[Pil-pc-oceania] Housing shortages and holidays

[permaculture at apollobay.org.au]

Going on a holiday to a coastal/"tourist" town?

If you are, please keep in mind what helps keep small town communities
sustainable.

At the very basic level, a permanent population that has housing and
income/work.

Please do not stay at holiday rentals, this just encourages less permanent
rentals.

At present in Apollo Bay, we have local people who have lived and worked
here for many years, who can't find a long term rental... and it's winter! 
98% of the rentals are holiday rentals.

Even though there's been a huge increase in building development here, the
permanent population has not increased. 

Please also try to stay at places that are locally owned.  Not owned by
some company that's decided to build their tourist resort here, and don't
even employ local people or advertise positions locally.  Though, it is
difficult when the building they've built is ESD.
How do you weigh that up?  Stay at a ESD designed building or stay at a
place that is locally owned and employs local people, but is not ESD?

It would be good if we could all just billet and be billeted, when
travelling to other places.

The tourism industry has become a monster that has swallowed all the other
small town industries, and those left in the decimated communities start to
provide for the tourists rather than their neighbours... if they have any
neighbours left, that is... actually in the case of holiday rentals, the
tourists become their neighbours. 

Fern
 

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