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The contextual dimension of risk dialogues : The case of water recycling weblogs in South East Queensland, Australia
Summerville, Jennifer Miller, Evonne Bell, Lorraine Buys, Elinor Laurie
Summerville, Jennifer
Miller, Evonne
Bell, Lorraine
Buys, Elinor Laurie
Abstract
In January 2007, the Premier of Queensland, Australia, made the controversial decision to introduce recycled water into South East Queensland's drinking supply, igniting significant community debate. This paper analyses the content of an Australian anti-recycling weblog (blog) that incorporates debate about the 'Toilet to Tap' proposal in Toowoomba as a means of understanding how positions surrounding new technologies are formed in the context of blogs. Using the Public Acceptability of Controversial Technologies (PACT) framework as a conceptual guide, this article examines how people position themselves in the water recycling debate and establish identities in relation to institutional and political contexts. The key theme identified within the case-study weblog was the construction of a David and Goliath-type battle between the 'ordinary resident' versus the 'authorities' (local council, government and experts). Our analysis reveals how people's positions in relation to water recycling are influenced, as much by the political and institutional context, as by perceptions of water recycling technology.
Keywords
Economics, Finance, Business, Environment, Industry, Sustainability
Date
2017
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
World Sustainable Development Outlook 2007: Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century
Volume
Issue
Page Range
256-263
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
Copyright © 2007 Allam Ahmed.