‘The times are a-changin’. Bob Dylan wrote those words in 1963 nearly half a century ago, and in many respects his prophetic words still ring true yet his prophecies have never truly been heeded.
During the Bush Howard years climate change was scoffed at. John Howard’s retort was that new ecological technologies would impede our economy growth. Bush, on the other hand, refused to even acknowledge climate change.
Yet the world’s climates are changing.
In Australia the top end is receiving more and more rain, while the southern states, particularly South Australia and Victoria are recording record dry (drought) seasons and increased temperatures. Victoria the once acclaimed ‘garden state’ has changed dramatically. This season’s bush fires have been the worst on record.
Our landscape management, our water management – the very way we live needs to change.
It was with great respect that we watched the lone independent Nick Xenophon stand up and refuse to ratify the economical stimulus package, unless the government supported his claim for a $900 million package to go into the depleted Murray Darling Basin system, $500 million of the package was to buy back of water leases and further money was to go to communities to plan for ‘a future with less water’.
The landscape of Australia/Victoria will be greatly altered over the next decades. We need to see a reduction in the amount of irrigation used; we need to see the end of unsustainable crops such as cotton and tobacco. We need to understand our continent and work with the land to create sustainable agricultural hubs, sustainable non-pollutant energy sources, and better and more equitable housing. We need to be the ‘clever country’.
Australia could and should lead the world in solar generated power. Australia is the hottest continent and thus has an unlimited source of solar power. Parts of Central Australia could be become large solar farms which could be generating clean power to our cities and for export to our near neighbours.
No longer can we all live on the coast, we need to inhabit the interior more, but in order to do that we need to plan for large rural communities that are sustainable on all levels. I envisage the end of the quarter acre block, even in the country. More dense urban areas are called for. We have come to a stage in our development where we must stop looking at the American model of the post-war years of ever expanding suburbs, reliant on the motor vehicle and look to our forefather’s lifestyles in Britain and Europe. Italian hill towns and English hamlets were not built as cluster developments for no good reason. Originally it may have been for security, but it was for economical, infrastructure and social reasons too. People lived near to where they worked. They lived in close proximity to their neighbours. Cities and towns were surrounded by meadows and fields with the forest beyond. The Australian ideal of the bush block, the house, the small community surrounded by dense bush requires a rethink.
Our physical houses need to be rethought too. We do not need houses that are too big for our requirements. The average family does not need a 45sq. plus house, in which each bedroom has its own bathroom and there are multiple entertainment areas such as the theatre room, the outdoor room and the parents retreat. These large houses are generally unsustainable both environmentally and financially and are under utilised. The focus needs to be on compact housing that consumes less energy, is more family friendly, community friendly and environmentally friendly.
These are some of the philosophical ideals of Ward Carter. To provide excellence in housing, irrespective of budget, to aid people to live better, to live more environmentally, to live more sustainable lifestyles. To live with grace.
Of course, we can and do design the occasional ‘big house’, the generous house for those generous and hospitable clients who like to share their wealth with family and friends.
I will talk about art another time……….
karen
