Sometimes, belonging to a place is something you feel beforeyou can put it into words.

In this episode, Jeni Cross explores what happens when theplaces we live, move through and care for become part of who we are. She shares the personal experience that first made her realise how deeply her body could miss a landscape, and the question that changed how she thought about belonging: “Where does the land know you best?”

Jeni talks about what happens when communities grow and familiar places disappear. A local shop can be more than a shop. A market can be more than somewhere to buy food. A garden, a footpath, a creek or a patch of native plants can become a place where people notice one another, help oneanother and build a sense of belonging.

We also talk about the surprising value of reciprocity, through the story of a logger who cuts down trees for an elderly neighbour and receives a homemade blueberry pie in return. The pie is worth far less financially, but that is not what makes the exchange valuable.

Jeni shares stories from her own family, including how heruncles returned from war and spent a year working on the family land and with the animals. We explore what can be lost when people cannot put down roots, and the small ways people can still create connections with place even when they do not own a home.

There are ideas here for all of us: walking, cycling, growingsomething, noticing the seasons, caring for a small patch of land, talking to neighbours, or simply finding somewhere we can contribute.

And for planners, Jeni has a simple message: talk to peopleabout what makes a place special. Then think about how we can protect those qualities and help people connect with each other and with the place they share.

A hopeful conversation about home, belonging, community and the small things we can do to care for the places that care for us.

#StreetsAndPeople #JeniCross #PlaceAndCommunity #SenseOfPlace #Belonging #Community #UrbanPlanning #ActiveTransport #Walking #Cycling #PublicTransport #Placemaking #PeopleAndPlace #CommunityConnection#TransportPlanning

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/place-and-community-connection/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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What if traffic lights could see people walking and riding as clearly as they see cars?

Traffic signals shape our everyday journeys, yet most of us rarely think about the technology behind them — or who that technology is designed to respond to.

In this episode, Wendy talks with traffic signals specialist Christian Chong-White about what happens inside an intersection. They explore why pedestrians can be left waiting, why a six-second crossing can feel very different depending on who you are, and how better detection technology could help traffic signals respond to the people actually using them.

Christian also shares a personal story about his children walking to school and the concerns he had as a parent crossing a busy road.

From scramble crossings and pedestrian detection to the power of simply reporting a problem, this conversation offers a different way of looking at traffic signals — not just as traffic management, but as an opportunity to make our streets work better for the people who use them.

And perhaps the most encouraging message is that change doesn't always have to start with a major project. Sometimes it starts with noticing something, asking a question and speaking up.

#TrafficSignals #RoadSafety #ActiveTransport #PedestrianSafety#Cycling #WalkableCommunities #Transport #UrbanDesign #TrafficEngineering#SafeStreets #CommunityVoice #StreetsAndPeople #GetAroundCaboolture#TransportInnovation #BetterStreets

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/traffic-signals-christian-chong-white/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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What if changing a single word could help save lives?

Most of us have heard road crashes described as "accidents". But what if that language shapes the way we think about road safety, responsibility and the choices we make every day?

In this People and Projects episode of Streets and People, award-winning transport journalist Laura Laker shares the story behind the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines and explains why more thoughtful language can lead to more thoughtful conversations.

Together, we explore how the stories told by journalists, police and public agencies influence public understanding, why context matters just as much as the collision itself, and how small changes in communication can encourage safer streets for everyone.

This conversation isn't about blaming drivers or pointing fingers. It's about recognising that every road collision affects real people, real families and entire communities. It's about asking better questions, understanding the bigger picture and believing that road trauma is not something we simply have to accept.

Whether you're a journalist, transport professional, councillor, planner, advocate or someone who simply wants safer streets for your family and neighbours, this episode offers practical ideas that can change the way you see road safety.

Because when we change the conversation, we create opportunities to change outcomes.

Guest: Laura Laker – award-winning transport journalist and creator of the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines.

Here are the guidelines: https://www.rc-rg.com/guidelines

To read Laura’s blogs: https://lauralaker.substack.com/ and https://shows.acast.com/streets-ahead 

To connect with Laura: https://bsky.app/profile/lauralaker.bsky.social

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/road-collision-reporting-laura-laker/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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#RoadCollisionReporting #RoadSafety #LauraLaker #Journalism #Transport #ActiveTransport #Walking #Cycling #VisionZero #SaferStreets #StreetDesign #TransportPlanning #Community #PublicHealth #RoadSafetyJournalism

Every journey tells a story about the places we build and thecommunities we create.

In this episode of Streets and People, we explore how transport shapes everyday life, from the choices people make to the opportunities available in our suburbs. Through a thoughtful conversation grounded in research and real-world experience, we look beyond roads and vehicles to ask what helps people feel connected, included and able to participate in their community.

Whether you work in transport, planning, local government or simply care about creating places where people of all ages and abilities can thrive, this episode offers practical ideas and fresh ways of thinking about the future of our streets.

If this conversation sparks an idea, we'd love to hear from you. Is there a transport topic you'd like us to explore, or someone you'd like us to interview? Your suggestions help shape future episodes.

Learn more about Jonathan Bray

Report:

Decarbonising Suburban Transport https://jonathan-bray.com/decarbonising-suburban-transport-ways-of-thinking-and-acting

This is the Sound of the Suburbs https://jonathan-bray.com/this-is-the-sound-of-the-suburbs-2

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bray-28807414

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathan-bray.bsky.social

Listen to more Streets and People episodes

Website: GetAroundCaboolture.au

To find out more about this episode: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/suburban-transport-jonathan-bray/

Follow Get Around Caboolture

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getaroundcaboolture

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/get-around-caboolture/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StreetsandPeoplePodcast

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/getaroundcabooltur.bsky.social

Podcast credits

Host: Wendy Nash

Guest: Jonathan Bray

Theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

#StreetsAndPeople #Transport #UrbanPlanning #PublicTransport #ActiveTransport #HealthyStreets #PlaceMaking #Community #Walkability #Cycling#RoadSafety #Accessibility #LocalGovernment #Planning #Australia

Test episode

Parking affects far more than where we leave our cars. Itinfluences our main streets, local businesses, public transport, shopping centres and the way our communities grow.

