SRCe - Sustainability Research Centre NAC

07/12/2024

The Living Lab is formal reincarnation of a specific SRCe in North Arm Cove.
This registration is probably the best way to celebrate our first anniversary.

Year 2024, 200 years since NAC land was granted by Crown for development of NSW, was the year when we have got a rezoning that again enables us to build residences on our land.

We now need to join forces to make a plan that will allow for those residences to be built on smaller lots sizes, like ours, and still achieve minimal impact on environment. Living Lab will facilitate co-operation with experts who can help us prepare a Master Plan needed for finally achieving that goal.

Let us make 2025 a year of co-operation and further progress.

24/05/2024

Last night, we formally started "Marion & Walter" Circular Economy Living Lab (MW-CELL) as not-for-profit cooperative.

Stay tuned for more information.

29/04/2024

24/04/2024

Sustainable Research Center is a form of Living Lab.

https://www.desim-arch.com/srce

Some similar Living Labs in our neighbourhood:

Living Lab Northern Rivers
https://www.llnr.com.au/
A collaboration between two universities and the NSW government, our strength comes from the diversity of groups we bring to the table.
Living Lab Northern Rivers is a space where research and community come together to create the solutions that will allow our region to thrive in uncertainty.
We’re living in an era with unprecedented levels of uncertainty and change. Our existing systems for managing natural resources, food production, infrastructure design and delivery, housing provision and disaster management need to be transformed to overcome the challenges we face.

CELL - Circular Economy Living Lab, Lake Macquarie
https://www.circulareconomylivinglab.com.au/
CELL is Australia’s first Living Lab dedicated to the circular economy. Founded by Dantia, Lake Macquarie City Council and the University of Newcastle and based in Lake Macquarie, CELL is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that drives circular economy outcomes by accelerating innovation, building capacity, and creating new jobs.

12/04/2024

Presentation about our innovative approach to sustainable, collaborative planning, development and governance of urban precincts.

Green Drinks Environment Networking

05/04/2024

Rtiverstone and Wyee are examples of how the current legal framework for paper subdivisions work. Or doesn't, judging by results.
There are over 20,000 lots in NSW that are in similar situation - subdivided land with no services. Not all of them are "paper subdivisions", simply because some are actually zoned urban. Yet there is no money to build services for them, and not enough interest from people to live there.
NAC is a unique opportunity - subdivided land, in high demand area.
That is why we can get support (as we already have) from the State. We need innovative approach that is aligned with government policies - sustainability, affordability, resilience, Circular Economy, innovation, smart technologies.
Lake Macquarie has created their own Living Lab and Economic Development Company (Dantia) - https://www.circulareconomylivinglab.com.au/
That is the pathway we propose for NAC. Except that we have to do it ourselves - through SRCe-NAC. It could be a template for other communities

https://www.desim-arch.com/srce

DESIM Sustainability Research Centre, Center, Circular Economy, Urbanism, Community, North Arm Cove,

01/04/2024

North Arm Cove has more than 2500 landowners. How do we get all those people to make informed decisions about their community?

Citizen's assembly is the way SRCe will operate. Randomly selected representative group will have time and information to deliberate and make informed decision.

Presentation #10 for Student competition for regional town planning in 21st century - "Back to the future - North Arm Cove"Presenter: IAIN WALKERIain Walker ...

30/03/2024

Updated web page

DESIM Sustainability Research Centre, Center, Circular Economy, Urbanism, Community, North Arm Cove,

14/03/2024

Our action is about implementing global principles and government policies at the local level. It is about taking the suggested principles and policies, discuss them, and rewrite them for local conditions and differences. And to use these rewritten set of principles to guide action in our community."

"At the top level, the principles are intended to be global and
inter-civilizational. They are negotiated in the present as the
most direct and simple statements that can be made in relation
to domains of social life: ecology, economics, politics and culture.
That negotiation has been done by people attempting to think
beyond their own places and times—that is, in relation to all
settings across the world in which humans have lived in urban
settlements from metropolises to villages. At this level the
principles should be relatively enduring."

"At the second level of subdomains, the principles seek to
maintain this global reach but to move beyond big general
statements to more precise claims. In their increasing detail, the
principles become increasingly attuned to this world, now. The
second level is still global in its framing, but it is more pointedly
directed towards what can be done in practice by cities and urban
settlements to improve the lives of people and the sustainability
of place in those cities and urban settlements."

"The third level of sub-subdomains, still framed and informed by
the top two levels, moves down to local engagement and works
at a precinct level. Here we expect—we encourage—cities or
organizations to take the suggested principles, discuss them,
and rewrite them for local conditions and differences. We expect
this "rewritten set of principles to guide action in precincts,
neighbourhoods and places."

11/03/2024

We are proposing to build a new NAC community through implementing principles of Circular Economy.

SRCe - Sustainability Research Centre NAC is the place where
"collaboration between citizens, government, research, and businesses" is facilitated.

Second principle of CE is to circulate resources at their highest value. Subdivided land is a resource. Land in NAC has the highest value as URBAN community, That is why we are proposing the reuse Griffin's original plans to secure sustainable future for the community.

What is a circular city?

A circular city has embedded the principles of the circular economy
across the entire urban area. Everything is operating within an interconnected network of systems that are designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature. There’s collaboration between citizens, government, research facilities, and businesses. And the entire city is powered by renewable energy

The circular economy is based on three principles, driven by design:

Eliminate waste and pollution

Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)

Regenerate nature

Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy
and materials, the circular economy is a resilient system that is good for business, people, and the environment.

https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/cities/overview

07/03/2024

Everyone
There is important opportunity to remind State government of opportunity to provide affordable housing in NAC, especially on 1000 lots owned by Council.

Land is subdivided, at that is needed is investment in sustainable local infrastructure.

We are seeking feedback on the planning policy and regulatory framework for short-term rental accommodation and on options to encourage the supply of long-term rental accommodation.

21/02/2024

SRCe is similar to MUDs, only based on sustainability and includes more than just infrastructure - measurable performance.
Some difference is in "Land Tax" and "Rates" between US and Australia, but concept is similar.

MUDs are a very common way in Texas for new communities to be developed in areas where city services are not yet available. MUDs have contributed greatly to the affordability of new homes in Texas, and to the state’s dynamic growth rate.

The MUD tax is included in the annual property tax bill received by homeowners. If your taxes are escrowed, the MUD tax will be part of your monthly payment.

The MUD tax only pays for the cost of installing and operating the infrastructure, such as providing clean water and disposing of wastewater. Your monthly usage fee is billed just like any other utility bill.