FAQ
Why do we need a Samford Futures vision?
Quite simply, because change will occur in Samford, with or without our input, and it is better to shape our own future rather than let someone do it for us.
‘The community is being proactive in shaping its own future rather than take the chance that others will make good decisions on our behalf.’ ‘Future making’ rather than ‘future waiting’
⇢ Page 5 Samford Futures document
How did Samford Futures originate?
Samford Futures grew out of an idea from the community, which was taken on as an initiative of the Samford and District Progress and Protection Association.
How were people involved in the process?
‘The initial insights and aspirations of a significant proportion of the community were gathered through face-to-face consultations and a paper-based survey. People were invited to say what they wanted to ‘keep at all costs in Samford, what they’d like to change, what new things could be done and who they thought should do them.’
⇢ Page 3 Samford Futures document
A series of Public Meetings were advertised in the Village Pump, and the survey responses were analysed at a series of publicly advertised workshops. About 600 residents, business owners and community groups participated in these workshops. Groups were formed, the ideas were refined and developed over the next 2 years and the resulting visions presented as the eight chapters at the Samford Futures event on March 15, which was attended by about 480 people.
Is the Samford Futures vision document finalised?
The document will forever be a ‘work in progress’: the current version is merely a statement of the visions as at March 2013. Further consultations are in progress for all areas, but particularly those where some new ideas or different perspectives have emerged. Public meetings are continuing to be advertised in the Village Pump and all residents are invited to participate and help shape the future of Samford. Contact Us.
It is planned that an annual review will be undertaken of progress and emerging needs.
How can we keep the best of Samford and change those things we want to improve?
The rural feel, the ambience, the natural environment and the sense of community are all things residents said they want to keep and improve. To do this, we need to understand how the planning system works. Samford is designated as a ‘green lung’ in the South East Queensland Regional Plan – a place for rural living and for city people to visit for their taste of rural life. To keep this ‘rating’, we need to keep improving the quality of the place so that it does not attract a rating of ‘future urban sprawl’. The Council’s current Town Plan reflects the SEQ Regional Plan and that is why the Samford Futures vision advocates no major changes to either of these plans. This gives us the best
chance of keeping the best aspects of Samford and improving others.
If we have a balanced plan, then property owners, developers and Council will take far more notice of resident’s wishes. This is the goal of Samford Futures. So does this mean we need to strike the right balance between having a wonderful ‘country feel’ to the place we live in, as
well as respect the needs of others who wish to visit?
Samford has been a visitor destination for decades. Brisbane residents have always driven out to Samford to have a day in the country, have lunch at the pub or in one of our country restaurants, go for a walk or browse the arts and crafts at the Slab Hut. Many of us discovered the beauty of the Valley by doing just this, before we decided to move here. This is low key tourism – the Samford way.
No one wants high-volume tourism. The Futures vision has suggested we could learn from other village-style locations to improve our parking, car movements and pedestrian safety, and use attractive landscaping, building design, shade trees and street art to improve the street frontages. This would improve the quality of our village. All this is set out clearly in Chapter 2 of the Samford Futures document.
‘Be mindful of Samford’s charm when considering new development’
⇢ Page 20 Samford Futures document
What is the plan for a Village Market?
Quite a number of residents asked for a market to be considered. The idea of a boutique market is to enhance the community feel of the village, as well as provide an avenue for our local artisans and our food producers to show their wares. The idea evolved to a proposal for a very small event, perhaps quarterly, limited to stallholders with a 4520 postcode. It is intended to be a specialised local ‘producers and growers’ market, not a flea market.
The concept of a Village Markets includes working in co-operation with the Anglican Markets. After four public meetings and an in-depth feasibility study, a committee made up of representatives from the Samford Valley Markets (Anglican Church), Artisan and Urban Agriculture, and local village/ valley residents has been established.
What’s the idea behind the Samford Commons?
The Samford Commons is a unique opportunity available to our community at the old CSIRO building site at the Parklands. For the sporting minded among us, our Tennis, Netball, Bowls, Soccer and Archery Clubs have already been provided with state-of-the-art facilities on this land. The old CSIRO buildings offer a different opportunity:
‘to create a sustainability and arts resource centre, known as the Samford Commons, based on the existing precinct. The two main activities would involve the arts and sustainability, with a strong focus on community education’.
⇢ Page 12 Samford Futures document
There have been concerns about what would happen if the community does not get involved. Perhaps this parcel of land, which is on a separate title deed to most of the Parklands, could be sold off by Council for commercial purposes or higher density housing. What certainly won’t happen is ‘nothing’: Council is not going to let this valuable precinct simply sit forever.
That is why Samford Futures has been proactive in meeting with Council to advocate for an idea that will have maximum community benefit. Our latest suggestions tie in very closely with the original Council 2004 Master Plan for the Parklands, which is very encouraging.
The Commons precinct will have low impact, involving urban farming, arts and sustainability activities, which by their very nature are quiet and unobtrusive. The Commons proposal is set out in detail in Chapter 1 and invites a lot of input and energy to create a truly amazing space for our community and our children.
Who ‘owns’ Samford Futures?
The community owns Samford Futures through its participation in the highly publicised public process and through its engagement with the Samford Progress Association. The Samford Futures Project Teams are accountable to the Association for the work they do on behalf of the community.
Is there any hold up with implementing the Futures vision?
It was expected that after the big Futures event on 15 March that some people who had previously not involved themselves in the process would want to have some input. This was one of the main purposes of having the big event. This process has been occurring and will take its natural course, honouring both the work of those who were involved for up to 2 years, as well as others new to Samford or new to the process.
A lot of things have already been implemented, such as the trail network map, the formation of @creativesamford and the revegetation work at the Parklands.
What can the community do now to add value to a positive future for Samford?
The best way of doing this is to come to the advertised public meetings on the various projects and to read the Samford Futures vision document on www.samfordfutures.org or at the Slab Hut, Happy Berry and Lifestyle Café. It is comprehensive, but is easy to read, with clear headings setting out the background,
the opportunities and the visions of each Chapter.
There will doubtless be proposals not even mentioned, so make your ideas known through contacting us or at the public gatherings or at Progress Association meetings.