Books by John Tilston

Times have changed for regional economic development. Back in the not-too-far-off good old days, announcements of a new factory setting up in town or the approval granted for a new large apartment block would have been widely accepted and even applauded by communities. Now mostly they are not. NIMBY has become the standard cry. Not in my backyard now extends to so many areas beyond nuclear power plants, mines and waste dumps, including to some that at first sight seem just plain puzzling. But this is the 21st Century reality and regional economic development policy and practice must respond with more sophisticated analysis and tools. Setting up a rival camp to outwit the NIMBYs and waging war to win the media battle is a short sighted, unsustainable approach. This book analyses what makes NIMBYism tick, surveys current best practice regional economic development and posits a coherent, sustainable approach to the creation of wealth and well-being in communities.

This book describes seminal moments in the history of the capital city of Queensland, which in just one generation has grown from country town to vibrant modern metropolis. It had a tough start. It became a separate state with less financial support from London than any other colony in the mighty British Empire. Almost a century later is was briefly the Allied Forces headquarters for the Pacific War, delighting and depressing its citizens in equal measure. Then it had to shake off corruption in high places before it could realise its great potential. There was some intrigue along the way. Early Brisbane society was enlivened by its own aristocratic Lady Di; a gruesome murder started a dynasty; the Battle of Brisbane was hushed-up to maintain morale; and the local 'Rat Pack' played a rather different Joke. Prior to European settlement - as Meanjin - it was a busy meeting place for the many indigenous clans in the Moreton Bay region.