DEAR News Of The Area,
MINISTER Jackson says that she will ensure 30 percent of the proposed development at the Jetty will be affordable housing.
History says this won’t happen.
The time honoured form is for the glossy brochures and politicians’ promises to precede a zoning change of the land in question which enormously enhances its value.
The land is then sold immediately to the highest bidding corporate developer to actually carry out the work.
The developer, with legal obligations to shareholders but none whatsoever to the community, discovers ruefully that modifications to the concept plan will have to be made in the interests of financial viability (public space and affordable housing are always the first babies overboard). The overseeing Consent Authority is the State Government which has just cashed the developer’s large cheque.
They, just as ruefully, accept the modifications.
If the State Government successfully rezones its land at the Jetty only two things are certain; this vital public land will be lost to the public forever and affordable housing will be built east of the railway line when hell freezes over.
Regards,
Frank SCAHILL,
Coffs Harbour.