A common question:

Where do people’s contributions to Amaroo go?

Amaroo is a large rural property with lots of infrastructure, so most of the costs are property and maintenance costs including:

• Council rates and water charges
• Electricity and phones
• Wastewater Treatment Plant — The operation, maintenance and licence fee – this special environmentally-friendly facility treats all the onsite wastewater (including sewerage) for up to 5,000 people and has to be maintained year-round
• Insurance — public liability insurance, volunteers insurances, and insurance for the buildings and facilities – this is a major cost due to the size and use of the facility
• Fuel and maintenance costs — covering the machinery and equipment which maintain the grounds, gardens, bushland and many kilometers of fire protection trails
• Licences and inspection fees — cover local and state government regulations for kitchens, electricity infrastructure, fire extinguishers and more
• Maintenance and repairs — Essential to all buildings and infrastructure
• Costs above basic maintenance — When funds are available this allows for repairing buildings, roads etc.

 Staff and administration costs are also part of the budget including:

• A small paid staff — this team provides core management functions and liaise with external stakeholders including the local Council, State Government departments, suppliers, contractors and people enquiring about hiring Amaroo
•  Volunteers —Covers most staff with some part-time wages when needed
• Other administration costs — Includes consultants and legal costs when needed and minor costs such as bank fees, stationery and office expenses.

Amaroo is a partnership between two entities:

The land Amaroo is built on is owned by a company called Myrine Investments Limited. The shares of this company are held for The Prem Rawat Foundation (a US educational and charitable organisation)

• Elan Vital Australia leases the property from Myrine. The lease fee enables Myrine to pay property and other costs that are the responsibility of the land owner.