OPINION: The final plan for Holzte could be made in accordance with the views of developers, and the rural area will have a repeat of Zuccoli or Durack, former independent MLA for Nelson Gerry Wood writes.

Dear Editor,

It is strange how the government is asking developers to attend an industry briefing about residential land development at Holtze on the November 25, while at the same time it has asked the community to comment on a draft Holtze Area Plan closing on the December 9.

The government says feedback will be used by the Planning Commission to finalise the draft Area Plan.

So why have a developer get together before the area plan is completed?

Perhaps the final plan will be according to the views of developers and the rural area will have a repeat of Zuccoli or Durack Height: small blocks, narrow roads, miniature or no backyards, and little room for trees.

In other words, a sardine suburb to maximise profit.

Instead, we need a suburb that has aesthetic beauty, and a vision to match, cooling by shade trees and sustainable energy using perhaps a shared community solar facility.

The new suburb should protect the natural environment especially the wetlands and waterways, and to allow land for an aged care facility in the bush, and next to the Palmerston Regional Hospital.

And to establish rural blocks around the correctional facilities, build roads that allow three cars to fit, and have room for shade trees and a footpath.

They need to require blocks sizes above 600 sq m to allow space between homes, and a backyard to grow, play and think.

Having a meeting of developers before the area plan is completed gives the strong impression that community input will simply be window dressing and consultation will be just a nice word.