Transition Towns in Hobsons Bay

Hello all –

(I know this is long – but if you skim it and are interested, just give me a call and I’d be happy to have a chat!)

I’m emailing you because I think you, or a community group you belong to, may be interested to know about the Transition Model (http://transitiontowns.org/ , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns).

Since the Transition model’s emergence in 2005, over 200 communities in 15 countries have adopted the model in order to increase their local resilience to the imminent effects of climate change and peak oil and reduce carbon emissions. Initially referred to as ‘Transition Towns’ and now known as ‘Transition Initiatives’, these communities are self-organising, grass roots initiatives that are built on the concept of relocalisation.

The Transition model answers the ‘light-bulb syndrome’ which describes the only two levels of climate change responses many people are able to envision: individuals acting within their own homes and government and legislation acting at national or international scales. The Transition model explores the area between these – the community.

The Transition model asks communities to consider how best to respond to the challenges of the predicted effects of climate change and peak oil (i.e. expensive energy, rising fuel costs, food insecurity and unreliable government service and infrastructure provisions) in creative and innovative ways for a sustainable future. This includes activities in awareness raising, networking, re-skilling, collaborating with local government and developing and supporting local projects that will reduce carbon emissions and build capacity for self-reliance.

A Transition Initiative is not a project conceived and driven forward by a council, however the active and enthusiastic support of local government is invaluable to the Initiative; local government’s role in the Transition model is that of ‘supporting, not driving’. In our region, Surf Coast Shire, Cities of Boroondara, Greater Geelong, Banyule and Darebin already have thriving Transition Initiatives.

Why the Transition model works:

Communities are the correct scale for sustainable behaviour change activities; sustainability is best created by local people having control of, and determining how local resources are used. A strong and important feedback loop is created where local people reap the benefits of good use of resources and suffer from poor resource use. Learning takes place, which becomes embedded in the community.
Transition initiatives envision and work towards a positive future for the community, not reacting to constraints
Resilience, the ability of a system to absorb change and still function, is an integral quality of a healthy community. Increasing the spread of basic skills needed for life such as growing and preserving food, making and repairing home wares and building with local materials is central to the Transition model.
The Transition model utilizes psychological models to avoid unconscious processes which can sabotage change. E.g. addictions models, models for behavioural change.
The Transition model is simple and easy to copy with many communities sharing information to encourage, inspire and direct other Initiatives.
Residents are engaged by working with others in working groups that are focussed on their particular area of interest or skill
Hobsons Bay City Council is currently scoping how this model may be played out in the municipality and what the Council’s role and level and type of support may look like.

If you are interested to know more about the Transition model, please get in touch to have a chat or borrow one of our copies of ‘The Transition Handbook’ that includes heaps of information on what other Transition Initiatives from around the world have done to succeed and the range of benefits and goals they have achieved. There is even a section that features the Geelong region Transition Towns!
Please feel free to get in touch for more information.

Thanks!

Miriam Fathalla

Environmental Planning Officer

Hobsons Bay City Council

115 Civic Parade, Altona VIC 3018
T: 9932 1260 E: mfathalla@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Hobsons Bay City Council: zero net carbon emissions by 2020.

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