The Redlands2030 guys – from left to right Chris Walker, Steve MacDonald and Tom Taranto
What is Redlands2030? It’s a seemingly simple question which is not easy to answer precisely. Perhaps this is because what we are depends upon who you are.
If you are one of the many people that like our Facebook page, receive our now weekly e-newletters and read posts on the Redlands2030 website you may have already made up your mind as to what we are.
We are encouraged by the growing community support for Redlands2030 and the diverse opinions being expressed on our website and Facebook page. Robust discussion, debate and disagreement is a good indication that democracy is working as it should.
Sometimes when people don’t like the message they attack the messenger. We are often amused by the labels applied to Redlands2030 by people who must feel threatened by our focus on rational decision-making and increased transparency.
What we think
Here’s what we say about us on our website:
Redlands2030 Inc is an incorporated not-for-profit association. We are the only community run, ad-free, information source on all things that matter in the Redlands. We bring you news, views, interviews, videos, photos and more. From the people, for the people of the Redlands.
We also say:
Our goal is to bring you the best community driven news in –
- Advocating and promoting the vision, vision outcomes and goals of the Redlands 2030 Community Plan (2010).
- Advocating for good governance and community participation in public decision-making in government about matters and issues affecting the Redlands.
- Working with other community groups and associations in activities and initiatives that benefit the Redland community.
- Promoting community harmony, reconciliation, recognition and respect for the rights of the First Peoples of the Redlands region.
- Increasing public and community awareness and engagement about governance, land use planning, the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate change, economic and social justice matters in government about matters and other issues affecting the Redlands.
- Publishing and disseminating information and analysis; and stimulating debate about public policy, especially as it affects the Redlands by –
- Creating and using web-sites, blogs and social media with multi-media materials
- Writing and publishing newspapers, magazines and other ‘hard copy’ materials
- Organising community meetings, educational activities, seminars and workshops
- Commissioning expert reports and conducting community research.
Who is behind Redlands2030?
Redlands2030 was kicked off by three guys living in the Redlands who decided to get actively involved in seeking better government for our community. Because we got active, we could fairly be described as activists. Is that a bad thing?
The issue that got us engaged was the inept and deceptive way that the Redland City Council and the LNP Government tried to bring about a huge coastal real estate development near Toondah Harbour. It didn’t take long for us to see that the Redlands would benefit from greater scrutiny of government decisions and a more transparent local government.
We have always been very clear about who operates Redlands2030. We don’t do a lot of trumpet blowing, but here’s a bit of information about us.
Steve MacDonald is President. He has many years of experience in regional and open space planning with the State Government. His early career was as a surveyor, valuer and planner. He still works part time in the development industry.
Chris Walker is Secretary. He has a background in the electricity generation industry where he worked in development and operation of power stations. He enjoys photography and his efforts regularly appear on the the Redlands2030 website and Facebook page.
Tom Taranto is Treasurer. He has a scientific research background having worked with CSIRO for many years. His information management skills help drive the array of internet and social media used by Redlands2030.
Despite being labeled by some critics as “Political Lobbyists”, neither Tom, Steve nor Chris are members of any political party.
Redlands2030 Inc is supported by a growing network of people and community groups who share our aims and values:
- Widespread community involvement in determining the future of the Redlands
- Sustainable economic development
- Respect for our natural environment and established community values
Who writes the stuff?
We don’t pretend to have all the answers but we do believe a fully informed and effectively engaged community will work out how things should be done.
Lots of people work together to bring you the articles, reports and opinion pieces that are published on the Redlands2030 website. This truly is citizen journalism.
Steve, Tom and Chris work together and write articles which are published as being by Redlands2030. Many other people are contributing to the Redlands2030 website and they are individually acknowledged as authors.
Editorial advice and articles come from all sectors of the community. All are concerned citizens and many are well-credentialed including planners, engineers, accountants, developers, small business people, scientists, politicians, journalists, marine scientists and public servants.
