New Letters Page

I have gathered all the letters I have received and sent into a new page entitled "letters"
Check it out here

Collective Action, Consumerism and the Market Place

I've been sick all week and haven't had the energy to follow-up with things actively. I'm also a bit stuck with what to do next, and curling up in bed with a bottle of Buckley's seems a lot easier (and that's saying something)! Is this what community development will always be like- surely there will be times where other people passionately want to join together for a cause? The highway land has been rezoned- so now what? I guess I might need to think about alternative options... maybe a petition (though I've discussed this with several people and no-one wants so far wants to help get it going, though they're happy to sign it...). I could look at a going-local campaign, and trying to find others interested in this (perhaps this would be easier for people than fighting a supermarket- I think petitions and protests scare people). I could link up with other groups in other places experiencing the same things, with the hope that at some stage other people here will see the importance of the issue! I'm not sure why people see a protest or confrontation as such a bad thing. I'd rather this over allowing big business to just waltz into town under the impression that everyone wants them here. I wish I'd grown up in the 70s; people seemed to protest about everything back then, and people seemed so passionate about things (maybe I'm generalising)! Maybe capitalism & big companies are a hard thing to fight~though equal rights for women, homosexuals and racial minorities are pretty tricky issues too! Maybe its because we're all implicated in the perpetuation of big businesses, so that many of us want to consume and want to consume cheaply, and so to fight off something that we get pleasure from (even if we wish we didn't get pleasure from it) is difficult.

I've been thinking a lot, and talking to people a lot, lately about the way that perhaps these businesses (monopolistic chain-stores like Coles/Woolies/Wal-Mart/Shell-Oil/insert whatever you want) are not just organisations "out there" separate to us... but are actually "us", or symbols of who we are now. I was looking through one of my favourite textbooks called "Inequality in Australia" (I know, what an awful title for a favourite book!) and found some interesting ideas: feel free to read ahead, if you're interested in this sort of stuff.

Anthony Giddens (1991) discusses, in this book by Greig, Lewins and White (2003:33-35), the way consumerism has increased with the loss of fixed sources of identity, which were once based on the structures of industrial capitalism and the bourgeois nuclear family. In today's world the weakening of these structures has lead to us losing fixed sources of identity, and we are now free-floating individuals, with multiple identities and changing conceptions of self. Giddens argues that consumerism is essential, and not only for survival in terms of food etc, but in order to signify who we are through the exchange of symbols. In this way what we buy often has no purpose for our survival- and he uses the example of Nike shoes- not because we need them, nor do we jog in them, but because they symbolise something~ they portray us as healthy, wealthy and prestigious through their very use. Giddens calls this "hyper-reality" because we are no longer living in the material world, and instead, who we are depends on the signs and images we use- those who don't participate are excluded.
Greig, Lewins and White (2003) however, look at this a bit more broadly when they talk about the way that, as individuals, we still can not escape the social, cultural and historical forces of the world and that our access to resources sways our ability to take part in the exchange of symbols~ we are not all free to buy Nike shoes, nor are we all in a position to go to the gym daily or to afford botox, because we are not all in an economic position to do so. The authors discuss the way that the body, and the symbols we attach to it, are in fact a product of the way society is organised, and that societies need people to conform to certain ideas of normality, thus ensuring people are constrained by the structures of society. This is not only in terms of our bodies either, but also our gender, culture and life chances.

I find this stuff really fascinating. The authors talk about the way that even though individual act in certain ways, use symbols in certain ways and think of themselves as free bodies~freely deciding what to consume~these are not purely initiatives of individuals. Now-a-days there is such a culture of individualism that it would perhaps come as quite a shock to people to read these sorts of things. How does this relate to the Woopi Green Thumbs Project? Well its complicated I suppose. I guess it helps me to understand why there is such a push for big businesses, selling cheap products and cheap food, and why people try to have all their needs met by the market place. But it also highlights to me why consumerism is such a complex phenomena, and how trying to protest against it~ and bring people collectively together to try and stop it~ could be tricky (even though inequality is perpetuated by it). Any further suggestions would be appreciated!

