TN Vision and Planning Weekend (11-12 June 2011)

We had a good planning weekend (11-12 June 2011) and have a clearer picture of our direction.

The main areas we are committed to working on are:

1. Developing the concept of transition streets (possibly incorporating things like a competition/search for a transition street, street or house signage, eco blitzes for houses or streets, transition street parties/BBQs, streets getting together to discuss how to transition)
2. Developing closer links with Council (e.g. helping to the 2030 plan more specific in relation to sustainability, encouraging Council to develop a peak oil plan)
3. Workshop (e.g., sustainability living workshops, skilling up workshops, food preservation, visioning post peak oil, growing your own food, energy and water efficiency, parenting for transitioning)
4. Special events (including film nights, the Fair Share Festival, talks)
5. A listening project (e.g. a sustainable Newcastle is.....)

Other ideas (that weren’t prioritised at this time, but some of which could be incorporated into some of the above) included

1. Living with less is more festival
2. Working with schools and TAFE
3. Skilling up BBQs
4. Create an energy action centre/transition centre (incorporating a shop)
5. 150km dinner
6. Tell the world/your street with signs, power down signs, transition endorsement
7. Eco blitz of a house or street
8. Plan for an energy descent plan
9. Talking heads – Newcastle’s vision
10. Images of transition hours/streets

We also spent time hearing each other’s inspiring stories of how we got to where we are (in terms of being involved in Transition Newcastle), visioning and socialising. More details will be provided soon.

You can read some reflections about the weekend in Graeme's Blog