DEAR News Of The Area,

I REFER to the letter we received on in September, 2021, from MidCoast Council regarding a ‘Draft Rural Strategy: Proposed changes for properties at Pindimar’, advising that ‘it addresses paper subdivisions’ and is proposing ‘rezoning’ of non-urban land, advising that ‘paper subdivisions’ will change from ‘rural’ to ‘environmental’.

This letter referred to the website where people could obtain information and ‘have their say’.

It also advises that the Draft Rural Strategy is open for community feedback until Friday 19 November 2021.

We are and have been landholders of a ‘non urban’ block for over 30 years in South Pindimar.

During that time we have followed guidelines and complied to camping regulations and associated structures and members of the Pindimar Bundabah Community Association.

We purchased our land legally, have a title deed, and were unaware that ‘paper subdivisions’ would ever be ‘under threat’.

Many other land holders of ‘non urban’ land would be of the same opinion, understanding that we own ‘non urban’ land.

I have discovered this Draft Rural Strategy commenced in 2019!

During Covid lockdowns over the last 18 months there has been little opportunity for regular community meetings, people live throughout NSW and need to travel, consult, gain information etc.

The letter advises ‘in some cases, the environmental zone may mean some form of housing would be permitted if lot sizes are large enough’.

There is limited information on the website.

Who pays the legal fees/surveys/planning costs for ‘larger holdings’ suggested by Council?

It seems that this Draft Proposal cancels all landowners rights!

My Questions are:

1. Why are we, as land owners, just being advised now?
2. Why are we now only given weeks to comment?
3. How are we supposed to locate and contact current land owners, ‘work together’ as suggested in the letter, and comment within this time frame?
4. Given that MidCoast Council is considering this line of approach, is it going to compensate non urban landholders for ‘resuming’ our land, ‘impacting on our individual situations’.
5. Will Council extend the time frame for consultation and comment until June 2022?

In a time when people’s mental health is severely tested by Covid lockdowns and restrictions, I would hope that MidCoast Council can show some empathy and grant an extended time period for community consultation and comment.