AFTER THE VIRUS - IN S.E.QUEENSLAND

A Local Government Perspective on Regional Sustainability Concerns

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GUEST: Megan O’Hara Sullivan - Councillor and Chair of the Planning and Development Committee at Toowoomba Regional Council

Introduction to this episode:

Against a background of overall diminishing levels of public trust in governments in Australia overall, local government has retained one of the highest levels of public confidence in its operations, and in its ability to help maintain the conditions which contribute to the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of its citizens. And if we do want to achieve a more climate safe, ecologically healthier, and socially fairer society in this S.E. Queensland region, working on this throughout the pandemic and ‘After the Virus’, then local government has an important part to play.

It is for these reasons that HOPE Australia wanted to include a representative from local government in the podcast series - to get their perspective on what their administration has accomplished to date in some of the areas relevant to the possibility of creating a climate positive, built forward better, COVID-19 recovery in S.E. Queensland. And to hear what their vision is for progress on these topics within the region over the short to mid-term future. My guest on this podcast episode is Megan O’Hara Sullivan a local citizen, elected councillor and Chair of the Planning and Development Committee within Toowoomba Regional Council.

Megan talks with me about some of the current initiatives Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is implementing to make its administrative area more sustainable. And, in the light of a nation-wide upsurge in anger and dismay expressed over the continued disrespect, assaultive, and discriminatory experience of many Australian women, Megan offers her personal views on some possible ways forward for this crucial social justice and human rights issue in the S.E. Qld region.

INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS - approximate time elapsed in minutes.

  • General introduction - 1.08
  • Guest Self -introduction - 3.25
  • Guest comments on Council’s environmental achievements – 8.46
  • The TRC Green Infrastructure Strategy – 12.40
  • TRC Climate Risk Management Strategy – 17.02
  • TRC Environment Advisory Committee – 23.40
  • Reducing discrimination against women – 29.05
  • Guest vision for a preferred future in S.E. Queensland – 38.00
  • Wrap up of interview and thanks – 41.47.

    • RESOURCES AND REFERENCES MENTIONED IN THE DISCUSSION

    • Toowoomba Regional Council – Green Infrastructure Strategy
  • Queensland State Government Climate risk information - The Long Paddock portal website
  • Australian Bureau of Meteorology – State of the Climate report - 2020
  • Benefits of Australian Urban Green Space – Report (2016)
  • Women needing wives metaphor – Book: The Wife Drought by Annabel Crabb (2014)

    •  GUEST AND CONTACT DETAILS:

    Guest: Megan O’Hara Sullivan E: [email protected]

    Toowoomba Regional Council – Planning and Development Committee

     

    Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE):

    T 07 4639 2135 E [email protected] W http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au/

    F https://www.facebook.com/Householders.Options.to.Protect.the.Environment/

    Production:

    Produced for HOPE by Andrew Nicholson. This episode recorded in Toowoomba, S.E. Queensland, Australia on March 30th, 2021.

    Artwork: Daniela Dal'Castel Incidental Music: James Nicholson

     

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