Many long-time residents think the gates should have been closed 30 years ago. Those who came ten years ago blame Johnny-come-latelies for all more recent residential and commercial development and traffic congestion. No doubt the most recent arrivals reckon their coming has made the shire complete.

The fact is, everyone has played a part in the shire’s growth, whether they are life-long residents or came yesterday. This beautiful area will always attract new-comers. In a free country, people live where they choose (or can afford to). We can’t shut them out just because we got here first.

The challenge is to house people of all ages, lifestyles, household sizes and income brackets, while retaining the Southern Highlands character that so many people love.

Undoubtedly, we need to preserve rural areas and green belts, but “drawing a line” around existing towns and villages is not the solution.

The State Government estimates that Wingecarribee will need 8700 new houses by 2031. So far, Council has identified space for only 5700 new houses within towns and villages and in planned developments. That’s a shortfall of 3000 houses.

Without greenfield developments, the only choices will be higher density urban housing, threatening the character and lifestyle of the towns and villages, or property prices within the reach of only the wealthiest.

A better answer would be for residents and Council to work together to plan appropriate developments with a mix of housing styles to cater for all those who want to live and work here, but keeps the balance between urban and rural living.