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So what happens when the world's fossil fuel production can no longer keep up with the ever increasing demand? What happens when the implication of decades of dependence based around this relatively inexpensive and abundant energy source start to hit home? 

Welcome to the world of Peak Oil.

On Friday evening, in Sustainable Maleny's first major event of this type, these were just some of challenging questions confronting the close to 200 strong audience.

Centrepiece for the evening was the film Australia Pumping Empty - The Looming Peak Oil Crisis. For those not familiar with the term "Peak Oil", it is the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline. The film features interviews with experts from a wide range of fields from urban research to oil refining. They explain the implications of peak oil for Australia and the efforts that can be undertaken to reduce our oil dependence.

Click on the film's trailer below for a sense of the content.

Many people are not aware of the term. More concerning is the dependency that the world has on these fuels for most modern industrial transport, agricultural and industrial systems. After the peak, as production volumes fall by an estimated 2-8% per year, the subsequent possible severe increases in the price of oil will have negative implications for the global economy. Upon analysis of all the alternatives, the film concludes that only answer is to reduce our dependency on oil.

With that point clearly made, the other draw card for the evening was the forum panel discussion that followed the film. Conducted in a style similar to that of ABC's Hypothetical program and facilitated by Maleny's Michael Towsey, one time biologist, now computer research fellow with Queensland University of Technology and foundation member of the Prout Community Settlement Co-operative, Michael created the scenarios to be addressed by the panel members. The panel consisted of Mayor of Sunshine Coast Regional Council Bob Abbot, Sonya Wallace co-founder Sunshine Coast Action Centre (SEAC), Stuart McCarthy representative for the Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO) and Morag Gamble local permaculturalist.

Each of the panellists was set the scenario of a meeting with the Mayor and having the opportunity to get a message to the Mayor in their particular area of interest. The range of topics covered, the Transition Movement, local dependency, getting governments to work collaboratively and co-operatively with the community, growing food locally, getting governments at all levels to acknowledge the Peak Oil and its implications, preparing appropriate "Oil Shock" short & long term action plans and protecting quality agricultural land.

In his various responses Mayor Abbot had some key goals & messages:

• Sustainable population growth
• Not being able to continue to grow the way we have in the past 
• Developing more around public transport
• Recognising good quality agricultural land. "...sick of agricultural land going under houses or under water."
• Putting in place support systems to enable local producers to get goods to market
• We have forgotten what we already know about how to live sustainably
• The need for greater community engagement
• Taking more responsibility for looking after ourselves and not expecting someone else to fix problems

One of his final thoughts reflected the political reality that many of the things that need to change are electorally unattractive. No politician will be brave enough to propose the necessary changes until the community says what it wants.

It was clear that Mayor Abbot understood the mood of the audience and much of what he had to say was warmly received. One suspects that events such as these will be part of an ongoing dialogue between council and communities.

Various questions were taken from the floor followed by the presentation of gifts to the panellists, various thank yous, with the night concluding with the drawing of the raffle.

The event itself was well organised, presented and run. Reward no doubt for many months of planning and hard work.

For those wanting more information on Sustainable Maleny or would like a copy of the film they can contact Sustainable Maleny.

Tags: Bob Abbot, Peak Oil, Sustainable Maleny