When a citizen bequests land to the community, it is a gift for future generations, not just for those alive at the time.
When a local government makes a decision to rezone or sell land originally intended for public use, it is going against the spirit of that bequest.
In spirit, a local government is merely the administrator of that gift, not its owner.
It is hard not to imagine those who donated land to the community turning in their graves in recent weeks as Eurobodalla Shire Council has debated the rezoning and/or sale of such plots.
Whatever the loop holes and legalities, plots such as these were given in good faith, as a gift in perpetuity, regardless of economic ups and downs.
A community always needs public space, whatever the economic climate.
Green space makes our community a place we can relax in, a place with a sense of history, a sense of continuity.
That plots such as these can be bought and sold or rezoned for uses outside the spirit of the original purpose is a sad prospect indeed.
Our community will be here long after its current inhabitants are gone.
Decisions now should be made with our children’s children in mind.
One thing is for sure, we will never be able to buy them back.
Choose wisely.