In this episode of Streets and People, Wendy Nashspeaks with urban planner Dr David Mepham, author of Rethinking Parking: Planning and Urban Design Perspectives, about why parking reform matters and how parking decisions shape the places we use every day.

David explores why people often have such strong reactions to parking, the impact of minimum parking requirements, how shopping centres and railway stations have evolved, and why understanding lived experience leads to better planning decisions.

Along the way, he shares practical examples from projectsincluding the Gold Coast Light Rail, discusses the unintended consequences of park-and-ride facilities, and reflects on a simple experience—pushing a friend's stroller—that changed the way he thought about planning.

Whether you're interested in transport, urban planning, localgovernment or simply curious about why our towns and cities look the way they do, this conversation offers practical insights into creating places that are welcoming, functional and enjoyable for everyone.

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/parking-reform-park-ride/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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#ParkingReform #UrbanPlanning #TransportPlanning #StreetsAndPeople #Podcast

What if our streets could do more than move cars—what if they connected us? Max McCardel, an active transport specialist, joins us to explore how thoughtful design can transform the way we move, live, and belong in our communities. From pop-up bike lanes to school street closures, Max shares stories of how small changes can create safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone. Whether you’re a parent wanting safer routes for your kids, a commuter dreaming of a less stressful journey, or simply someone who believes our streets should work for people, this conversation will leave you inspired to reimagine the places we share every day.

You can find Max here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-mccardel

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/beyond-bike-lanes-community/

Many thanks for Claire Tan for her excellent contribution for this episode.

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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#SaferStreets #CommunityFirst #ActiveTransport #PeopleOverCars #StreetDesign #HealthyCommunities #InclusiveSpaces #RethinkTheRoad #BikeFriendly #WalkableCities

What if our streets could be designed so that no one has tofear for their safety while walking, riding, or driving? In this heartfelt People and Projects episode of The Streets and People podcast, Wendy from Get Around Caboolture sits down with Kenn Beer, a passionate advocate for Safe System Solutions, to explore how we can create roads that protect everyone—no matter where they live or how they travel.

Kenn shares his deeply personal journey, from designing roads to realising the human cost of flawed systems, and how a shift in mindset can save lives. Together, they discuss the challenges faced by under-resourced councils, the power of community advocacy, and simple, low-cost ways to makeour streets safer for all. This conversation is a reminder that change is possible when we work together, prioritise people over speed, and design with care for every member of our community.

Tune in to hear how small changes can make a big difference—and how you can be part of the movement for safer, more inclusive streets.

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/safe-system-solutions-kenn-beer/

#SafeSystemSolutions #SaferStreets #CommunityFirst #RoadSafety #WalkableCommunities #BikeFriendly #InclusiveDesign #ChangeMakers #Australia#AdvocacyMatters

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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That moment when you watch your child run ahead on the footpath, and you wonder—what exactly are they breathing in? Physicist and science writer Laurie Winkless joins Wendy Nash for a conversation that gets to the heart of our daily lives: the invisible cloud of tyre and brake dust we’re all moving through.

From Caboolture’s car-dependent streets to Wellington’s urban corners, we explore how the choices we make behind the wheel, the vehicles we choose, and the spaces we share can add up to cleaner air for the people we love. Because this isn’t just about cars—it’s about community. And the good news? We already have the power to make a difference.

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/tyre-dust-brake-pad-pollution/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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#CleanAirForAll #CommunityCare #DriveWithPurpose#SharedStreets #ScienceForCommunity #HealthyNeighbourhoods #UrbanHope #TyreDust#AirWeShare #PodcastForGood

Why do our streets belong to cars? It wasn’t always this way—and it wasn’t an accident.

In this eye-opening episode of Get Around Caboolture, we’rejoined by Professor Peter Norton, historian and author of Fighting Traffic, to uncover the shocking truth about how car dependence was engineered—not by public demand, but by powerful industries, clever language, and forgotten protests.

What You’ll Discover:

✅ The Great Street Heist: How a 1920s Los Angeles ordinance (written by a car dealer!) stole streets from pedestrians—and why Australia followed suit.
✅ The Language of Control: Why we call crashes "accidents" and pedestrians "jaywalkers"—and how these words shape who we blame.
✅ The Forgotten Rebels: The mothers and women who blocked streets with prams to demand safety—and why their story was erased from history.
✅The Next Scam? Why autonomous vehicles might just be car dependence 2.0—and what we’re missing in the rush for "progress."

Why This Matters for Caboolture (and Everywhere Else)

Peter Norton doesn’t just explain history—he hands you the blueprint to question it. And once you hear this, you’ll never look at a street the same way again.

🎧 Listen now to uncover the hidden forces shaping our cities—and what we can do to take our streets back.

Follow Get Around Caboolture for more conversations on walkable, liveable communities—because the future of transport isn’t just about cars. It’s about people.

#CarDependence #UrbanHistory #WalkableCities#TransportJustice

Lessons for a Better Transport Future with Peter Norton |Thursday 19 June 2025, TPA (formerly AITPM) https://youtu.be/OcRuf7gMAFo?si=9I1wUmDWDavufePg

Find Peter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdnorton/

On BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/norton.bsky.social

On Facebook (recommended!) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033858551663

At work https://engineering.virginia.edu/faculty/peter-norton

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/car-dependence-captive-driver-history/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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