Karridale’s Mindful Earth Sanctuary owner Boh Morel says ‘creative communities’ key to sustainable future

The founder of a new community that has stoked angst in Karridale in recent months says he is trying to lead the way as part of a global movement in the face of climate change and a squeeze on crucial resources.

Mindful Earth Sanctuary owner Boh Morel is facing prosecution by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River over allegedly unapproved developments on the Moodjar Way farm site, which will go before a magistrate in Busselton in February next year.

But in a wide-ranging interview with the Times, Mr Morel said the shire never offered mediation or the chance to bring his lifelong project into compliance with planning laws.

He believed it was part of the shire’s intent to make the new community unwelcome after it sparked the ire of Karridale neighbours with a series of loud weekend wellness-turned-music festivals earlier this year.

“It is becoming apparent through dealing with the local government that the idea of a creative, loving community in their region is not something that should be entertained or desired,” he said.

“We disagree with this belief and are looking for peeps who have the desire to build communities — people with wisdom, knowledge, life experiences in community living, dealing with councils, activism, media experience — any type of experience really, even just a desire to help is all we need.

“We will flow our way into making the changes that are needed and no doubt learn a lot on the way.”

During the winter, Mr Morel met with shire president Paula Cristoffanini to communicate his vision for the settlement and ask for the shire’s support.

Cr Cristoffanini told the Times the proponent had not asked for shire help in complying with planning laws despite advice it being needed for anyone developing their properties.

“He explained that he was seeking to provide a place for travellers who, he believed, would be coming to the area in greater numbers in the future and would be wanting to work in the region,” Cr Cristoffanini said.

“I explained to Mr Morel that health, safety and amenity are most important considerations and that there are rules in place to deal with these considerations and ensure that the whole community is protected.

“I stressed to him the importance of being a good neighbour and referred him to shire officers for guidance on the rules in the same way that any land owner who wanted to conduct a new use on their land would require to ensure that residents are not exposed to unnecessary harms and that neighbours are not unreasonably impacted.”

Mr Morel said increasing scarcity, energy costs, food-production concerns, the housing crisis, and more people wanting to live more lightly on the planet was fuelling an increasing number of “creative communities” worldwide, but not everyone had the money to invest in places like the Witchcliffe Eco-Farm.

“We need to start preparing the ground for these communities,” he said.

“We need to show the multitude of benefits such a community brings to the people involved, along with the people living in the area.

“We need to show the healing power of community, to show this is what our society is missing: loving connection with others.

“Creative communities will become the future of how we live.

“Obviously not all will seek this, but as the world changes, we will need to come together to help support each other again and then we can create wonder.”

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges due in February.