It saddens me every time I get to the back of The Echo and see all the real estate ads, so I was mortified to see the whole mini magazine of Property inside my Echo a couple of weeks ago. We all know that locals can’t afford these properties. Who in Mullumbimby can afford a million-dollar mortgage on small town wages?
There were articles written about how investment properties are so hot right now and how getting in on the action is a smart move. Yuk. It feels like our home is being pimped out. It seems hypocritical that we can read endless criticisms for a mayor that supports the Wallum development, when in just years from now that same Wallum development will probably feature in one of The Echo’s property mags, paying their wages with advertising dollars.
We need to get real if we want to save our town from being swallowed up by greed. Houses should not be used as investments. They are not pieces of gold. They should not sit empty or be used as holiday lets while so many sleep in their cars.
They are structures for providing shelter, and they are needed now more than ever. If you build more they will just get swallowed up by the greedy rich. Laws need to change around housing. Echo, you are our voice. Please use it for us and not to benefit the parasites.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
