A: Community 2018 Bruny Life Community Survey – Respondent Comments My experience with the community has been very positive in that all BI's we have met have been helpful and friendly. I have been accepted and welcomed by many people on Bruny. There are all sorts of avenues for a new comer to slot in if you are willing to make a small effort. 99% of our community are amazing. The small amount of power trippers who try hard to intimidate people they haven’t even met are the reason why some of us don’t want to go to community meetings. There also needs to be a way working, flat out people and families can give input without having to attend meetings. I think social media would be a great way I have good friends but privacy/trust amongst the community is still an issue for me. The rumour mill/gossip can be rampant and damaging so it does stop me from fully participating and "putting what I think" out there. At times I think there is a lack of respect for a difference of opinion. Sometimes groups seem to have difficulty reaching agreement over matters - debate is healthy but sometimes it seems paralysing, disrespectful and damaging on a personal level. There have been some wonderful community leaders emerge. There are many positive social activities on the island that help break down barriers between people/groups/sectors of the community. It seems quite "us" and "them". If you haven't been an island resident for a long time or have a strong history with the island then you seem to be on the outer. There are a few community members who seem to control the shape of debates in the public domain Decisions being made by minority groups of, once again, 'new' residents who think they know better. Diverse community. Seems to be heading towards becoming a retirement home and attendant conservatism ie resistance to change - in some places anyway. I feel comfortable in the community and find it friendly and supportive. Feeling that the island is a special place and they are privileged to live here, some people translate this into demands for special and privileged treatment. Interesting diverse people. Diverse, artistic, confident I feel that a lot of the venues/businesses where you might expect to connect with other locals are largely tourism driven and that more venues of varying style and character where locals would like to hang out together would create a stronger community. Supportive, fantastic. I’m a surfer and have found the local surfing community on Bruny to be really positive and friendly, it’s a pleasure to be apart of. In the short time we have owned property at Alonnah we have been so impressed each time we are visiting at the local events that are on offer and how friendly everyone is. I really think that we as a community need to regulate tourism, I don’t mean this in a negative way as I like the fact that young islanders can stay and gain employment on the island now. Why not use busses either side of ferry? Even electric green!!!! We interact with more community members who, like ourselves, holiday on Bruny with permanent residence elsewhere. However the attachment of all property owners to the beautiful, at times idyllic, place we share is very strong. I suggest a new form of weekly or monthly newspaper be developed that is also online. Possibly to be printed in Hobart subject to costings. There seems to be a increasing negative "anti tourism" vibe. With an ever increasing residential population and tourist population, there's an urgent need for more infrastructure especially relating to public access for toilet facilities and rubbish collection. Most Page 1 of 11 These comments should be read in conjunction with the results of the Bruny Life Community Survey. Overall, comments tend to more critical or negative than overall survey results. A: Community 2018 Bruny Life Community Survey – Respondent Comments people moving to or visiting Bruny do so because of its uniqueness and beauty, but then want it to stay that way, I think it's going to be difficult to maintain a balance to preserve everything beautiful about the place with out a great deal of thought being put into it. I have noticed also with great concern over the past decade or so, how the structure of the undergrowth in a lot of bushland has been decimated by the wallabies. The bush through Adventure Bay, up Lockley's Road and around Lunawanna used to be thick, you couldn't see through it, let alone walk through it, now it's all gone and is very open. Any Ideas how to stop them? It doesn't seem united Important that north and south work together for effective results The community is divided between supporters /employees of entrepreneurial tourism operators and residents and shackies who value the natural values and quiet enjoyment of the island. Unrestrained tourism development with deteriorating infrastructure and economic domination of the island by a limited number of government preferred tourism operators is becoming a major factor in disruption of the social fabric of the island Too many people come here because it's 'so nice' and after 6 months they want to change everything. I would love to take part in more events but work four days per week on the mainland. When I am at the house, I am often there with visitors, often from the UK, who all love the island. We always go to the Art at the Point cafe and gallery, Get Shucked, Bruny Island Cheese, The Neck (when it's not riddled with Chinese visitors!), Adventure Bay, Rob Pennicott's new centre and then Cloudy Bay. I also lend the house to friends to enjoy the island too. Hopefully in a few years' time, when working less (and my dogs are less bouncy!), I will be able to stay there for longer periods and take part more. A community house would be great as a hub New people come down and want to change everything, they get bored and then they leave. We are not living full time on Bruny yet, am about to build residence so only a little involvement with the Bruny community as yet but looking forward to more involvement when living there after house built. We strongly value a sense of community, and would suggest any investment in facilities, groups, events etc that give opportunities for residents (and visitors) to be involved There appears to be a lot of community groups and I wonder if they are all necessary or are they duplicating effort. I can still 'see' the north/south divide We have found islanders slow to get to know us even though we have been here for over 15 months and have attended many events. Islanders are not as welcoming as they perceive themselves to be overall As I appreciate giving my time to a lot of islanders, Bruny saved me from a hard time. This island gave me a job, a place to stay. I will remember all those positives energy from this community. We are new to the area and are cautious in our approach expressing any opinions. First we must learn to live here and we respect the locals and their way of life. Have not had much involvement as I am new to the island and am currently establishing my property. Community is a slippery notion. The Bruny community sees many people come, live and depart within seven years. The community now is very different than what it was ten years ago and twenty years ago. It is a much more fluid, changing community than people realise. We live on an island because we like being surrounded by water it gives us separation independence and we use it as a resource for food, recreation, transport, work and just for its splendour. Had for a long time issues with access, right of ways and neighbours. The Bruny Island community seems very supportive Page 2 of 11 These comments should be read in conjunction with the results of the Bruny Life Community Survey. Overall, comments tend to more critical or negative than overall survey results. A: Community 2018 Bruny Life Community Survey – Respondent Comments At times they seem very divided it is either one groups way or they other groups not good at working together The negativity on Facebook surprises me. In person I found everyone quite friendly. Can I please share my frustration that as a shack owner I have had to 'tick a box' to say that I am a 'shackie' rather than a part time resident, we pay the same rates as permanent residents and have to access the same services. My husband and I routinely spend three nights of every week at Bruny, desperate to get there after work on a Friday evening, returning to work Monday morning on the first ferry. The constant reference to 'shackies' can at times make one feel as though we are not as valued as 'permanent residents' when we all contribute in one way or another to the local community, even if it just by looking out for ones elderly neighbour, sharing produce from ones garden, or picking up litter from the beach on our daily walks. The Bruny Island community is quite fluid and changeable. There are some people who have been involved as Islanders for many decades. And there are some, who are no less passionate about Bruny, who have become members of the community quite recently.