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Daring To Dream
18 July 06The decision on the dam has been taken and every day the plans are being refined and progressed. I understand that Boonah shire is already working on how they can benefit from their dam. They are planning their future and making the best of it.
It is time we did the same and started looking for the benefits and to stop the victim mentality that is already multiplying the economic and community costs to The Valley. It is time to dare to dream.
And here are some ideas that I want to discuss at the Networking with Mary meeting on Thursday
Water
A Water Science Park
Can we partner with a university to create a science park that will focus on future water technologies? These science parks are incubators for bringing new ideas to market and supporting technology based businesses through a strong university relationship. I know that Oxford and Cambridge universities in the UK use this strategy very effectively.
Can we partner with a university to create a science park that will focus on future water technologies? These science parks are incubators for bringing new ideas to market and supporting technology based businesses through a strong university relationship. I know that Oxford and Cambridge universities in the UK use this strategy very effectively.
Mankind and Water Information Centre
Can we build a world class information centre about how important water really is and how man has used it, from steam (the Rattler) to recycling and the future?
Can we build a world class information centre about how important water really is and how man has used it, from steam (the Rattler) to recycling and the future?
Timber
Can we build a timber skills training centre in the Valley? Imagine Imbil as a town where everyone came to buy high quality furniture, sculpture and other timber products. Imagine the skills and value adding this would create!
Can we build a timber skills training centre in the Valley? Imagine Imbil as a town where everyone came to buy high quality furniture, sculpture and other timber products. Imagine the skills and value adding this would create!
As part of the dam, The Government will plant 1000s of trees…..where? Why? To what benefit to the community?
Experience tourism
This has already been identified by the Business Diversification Project being run by State Development on the coast as a “hot Spot”. The dam is capable of generating all sorts of micro environments and experiences but they should be built in from the start.
This has already been identified by the Business Diversification Project being run by State Development on the coast as a “hot Spot”. The dam is capable of generating all sorts of micro environments and experiences but they should be built in from the start.
Camping and fishing are low value tourism of little value to the local area. So could we ban petrol engines on the dam and make it a low noise, high value area where people came to learn and really experience the area and contribute to the local economy. ( I can remember talking to a planner in Banbury in the UK whose issue was to stop the development of warehousing in the area because it would not generate the level and quality of jobs that were needed for the local growing population. It seems to me that we are in a similar position in The Mary Valley. We need high quality jobs or we will just become a dormitory for the coast.)
Horse Riding
We already have a good story to tell in this area and it is an important part of experience tourism in The Valley
We already have a good story to tell in this area and it is an important part of experience tourism in The Valley
Organic Food Production and Permacoulture
This is another sector that has been identified by the Business Diversification Project. I am not an expert in this area but many people in The Valley are and I am sure there are opportunities in this area.
This is another sector that has been identified by the Business Diversification Project. I am not an expert in this area but many people in The Valley are and I am sure there are opportunities in this area.
Building The Dam
So, millions of dollars are going to be spent. How do we ensure that the local area maximises the benefits and is not just a passive bystander?
So, millions of dollars are going to be spent. How do we ensure that the local area maximises the benefits and is not just a passive bystander?
Creating focus sectors
By creating focus sectors like this we could actually make a difference and develop a vision of how the Valley will develop and not just be sitting around going No No No No
By creating focus sectors like this we could actually make a difference and develop a vision of how the Valley will develop and not just be sitting around going No No No No
We have a choice, we can be victims and let others take everything or we can use this change to create the future we want.
Guess which one has my vote!