Land access and a sustainable future
By Chris Baulman
BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW — How could we live in a sustainable way in which everyone in the world could live happily without creating problems for each other or the planet? This is a question that some residents here consider important.
Their answer has come together in a community called Caretakers, which has, over two years, devised the strategy and established the supports which won the site for the Clairvaux Community Centre in Katoomba.
They have also run a successful national campaign to change government policy to allow unemployed people to choose to do voluntary community work and, after 18 months of negotiations with Integral Electricity, achieved major advances in that company's environment policy.
They are a community who work toward and practice much of what is known as sustainable living.
But their message of sustainability also holds something unique. Caretakers see a sustainable lifestyle as a way of life that provides for needs — food, shelter, community — while respecting the earth and the rights of other people, other species and future generations.
They believe it is everyone's right to live this way. Making land accessible to those without is an appropriate starting point. Caretakers want to generate public support for a partnership between the government and any unemployed people who would like to join them.
Caretakers will employ and develop government land, materials and on-site outreach training by TAFE to build public housing, grow food and develop and promote a sustainable suburban community.
With many basic needs met, Caretakers would be able to progressively let go of a part of their welfare payment. Caretakers propose to show how a right of access to land can replace dependence with a natural interdependence, replace welfare with benefits to participants and the broader community.
For more information call (02) 4757 4376 or write to 34 Cook Rd, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782 or email: