Wednesday, October 6, 2010
David Holmgren on the Endurance of Suburbia
Being a Blog about Permaculture in Suburbia it is reassuring to hear that Suburbia is an agricultural structure in itself and that you can start where you are - and not wait to purchase your hobby farm...
Recently looking into the zoning legislation of buying and building on land in Victoria - it shocked me to find out that if you want to build on zoned "rural land" (farming zone) you have to purchase 100 acres or more. This was established to prevent hobby farming from sub-dividing Victorian rural landscape and consequently threatening agricultural productivity.
Yet 100 acres is far beyond the requirement for food productivity for one family. A rather frustrating position ... and another reason to find solutions in Suburbia.
For more discussion on this
Zoning in Victoria
An Independent Analysis of the new residential zones for Victoria
And some other helpful links (which are relevant to Vic, Australia only)
Real Estate Institute of Vic
Municipal Association of Vic
Custom Home Building
and for some inspiration and practical solutions:
Buleen art & Garden
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I agree with the concept, but it reminds me of years ago when I was studying sustainable development. The idea is all good and well, but it involves a massive shift in which the way society operates, and as much as I hate to admit it, the majority of people are not willing to make a shift to their air conditioned mega mansion life style. It may work in some older suburbs, but the massive development to the west of melbourne, the houses take up the entire block, there is no room for a vegie patch,
ReplyDeleteYeah I am speaking to a minority here undoubtedly - as stated earlier - the best ideas and greatest inspiration always occur on the periphery of society.
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