contact — It Takes a Town

Collectively we create the story of the 2484. You’re part of this story. So get involved in making it a good one!

Contact us

carmen@ittakesatown.org.au
phone: 0438 140 589

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1. What do safe, regenerative & adaptive futures look like?

Possible futures for Climate Adaptation (2035) - Byron Shire

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops across the Byron Shire. Participants generated 587 responses to this prompt: Imagine... It's 2035 and a child born today is turning 10 years old. The outcomes of 10+ years of work by government and community to adapt to climate change and strengthen resilience is becoming visible around them. What has changed in the design of our built environment and our relationship with the natural environment, that is strengthening our resilience to an increase in temperature, severe fire weather, sea level rise & changing rainfall patterns? … What changes do you notice in how your child’s family is living and moving around in the world, that is contributing to shared resilience and regeneration?

Possible housing futures (2040) - Byron Shire

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops across the Byron Shire. Participants generated 341 responses to this prompt: Imagine… It’s 2040 and a child born today is turning 15 years old. In response to the housing crisis of the 2020’s, a massive collaboration between government, business and community has led to an extra 21,000 homes becoming available across the Northern Rivers. What does our child’s home, garden and community look and feel like? How have we balanced rapid construction of housing with the need to protect our natural environment? What policy shifts have enabled everyone to have access to safe and affordable homes with low environmental impact?

Possible economic futures (2040) - Byron Shire

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops across the Byron Shire. Participants generated 483 responses to this prompt: Imagine… It’s 2045 and a child born today is turning 20 years old, entering the world of work. At this time, there are an extra 21,000 people of working age who call the Northern Rivers home. What does meaningful work look like? What industries and sectors are experiencing rapid growth due to their alignment with community values? … What’s different (if anything) about the principles behind our economy?

Findings for the future of the natural environment, governance and community wellbeing (in the Byron Shire) will be finalized & available in November 2025. Findings for other LGAs will be available as of December 2025 - April 2026.

What we want to retain - Byron Shire

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops in Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. Participants generated 218 responses to this question: “What do you value most about the present and want to retain in to the future?” The following are the top themes / ideas.

2. What do people want to retain from the present?

What we need to let go of - Byron Shire

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops in Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. Participants generated 186 responses to this question: “What do we need to let go of or stop doing in order to help our region regenerate as we move towards the future?” The following are the top themes / ideas.

3. What do people want us to stop doing or let go of?

Byron Shire: Actions for Residents

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops in Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. Participants generated 185 responses to this question: “What actions do residents need to take to move us collectively towards regenerative, adaptive and safe futures?" The following are the top themes / ideas.

4. What actions can help move us towards safe, regenerative and adaptive futures?

Byron Shire: Actions for Government

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops in Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. Participants generated 163 responses to this question: “What actions does government need to take to move us collectively towards regenerative, adaptive and safe futures?" The following are the top themes / ideas.

Byron Shire: Actions for Civic Sector (NFPs, groups, clubs etc)

89 people participated in 5 Imagine Northern Rivers workshops in Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. Participants generated 134 responses to this question: “What actions does the civic sector need to take to move us collectively towards regenerative, adaptive and safe futures?" The following are the top themes / ideas.

Byron Shire: Top 10 Action Themes for Government, Residents & Civic Sector combined

In total, 627 actions were identified for government, residents and the civic sector. The following are the top 10 themes overall:

Reports
Brief reports for each of the above themes are available here:

Future Climate

Future Housing

Future Economy

Things to Retain

Things to Let Go Of

Actions (All Sectors)

About
Humans 2484
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Email carmen@ittakesatown.org.au
Phone 0438 140 589

It Takes a Town and Imagine Northern Rivers belongs on Bundjalung Country. We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and share our deep gratitude with them for sharing this land, its beauty and wealth, with us all.

Website design Ellie Beck - Petalplum Photography Chelle Wallace & Ellie Beck