In a startling turn of events, the remote settlement of Licola, nestled in the Victorian High Country, has been placed on the market for approximately £5 million, igniting concerns among its dwindling population. Home to just five residents, this unique community is now facing an uncertain future as its long-time owners deem the operation unsustainable.
A Rare Gem in the Wilderness
Licola, located about 250 km east of Melbourne, stands as a testament to community resilience and self-sufficiency. With its general store, petrol station, caravan park, and a handful of weatherboard buildings spread over 42 acres, the town has become a vital pit stop for adventurers heading into the nearby Alpine National Park. Notably, Licola is the only town in Victoria that remains unconnected to the state electricity grid, relying instead on a solar microgrid for power, along with its own water treatment and waste management systems.
For over five decades, Licola has been under the stewardship of the Lions Clubs of Victoria and Southern NSW, who transformed the former timber mill site into a wilderness village aimed at supporting disadvantaged youth and special needs groups. However, rising operational costs, insurance burdens, and a decline in visitor numbers have led to the board’s decision to sell.
Community Concerns and Resistance
The announcement of the sale has sent ripples of alarm through the tight-knit community. Leanne O’Donnell, a key figure in Licola who runs the local general store, expressed her heartbreak upon discovering the online listing for the town. “I absolutely love this town,” she lamented. “If it gets into the hands of a developer and turns into something that it’s not, it will just break my heart.”
O’Donnell, who lives in Licola with her children and a close friend, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise up to A$8 million with the aim of purchasing the town outright and ensuring its continued existence under community control. “Licola is not just a town,” she stated, emphasising its role as a peaceful, off-grid community that provides essential services for residents and travellers alike.
An online petition advocating for the store’s survival has already garnered over 8,000 signatures, reflecting the community’s determination to resist potential commercialisation.
The Future Uncertain
Denis Carruthers, chairman of the Lions Village Licola board, acknowledged the difficult decision to sell, citing the need to focus on the organisation’s broader mission rather than the maintenance of a physical site. “The decision to sell was not made lightly,” he remarked, outlining the challenges that prompted the move. While the board intends to reinvest the proceeds into a new foundation aimed at funding professionally run camps for disadvantaged children in Victoria, the fate of future camps at Licola remains precarious, especially with a planned event recently cancelled due to low enrolment.
Despite the board’s assurances, the community’s fears persist that the sale could spell the end for a unique way of life that has thrived on communal support and self-sufficiency.
Why it Matters
The potential sale of Licola encapsulates a broader narrative about the fragility of small, self-sustaining communities in the face of commercial pressures. As urbanisation and development continue to encroach on remote areas, the struggle to maintain community integrity in Licola serves as a microcosm of a larger issue—how do we preserve the essence of such enclaves amidst the relentless tide of change? The outcome of this sale could not only determine the future of Licola but also set a precedent for similar communities nationwide, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions to preserve these irreplaceable spaces.
