Overcrowding leads to social problems

I am sure that many of our councillors are only too aware of the use of ratepayers' money when they go to the Land and Environment Court.

It must be a serious matter for them to go to such lengths and surely we need such checks and balances.

Unrestrained development may lead to the slums of tomorrow and many problems for our descendents to solve.

Haven't we inherited enough of these problems already?

It is very necessary that we proceed with care, for the effects of poor planning may affect the physical and mental health of us all.

History shows us that overcrowding particularly leads to many social problems such as gridlock on our roads, more pollution, higher unemployment and more vandalism.

Flooding is inevitable with the increasing "concretisation" of our land. Surely, it is natural for water to filter through the soil to refill the water table.

Obviously local business people want an increase in population but they don't always consider the consequences of this.

I am reminded of the Red Indian Chief who said: "It is not until the last tree is felled, the last fish is eaten and the last river polluted that man will realize that he cannot eat money."

Let us work together to think clearly before we rush headlong into disaster.

Let us above all ensure that all points of view are aired publicly so that I may be assured that I do live in a democracy.

Margaret Lund, Woy Woy