A number of people have decried ‘Gungahlin-style’ development, saying we don’t want it here. But what exactly is it that so irks people? If we could isolate what it is that we dislike, we could be more effective in keeping it away from Yass.

Is it the big homes? The small blocks? The streetscape of wall-to-wall houses? The narrow streets? The emptiness during the day? The lack of space for kids to play? The feeling that everyone is inside, isolated? Is it environmental concern at the size of the houses? Is it envy, that so many people can afford such big homes?

What do people like about Yass that is not found in Gungahlin?

People like our country town atmosphere, the space, the feeling of community. They like seeing people they know when they walk up the street during the day.

Providing space for children to play is an indication that as a society we value our kids. ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ can only be true if the villagers (or townsfolk) get to interact with children.

It is pertinent to remember that smaller blocks are in general more environmentally friendly. It is cheaper to provide services to smaller blocks. It requires less energy to run smaller homes. As I see it, it is not small blocks per se that is the problem.

What I think is important is that the size of the house reflects the size of the block. Big houses on big blocks, smaller constructions on smaller blocks. That way you avoid that suffocating feeling of wall-to-wall houses.

Our Federal Government has played its part in encouraging large homes, with its exclusion of primary residences from capital gains tax. If you add $50,000 value to your home by adding an extra bedroom, bathroom or whatever, you don’t pay tax on the gain when you sell, whereas if you’d invested that money anywhere else it, you’d pay tax on your profits. This has, I believe, encouraged people to buy the largest, most expensive home they think they can afford.