In recent years, conspiracy theories that were once almost unheard of have spread like wildfire, with a growing number of Australians now sceptical of things like vaccines, 5G and election results.
But among the bizarre list of beliefs is one conspiracy theory that has increasingly made headlines across the world.
And it’s quickly sucking in countless gullible Aussies.
15-minute cities
In 2015, Paris-based urbanist Carlos Moreno developed the 15-minute city concept, which is the idea that city dwellers should have access to everything they need – whether it be supermarkets, schools, work and eateries – within a 15 to 20-minute walk, cycle or public transport trip.
Anyone who has ever faced a long and painful commute will immediately see the appeal of having the daily essentials at their fingertips, and major cities around the world have embraced the urban planning concept as a result.
Melbourne, Paris, London, Edmonton and Oxford are among the many cities attempting to boost liveability for residents – but while many see it as simple common sense, a dangerous conspiracy theory is taking hold.
Conspiracy theory spreads
Critics of the 15-minute city concept – also known as “Smart Cities” – somehow believe it is part of a secret plan by global elites to restrict people’s freedom and movements.
In November 2022, a well known conspiracy website attracted widespread attention after alleging “power mad politicians” in Oxfordshire, England wanted to “lock residents into one of six zones to ‘save the planet’ from global warming … confining residents to their own neighbourhoods” as part of “the latest stage in the ‘15 minute city’ agenda”.
The message was shared on Facebook, where it was quickly flagged as “false information” – but that didn’t stop the claim spreading far and wide, by both regular, anonymous conspiracy theorists and well-known right-wing commentators like Jordan Peterson.
‘Lies are enormous’
Unsurprisingly, Carlos Moreno has been quick to condemn the conspiracy and those who spread it, telling Forbes recently that the idea that 15-minute cities was part of a covert global agreement to keep people locked down was insane.
“Their lies are enormous,” he told the publication.
“You will be locked in your neighbourhood; cameras will signal who can go out; if your mother lives in another neighbourhood, you will have to ask for permission to see her and so on,” he said, listing common false claims.
“They insult me, call me human trash, Neo-Fascist or a rotten Latino.”
Gullible Aussies sucked in
While the conspiracy theory might have started on the other side of the planet, it has well and truly taken off in Australia, with more and more locals being sucked in by the wild belief.
One way it has spread is through the My Place Australia network, which has websites and Facebook groups with thousands of members in local communities across the country.
For example, the minutes from the My Place Frankston community meeting, held on February 1, reveals a concerted plan to disrupt local council proceedings with objections to 15-minute city proposals.
“It is Crunch time 2023, really time we go after our councils as they are the ones bringing in the 5G, the Smart Cities, etc,” the minutes reads.
“We’ve got to be brave and really speak up at Council meetings, we need to write questions and get up and speak.
“I’m thinking of writing a 21 Minute talk, so I will need several people to get up and do 3 mins each. So it is just reading your 3 mins then mark with a highlighter then the next person comes along and does the same thing, until the speech is finished.”
Similar disruptions by My Place members during council meetings about 15-minute cities have also taken place in other areas as well, including at Melbourne’s Yarra Ranges, which recently led to police being called to control an unruly mob of conspiracists.
Anti-15-minute city sentiments are also rife on Telegram, with Australian users of the alternative social media platform sharing their fears on local conspiracy theory groups.
Australia’s 15-minute cities
A number of cities across Australia have announced support for the 15-minute city concept, including in Melbourne, where there are already plans to “create a city of 20-minute neighbourhoods”.
“Creating well-designed walkable neighbourhoods that are connected through a mix of land-uses, housing types and access to quality public transport, we can create more healthy, liveable communities,” the Victorian State Government’s website states.
NSW’s Future Transport Strategy also includes plans for transport and shopping hubs in Parramatta and Chatswood in Sydney as well as Wollongong and Coffs Harbour, while experts have also outlined Brisbane‘s smart city potential.