Professor John Cole, Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Australia, is known for his work on sustainability and regional development. Below is a focused overview of what he writes and advocates about.
Cole’s writings primarily focus on sustainable development, resilience, and socio-economic systems in regional Australia.
His work spans academic research, policy submissions, conference presentations and public commentary, often published through his blog ‘New Thinking for a Resilient Regional Australia’ (profjohncole.com), books, and institutional reports.
Below are the key themes and topics he addresses:
Sustainable Development in Regional Australia:
Cole advocates for sustainable practices in regional economies, emphasizing agriculture, clean energy, and infrastructure. For example, he defends the use of buffel grass in Queensland’s beef industry as a drought-resistant, carbon-sequestering ground cover, arguing against its classification as a weed to avoid excessive regulation that burdens farmers.
He critiques urban-centric policies that overlook the economic realities of pastoral regions, urging policymakers to prioritize biosecurity and biodiversity conservation in protected areas rather than retrofitting farming regions.
His leadership in organisations like the Environment Management Industry Association of Australia, the Environmental Protection Agency Queensland, and in the establishment of Queensland’s Office of Clean Energy (2008–2009) informed his writings on climate change adaptation, the energy transition and sustainability innovation.
Regional Resilience and Socio-Economic Systems:
Cole’s research explores resilience theory, defining regional resilience as the capacity of communities to adapt to change while preserving core values and exploiting new opportunities. He argues that resilient regions require integrated strategies weaving together natural, human, technological, and financial capitals.
He writes about the challenges facing regional Australia, such as demographic shifts (e.g., baby boomer retirements) and economic transitions post-mining boom, advocating for policies that foster adaptive capacity through innovation and collaboration.
Cole emphasizes the need for decentralized governance, proposing a restructuring of Australia’s federation into smaller regional provinces to address power imbalances between metropolitan and rural areas. He cites Queensland’s vast electorate sizes (e.g. Traeger, the size of Sweden) as evidence of inadequate regional representation and scope for local self determination.
Climate Change and Low-Carbon Transition:
Cole addresses climate adaptation strategies at the regional level, advocating for sectors like agriculture, tourism, and clean energy to enhance resilience. He contributed to Queensland’s Climate Adaptation Strategy, stressing stakeholder collaboration with local governments and industry.
He argues that regional communities can transition to low-carbon economies while adapting to climate impacts, focusing on practical solutions like localized energy systems and carbon sequestration in agriculture.
His writings critique global climate policy complexities, describing climate change as a “diabolical” issue for policymakers due to economic, technological, and environmental trade-offs.
Health and Well-being in Regional Australia:
Cole writes about improving regional healthcare systems, advocating for patient-centric models that reduce administrative burdens and enhance access. During Resilient Regions Week 2017, he highlighted issues like poor integration of patient records and proposed solutions like nurse navigators and telehealth to improve care delivery.
He emphasizes addressing health disparities between urban and rural areas through research and policy prioritizing quality of life and patient outcomes.
Australian History and Population Policy:
With a PhD in Australian demographic history, Cole writes about the history of the Australian federation and its implications for regional development. He critiques the “stillborn” federation model, which concentrates power in urban centers, leaving regions underrepresented.
He advocates for a “Big Australia” with a decentralized population settlement pattern, encouraging migration to regional centres beyond the coastal rim to balance growth. He supports federal migration strategies that prioritize regional development through investment in housing, infrastructure, and services.
Economic and Environmental Policy:
Cole’s writings analyze regional economic transitions, such as those following the mining boom, through submissions to inquiries like the Productivity Commission’s study on regional economies. He critiques narrow economic analyses that overlook socio-cultural factors, pushing for multidisciplinary approaches.
He critiques urban voter dominance in federal budgets, noting that regional Australia is often outvoted two-to-one, impacting funding for infrastructure like dams or housing. He calls for proactive regional initiatives to secure federal investment, such as through the National Reconstruction Fund.
Queensland Politics and Regional Advocacy:
Cole addresses Queensland-specific issues, such as his opposition to daylight saving, which he argues would disproportionately burden regional and rural communities because of the state’s vast geography.
He supports regional self-determination, noting northern Queensland’s push for statehood as a response to metropolitan dominance.
Key Platforms and Contributions
Blog (New Thinking for a Resilient Regional Australia): Cole’s primary outlet for public commentary, covering topics like climate change, regional health, and governance. Posts range from policy analyses to reflections on events like Resilient Regions Week which he initiated at the University of Southern Queensland.
Books and Academic Work: He has authored books on Australian history such as “Shaping a City: Greater Brisbane 1925-1985” and contributed to academic papers on resilience and sustainability, often through the Institute for Resilient Regions, which he was commissioned to establish in 2014.
Policy Submissions: Cole’s submissions, such as to Queensland’s Climate Adaptation Strategy or to the Productivity Commission, focus on regional policy emphasising resilience-focused approaches.
Public Speaking and Media: As a thought leader, he contributes to media (e.g., ABC radio and TV, Queensland Country Life) and conferences, discussing Australian and Queensland politics, regional development and sustainability issues.
Recognition and Impact
Awards: Cole received the Queensland Premier’s Award for Leadership in Sustainability (2012) and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM, 2016) for his contributions to environment, education, and community.
Legacy: The John Cole Scholarship at UniSQ, established in 2022, supports students from his home region (South Burnett), reflecting his commitment to regional education.
Conclusion
Professor John Cole OAM writes extensively about sustainable development, regional resilience, climate adaptation, health disparities, and governance reform in regional Australia, with a focus on Queensland. His work blends historical insight, policy analysis, and advocacy for decentralized, resilient communities, often challenging urban-centric narratives. For deeper exploration, visit his blog at profjohncole.com
Professor John Cole 