It was once a place of lush coastal beauty but it is now turning into a vast area of mass produced dwellings and manufactured housing estates stretching as far as the eye can see.

And, Matt Rogers – Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s development and environmental director – says they will try (try being the operative word) to maintain the village feel.

What village feel?

Any idea of a village has long since disappeared and the area is beginning to resemble the Gold Coast lifestyle from which Roger and Rose are hoping to escape.

I know because I come from Lake Cathie and in the few short years I have lived here I have seen it change dramatically from a peaceful seaside town to a frantic jumble of building sites and speeding cars.

Can someone tell me where I can go to enjoy a gentle living, peaceful countryside and space to think without being bombarded by developers?

Cesil Priddis

Lake Cathie.