Today Dean and I spoke about SustainaBundy at the Tourism Skills Forum Management Committee Meeting. There were probably 20 people in attendance, including representatives from Across the Waves, the Australian Industry Group, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, the Bundaberg City Council, Wide Bay TAFE, Bundaberg Community Development, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Region Tourism itself and many others.

I opened with a brief explanation of "why" SustainaBundy exists: I asked the group, "can you think of any aspect of your business or personal life that doesn't require oil for its manufacture, transportation or storage?" Of course, the room was silent. I asked if anyone was familiar with the concept of peak oil - no, no one was. I have to admit this surprised me! I explained how world oil production would peak, plateau and begin to decline while world demand continued to increase, which would mean rising prices for oil and everything that depends on it - to the point of creating severe economic breakdown - and that experts are now saying that oil production peaked last year. I also mentioned that our overconsumption of fossil fuels is contributing to what Tim Flannery calls "an unacceptable risk of dangerous climate change," which would mean rising sea levels, increased temperatures and more severe storms, floods and droughts. I explained that SustainaBundy feels that these issues are worth dealing with right now.

I told the group that our response is called "relocalisation," and it's based on the two simple ideas of reducing consumption and producing locally - that we need to reduce our consumption of fossil fuel energy and "stuff" while increasing our consumption of experiences, activities and culture. And also that we need to source our daily needs- food, water, shelter, clothing, art - as locally as possible to reduce transport emissions. I explained how relocalisation promotes and encourages local producers, local businesses and services, local food, local sport, local arts. It reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and our planet-damaging activities while at the same time strengthening our economy and boosting tourism, as we highlight and take advantage of the best Bundaberg has to offer, instead of exporting it and importing cheaper options that pale in comparison.

Then I handed the floor to Dean, who outlined our upcoming projects and goals, going into a bit of detail about items of particular interest such as tomorrow's movie night, the directory and guide, community supported agriculture, community gardens and of course, the Bundy Bob.

When we opened it up to questions from the group, the first was "how will you have time for all of this?" We talked about how these were aspirational goals and that their success would depend on the involvement of businesses and organisations and individuals like them. There was a question about "greening" event planning - a valid concern, when you consider how many meetings, shows, conferences, seminars, markets and other events happen in Bundaberg every day. We talked about carbon offsetting, onsite recycle bins with volunteers telling attendees into which bin to put their stuff, and of course catering with local food. We were also asked about funding. We mentioned that we'd applied for funding for the printing of the guide, and that any profit from advertising and guidebook sales would go to future projects and future editions of the book! At the end of the meeting, Craig Spackman, the catering manager from Across the Waves, mentioned that he had orchestrated a deal with the Salvation Army to purchase produce grown at the Tom Quinn Community Centre Garden (once it's built) for use at Across the Waves - I was thrilled to hear this and pointed out that this was, in essence, community supported agriculture.

When the meeting ended we chatted at length with a number of the attendees, exchanged business cards, and brainstormed a bit. It was obvious that the response was positive, and with any luck we got some wheels turning, widened our network, and made some friends. A very successful day in my view.

Your comments are welcome - if you aren't a member of SustainaBundy and you'd like to join our discussion list please register here! be sure to choose "SustainaBundy" under "join a group.")