For those of you unfamiliar with this quote check out the BBC series Blackadder….. it is a classic. Seriously now the Shire is beginning the process for a Strategic Plan - Denmark 2029. This is really big picture stuff. There will be ample opportunity for community input , at the moment it is in the formative stage. The big questions are 1. Where do we want to be in 2029? and 2. How do we get there? I would welcome any input from you dear reader. I am hope to develop a online survey form … stay tuned. Another question is what do you see as the population at 2029? Is there a population number/limit that we should not go beyond? The future doesnt just happen we make it and it is vital that we get the planning right.
Hi John
About time we saw some serious planning - hopefully there will recognition of the context:
* we have reached our size limit re water - perhaps future development needs to be self-sufficient? (eg Springdale should have been)
* fuel price increases will require consideration of Denmark-Albany transport
* climate change and rising energy costs require addressing in location and residential intensity, energy efficieny regs etc.
BTW - Which person in the photo is Baldrick..??
I agree with Simon on the need for some serious planning.
It seems obvious that houses and businesses must be designed to be more self sufficient in terms of water, sewerage and electricity.
Over 2 million litres of water per year runs off the roof of the recreation centre. Starting with the major buildings in the shire (shire depot,shire offices, schools etc. planning (and estimates) should start on harvesting all their rainwater. The new hospital will not be using any rainwater as the health minister says that the cost was prohibitive - maybe water is too cheap.
All new subdivisions should be self sufficient in their water supply and waste water management, and at least partly so in electricity needs.
It also seems obvious that planning must take into account alternative means of transport. This means that we should be designing subdivisions so that they may be easily served by public transport in the future. More and better dual use paths need to be planned for and constructed (with public comment from the users and not only from vehicle drivers).
New housing or business developments should be concentrated within the town boundaries so as to allow easy access to the facilities in town and avoid the need to duplicate facilities in the future.
If the above suggestions were implemented then there would probably be no need to set a cap on the future population of Denmark.