Developers – they’re just like many of us
Editor:
Even though my wife and I are living less than 2 kms away from the Mansfield Ski Club and we see hills from our window we were not aware of any expansion until reading an article in the Echo. Now we are learning about the protests. Protecting the natural environment is a noble idea and legitimate course of action.
However we believe this is just only one side of the story. As architects practicing for almost five decades and with more than 450 small and large scale projects in our portfolio, we know for real that any such development must get blessings from various governmental departments and environmental agencies. It means many qualified professionals familiar with the area and specific issues are looking into any negative impact of the MSC development. The developer will not get approval unless implementing proper solutions to any potential harmful impact to nature. We have to say that national as well as provincial environmental standards are very high. We know this from our own practice.
As much as we are sympathizing with protesters we would also suggest to trust those who are looking after rivers, water quality, air, trees, forests, flowers and nature as such on our behalf. We should not point fingers too fast just because we have a suspicion but not facts about developers bad intentions. Over the years we have learned that developers are also responsible people like many of us. A successful development is not the one which brings only a big profit but the one which creates good relationships with the environment and neighbours.
Let’s look at few facts: New housing will bring about 300 new inhabitants into the area who are going to shop in surrounding towns, eat in local restaurants… in short they will support local economy. Those newcomers may bring with them new activities, support existing programs. We may make new friends, get an unexpected smile or laugh.
It seems that the MSC expansion in question is inevitable but developers are so far advertising only what they will do for its members and unit buyers. I would like to hear from them what they are going to do for us, the community, and the neighbours from the surrounding area, because we will eventually create one community. As Mulmur Mayor Janet Hornet stated, the approval for MSC development should be balancing needs of both sides – MSC as well as the local community. So, rather than just protesting we should be asking what the developer offers to us: Is there going to be a small nice coffee shop open to us, is there a chance to let local kids ski there without a membership, what facilities are going to be there and will there be a chance to access them? I would appreciate that by planting new trees, the developer would actually create a park that would be accessible to us for strolling or jogging. I would really appreciate if the developer cleans up the mess along the Sideroad 17 and convert it into a “17th parkway”. Other people may have other ideas.
We believe that cooperation with the local government and the developer may be more beneficial to the environment as well as the community than just protesting. To do something positive requires courage, creativity and most of all, the trust. We believe that keeping the status quo may not necessarily be a winning strategy for the environment. Sensitive and responsible development could make a difference.
Ivana and Jan Benda,
Mulmur.
