WILL THE CENTRE HOLD

Many year ago and talking in educational terms, Peter Wirt cautioned that as we look at development, growth and expansion, we do well to consider the need to maintain what is already in place. To keep on expanding and expanding ad infinitum might build a facade, but that can be detrimental if we forget to maintain and respect what is already in place. If expansion takes place in a reckless manner, organisations, like balloons being inflated can go ‘pop’. What then remains is a sad shambles. In stock market terms you would call it a ‘bull to bear’ crash.

Wirt’s paper was titled ‘Will the Centre Hold’. Organisations that commit to reckless expansion can collapse and take everything with them. We need governments at all levels to demonstrate that care and responsibility that goes with considered growth and building on what has gone before.

Australian, state, territory governments and local councils take note.