DEAR News Of The Area,
LINDA Dalton’s letter “Affordable housing benefits us all” (NOTA, 31/7/2026) shows that she, and many others, completely misunderstand the reasons why many in Urunga and elsewhere object to the proposal to use Lot 1, Ferry Street, Urunga as a site for affordable housing.
We agree that affordable housing should benefit us all. Indeed, this is the exact reason we are opposed to this ill-conceived project, as it will be detrimental in many ways – not only to those living nearby, but to the surrounding neighborhood, the local environment, and Urunga as a whole.
Helping some people at the expense of many others is a bad plan, but that is just what is proposed.
Over many decades Lot 1 has evolved into a delightful and much-appreciated little greenspace, with a diversity of local plants and animals naturalised underneath the majestic canopy of multiple mature eucalypts and other species, including 70-plus year-old blackbutts, which have already developed hollows and are home to at least two species of glider and other tree-dwelling creatures.
Add a couple of seats and a little maintenance, and Lot 1 would be a world-class nature-park in miniature – an asset any country town would be envious of.
But Bellingen Shire Council and others want to destroy it.
Claims by proponents that their plan will improve the site’s environmental assets and even improve its bio-diversity are beyond fanciful, and seem to be an exercise in: “tell a big enough lie for long enough and people will believe you”
Putting six or more houses, each with their complement of people, families, human activity and paraphernalia, on a bushy block of just over 2000sqm, will result in the destruction of any existing eco-system, and the death of probably all of the trees due to the amount soil disturbance and root destruction that would be necessary in establishing these houses and their services on site.
The fact that Bellingen Council is prepared to impose this flawed and experimental project on a neighbourhood and community who fiercely do not want it, and who have, over a long period, presented to councillors a multitude of compelling reasons why it should not go ahead (with zero response from most), suggests that Council is more concerned with the kudos of being “first in Australia” than with good and thoughtful housing policy.
Also, when people see what is happening on Lot 1, it will not reflect well on the reality of affordable housing.
If Council wishes to address the affordable housing issue, it must find ways which are less destructive and less divisive.
Regards,
Peter Dingle,
Urunga.
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