Dear Editor.

Re: The Year Ahead…Take A Deep Breath.

Having read your article and the future of living/housing/sharing our country environment, I have to say that Councils have been slow to adapt to the concept of Eco Villages. Lower cost housing is needed, particularly for seniors. A rental model is particularly attractive to those approaching retirement with limited assets. But they do not have to be the current highly unattractive manufactured villages that strip the environment of all trees. Innovative solutions backed by Council are possible. Think, sufficiency in power and water. Trees retained. Community gardens encouraged. It requires innovative amendments to Local Environment Plans to make it happen. These are basically gazetted by Macquarie Street (in general.) They recognise “eco tourism” but not “eco villages.” Change is definitely needed.

Warren Cross

Lansdowne