Scenario Two: A Living Island of Renewal
Scenario 2 for Tasmania: Regen Era Design
As we approach this election, Tasmanians deserve more than mere slogans; we deserve a genuine, strategic vision for our island’s future. Yet currently, only one scenario dominates the conversation: a top-down agenda spanning energy megaprojects, stadium proposals, and grand infrastructure schemes, crafted by a small, elite circle of stakeholders with minimal community input. Where is the public say in shaping our future? This homogenised, profit-driven vision threatens to lock us into decades of extractive economic practices, leaving communities vulnerable and our ecosystems degraded.
This is precisely why I've proposed "Scenario 2," a regenerative alternative deeply rooted in public and community ownership, climate resilience, and economic dignity. Rather than handing our future to corporate interests, Scenario 2 is about empowering Tasmanians through active participation and collective stewardship.
Imagine the transformative power of a $1 billion public interest fund, created by just 10% of Tasmanians choosing to redirect a modest portion of their superannuation, and then asking the federal government to match this commitment, turning it into a cool $2 billion (they’re happy to offer concessional financing to large corporations; why not us too?). Instead of profits funneled out of state, these funds would remain here, reinvesting directly into our local economies and communities. The potential is enormous: it could finance local food hubs, vibrant community spaces, care infrastructure, and even large-scale renewable energy projects. Crucially, whether these renewable projects are large or small-scale, they must remain publicly owned and locally governed, embodying foundational economics in action.
These community-led investments represent the real engine of a resilient, foundational economy. Rather than speculative ventures that benefit distant shareholders, foundational economics emphasises essential local services and infrastructures that improve daily life and safeguard our future.
Across Tasmania, the seeds of Scenario 2 are already visible either in practices or people's visions, from a mycelial web of good folk on the ground. From vibrant crop swaps and seed libraries, regenerative farms supplying schools, flourishing community gardens, to pioneering local microgrids, these grassroots initiatives embody Tasmanians’ innate desire for sustainable, equitable development. Yet, despite their demonstrated value, these initiatives are often left unsupported by traditional economic planning, forced to rely on volunteers and small grants. Scenario 2 proposes structural, long-term support to amplify these efforts, embedding them firmly within Tasmania’s future planning.
However, by confining progress to GDP growth and large-scale infrastructure metrics, the prevailing economic lens overlooks the quality and sustainability of our local jobs and livelihoods. Scenario Two reframes success in terms of sustainable employment pathways green energy technicians maintaining community-owned microgrids, regenerative agriculture specialists supplying local markets…where is support for our small farmers?, care workers supported by robust community infrastructure, and craftspersons revitalising our cultural heritage. These are durable careers, not boom‑and‑bust projects, building long-term financial security and social cohesion. We must ask: how will this vision deliver steady job creation, fair wages, and skills development that stay rooted in Tasmanian communities? Only by valuing economic resilience alongside ecological and social wellbeing can Tasmania prosper for generations.
Vision: A Living Island of Renewal
Tasmanians deserve better. We deserve a future crafted by our own vision, one that is just, climate-secure, culturally vibrant, and economically inclusive. Scenario 2 isn't merely an alternative; it's an invitation to fundamentally rethink and reframe our approach to development. It's about genuinely listening to local communities, supporting ecological integrity, and investing in long-term economic wellbeing rather than short-term gains.
This election is an opportunity for Tasmania to lead by example, championing a model that places people and the planet at the heart of our economy. Let's embrace Scenario 2, demonstrating that genuine regeneration isn't just possible, it's practical, desirable, and urgently needed.
To explore more about Scenario 2 and other regenerative visions for Tasmania, please visit www.regeneradesign.org .
I am seeking philanthropic and Community support to bring this vision for Tasmania to life.
Dr. Emily Samuels Ballantyne
Magical Farm Tasmania & Regen Era Design
