Do we make a difference? Maybe. Sometimes. But not much. This world of ours seems to have a life of its own, so things go on much like before regardless how we try to change it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
What I do know is that we shouldn’t stop trying to make a better difference, and remember that every little bit counts. That’s my philosophy and it’s led me into some pretty strange situations over time, many not repeatable.
Right now, I’ve just spent the better part of two days commenting on council’s draft biodiversity strategy. I’m not paid to do that. I’ll get my councillor allowance whether I do it or not. I spend the time because it seems important, just like many of the tasks a councillor can get involved with if they wish.
Regardless of the fact that we’ve got idiots at the national helm willing to threaten the Great Barrier Reef; politicians who don’t even read the rules; all the ugliness of daily news; and endless scandals, it’s still worthwhile trying to do one’s bit for what’s better. Don’t you think?
Perhaps that’s what divides us: those who think things can be better, and those who’ve simply given up or worse.
Anyway, here we live in an area which is fabulously biologically diverse, with lots of trees around, so it’s easy to imagine all’s well with nature.
But we’re also a growth area, expecting over 1000 new residents each year for 20 years, needing 50 hectares of new cleared land each year despite council’s every effort to discourage sprawl. That would be fine if every place was the same, but they’re not.
Hence council’s biodiversity strategy which aims to identify and protect the most important areas and the estimated 190 local species and 10 vegetation communities which are already under threat.
Keeping faith and doing our bit is all any of us can to do, so let’s be at it.
This column is the opinion of Cr Intemann and not necessarily that of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.