ABOUT RANT

RANT's aim is to inspire, motivate and influence people across the community, the private corporate sector and in government – Federal, State & Local – to not only become involved in sustainable community development in a 21st Century context but also encourage, and where possible facilitate, the development of viable community entrepreneurship – both for profit and not-for-profit.

Fostering a high quality of life should be the shared aspirations and goals of a community, and the governments that represent the people who live within them. Moreover, the shared aspirations and goals of individual people who live in a community, and the institutions, organisations, enterprises and businesses that serve them, should thrive as an outcome of mutual interest and community enterprise.  

There are many factors that contribute to more livable, sustainable and desirable communities, with the essential elements being:

•  An effectively networked and inclusive community that is safe and effectively governed;

•  A healthy environment that is increasingly sustainable;

• A vibrant economy that meets local needs and serves local imperatives; and

•  A community that is tolerant of diversity and different social and cultural aspirations.

In order to assist create such communities the concept of inclusion and sustainable development is increasingly winning people's attention. This approach to community development started to have currency in 1987 when the UN World Commission on Environment and Development coined what was to become the most well-known definition: sustainable development is development that "meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." 

Albeit that 'sustainability' is a much abused term, simply put, sustainability should be focused upon providing the best outcomes for both the human and natural environments now, and into the indefinite future. Nonetheless, sustainability is a complex idea that is poorly understood in both its simplicity and its contingent complexities.

Like communities elsewhere, Tasmanian communities – urban & rural – are facing an uncertain future. Therefore it is timely that individuals, community groups, institutions and businesses start to build mutually beneficial networks together towards realising more innovative communities and establishing interfacing local community networks that uphold each other.

RANT'S INTENDED NETWORK STRUCTURE

At least in the early stages of the establishment of 'network linkages' there will be no intentional formal structure. It is intended that: 

1. The network capitalise upon the Tamar communities' established network memberships and other relationships relevant to potential collaborations, projects and programs – research, advocacy and other. In doing so, establish a ‘corporate entity/identity’ of some kind that will enable the entity (network of networks) to pursue collaborative exploration of ideas and concepts relevant to Tamar communities. 

 2. A coalition of collaborative project teams and networks under the auspices of one or more established groups/organisations/institutions that have symbiotic sets of goals and objectives to those collectively espoused by RANT.

3. Using the institution’s network linkages, it is anticipated that it will be possible to initiate various projects devised to engage a diverse network of community based organisations, enterprises and businesses. 

4. Collectively, funding may be sought in collaboration with network members for infrastructure and facilities within the network that enhances or complements existing infrastructures and that enables the development of projects and programs in support RANT's raison d’être. 

5. Establish a publication network – hardcopy, electronic and digital – for the publication of information relevant to the network's raison d’être.