Communities for Sustainable Futures

Communities for Sustainable Futures (CSF) was created in 2004 on the Gold Coast (Australia). According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: "President Peter Yaun says the group is aiming to have a voice on stakeholders groups and government committees." He went on to say: "We felt that the debate was being hijacked by the extreme, fundamentalist, green minority and the majority wasn't being heard so we're trying to put a moderate voice into this debate." 

"Among a list of priorities, the new lobby group wants to open up The Settlement at Springbrook to the community and cut down 17 trees along Pine Creek Road which they say are a danger to motorists. The 50-member group comprises farmers, lawyers, school teachers, nurses, musicians and even furniture traders." (Gleeson, 2003)

"President Peter Yaun, a fifth generation Numinbah dairy farmer, said 'extremists' within GECKO [Gold Coast Hinterland and Environment Council] were stopping sustainable development... There is a widespread belief in our communities that it is the legitimate right of residents to live in full enjoyment of their real property. A small minority of extremists, pretending to protect the natural environment, is pushing for policies that are unrealistic and unsustainable. If allowed to continue it will wreck the economic and social fabric of communities in this country. These extremists, driven by their beliefs and lack of experience in the real world, exercise influence out of all proportion to their number." (Gleeson, 2003)

"Formed in September 2003, CSF already has a voice in council and about 100 paid members, together with affiliations with 12 other Gold Coast organisations which boosts its total memberships to more than 3000... [Their allies] include Western Chambers of Commerce chairman Bob Janssen who last year went on the attack against what he called `fundamentalist greens'." (Gaffney, 2004)

CSF organised the Gold Coast ecotourism forum (on 1 December 2003) with the Western Chambers of Commerce. 

Prodevelopment?
Gecko spokeswoman Sheila Davis "labelled the group `a prodevelopment group, pretending to be green' and has been extremely critical of Yaun's recent appointment as one of five members of the council's environment advisory board." (Gaffney, 2004)

Representatives

 * Peter Yaun, President
 * Colin Greatorix, Vice-president
 * Peter O'Reilly, of O'Reilly's rainforest, is the organisation's patron
 * Mary Hegarty, Secretary
 * Andrew Moore