DEAR News Of The Area,
RESIDENTS are continually asked to fill in surveys, letting the council know what we think or want to make our scenic region a better place to live or visit.
Recently there have been calls for submissions on the Sandy Beach development, the Park Beach Movement and Place Plan and aquatic facilities to name a few.
These requests are made to make the process and outcome appear to be transparent and decided with public opinion, council, government or other agencies’ input.
We all know at the end of the day public opinion is only to make consultation appear to come into the final decision about what will happen or change.
Council may wonder why residents don’t submit objections, make submissions or do their tedious, often stacked, surveys online.
The reason is that it is a total waste of time and effort.
The 68 percent NO answer to high rise at the Jetty will be totally ignored because there is not enough financial gain for developers without it.
So, we spoil the magnificent harbour that outsiders clamber to come and see and locals swarm to on weekends to give a privileged handful a multi-million dollar view from their balcony.
The multi–million profit can come from tourism in the future when there is no more natural coast available close to other large cities along the coastline.
Why is there never forward thinking in these critical decisions?
Look around the older area of Coffs.
Many old and ageing single storey motels, hotels and accommodation line streets throughout the CBD and Park Beach precinct.
Why not refresh the old face of Coffs and leave the natural face alone?
The Jetty doesn’t need makeup, its natural beauty speaks for itself.
The ageing face of Coffs is what needs the botox.
Once we sell out to development Coffs loses its soul.
I am not against development, Coffs needs it to grow and survive.
What we need is the right development in the right place and for the right reasons.
When Council starts really listening to the voices in Coffs then we may answer their call for input.
Otherwise, why bother?
Otherwise elections are only two years away.
Regards,
Liz PHILPOTT,
Boambee East.
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