My instinctive reaction, based on the information here, is that introducing new residents (especially where there is need) is not unreasonable. We are a nation where people are increasingly living alone, which is far from ideal – socially, economically, or environmentally.

I am not convinced that we (as a nation) need more dwellings, filled with more people living alone. I am in favour of more mature, sharing arrangements. This might involve modifications to an existing home or a new build.

I personally abhor soulless suburban development on mass, so I sympathise with some of the objections. The test (for me) would be whether the development has been well-considered and designed for the individual need, or solely as an investment /money-making venture.

Increasing the resident population need not involve more cars either. I don’t believe any household in a well-designed community/ city ever needs more than 1 car. Perhaps this might be an opportunity for the whole community to review driving habits and instigate new car-pooling, car-sharing or other shared transport arrangements.

Ultimately, too many Australians are aging in isolation, with very little support. I’d love to see a community – like this one – work towards a sustainable solution that works for its people.

Good Luck to you all.

Since I moved here in 2000 about 10 buildings have sprung up around my lot. Im no stranger to people arriving as your labels “nimby” and “banana” suggest. I advocate for restraint to further building on the allotments because we are at peak capacity now. There is less noise and less heavy machinery on our roads now. People need a break from the noise and disturbance. Its nothing to do with disengagement from humanity as is being implied by some. I use a bike for about half my journeys to and from town. I have seen only one or two other doing this, and only rarely. This is over ten years of living here. I have stopped to remove a run over baby turtle inside the entry to Jarlanbah. So far wildlife casualties have been relatively low. How can we expect residents to be aware of the fragile ecosystem we are living in the midst of when the majority use motor cars even for most of their trips to neighbours houses? This is inspite of the provision of walking trails that are mowed regulary.

Accusations of bullying have been flung about since day one of this hamlet. Most are fed up with it.

To label others as bullies perpetuates an us and them scenario, divide and conquer being the actual agenda behind it. I detest this competitive to-ing and fro-ing betwen factions that readily disintegrate as people line up in a different order when a new issue arises. Meanwhile the environment suffers as stressed people take out their frustration in their driving and other habits. Talk of higher density housing on Jarlanbah is psychologically detrimental. People who only have experience of it in overseas locations do not understand that it is a whole different set of relationships here. Their comparisons don’t make sense.
Peah.