It appears to me that most citizens do not either understand or care where they are being taken by the council’s enthusiasm for development.

The council’s view of development is population increase and the mayor is always lauding the city’s fastest population growth of any city in NSW.

Is this what we want?

Most of this growth is from people fleeing the over-population and crowding in the now impossibly bloated greater Sydney environment.

Yes, houses are somewhat cheaper but what else does the council offer? What about lack of hospitals, doctors, public transport, roads and other facilities that should always be a preliminary part of development before population growth. What happens if global warming hits the Hunter? Maitland residents haven’t experienced severe water restrictions. A simple 1.5 per cent population growth will double population by 2056 (Sydney Morning Herald, May 21, 2008). Maitland Council boasts of a 2.5 per cent growth of population.

Cr Meskauskas belatedly calls for a review of whether we are growing too quickly. Cr Geoghegan expresses regrets for the loss of the semi-rural aspects around Lochinvar. Cr Fairweather asks why you would open new medical facilities at Green Hills (Mercury, May 12).

Cr Fairweather, who is the “you” referred to? I thought councillors determined the directions for community development and planning?

After a controversial decision relating to Gillieston Heights (September, 2007) three councillors later contacted our residents group to say they regretted they had not voted with the two councillors who did stand up to support our objections. How valid is the voting process?

In the forthcoming elections, let’s take notice of Jim Crethary and only elect councillors capable of understanding the requirements of longer-term planning and provision of community services.

I refer to the declining Maitland CBD. I have been a consultant to small business for over 20 years and have run two successful businesses – a corporate HRD consultancy since 1983 and a retail food business for 10 years in a Sydney northern beaches suburb. I was a founding member of the Small Business Agency and helped design and structure the Small Business Management Courses for TAFE and CAEs. Much of our work was in conjunction with Professor Johns, from Newcastle University.

After her election as the president of the Chamber of Business, Jennifer Nichols vowed to help Maitland CBD businesses. I delivered a letter offering my services to business and received no reply.

Most major business growth is outside Maitland – in Green Hills and Rutherford and other nearby areas. As a small business proprietor I feel deeply for the business owners as I see more and more closed premises in the Mall. The eastern end of High Street is tragic and often deserted.

Ms Nichols recently announced on Newcastle ABC Radio 1233 that Maitland did not have an ageing population problem and that our demographic was younger than the rest of Australia. This is good news if true, but I ask why does Maitland council continue to approve the building of so many retirement homes and aged care villages?

From our Gillieston Heights experience we realise this is how developers (builders) work: acquire semi-rural land by default, because retirement homes are one of the few permitted purposes for use. Then re-apply for up-grade to residential zoning and sell the oversized retirement houses as normal retail homes. So councillors have approved a plethora of retirement housing for a non-ageing population. Is this good research and planning?

I have been in and out of hospital over recent weeks. I had to go to a private hospital on the outskirts of Newcastle because of insufficient facilities in Maitland. I have letters and articles from the medical profession attesting to the shortage of doctors and medical facilities in the area.

I believe it’s too late for a new council to turn things – the damage has been done. I see Maitland suffering the same fate as Sydney. Council’s Draft Community Strategic Plan 2008-2018 is laughable – a collection of platitudes.

By contrast, I believe Newcastle council is doing many positive things for that city. I await councillors’ retribution. I think South Coast NSW beckons.