the long term.” Bill Mollison 2011.

Permaculture techniques started in Australia in the 1970s and are now used all over the world in Asia, Europe, America, Africa, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. The techniques and strategies used to apply these principles vary widely and are adapted to suit the location, climate, resources and culture in each country; however the foundations to this holistic approach remain the same.

The 12 Permaculture Principles are underpinned by the 3 Permaculture Ethics:

1. Care of the Earth
2. Care of People
3. Fair Share

You can still engage in permaculture principles even if you don’t have a garden, by saving water and energy, harnessing natural resources such as sunlight, and generally creating a harmonious, sustainable environment in which to live and work. You’d be surprised at how many of these ethics and principles can be applied to your daily life.

Permaculture is guided by a set of 12 principles that provide valuable thinking tools that help us become more resilient in an era of change: