Opting Out to Live the Dream
Another year has passed, 2025 Can recall our local council, seventies, early eighties before the advent of the computer age. A mere handful in admin, the outdoor staff did all the heavy lifting, roads, bridges etc etc, everything was done within. Everyone knew everyone inside and out. But to-day so much is done via external contractors, which raises the subject of emissions. Could this be a factor contributing to councils’ huge reduction in emissions, having been informed that employing outside contractors is just another ploy to reduce one’s local emissions. If true maybe just another green con. Must comment on that beautiful entrance to Bello via the golf course, but why would some idiot want to blot that out by planting all those trees adjacent to Waterfall Way. Bellingen already developing the problem of too many trees, reducing those views and more importantly the sunshine, with doctors reporting an increase of mould related health impacts.
But the big one on every screen and paper, the shortage of housing. A reputable survey reveals over the last decade the number of brickies has reduced from 5 to 3 and probably a similar reduction in many other trades. Little surprise as we witness so many tradies and skilled workers (the cream) opting out before retirement age, the big 4-wheel drive and caravan to live the dream, travelling this great country while still young and fit to enjoy it. Then the pension and some super or savings left over until Mum and Dad kick the bucket and pass along that inheritance.
Certainly, an ever-increasing number of folks are getting the message early as they witness the incentive to work and save to be self-funded, a pipe dream, as the government steps up to rob your piggy bank. All that hard work and self-sacrifice, paid your taxes, lived moderately, robbed to share with those, who chose a different lifestyle.
As you wipe away the tears, recently had a conversation with a chap who asked what I did on my little farm. Run a few cattle now I replied. Are you a breeder he enquired. No, my youngest is now 50 so haven’t bred now for 50 years.
Darcey Browning 0266558539
LOT 1 FERRY STREET URUNGA PROTECTION GROUP
In his letter “Housing Group Defends Land Trust Plan”, Michael Darcy demonstrates that he does not understand the issue involved; whether the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust is a worthy organisation or not, or whether their idea for a CLT is appropriate for Bellingen, is not the issue. Our issue is the unwarranted destruction of something that is the heart and soul of one of Urunga’s most delightful areas, which has for generations been an asset, not just for locals and passers-by, but for all Urunga. This magnificent little piece of surviving bushland spreads a calm and shady presence over all it’s surroundings, provides restful recreation for those who wander amongst it’s trees, fun for children (and dogs), an effective screen for the railway, and importantly a safe home and corridor for native birds and wildlife.
The notion that environmental outcomes may even be improved by construction of houses on this land is farcical beyond belief, but serves to show how fanciful and disconnected from reality the proponents of this plan are. The moment a chainsaw, a bulldozer, an excavator, starts work on this block, all environmental values will be extinguished.
Implicit in the proposal to construct housing on Lot 1 Ferry Street, is the idea that any “unused” land has no value, thus is ripe for exploitation. But land has many other values besides just being a site for housing, in fact Council’s own “Managed Tree Policy” states the importance of trees on Council land as “contributing to bio-diversity, supporting local wildlife, improving visual amenity, and enhancing the character of local areas,” among other attributes. Lot 1 ticks all these boxes and more, and certainly creates a beautiful environment on many levels in a suburban area, not just for now but into the future, which is a precious thing.
My Webster’s dictionary defines “vandalism” as “ ignorant destruction, especially of that which is beautiful”, which seems pretty relevant to this proposal by WWCLT; and to force this vandalism on residents of Urunga for the sake of a theoretical few is, I believe, arrogant and high-handed.
I would not have thought that such values would be acceptable in Bellingen Shire.
Peter Dingle
Dementia Action Week
Dementia doesn’t just impact the person living with the condition and their immediate carers; it also impacts their family, friends and wider social network.
With an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and 1.7 million people involved in their care, chances are you know someone who is impacted by dementia.
People living with dementia tell us that friends and family often drop away, not knowing how to interact with them once they have a diagnosis.
That’s why this Dementia Action Week (15 – 21 September) we are challenging everyone in the community to reach out and reconnect to someone impacted by dementia because nobody can do it alone.
For some practical ideas about how to reconnect, visit dementia.org.au/dementiaactionweek
For support any time, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Merran Kelsall
Ann Pietsch
Planned destruction of habitat in Urunga
As a Urunga resident since 2012, I am writing to express my strong rejection to lot 1 Ferry St Urunga being recommended as a site for affordable housing by the waterfall way community land trust (WWCLT). While the desire to alleviate the housing crisis is very pressing, I have issues with this proposal:
Lot one Ferry street is a parcel of native bushland with magnificent old tress and a natural habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. It is one of the few bits of natural bushland left in Urunga. It has value in just existing. I’m incredulous that the WWCLT project views this green space as under-utilised, (via their web page) and appropriate for housing. Have they just arrived with the first fleet! It is now over 200 years since the british colonisers arrived with an attitude of turning this vast “under-utilised” land into “something useful” for white settlement. Today, we see the results of this unfettered ‘progress’. Since colonisation, huge tracts of Australia’s rainforests have been destroyed. We have lost more mammals than any other country in the world with more species at risk of extinction in the next 20 years. I am flabbergasted that this group who purport to be environmentally conscious, are prepared to continue with rampant destruction of native land.
The WWCLT also describe their project as grass roots. None of the residents bordering this land were involved in the decision making. There was no consultation process or discussion apart from a meeting in Urunga held by the WWCLT where the decision had already been made. Not a grassroots community approach in my view.
Graeme Mooney