“No longer Deadwood,” it said, describing some of the more innovative and creative businesses that have emerged in town, bringing with them a new social and economic breeze.

Much has been written in recent years about the development of a ‘new economy’.

That is, an economic model for the common good that is not reliant on the growth-fueled, profit-driven industrial model.

The new economy is localised, based on civic knowledge and skills and contributes to social diversity.

The report on Braidwood was essentially a real life description of the ‘new economy’.

How, then, did we get here without realising what we were doing?

Location can’t be dismissed as a factor: one hour’s drive from the national capital and on the road to the coast makes Braidwood an ideal day-trip destination.

However, Australia is packed with towns in fortuitous locations that never quite realise their potential, where Braidwood is doing just that.

This town has, over recent years, worked to strengthen its food system with an increased focus on local produce and sustainable growing; there is a sense of co-operative enterprise, evident through the growth of new organisations such as the Community Association and Braidwood Connect; and there is a strong undercurrent of creativity which brings with it enterprise and innovatation.

Importantly, however, this move towards a new economy has happened organically, which is to say, it has happened from the grassroots, expanding laterally as more people take up and meet the challenges it poses.

Rather than resisting change, this town appears to be embracing and steering a course towards the new world of an economy for well-being.

Dee’s Fickle Pickle in Deadwood will be closed over this weekend as Dee is heading out to the Creek to sell coffee and cake at the Majors Creek Festival. 

Great to see Braidwood locals starring in an ABC report about the ‘fastest growing town in the region’. The businesses and individuals highlighted in the story simply prove the diversity of this town.

Progress marches on in the industrial yard that is Landmark rural.

Most people are aware of the mini inconveniences caused by the semis and forklifts buzzing around at unload time.

However, there seems to be a general consensus by neighbouring locals that a major upgrade is afoot.

Talk is of pulling down heritage sheds and replacing them with newer, bigger sheds.

While this is speculative until the council approves such plans, it seems apparent that a tacit agreement has been made.

Certainly the new industrial security fencing being erected suggests this.  

As a heritage town, many have had their development applications (DAs) knocked back on the grounds of line of site obstruction or otherwise altering the nature of ‘how it is’ and ‘no that changes the skyline’.

The question raised, then: can Landmark ... proclaim what their intentions are.

After all, they occupy prime land in the middle of this quaint village.

Surely more sheds means more industrial traffic in and around the centre of town.  

The fences seem to be appearing on verbal agreements; and, strangely, if the new fence was for security, why have they erected two fences facing into yards of adjoining neighbours.

If security was the aim why put all the fittings to the outside.

This makes access into the yard an absolute breeze, with ladders and poles to facilitate such access.

Curiously, the other side of the yard has the new fence the other way round, or easy access out.

It is a very ugly fence from the inside of house looking out.