Urban designer backs Abbot on growth

12:00a.m. 8th May 2008

BIG Bob Abbot’s belief that the Sunshine Coast’s growth rate is unsustainable has won the support of award-winning landscape architect and urban designer Robert Prestipino.

Mr Prestipino, who held an urban planning seminar at the University of the Sunshine Coast last night, warned “no growth” was sustainable at the rate it was occurring in the region and solutions needed to be found.

“There are state-wide infrastructure issues with growth of that type,” Mr Prestipino said. “Then the free market modifies itself, often at the expense of the local community. It can become a place people don’t want to move to.”

Mr Prestipino was speaking on the challenges facing the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in providing change for the free market to understand and meet the needs of the community.

Recent Comments

Add a comment

Posted by jboast from Buderim

on 8 May, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Fair comment from Mr Prestipino and the key words here are "solutions need to be found". which is something many of us have said before. I am still not sure on the "no growth" theory but I think I see his point.

Another good comment made by Mr Prestipino on his Vital Places web site on 20th April 2008 was that the new regional councils need to be more "board of directors than the traditional hands on fix it guys of smaller local councils". This means the 12 elected councillors need to look at the whole region and what is best for it rather than their own individual agendas and/or half baked election promises.

Posted by Andy_walker from Bli Bli

on 8 May, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Agreed Jboast, particularly about councilors needing to look at the region in regards to their division, and not the other way around.

And definitely about the 'no growth' theory. it's worrying when people say that.

Mind you, I'm more worried when people say 'solutions need to be found'. For a fair while now, when it comes to big solutions the only key words seem to be 'something needs to be done' or 'solutions need to be found'.

Whilst i do not expect miracles of answers to be instantly ready, It's been a little while since I've seen action, more then vague planning.

Posted by bigbob from Boreen Pt

on 8 May, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Just for the record again everybody, I am not promoting "no growth". What I have said loud and clear is that we shouldn't be growing at a rate faster than the national average.

BOB

Have your say

We welcome comments on our stories and blogs - after all it's your site. Please note comments should be on-topic and not abusive. Comments are checked before publication.

Not Registered? Quick registration and comment.