Ambitious plan tabled

Maggie John (centre), from Transition Town Hervey Bay, presents the group’s ambitious plan for a Sustainable Technology Park on the Fraser Coast. Chatting to her are councillor Gerard O’Connell and Sharon Philip, who has offered volunteer administration support.

Jocelyn Watts

AN AMBITIOUS plan for a Sustainable Technology Park that will 'future-proof' the Fraser Coast was proposed at a meeting in Hervey Bay yesterday.

Maggie John, from Transition Towns Fraser Coast, told guests that Australia was experiencing a major turning point in history and opportunities existed for those willing to embrace the change.

Her presentation – Entering the Green Gold Rush, unlocking the potential of our region – outlined challenges the world faced such as skyrocking oil prices.

“Rough times are coming,” she said. “There’s not one of us who won’t be touched by this in the next 10 years but there are things we can do to help ourselves.”

Ms John said oil was predicted to cost $8 per litre by 2018, causing a flow-on effect for transport, food, services, business and everyday lifestyle. Tourism would suffer, supermarket food prices would skyrocket, vehicles would be used less, and there would be less job security and a reduction in essential services.

One answer, she said, was to build a Sustainable Technology Park focusing on food, fuel and energy sources.

“It can have any sort of technology that will address problems, such as soil for the sugar cane industry, and offers the opportunity to train green-collar workers with education programs.”

Ms John called on the audience to invite another five people each to attend further forums on the proposal. A possible site has not been selected.

For more information log on to www.transitionfrasercoast.org.au or telephone Ms John on 0434 144 394.