We cannot win without the middle ground

Thank you to all those who have called and emailed.

Can we focus things this way:

We have to find middle ground.

On one side is the simplistic notion that jobs are needed and are created by cuddling to developers - in ways which clearly suggest to many people that good investors will in fact be repelled. It is unworthy to say that Nowra ain't top dollar to investors, we have to grovel. This whole city is extraordinary.

On the other side are groups seen as anti-development, either because they are that or because they oppose the nonsense of the developer-wooing.

The middle is being neglected and destroyed. It is very hard to get back from such a divided situation. This is a bit like the destructive politics of central America where societies are destroyed. There are crises ahead that may make it more so.

There is a middle ground of thousands of people who want decent government, who love the local environment, who want jobs, who have, I am sure, lots of ideas.

There is the looming crisis of fuel prices. Prices will relentlessly rise. Within the term of the next council fuel may cost $3/litre... if not much more.

This will bring mayhem to our communities, families, businesses, trades, mortgages, homes.

All levels of government are flat footed on this.

The charter for councils in the Local Government Act says 'lead community'.

Let's work to keep communities and find ways through the coming mess. We've lost capacity and enthusiasm to work together, but we have to rediscover it or be in serious and adversarial trouble.

Dennis