Housing accommodation is one of the most fundamental human needs. The quality of accommodation relates directly to the quality of our lives.

An Australian living treasure, the Rev Bill Crews said, “Research shows that people in houses are healthier than people in flats. People who live in flats are healthier than people who live in boarding houses. And people who live in boarding houses are healthier than people who live on the street”.

Unfortunately however, particularly in this region, there are more people who want to live here than there are houses. This means that demand makes housing a commodity that commands a considerable cost. Accommodation costs place an enormous financial pressure on the people in our community, which in turn impacts negatively on their levels of stress.

Another unfortunate reality is that whilst it’s inevitable that higher density accommodation is coming our way, this very density impacts upon our quality of life too. Humans need accommodation, but we also need the green space in our minds eye we call nature for our optimum mental health.

Housing development is a complex business, with many competing factors to consider. The people that do the developments are often pilloried as being selfishly interested in only their profits. The Councils, whose role is to balance this development with the larger community interests, are often attacked for their decisions.

My feeling is that these criticisms, whilst sadly sometimes valid, point to an important opportunity. Our community is only as good as the individuals that involve themselves. The issue of development and the challenging of inappropriate development invite our communities to draw together.

If you believe strongly in an issue invite your neighbours to the conversation. Listen to each other and present your opinion as an empowered group.

Without this grass roots politicisation Currawong beach would be an eyesore in the middle of the national park, Careel Bay boat shed would be polluting the sensitive mangrove swamp, and a SEPP SL development that takes cynical advantage of an otherwise reasonable planning tool would be signed off on the waterfront at Stokes Point.

Martin Hunter Jones is an honorary life member of the Australian Counselling Association. He has a Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice on the Northern Beaches. Phone 9973 4997.