The Experimental Zone
Affordable housing solution?
In recent history, I have noticed a new trend in what some people call home and some new trends as to what people want to call home.
Some of these new trends are
Micro homes / small homes.
Converting shipping containers into homes.
Homes using a lot of recycled material during construction.
Converting tin sheds into homes.
Converting mine camp accommodation into homes.
Repurposing existing buildings. Example churches into homes.
Prefab housing.
Removal homes.
Kit homes.
Converting buses and train carriages into homes.
Off grid homes.
Growing substantial amounts of fruit and vegetables on suburban blocks.
What seems to be lacking in the Northern Rivers and around Australia is a place where people, architects and building designers can have a go at putting these new trends into practice.
I would love to see a new estate in the Northen Rivers will minimal building requirements so people can build the homes they want and have leeway to do something a bit more experimental. The place could become a mecca for builders, homeowners, owner builders, inventors and architects. All that would be required is a relaxation in some of the building codes and a change in attitude as to “what is a home”.
A lot of politicians have talked about affordable accommodation and have never delivered.
A lot of politicians have talked about environmental homes and have never delivered.
A lot of politicians would love to embrace architectural tourism if they knew what it was.
Petrol Stations on Flood Plains
Petrol stations on flood plans? I wish I was joking. Kyogle has at least two of them and Nimbin has one. I think it would be great if we had a communist government wiling to step in and rectify a very strange situation. During a flood people may want fuel for a chainsaw to unblock a road or fuel for a generator. Some people might also want some emergency repairs down to their car. I saw two Kyogle petrol stations flooded to the rooftop. I dread to imagine what got washed downstream. I also dread to think about the process that allowed this to be approved. After the flood waters receded these petrol stations remained closed for a long time. For Nimbin with only one petrol station it didn't do the town any favors.
Flood Buyback Homes - What next?
Councils in the Northern Rivers are or will be calling for submissions as to what to do with this land. I think it should be obvious that housing is inappropriate. Nothing should be built on flood plains. Over the long term how much time & money will the community save? Rather than spending time and money reparing a neighbourhood, time and money can be spent impoving a neighbourhood.
My first preference would be to let it go back to the natural bushlands that it was before a house was built. My second preference would be to allow organic fruit and vegetables to be grown. My third preference would be to get some scientists and economists to work something out.