The very long wait for temporary pods to house those affected by the unprecedented floods has finally been all but completed.
A very controversial decision was made to not use the Mullumbimby hospital site, said to be contaminated by… well, who knows? If asbestos, then, as I understand the rules, approximately six inches of topsoil could be excavated off and ‘voila!’ – right to build on.
Sadly the Prince Street site was allowed to go ahead, and with no promise of making good for those homes that are now at higher risk of flooding than previously owing to the landfill. I must say that this is very inconsiderate for those homeowners. Is there any other way of saying ‘what the…’? Oh dear.
On a positive note the temporary pods placed on the sportsfield in Brunswick Heads are a different look again; still with a question of infilling – and could it cause flooding on the lower sporting grounds at the front not previously experienced? At least they are not affecting any pre-exsisting homes.
These pods are well positioned with numerous parking spaces, and seriously looking like they have been designed with consideration for those who will be living there. Well done for that site.
Why, oh why is not the state government funding pods with off-street parking as is the case with the sporting field pods?
More importantly, there are 10s of 1000s of secondhand pods from the gas boom rusting away that cost about $10,000 each, that stand on stilts. No landfill required.
the brunswick pods (small village) are right on the river, just moved ahead without any development assessment of impacts, yet if someone wants to do a basic alts + adds to their house and is in the coastal sepp area, they have to spend thousands on consultants even though there is no impacts. the whole system is completely ridiculous, not saying the pods shouldn’t happen, but this just highlights the legislation that impacts families just trying to get by is totally insane in this State. as a builder I know the level of paper work required now is absolutely insanity.
‘I know the level of paper work required now is absolutely insanity’…. Testify brother! Ridiculous levels of over regulation that don’t accomplish their intended result yet are never removed. Who gets all these building regs put in place?….the building industry…..so that it’s impossible for people to build their own homes so they have to rely on the building industry that can then over charge everyone. If you want someone to blame, blame your union and the greenies. Its a confluence of interests arrayed against the people.