The outcry over clearing for the new subdivision at Dolphin Point is perfectly understandable. Anyone who has grown accustomed to having bush at their doorstep is going to be shocked to find it completely bulldozed to make way for housing.
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Emotions are bound to run hot – from those opposed to the clearing and from those who see it as an inevitable byproduct of development and growth.
Step back from that emotion, however, and a few things become clear. One is that the subdivision for which the clearing has taken place was approved some time ago. Another is that the developer appears to have conformed to the consent conditions set down by Shoalhaven City Council.
Of course, none of this is likely to soothe the distress of neighbours who have watched in horror the plight of birds and animals whose homes have fallen.
If there is a lesson to be learned, it’s this: if residents want to fight for the bush around them, they need to get involved in the process of local government from the outset.
That means actively challenging development they feel inappropriate from the moment it is proposed.
Too often, we see and hear of anger at development once work has begun, by which time it really is too late to do anything about it.
This week is Local Government Week, a timely reminder that we all need to keep a close eye on the level of government that affects us most directly.
For busy, working people, this can be quite a challenge. There’s not only the time factor, but the fortitude required to be able to navigate the often mystifying bureaucratic process. Somehow, though, if we as a community want to protect what we hold dear, we have to become involved.
It’s more important than ever as pressure mounts on the South Coast for more homes.
While we can’t stop progress – nor should we want to if we are to enjoy the fruits of a healthy local economy – we can help determine how it is shaped. First, we need to be part of the conversation about how our future should look. Are we content to follow the lead of regions further north and allow suburbia to overtake our hills and forests? Do we accept the need for more homes growth but insist on strict conditions before they are approved?
Join your residents group and follow what council is doing. Most importantly, make your voice heard before it is too late.
