Activism in Planning in Australia: A Delicate Balancing Act

I’m celebrating: 2013 was a great year for community activism in planning.   In New South Wales, concerted action by many forces, including the Better Planning Network (https://betterplanningnetwork.good.do/nsw/fund-the-better-planning-network-in-2014/), resulted in the State Government withdrawing the contentious and flawed proposed state planning legislation.   The Better Planning Network has more than 430 community groups and many… Continue reading Activism in Planning in Australia: A Delicate Balancing Act

Gone to God

Jolted awake by the phone at 4am in my friend’s house in Berkeley, I knew. My father was dead. In Canada: thousands of miles away. My good parent: dead at 69. I was 37. Back in Australia, I grieved alone for months.   My loving, distressed husband finally announced, “I’m worried, Wendy. This grief has… Continue reading Gone to God

Vancouver’s EcoDensity Policy: Reflections on Australian Planning’s Cultural Cringe and Cultural Imperialism

Australia‘s “cultural cringe”   One of the challenges of being a “migrant” in Australia is understanding the “cultural cringe” that infects so much of Australian life. I’ve lived and worked here for 45 years and it still puzzles me. For those not familiar with it, it is an internalised inferiority complex that causes us to… Continue reading Vancouver’s EcoDensity Policy: Reflections on Australian Planning’s Cultural Cringe and Cultural Imperialism

Honouring the legacy of Mandy Press

      On Sunday 13th October, we will remember the life and passion of the indefatigable and incandescent Mandy Press.   Mandy died in her sleep on 1 October 2013 at home at Yarambat, Victoria.   Mandy’s husband, Gerry Morris, provided this obituary.   Mandy was born in on 7 December 1947 in Brighton,… Continue reading Honouring the legacy of Mandy Press

All Hell Breaks Loose with Proposed Housing Density Increases in Vancouver!

  All hell is breaking loose in Vancouver. I wish I were there to watch it.   For decades, the so-called Lotus Land has prided itself on its premier status as the most liveable city in the world.     Etc.   And so on.     Visiting Overseas Experts Its retired or retrenched planners… Continue reading All Hell Breaks Loose with Proposed Housing Density Increases in Vancouver!

Lessons from a deaf brown chook

It’s always interesting living in the bush!   Our enterprising neighbours have turned their half an acre into a hive of activity. WWOOFERS are everywhere (see https://wwoofinternational.org/). After decades of inaction, the community agriculture lot is thriving.   Karl is preparing his garden for viewing next weekend in a Nimbin House and Garden Tour fundraiser… Continue reading Lessons from a deaf brown chook

Flight Poem

On 25 May 2013, I flew to Adelaide from the Gold Coast. I associate Adelaide with hopefulness and opportunity. I was looking forward to basking in the pleasures of old friendships once again.   Twin griefs had distracted me for several months: the death of a dear friend and the loss of a longstanding friendship.… Continue reading Flight Poem

Wendy’s Blog: Bringing Planning to Life

                    Wendy’s Blog: Bringing Planning to Life   This is my blog as an independent planner.   My aim is to bring planning to life.   And en route, to bring life to planning.   It has four components:   Professional posts Personal posts Posts from… Continue reading Wendy’s Blog: Bringing Planning to Life

NIMBY Psychology: What Can a Planner Do?

Last night we had a lively discussion in Brisbane hosted by the Planning Institute, Queensland Branch.   Stephanie Wyeth, a highly experienced engagement practitioner and Director of Urbis, Queensland, and I spoke about the practical aspects of community engagement in a well-attended “How-To” seminar.     I spoke about NIMBY Psychology: What Can a Planner… Continue reading NIMBY Psychology: What Can a Planner Do?

Social Planner’s Distress Call: The NBN Information Session in Nimbin

    The inappropriate dress and exposed breasts of the woman from Ericsson were the best (or the worst, depending on your perspective) features of the NBN Information Session in Nimbin Town Hall today.   Oh dear.   Social Planner’s Distress Call.   Again.   It’s been a hard week and it’s only Monday.  … Continue reading Social Planner’s Distress Call: The NBN Information Session in Nimbin