Frequently Asked Questions
Membership, money, responsibilities, and risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Membership, money, responsibilities, and risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Membership, money, responsibilities, and risks.
Do I need money to join?
Yes, membership will involve buying a share. The founding group will decide the price and payment options.
What if I leave the co‑op later?
The rules and member agreement will define notice, share repayment and when surplus entitlements end. You keep amounts already earned and paid. Founding members will help set the exit arrangements.
Can I be an employee first?
Once established, we expect to offer an employee or contractor pathway: work through a trial period, then apply for membership and buy a share if both sides agree.
For now, we’re recruiting founders to establish the business.
Do I have to come to lots of meetings?
Expect occasional general meetings on major business decisions. Members need to attend and participate. Routine work will use delegated authority rather than constant meetings.
Do I need to know about co‑ops already?
No. You need to be capable in your role, reliable, collaborative and willing to learn and participate. We’ll explain the model as we go.
Is my liability limited?
The co-op is intended to provide limited personal liability. Your financial obligations will depend on its rules and any separate commitments you make. We’ll obtain legal and accounting advice and explain the details before you join.
What does ‘Solarpunk’ mean?
For us, solarpunk means a practical, resilient and fair future:
- ‘Solar’: Climate-responsive Top End homes, renewable energy, thermal comfort, water security, edible gardens and lower household costs.
- ‘Punk’: Worker ownership, cooperation, local skills and materials, experimentation, and challenging wasteful short-term development.
We favour durable, repairable and adaptable homes, with profits and capabilities retained locally – not a utopia, but a practical approach to building better.
How are decisions made on site?
Supervisors, leading hands and trades manage day-to-day work, safety, and sequencing. Major variations, safety-critical matters, and large purchases follow agreed processes involving the relevant people. We don’t vote on every site decision.
What if we disagree on something?
Start with the people involved, then the supervisor or relevant lead. Business-wide issues go through member decision-making under the rules, with one vote per member. Serious disputes may use mediation or other agreed processes.
Members are expected to give constructive feedback and respect properly made decisions.
Is this a community project or a charity?
No. This is a proposed commercial construction and property development business, owned and controlled by its workers. It must pay market-rate wages, meet legal obligations, manage risk, and earn enough surplus to survive and grow.
It is not yet an operating business. Founders will need to test the model’s commercial viability.
What happens in a downturn?
Members can consider reduced hours, tighter margins or smaller and different jobs before layoffs. Keeping the crew together may help us recover when work returns.
Work and income are not guaranteed. Members will help decide how the business responds.
How is surplus shared?
Revenue first covers wages, materials, subcontractors, tax, insurance, and other costs. Funds are then set aside for equipment, growth, and lean periods.
Available surplus is shared at agreed intervals under a formula set by founding members, based on contributions such as hours, role, and responsibility.
Interested but not ready to commit?
Contact us and say you’re exploring. You can ask questions before deciding whether to join.