Community Based Income Trial

Community Based Income Trial

for Live Well Tasmania with Robin Krabbe

Interview by Tania Brookes, Permaculture Tasmania’s Committee member

When talking about permaculture the mind immediately conjures up images of lush gardens and bumper yields from a year long process of toiling in our patch with a hope of abundant harvests to nourish ourselves, our families and to share with others in our community.

To showcase permaculture aligned projects beyond gardening, we were privileged to interview Robin Krabbe PhD from Live Well Tasmania to discuss their current proposal for a Community Based Income (CBI) trial. 

The Permaculture Flower, developed by permaculture co-originator David Holmgren, provides a framework highlighting the interconnectedness of sustainability domains. One such domain is Finance and Economics encompassing local currencies and bartering, farmers markets and community supported agriculture programs and ethical investment and Fair Trade to name just a few. The CBI trial aligns with this domain in terms of advocating for new economic paradigms. 

Robin shared her educational and professional background, beginning with an economics degree that led to 12 years with CSIRO. While initially not enjoying economics at university, she later recognised how understanding classical economics provided valuable context for her later work. After leaving CSIRO, Robin worked for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Victoria and became involved in organic agriculture. Robin discussed the Community Based Income (CBI) project, a proposed trial that would provide a liveable wage (comparable to the age pension) to individuals participating in education, training, caring roles, and community projects. 

The project addresses four key problems:

  • unemployment and wasted human resources
  • rising living costs and financial insecurity
  • an inadequate welfare system and
  • unfunded community and environmental work.

Robin explained that CBI differs fundamentally from Universal Basic Income (UBI) by being voluntary yet supported, rather than unconditional. Unlike UBI, which provides income without conditions, CBI emphasises social support and psychosocial assistance for disadvantaged people facing barriers like mental health challenges or social disconnection.

Participants would have choices:

  • such as to pursue education and training
  • engage in community projects or
  • fulfil caring responsibilities.

Estimates for the proposal are $750,000 for the first year (covering approximately 100 participants), increasing to $1.2 million in year two and $1.5 million in year three. These costs assume the government continues paying the current Job Seeker rate, with CBI providing a top up to achieve a liveable wage. 

Robin is currently exploring a partnership between:

  • Live Well Tasmania in Wynyard and
  • Burnie Works in Burnie.

Burnie Works have proposed a wage subsidy model as a stepping stone toward realising the full CBI vision. This is likely to increase the potential for project funding in the short term.

Robin emphasised the strong alignment between CBI and Permaculture ethics and principles, particularly ‘Earth Care’ and ‘People Care’. Referencing David Holmgren’s publication Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, Robin highlighted principles like:

  • ‘obtain a yield’ (ensuring efforts provide useful rewards from food to community wellbeing)
  • ‘apply self-regulation and accept feedback’ (monitoring systems and learning from mistakes), and
  • ‘integrate rather than segregate’.

The CBI model would mobilise resources for work that neither the private sector nor adequately funded public sector currently support, caring for people and environmental regeneration. The CBI trial would focus on Northwest Tasmania, where there is significant capacity for local food production and community projects. 

Tasmanian politicians have expressed preliminary support for the concept.

Robin stressed that community engagement is crucial:

  • talking to others about the model
  • contacting local politicians to advocate for funding
  • providing feedback and
  • once funded participating in grassroots projects like community gardens, local food systems, and Transition initiatives. 

Robin also emphasised that creating a sustainable world requires significant inner work. Developing deep listening skills, self-regulation, gratitude, empathy and the ability to understand those who are different.

She noted that polarisation is a major barrier to sustainability and that the quality of our relationships at family, community, and broader levels is fundamental to creating change. This inner transition work must accompany outer transition projects.

Robin’s Top Tips for Sustainable Living in Tasmania 

  1. Work on yourself
    This is the top priority. Living sustainably and being constructive in the permaculture movement requires developing interpersonal skills: deep listening, self-regulation, being present for others and the environment. Read extensively about developing gratitude and understanding people who are different. Polarisation is a huge barrier to sustainability.
  2. Join a community group
    Take collective action with others through lobbying, transition projects, community gardens, or other initiatives that build community capacity. 
  3. Focus on local food
    Grow your own food, participate in community gardens, consume locally-produced food, do your own composting, and engage in food distribution and preservation. 
  4. Be physically active
    Physical activity benefits mental health while reducing your footprint. Walk or ride bicycles instead of driving. 
  5. Become a dedicated permaculture practitioner
    Focus on care of people, care of the planet, and fair share.

Those interested in learning more about or supporting the CBI project can reach out to Robin at:

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