Local Government, Big Business & Participation

Well the Coffs Harbour Council has passed the Coles-Buildev development (before I start my rant and rave, I’d like to say that Councilor Kerry Hines was the only brave Councillor to vote against this out of eight, which is commendable). I came home yesterday after work, read the paper to find this out, and felt frustrated and upset at the politics of everything. The paper is full of quotes from those supporting the development saying that it is backed up by “factual evidence” and the need to “move forward” in Woolgoolga. Apparently “moving forward” is to encourage monopolistic chain stores to divide towns in half, and provide them with profit to send to the upper echelons of big business. The evidence is, according to the papers, that 450 submissions went in to Council supporting the development and only 20 went in opposing it. The Residence Association did a survey where 300 or so residence all agreed that a supermarket, and rezoning of the highway, was needed. From what I’ve been told by other residence, and without ever sighting the survey, there were two questions asked in this study: “Would you like the supermarket on the highway, or in the current CBD?” As Sarkissian et al point out in much development research, where is the question about “Do we need a supermarket at all?” Are we so deprived in Woolgoolga that we are starving without a Coles or Woolworths? Are the local IGA supermarkets, fruit & veggies shops, weekend farmers markets, cafes and restaurants running out of food regularly for Woopi citizens? Is going to Moonee Beach- if Coles happens to be the ONLY shop stocking what we’re after- too big a drive or hike or delivery for us! But realistically, people who are a million times more “local” than me have managed to survive for decades on what Woolgoolga has to offer, and have continued to live here for that reason. New-comers have chosen to live in this town for everything that it IS- a small town. And small towns often have less services, less option, and less choice in consumables… but sometimes- wait for the cliché- less is more! I’ve spent weeks and weeks on end, without ever having to leave Woolgoolga, without my health or happiness being compromised. Everything needed for survival is right here, including a million luxuries like the beach on our doorstep and bushwalks galore. But, as is human nature, people seem to want more more more… and confusion of what we need and what we want- not to mention what big businesses and a select-few interested people need and want (i.e. money & power)- begins to intertwine so that no body knows anymore!

I decided to write a letter to the editor of the Woolgoolga newspaper last night in response to the article outlining the vote of Council. I’ve attached it for comment- I couldn’t get ahold of the on-line newpaper article, but will continue searching.

Letter to the Editor:

The Council and Woolgoolga Residence Association both suggest that public participation has been sought on the ELP and the recent vote in Council to approve rezoning of the pacific highway outside of Woolgoolga. In terms of the Residence Association I’m curious to know what the survey disseminated looked like; what questions were asked in the survey; how the survey was circulated and the methods used to ensure a cross-section of the community? This would shed light on the assumption that the community has been spoken for in such studies. The Council suggests that by putting the draft ELP in the library they have met their consultation requirements. The Council’s approach eliminates people who didn’t read the Council Webpage advertising the display at the local library, as well as many people who are disadvantaged through transport, access to communication, or who have other responsibilities such as full-time work or carer and parental responsibility. I went out of my way to read the draft ELP and couldn’t make head nor tail of the council’s use of bureaucratic language, and it took some time (time that many people don’t have) just to locate the small section on the issue. I have been desperately trying to participate in this issue through reading the ELP, reading Council minutes, writing letters and calling Council to try to get more information- even with all this effort I still feel I have no voice, and that I have only been given the absoloute minimum of information. This, however, is what is referred to by people in powerful positions as community consultation and participation. This is not an accident either- there are many well-researched methods of meaninful participation that have been recommended to Council, but have not been taken up or even considered.
-D

Letters to Council

Council decisions can creep up on you! I found out through the grape vine (which shouldn’t really happen when it comes to major decisions for a community) that a decision was being made in Council to adopt a plan that would have, within the document, a recommendation to rezone the Raj Mahal property outside of Woolgoolga so that the Coles-Buildev development could essentially go ahead. As people may have read in my previous posts, I have been having some difficulty getting people interested in this issue to start some sort of group, or collective activity, with me. I have written some letters to Council in the mean time to express my own opinion, and with the hope of getting some more info on what is going on so as to entice people to join me! I'd appreciate any feedback about these letters (i.e. how to improve my letters to Council, and how to make sense of the reply to my letter). I'd also love to hear from anyone wishing to join me in further submissions.

The following is a copy of my letter to Council last week.

To Whom It May Concern at Coffs Harbour City Council,

I am a local resident of Woolgoolga. I moved to the area over four years ago, and was attracted by Woolgoolga’s unique feel- it is very different to many coastal towns in Australia. It was unfortunate to hear about the recent Coles-Buildev submission to rezone the Raj Mahal property. The shopping complex at Moonee Beach with a Coles supermarket continues to stand out as a poorly planned development and it never occurred to me that a similar plan would be proposed only ten minutes away.
A Coles shopping centre complex has major implications for local residents and business owners in Woolgoolga. The introduction of monopolistic chain stores on the outskirts of towns has negative implications for local businesses and employment opportunities, which has been well documented. The mono-cultural development that has been taking place along the East Coast of Australia currently makes Woolgoolga stand out as a unique destination for future residents, tourists and businesses and it is such qualities that offer opportunities for our future development. Such development should take place with the involvement of people local to Woolgoolga, with a commitment to this town and its future. The Council should actively seek meaningful consultation with the community before rezoning the Raj Mahal site. I have looked at the Coffs Harbour City Council website regularly and have noted the statement that you are “committed to encouraging public participation in Council's decision-making processes” and that you value the importance of engaging with the local community as this “assists Council to learn as much as possible about community needs, opinions and options prior to decisions being made”.
For an issue as important and contentious as the proposed rezoning, I believe community planning forums (as recommended by Mike Day, a leading Melbourne planner, at a recent public meeting) or community visioning workshops (which is a recognised format for community participation in development world-wide) should be considered by Council prior to making a decision on this issue. These needn’t be costly exercises, but it requires a commitment to ensuring that local people have a say in the way Woolgoolga develops into the future, so that decisions are not made for us by corporate enterprises not committed to this locality.
I would greatly appreciate any feedback relating to the Council’s position on rezoning the Raj Mahal property, and what plans are in place to ensure public participation on this issue.
Yours Sincerely,
Desley

