Permaculture Planning

On a professional level, I'm sure they give it their best shot. However, on a personal level, and after having studied this document (particularly the tables on pp. 11-12, and the plan on p. 13), I'm sure my interpretation of 'responsible development' varies greatly from their (indeed, the majority of Australia's 560-odd LGAs) understanding of the concept.

 

Yep, although this document probably hints at what is to come.

 

Quite right, sister! Writing of (de)centralisation, I found a first (1961, Secker & Warburg, London) edition of Mumford's The City in History today. Picked it up at the op shop for the princely sum of three dollars! Needless to say, it made my day.

 

Nice find!

 

'Planning at La Trobe'

As promised, from time-to-time I will be posting 'items of interest' to this thread. As such, the following is the latest in a series of 'newsletters' put out by our university program.

With a lot of media interest being played on the tertiary education sector (at least in Australia) at present, I thought this 'news item' might be of interest to some permies. Of interest in the sense that it shows the depth and breadth of 'modern day' planning courses as they are delivered by one of the world's (award-winning) best planning programs.

Please enjoy. Comments are more than welcome.

Planning at La Trobe - Issue 4 - April 2013

 

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) - Victorian Division Bulletin

Ever wondered what some planners get up to?

Well, here's you chance to have a squiz:

Your guide to this week's [planning] news, events, policy initiatives, job vacancies and other opportunities...

The Bulletin is available in an online format, here.

Cheers, M.

 

Ooooo a workshop on easements. Bet they fill the seats real fast for that one!

 

You're Invited!

Haha, true. Not exactly riveting stuff (for the average permie). However, here's something that may be of interest:

La Trobe University (Bendigo) Arts and Planing Forum Series 2013

Coming Up*:

8 August: Impacts of Local Food: What is the Evidence?
5 September: Don’t Believe the Hype: The Media and the Election
17 October: Getting Things Done: Community Development

Save the dates all you local (to the Lower Loddon-Campaspe Bioregion), and perhaps not so local, permies.

Even if you don't find the topics of interest (and what self-respecting permie wouldn't?), our combined dept's are renowned for lashing out on the best wine and cheese ('refreshments') that our local bioregion can provide.

And, the best news of all, they are all absolutely free!

* More details to come

 

That's much more like it!

 

Indeed!

And on top of that, here's the latest 'newsletter' from the National PIA office.

Of particular interest in this one, is the link to the inaugural DSEWPC (2013) Sustainable Australia Report.

I've yet to study it in detail. When I do, I'll endeavour to provide a brief review.

 

BBC (2012) Grand Designs S12 E12 The Hedgehogs Revisited

I'm not a great fan of TV, however the following is well worth viewing if/when you get a chance:

[video=youtube;i-a89ntsITU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-a89ntsITU[/video]

 

Grand Designs is one of my favourites. I saw the original version of this when it first aired. Will watch this in full at a later time when I have the time!

 

Note it is one of Kevin's 'revisits' - this one after ten years! The kids have all grown into adults (and stating that they wish to now raise their kids there). And best of all, each of the original families are still in residence, in their original dwellings! Suggesting that (intentional) communities that build together, stay together.

 

[video=youtube;hsS3layLZPM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsS3layLZPM[/video]

This one is for you Markos. Urban planning for ageing....

 

Cheers, Madame E.

It's an important message, and one that some in the field have been banging on about for over 50-years!

For example, the following is from a 1961 American Society of Planning Officials paper:

For many, urban renewal offers a real and practical alternative to counteract the trend of segregating the aged in retirement villages or institutional blocs. With heightened opportunity for providing varied housing types, associations and services, renewal — if used properly — can be a wedge towards achieving balanced neighborhoods to meet the needs of aged as well as the needs of other population age groups.

Or, as we permies would say: Principal 8 - Integrate rather than segregate...

 

Indeed. And interesting that their research confirmed that this was what both young and old preferred. Obviously there is a disconnect between what people want and what they get....

 

I think it is more of a case of: "Well, if this is all that is being built, then I guess I'll (we'll) just have to settle for it". Anecdotally, this is how I read the scene across most of Australia. I have listened to hundreds of (older, and younger) people regarding this matter, and the overwhelming message I'm receiving is: "If only we had another choice, and if we did, what might it look like?" It is for this reason that I am such a strident advocate for the planning and mass development of urban eco-village demonstration sites. We have to tame the big smoke. We have to provide people with choice, but in order to do this, we have to first provide them with an opportunity to see that choice actually exists.

 

G'day Markos,

Dont know if I have used up my tokens for this feature yet, but here goes ...

Would you be able to direct me to some information on leasing lands and sample contracts for NSW.

I have found some info from the DPI of NSW and have seen some sample contracts from Greenhorns in America and am familiar with Joel Salatin's model.

Just wondering if there is a resource like these in Australia yet.

Im looking for general pasture-based leases, but am also interested in forestry leases or leasing blocks for long term tree contracts on farms. Ideally, a mix of the two would be great.

What are the steps to creating a legal contract.

Cheers mate!

 

G'day Matto (All)

Great questions, however they are on a topic that is outside my area of expertise. Having said that, a quick search revealed the following (sorry if you already have this information, but it might help others):

Leasing private land in NSW (may be applicable to other states in Australia):

As Matto has probably already found, the NSW Dept of Primary Industries (DPI) has produced a couple of 'fact sheets' particular to this topic:

Davies (2006) Financial considerations of leasing land for your stock in drought

Davies, Mortensen & Patton (2007) Leasing land – calculating a rental

In addition to the above, the NSW Government Office of Fair Trading provides a webpage containing information related to 'agricultural tenancy', which is available here.

Further to the above, a sample, commercial 'lease agreement' is available for viewing here, and for purchase ($99AU - NSW) here.

Another option, of course, is to lease Crown land.

Leasing Crown land in NSW (may be applicable to other states in Australia):

The NSW Government Office of Trade & Investment provides a webpage about the leasing of Crown land, which is available here.

Other state governments maintain similar webpages.

Penultimately, in relation to all of the above, the NSW Law Society has produced a document designed to guide 'rural conveyancing' in NSW, which is available here.

Finally, I'm not a property lawyer, as such I am unable to give advice relating to matters concerned with property law. However, I will state the following: Anyone interested in leasing (private or Crown) land in Australia should always consult with a property law expert to ensure one's rights and obligations are fully understood.

I hope I have been able to help in some way. Cheers, M.

 

Indeed! Thanks Markos.

Alot of local farmers are happy with an informal contract, or are leasing land with the rental based on expected income from established crops.

I believe long leases should be formally agreed upon, especially with regards to tree crops and establishment. Joels model is good for this, in that establishment costs are meted out in the first twelve months for dam building, irrigation etc. The costs will be met by the lessee but there is a guarantee that this money will be repaid if either party breaks the agreement (usually by the lessor selling the farm). Any costs after the twelve months will be met by the lessee. The lessee will spend as little as possible for the infrastructure, which adds value to the property, and the leesor will think before they sell the property.

The land I am working on is a chance to write up a rental agreement, with possible long term conditions. Andrew Curr might be looking for something similar.

Thanks again Markos!