They tell me it’s complex. I am tired of people hiding behind that particular euphemism for ‘you don’t know what you are talking about so you should listen to me because I do’.
Having just moved to Denmark I find that many residents here have an issue with the amount of holiday accommodation that exists. It is disproportionately high compared to the number of residences. The problem is that many of these are located within residential areas, on the very hill where we have just built our quiet little house. There are obvious negative impacts from noisy tourists, probably unaware they are partying next door to someone’s home. They are ill-educated about the fire risks in the area and have started small fires while barbequeing, they have no responsibility towards the community, wise water-usage or the local environment. They overload the town’s infrastructure and they bring their dysfunctional selves here to unload their stress. But these concerns seem secondary to the almighty fiscal benefits that the patronising pollies throw at me. Maybe I should just roll over, lie there and give it all up for the economy. (If I were younger this might be an option for at least gaining some fiscal benefit myself)
I found a recent article on the ABCs NSW internet site that talks about this very problem in Byron Bay. The council there is struggling to balance income with infrastructure and residents’ concerns with the desires of tourists who just want to have a bloody good time at any expense. Statements like this one from the pro-tourism lobby are meant to be inflammatory and are, but maybe not in the way they were intended.
‘They talk about the fact that these….greedy rich people (have) got more than one house and if they didn't….other people could own….or rent that house…They're really attacking a fundamental right….to have a second house or even to be able to have a flexible lifestyle where they might move between two houses….’
Right? What right? I am going to sound like a communist here but having a second house is not a right, it’s a luxury. With so many people in the world without a decent roof over their heads it’s not really that complex is it? Let’s get that one straight at least.
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