I received the following reply to my letter:

Hello Desley

The Employment Lands Strategy (ELS) deals, amongst other matters, with the possible future commercial zones of places such as Woolgoolga.
The strategy was publicly exhibited for a 3 month period late last year/early this year.
The strategy is a document informed by 14 years of community consultation since the Council’s (1996) master plan for Woolgoolga.
Numerous studies, working parties and public consultation opportunities have been carried out over that period of time.
The ELS is being reported to Council 13 May 2010 for a decision of whether or not to adopt it to guide the new local environmental plan (which deals with zonings and land uses).
The new plan is currently being prepared and is likely to be placed on public exhibition later this year. The community with have further opportunity, at the time of public exhibition of the draft plan, to comment on the draft zonings.
The report to Council on the ELS can be viewed on http://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/www/html/4549-business-papers--council-resolutions---2010.asp .

I hope this assists with your enquiry
Regards
C.T
Manager Land Use Planning CHCC

Supermarket Plans and Other Stuff

Have been trying to figure out what’s going on with the supermarket development on the highway for the last few weeks, and I’m trying to piece together lots of little bits of information, and I’ve not been blogging regularly because I always think I need to have my facts straight before I stick things on here (maybe I needn’t be so rigid). I’ve gone through the Council minutes at the local library and read the Employment and Land Strategy (which is where the Council says you can read about the rezoning of the land on the highway)… but all I could find was a tiny little paragraph about it, and it didn’t really say anything I could understand. I’ve also been reading articles in the News Paper about it, and talking to people generally, but the details are so unclear. What I’ve found out is that a Buidev-Coles submission to rezone the land (which currently won’t allow the building of a supermarket complex) has gone to Council; that the local Residence Association supports this over it going in the middle of town- though as far as I know they aren’t trying to stop the development, and the local Chamber of Commerce is opposing it going on the highway (but I’m not sure if they’re opposed to it entirely). The Newspaper has lots of articles and letters to the editor on the whole thing, but the public seems divided. I’ve been trying to get enough people interested to start a group. Although I’ve met several people who do care about this issue, so far I get the impression that people feel this issue is being discussed and fought by others- like the Chamber of Commerce, Council and Residence Association- and perhaps aren’t really sure what they, and me, could do.

So I’m still floundering around the Micro-stages of the project plan- who knew making connections would be so tricky! I thought I’d just walk up to someone go “Hey do you want to get together and do something about the rezoning/supermarket issue” and they’d go “Oh yes that sounds like fun- forget everything else I’d planned for today!” So, I will keep trying to find interested people, although I look like I have a one-track-mind at the moment asking everyone I run into if they’ve heard about it and what they think. I’m also going to keep researching on my own, so that when I do speak to people I have some more factual information to share. As Shields (1994) points out, its important to gather information on complex issues before launching into action or debates with people. Perhaps this idea seems pretty obvious, but it’s hard to be really well prepared when there is very little information out there and when the info that is out there is confusing, vague and uses government policy language! I’m going to try to talk more with people who are members of some of the involved groups and see if I can find out more that way!

Here's some Newspaper articles (and some public opinion) for anyone interested in this development:
http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2010/04/17/retailers-battle-macksville-retailers-battle-super/
http://www.finda.com.au/story/2006/07/05/apn-shops-at-raj-mahal/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/24/2828980.htm?site=news

Branching Out

My project actions, and blog, started before I did my project plan for SWSP7123. I’m still carrying on with the Woopi Green Thumbs Gardening Project, but my project plan has branched out into other areas. This means that my blog too will be branching out into other issues relating to food production and consumption, and the current issue in Woopi around the Buildev-Coles proposed supermarket complex development. Hopefully this will be of interest to people wishing to take part in the Green Thumbs project, but if not, fell free to ignore such blogs, or alternatively you can debate with me, share your thoughts, or send me more relevant info on gardening, supermarkets and anything else related to food!

Our food bowl- The Price We Pay

I just watched an interesting ABC program on the Woolworths-Coles duopoly in Australia. It's definately worth watching just to see the complex circumstances surrounding a simple little vegetable!
You can watch it on line:
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/20080901_woolies/interviews.htm