So enough of this fence-sitting - I have decided to have my say on the Manyana development versus save the block issue.
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Before I enter the debate, I must stress this is my personal opinion.
So, there are two sides to this issue - the developer Ozy Homes and the community campaign led by the Manyana Matters Environmental Association are the main parties squaring off.
One wants to develop the piece of land which they own and the other wants the block protected because of the devastating bushfire that destroyed much of the surrounding bush.
Now here is where I enter with my idea on a way to move forward.
I don't have an economics degree but I am relatively confident the federal government, NSW government or Shoalhaven City Council can't afford to buy the land given all the COVID-19 costs they are facing.
However, why can't they pool their funds and lease the land from Ozy Homes?
All parties could sit down and have a chat and work about what would be agreeable terms for both of them.
The land could be leased for five or 10 years, while the surrounding bushland recovers.
The length of the lease would have to be worked by something who knows how long the bushfire recovery process would take.
Ozy Homes, with a lease arrangement, would at least be getting some sort of monetary reward from the land it legally owns.
Let's face it - Ozy Homes did not start the bushfires and as a company, it would have salaries and bills to pay.
Sure they put up a fence around the block but in general have they done anything wrong?
Not that I am aware of.
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Another thing to remember is without development, the Shoalhaven would not exist.
My home in Falls Creek and places like Manyana would not exist unless companies like Ozy Homes developed them.
I have a mountain of respect for all the people involved with Manyana Matters Environmental Association.
Even Ozy Homes would be impressed with the passion, commitment and dedication shown by this community-led group.
Even with my limited environmental knowledge, I can see the land has immense importance - even more so following the bushfires.
It's shocking to see the devastation caused by the bushfires when you are driving to Manyana.
Our precious native animals need this block to survive.
So once again, a lease arrangement could be the way to go if the block cannot be bought outright and given to the community is not a viable option.
What do you think?
