Michael Buxton – författare

For more than a decade, Melbourne has had the fastest-growing population of any Australian capital city. It is expanding outward while also growing upward through vast new high-rise developments in the inner suburbs. With an estimated 1.6 million additional homes needed by 2050, planners and policymakers need to address current and emerging issues of amenity, function, productive capacity and social cohesion today.

Planning Melbourne reflects on planning since the post-war era, but focuses in particular on the past two decades and the ways that key government policies and influential individuals and groups have shaped the city during this time. The book examines past debates and policies, the choices planners have faced and the mistakes and sound decisions that have been made. Current issues are also addressed, including housing affordability, transport choices, protection of green areas and heritage and urban consolidation. If Melbourne’s identity is to be shaped as a prospering, socially integrated and environmentally sustainable city, a new approach to governance and spatial planning is needed and this book provides a call to action.

"Super funny, super silly, and super AWESOME!" - Jess Bradley, author of Super DweebGET READY FOR INSTANT FUN AND CHAOS, IN THIS HILARIOUS MIDDLE GRADE COMIC BOOK STORY!One day, best friends Ollie and Ivy stumble across something TRULY AMAZING in the woods near their homes - a mysterious bag of magical jellybeans. When Ivy drops one in a puddle, a monster suddenly appears!Ollie and Ivy quickly discover that monsters are great for rodeo rides, perfect for scaring off bullies, and exactly what's needed to reach that cookie jar on the top shelf. They can also be an unstoppable force of anarchy! But a little mess and chaos never did anyone any harm - right?Meanwhile, somewhere in another dimension, evil sorcerer Lord Hokum pats the back pocket of his cloak. "Wait a second. Where have my magical beans gone?" Look out kids - here comes trouble!This brand-new graphic novel series by Michael Buxton is perfect for fans of Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid with laugh-out-loud humour, a lovable cast of characters and full-colour illustrations. Ideal for kids aged 7-9.

"Super FUNNY, super SILLY, and super AWESOME" - Jess Bradley, author of Super DweebGET READY FOR INSTANT FUN AND CHAOS!When 10-year-old Ollie and his best friend Ivy find a mysterious bag of magical jelly beans, they're catapulted into the adventure of a lifetime. Squeezed inside each bean is a wildly unpredictable, fun-loving monster. And to unleash that monster on an unsuspecting world for ten whole minutes, all they need to do is add a little water!In the latest adventure: Thanks to their magical, monster-summoning JELLY BEANS, schoolkids Ollie and Ivy have met DOZENS of crazy creatures from other worlds. But they've NEVER visited another dimension for themselves-until NOW! Can our heroes survive a trip to the horrible home world of evil enchanter LORD HOKUM?A fantastically funny, fully illustrated comic book-style story for mischievous kids aged 7+.

Peri-urban landscapes are some of the world’s most vulnerable areas. Although they are often thought of simply as land awaiting development, these landscapes retain important natural resources and make valuable contributions to agriculture, water use, biodiversity conservation, landscape preservation and human well-being. Billions of people use them and enjoy their natural values. Their continuing loss threatens to alter our relationships with nature and have a negative impact on the environment.

The Future of the Fringe first explores the history of peri-urban areas, international peri-urban policy and practice, and related concepts. It analyses internationally relevant issues such as green belts and urban growth boundaries, regional policy, land supply and price, and the concepts of liveability, attractiveness, well-being and rural amenity. It then examines a range of Australian peri-urban issues, as an extended case study. The book argues for a precautionary approach so that we retain the greatest number of options to adapt during rapid and unprecedented change.