I’m not really sure I know why, but I’m loving this article from The Daily Telegraph.
In essence [1], a local council on the New South Wales coast has taken the step of installing shipping containers on a cliff top to spoil the view of homeowners it suspects of cutting down trees that were, well, apparently spoiling the view for some of the homeowners.
Unfortunately and sadly, I’ve known people who honestly wouldn’t pause for a nanosecond before cutting down trees growing on public land to improve the view from their balcony, so it’s possible that I experienced a mild, vicarious thrill when I read this article. Also, in the interests of full disclosure, I doubt I’m ever going to have enough money to own a home where cutting down trees might improve the view, but I’m certainly poor enough to appreciate public parks and their trees; so it’s fairly obvious I have a built-in bias.
But what do the rest of the Voodooista think about the Port Stephens council’s measures?
Is it an overreaction? Does it unduly punish homeowners who had nothing to do with cutting down the trees? Or is it a valid gesture on behalf of the council to educate the wider community regarding the consequences of vandalizing public spaces for personal benefit?
Get your hands dirty in the comments section below…
| 1. | And this is for you, Saturday, because I know you won’t read the damn article before letting me know what your |
| Return |
the odd thing is – I would have thought that the trees formed the best part of any view…. perhaps that’s city-slicker thinking but there you have it.
oh…. and I think what the council have done on first pass is a really creative way of approaching this particular problem but it does lead me to fear a ‘view escalation’ from both sides as they start to go hard at it. I think the council, if they really wanted to slam home their point, should have painted a mural of trees – lots and lots of trees on the sides of the container…
I’d like to see the council demolish the houses of the guilty so those behind them get to have a view too.
What a cool idea… the mural of trees on the side would be great. I kinda think the whole thing is a little childish on both sides, but that is what makes it entertaining.
Of course the council could have revalued there houses up (because of the “better” views) and charged a whack more rates instead.
Darren Saturday said:
Funny, this was exactly what I was thinking myself. Trees are beautiful. Anyone who doesn’t think so should drive through Arizona. That’ll teach ‘em.
The Creature said:
Okay, that seems a little extreme, but that is why we call you The Creature. Or maybe is it because of the thing with the cheese?
Extreme cheese… Now there’s a market that’s just dying to be exploited.
I’m going to make like you were just making an emphatic point with that comment and I’m going to go, “Yarr!” and I’m going to shake my pitchfork and wonder if I can technically be called a rabble if there’s only just me?
Splinter said:
Now that’s thinking! Or how about agree that it is a great view and erect an observation platform and picnic benches and bbqs and a car park and a toilet block?
Welcome to VL Splinter!
Murray @ Midnight