Sustainable country life a stone’s throw from the city

As Australians turn their focus towards sustainable living, with the zero-waste movement fast-growing traction, new entry onto the market, “Jounama” is ahead of its time, a picture-perfect rural property designed with self-sufficiency at its heart.

Despite being just 30 minutes from the city lights of Canberra, where current owners Jenny and Lynn Morris worked, they knew they wanted to create a lifestyle that relied on the seasons and what they could produce when they bought the Yass Valley property 40 years ago.

They invested their time and energy into planting more than 40 fruit and nut trees, planting vegetable patches and nurturing the local bee and birdlife populations with a cottage garden. 

With 24.28 hectares, the couple and their three children were able to run sheep as well as Jersey cows for milking.

“We used to be self-sufficient,” Jenny explained. “I never went near a fruit market from November to May, as we had everything we needed from the garden.

“It’s why we came here in the first place, Jenny added, explaining why they moved to Springrange from Canberra, she had farming roots in the UK and Lynn grew up on a farm that was resumed for the Snowy Hydro Scheme.

“We decided to live out in the bush and live by the seasons.”

The couple also used the same approach to the 4-bedroom home’s functionality, installing double glazed windows and insulation throughout so heating and cooling costs were minimal.

“The house is well ventilated so it’s cool in summer and warm in winter and just right for living in,” Jenny said, adding they only installed a reverse cycle system two years ago, an addition they’ve barely used.

Jenny and Lynn take immense pride in the garden they have created and while there are numerous vantage points outside to enjoy it, they created a year-round connection with the outdoor space through a sunroom.

Featuring a grand gabled roof with floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and garden views surround this tiled room, making it a tranquil sanctuary to be enjoyed in all weather.

The couple’s focus on sustainable living is also transferred to reducing utility costs, with solar and rainwater tanks as natural additions to the property.

Furthermore, one dam is located on the property’s boundary at the top of a hill, allowing for natural water pressure to eradicate the need for a pump and its associated costs. While the second 70m x 25m dam also supplies the property and with its shady banks doubles as a recreational space for swimming, canoeing, yabbying and can be stocked with fish.

Ever the opportunist to build on what has been created at “Jounama”, Jenny can see the potential for the future owners to consider implementing a micro-hydro system using the property’s two large bodies of water.

Jenny and Lynn acknowledge the sale of “Jounama” was a difficult decision, but one that needed to be made as they look to downsize and make more time for family and, more importantly, fishing for Lynn and Jenny for her book writing.

“I’m tired of my brother ringing up saying he’s going fishing,” Lynn quips.

Agent George Southwell said the decades of work by the Morrises has to be seen to be fully appreciated. 

They’ve got a thriving, well-established garden that, while useful and productive, is so stunning it was the backdrop for Jenny and Lynn’s daughter’s wedding,” he said.

“This is truly a spectacular property and its location makes it ideal to reap the benefits of country living while being conveniently close to the city.”

Agent: George Southwell 0429 838 345 george.southwell@raywhite.com