Update 18th August 2024

Outcome of our Friday 16th zoom, recent developments, and what's next.

On Friday we reviewed the progress of our group so far and discussed the next steps.

We started with a reminder of who we are and our shared purpose. This is on our about page.

Regen Brisbane is an open and diverse network that aims to enable and encourage productive conversations about what a sustainable Greater Brisbane region might look like, drawing on the complementary principles of Doughnut Economics and Strategic Doing.

And we ask:

What would it be like if the Greater Brisbane area transitioned to a Doughnut economy - staying within the planetary boundaries while meeting the needs of all the people within? What would that future look like? How might we contribute towards making that happen?

New things (assets, opportunities)

We also noted four things that have been happening that might be relevant to our aims and present opportunities.

1. Strategic Doing Australasian Hub - there could be opportunities for a win/win especially for new Strategic Doing practitioners who are looking for a problem to practice on. Their next zoom session is this Thursday 22 August at 8am. Sign up to join their community and you’ll get an invitation to the zoom as well as being able to watch the recordings. Find out some basics about Strategic Doing here

2. Global Donut Days is in early November. We will likely do something in conjunction with

   ACF Community Brisbane Northside

3. Wendon Way Bushcare Group - This is a new group formed in collaboration with Brisbane City Council (BCC). BCC have plans to restore and improve the platypus habitat with the involvement of the local community. There has been a lot of progress very quickly - because we have the networks and other assets in place. This is another node in our networks. You can follow it at

   Sustainable Bridgeman Downs 4035

4. 50c fares for Public Transport in Queensland (more on that below)

So, how are we going?

We’ve started using Substack to develop a hub for articles about the some of the interlinking issues we face. These are published by each of us on our own Substacks and can be reposted here, as appropriate. The outcomes of this have been that we have learned more about each other and our various interests and disciplines, and for some it’s involved getting familiar with how the Substack platform works and the logistics of regular posting.

Now we have 5 associated Substack’s:

• Going Full Circle
  - Saskya

• Curious Blue.
  - Robyn

• Ryan's Fieldnotes
  - Ryan

• The Shady Lanes Project
  - Gayle

• Walking as Transport
  - Gayle & David

And these connect with a wider network - as described here

How Substack Works For Networks

But it’s not quite working…

We talked about a lack of focus. If these operate as parallel strands, are we really achieving anything? Although there has been some cross-connection with some of us reading and commenting on each other’s work, it’s not really coming to life.

This could be compared to the issues with interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary collaborations. It needs more than just sharing of information or working in tandem. Unless our work is combining, informing, and creating something new, a hub has no great value. We need to look for ways to connect better with each other’s topics - support, find connections, and uncover opportunities (recombinant innovation)

Which brings us to 50c fares for public transport in Queensland.

This is a big experiment, complicated by the timing with the state election. There are claims and counter-claims of the purpose and the expected outcome. Will it encourage a transition from private cars to public transport? Is it just cynical vote-buying? Who is paying and who is benefiting? The public conversation is not very productive.

This is not just a transport issue. It connects with environmental issues (road infrastructure as well as vehicles themselves), the connection between car dominance and urban design, affordability and social equity, effect on the economy, and so on.

As a group, we don’t have a stance on this issue or a grand solution. Who could? How to transition to the sort of transport system that fits within a Doughnut or Circular Economy, and a sustainable future, is one of the most wicked/complex problems we have. This is reflected in the heat of the arguments and entrenched positions.

How might we contribute towards making that happen?

The best way we can see to contribute is to broaden and enrich the conversation about the topic. While the main discourse is people shouting their views at each other about how things should be, nothing much will change, and people will continue to be at loggerheads about the success or otherwise of this trial. Worse still, we may not learn any lessons from it and be back where we started. (as in Melbourne and it’s recent e-scooter decision)

What’s missing is more nuanced and productive conversations about the interlinking issues and interdependencies and how they might be understood and approached. Could that be the space we are in?

To Do List for Friday 30^th August

1. So, that is our task for the lead up to our next meeting on Friday 30^th August. We will each write a post to discuss the 50c fare trial from our individual angles but instead of reposting here, the aim is to create an article on Substack that brings the posts together and embeds the diverse views within.  That doesn’t mean we’ll come up with a cohesive argument or solution (as if that were possible) but instead come up with some more productive questions.

• Next meeting is Friday 30^th August - is the last of the fortnightly meetings scheduled. We will decide then whether to extend or alter the times. Feedback is welcome. We’ll decide on the 30^th. Register here.