Robert Prestipino
Vital Places
Robert Prestipino is a Passionate Design Thinker and project Innovator for Regional Leaders seeking to create places that will thrive in the future. He is a qualified Urban Designer, Registered Landscape Architect, Corporate member of the Planning Institute of Australia, and an Australian Certified Economic Developer. For the last 35 years, Robert has regularly contributed articles, presentations, and workshops on the challenges of delivering catalyst projects. Robert’s advice on design and sustainable development is highly regarded, resulting in his invitation as the keynote presenter at TEDxGympie on regional innovation.
Innovative Rural Development: Quilpie Wellspring and the Micro Precinct Approach
The Quilpie Wellspring Project, a pioneering business case study from rural Queensland, demonstrates the potential of micro precincts to drive sustainable growth in rural and remote areas. Conducted from March 2018 to June 2021, this theoretical exploration aimed to devise a development plan and viable business case for a 39-hectare public land parcel in Quilpie to enhance employment, local lifestyle, and regional tourism.
The business case proposed an innovative approach to rural development by integrating diverse, small-scale enterprises within a single precinct. It envisioned an enterprise cluster of 12 micro business opportunities, with a craft brewery, aquaponics, and solar distilled water production at its core, showcasing efficient land and resource utilisation.
A central focus of the project was social, economic, and environmental sustainability, emphasising renewable energy, waste recycling, and water conservation. These practices, designed to address local environmental challenges, provide a model for sustainable growth in similar communities.
Additionally, the project highlighted the importance of aligning development with community values and stakeholder perspectives. Its approach to job creation and population retention through micro-business clusters offers a new roadmap for place-based development in other regional, rural, and remote areas.
The business case also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in rural development. Potential collaborations, particularly in sectors like brewing and aquaponics, demonstrated the effectiveness of cooperative models.
In summary, the Quilpie Wellspring Project, as a business case, exemplifies an innovative micro precinct model. It blends principles of sustainability, community engagement, and collaborative approaches to foster growth in diverse rural and remote locations. This model provides a blueprint for similar place-based enterprise initiatives, offering adaptable strategies for sustainable regional development.
