MichaelR said..




True MB. The only time people get upset about Sydney is when they expect something more than what they get. I live on the Northern Beaches, pay a mortgage and only work part time. Thankfully my wife works full time, but we still manage to own a small boat, on a mooring, run two cars and a motorcycle. (used to be three bikes, but....) If you have the mind set that it's busy, and everyone is just trying to do their thing, then you'll be fine. Where else in the world can you surf on any one of 20 + beaches within an hours drive, sail on your choice of two gorgeous waterways and then on the same evening see a world class performance at a world class venue such as the Opera House. Sure, that's not everyone's cuppa, but for those of us who grew up here, it's a great place to live. Sometimes it's also a great place to get away from too.

At the local beach, the toilets are always in good order, with paper. The beach showers work and there's also fresh, filtered drinking water. The pavement and parking area is usually clean and there are recycling and rubbish bins close to all the picnic tables. The playground is well kept and clean and safe, including a safety fence. It's these things the parking fees, and council rates pay for. If you're not a rate payer, and you don't want to pay the parking costs, perhaps using the services is not for you.

Some people like the Northern Beaches so much they park their cars/boats/trailers in my street and leave them there for months while they live elsewhere. Two months ago, one was parked so close to my driveway that I risked an accident every time I drove out. It was there for about 6 weeks. When he finally came to move it, I asked him why. He just said, it was easier for him to leave it there, than tow it to Penrith. I gave him a beer, and told him he should think more carefully about where he parked, so at least I didn't have to risk a crash, because I couldn't see around it. He was very apologetic, and when it came back to the street, he'd parked outside some one else' house. With plenty of room to move around it. Being a boat owner, I could understand his plight, but I can sure understand why some others would simply call the council, or the Police and ask it to be removed. Especially if it was impeding access. There are rules for a reason, but often a lot of people don't realise they're not doing the right thing until they're told.

Sectorsteve said..
We really need to take a leaf out of europes book. Villages. theres alot of people in Europe but its organised. Villages. small villages, everywhere. no wheres packed or congested really. Germany has 80 million people most of them in nordrhein westphalia and even there it isnt that congested. Once an area gets to a million people and over - its stuffed. Battery hens...it aint natural.