"The real issue for the city is that the planning rules are so porous, so flexible and administered so badly that such a development can happen at all," says "Canberra matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
Paul Costigan
Paul Costigan is a commentator on cultural and urban matters. There are more of his columns at citynews.com.au
"Community grounds and facilities are not a priority for this Greenslabor cohort given they are always too busy doing something else (photo-ops) while pretending to be progressive," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"As Vassarotti and Berry and Housing ACT continue with a process of evictions that lacks transparency and is causing deep distress to many older people. To others it's a campaign of government-sanctioned terror," says PAUL COSTIGAN.
"The electorate accepts that the ACT Greens will say and do anything, or just look away, whatever it takes to keep their comfortable jobs, perks and status," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
There's more than a storm in teacup behind the YWCA's development victory over the objecting residents of Ainslie. There's insults, legal threats and political intrigue, says "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"The last thing this city needs is yet another political party with members having loyalties to their party while the values of the community are sidelined," writes "Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"Given the Christian values, the founders must be turning in the graves at the YWCA's actions to be horrible towards residents along with challenging the democratic processes in how planning decisions should be made," writes PAUL COSTIGAN.
"Geoff Pryor’s presentation was devastating for anyone who still believed the ACT Greens and Labor politicians when they said the planning reforms would deliver positive outcomes for the city.," writes columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"The lack of transparency and the mess created by the planning directorate was heaven-sent for the Liberals. Instead, there were a few muffled sounds – but largely their take on planning has been near silence," writes PAUL COSTIGAN.
"The community sector is expected to remain polite about criticising the planning bureaucrats. The community is expected to remain polite as the trees come down and the suburban biodiversity disappears!" writes columnist PAUL COSTIGAN.
"This is about forcing older people out of their homes – homes they were told till the beginning of this year were theirs for life or as long as they wished to remain in them," writes PAUL COSTIGAN.
"Canberra Matters" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN senses the widening cultural differences between the UK and 21st century multicultural Australia.
