Letter to the Editor

Ref: HRAA News-Issue, December 2015

I for one, was hopeful that the nonsense portrayed by what is now known as the HRAA, the group that has had more names than I have had Christmas dinners and purports to represent the entire rural community, would at last have come to an end.

The half page editorial or publicity the magazine provided in its last issue is really a joke, and confirms, at least in my view, that these people are living on another planet. They seem to have no grasp of what is being looked at.

In their opening paragraph of their so-called news, they refer to and I quote “There has been considerable debate about the prospect of subdivision of land in the so-called rural areas of Hornsby Council.” What could they possibly mean by so-called rural areas? And what and who therefore are they attempting to represent.

They further go on, and again I quote “The Hornsby Rural Areas Association, HRAA was formed earlier this year by a collection of landowners in the rural zones who were concerned about the misinformation that is being peddled about the relevant issues.”

I will challenge them to show any element of misinformation that is being peddled about these issues – other than that continuing to come from themselves.

Again I quote: “HRAA meets regularly and has an interest in preserving the local ambiance of the area while recognising the need for more residents through sensible development”

Who decided that there was need for more community residents? Or that this could be gained through so- called sensible development.

Again and I quote “They believe that there are key issues which need to be clarified. HRAA has no links to developers and is comprised entirely of local residents and landowners”.

Here we go again. Is it not fair to ask HRAA whether or not at least one of their committee members is a property developer or not? And is not the same person a major proponent for the rezoning of the land at South Dural.

Again I quote “According to HRAA, agriculture and horticulture is no longer viable in the rural zones in Hornsby Council. You only need to look at the number of derelict properties in the relevant areas to see this reality”.

Are you people hiding under a rock or whatever? Do you ever venture outside of your own properties? I am unable to find anything more than one property that I would refer to as derelict and that is at 392 Galston Road. This property is owned by a developer who has been trying to have this property rezoned as a seniors living development. Having been unsuccessful in his numerous approaches he has allowed the place to become an absolute disgrace and this developer doesn’t even live in the shire.

Drive up and down Galston Road, Old Northern Road or any other major road, and there are scores of properties involved in agriculture and or horticulture.

HRAA’s continual whinging and moaning about the fact that they want reductions from five acres to one acre is not going to happen. At least not in the foreseeable future.

One acre is not a viable proposition. The cost of development and putting in the necessary infrastructure would not lead to affordable housing. Hornsby Council for some time now has adopted as a policy that these rural lands will not provide cheaper or affordable housing.

HRAA claim that a reduction in acreage property sizes would create housing options for Sydney residents where there is a demand and allow development of the kind found in some parts of Sydney.

Again this mob mustn’t read general newspapers or they would know that all the development is being planned closer to rail corridors so that people can access their workplaces easily with far less reliance on cars and grossly overloaded road systems.

As you state, you are an incorporated entity, I along with others, look forward to your first AGM which must be due very soon. Dennis Merchant OAM, President, for and on behalf of Sydney Agricultural, Rural and Public Land Trust members.