We are happy to publish a range of articles including opinions for and against issues of significant concern in the Redlands. If you think that your point of view isn’t appearing on the Redlands2030 website please raise it by submitting an article for publication. We prefer articles that are 300-600 words, but this is just a guideline and many of our posts are much longer.
Email thereporter@redlands2030.net with proposed contributions or any questions.
As Redlands2030 evolves, we are working to improve our editorial management with labels to show which posts are journalistic reports and which are opinion pieces.
Whether we are writing or editing we make no claim to perfection. If you think that we have published something inappropriate or incorrect let us know (by emailing thereporter@redlands2030.net). If we stuff up we will publish an update, correction or clarification.
So far we have published over 200 hundred posts on our website. While some may not like what we have written, there have been very few instances where a need for correction or clarification has been drawn to our attention.
People can make comments on our Facebook page and the Redlands2030 website. We believe that so far as possible we should encourage community conversations and allow freedom of speech. Our view is that comments which make a good point will be appreciated by many of our readers. Any comment which is inappropriate (e.g. off topic, rude or unfair) will help people to form a judgement about the person making it.
There are times that we draw the line at comments which may be out of step with community standards, defamatory or clearly untrue. In such cases we may delete comments. If anyone believes that a comment has been posted which crosses the line, please draw it to our attention by an email to thereporter@redlands2030.net or a message to us via Facebook.
So what do you think?
What you think is what really matters.
Have your say by making a comment to this post on the website or facebook page.
And if you agree with what Redlands2030 is trying to do, help us by sharing our posts to others.
Steve, Tom and Chris
Redlands2030 – 14 June 2015
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
I checked in to read ‘What is Redlands2030?’. We are fortunate to have a bunch of people with professional skills prepared to put in time and energy to run this local information website. It’s pretty transparent, you can see where any opinion bias might lie and whether or not you agree with who’s writing a post. Which is not the case with the peppy good-news-at-all-costs spin of the Redland City Council website. All government is in the business of propaganda and bluff. So it is refreshing that Redlands2030 is free of that and reflects the many and varied views of the people who write posts.
What caught my eye was a comment referring to the Redlands2030 trio as ‘green, lefty dog-walkers’.
This colourful term was originally bestowed by Mark Robinson, Cleveland MP – and not in a good way.
But I think ‘green, lefty dog-walkers’ a great compliment. Green, because we are all green these days – not in the political sense, but who is not pro-environment in the face of alarming phenomena such as natural resources depletion, species extinction and global warming? Even the Pope is a greenie.
‘Lefty’? If you are pro-environment, does that make you automatically a lefty? There is, of course, no simplistic correlation. Happily, many righties are also pro-environment. You can be a proud conservative (in all senses of that word) and also be staunchly green (though not a Green).
‘Dog-walker’? I don’t think there would be too many folk who’d kick a bloke for walking a dog. (Wonder what Mr Robinson had in mind?)
‘Green, lefty dog-walkers’ is a moniker to be adopted with pride. It wouldn’t be the first time in history an intended insult became a positive, defining label. A red badge of courage.
Fantastic effort by locals , thank you for taking such an interest in the local area and working to ensure the truth gets out .
Thanks Steve, Tom and Chris. I had no idea you published this e-newsletter and thought it was the Council. Thank you for taking the time and for giving such a huge effort in such a positive way back to the Redland’s community. I really enjoy seeing the articles being published and love to have my say. I think this is such an important avenue for those of us who work full-time and who can’t attend council meetings or get active within the community when different events are held. Keep up the great work and thank you for caring about such a great area.
Steve, Tom and Chris. 3 men who pack a punch. How would we know what is going on in Redlands if it wasn’t for them? How many of us can attend council meetings? Very few. I would not know of local govt plans if, for example, were they to sell for development my local park?… if it were not for the 2030 group to tell us of planning decisions. Our local councillor is uncontactable by phone, and few people take the time to read the local newspaper so it’s great to have a watchdog to give we, the people, an opportunity to have our say. Thanks guys.
A real epic effort from a bunch of “green, lefty dog-walkers” . Roll on the election year.