Housing supply in Wodonga

The Border Mail

WATCH: Benambra MP Bill Tilley's cartoon addresses the "inaction" over Wodonga housing supply

Transcript

00:00Today's story, the Pied Piper of Murraytown.

00:10Murraytown's streets were abuzz with despair.

00:14The mayor stood fuming, hands in the air.

00:16We need 45,000 houses right now, not later, not someday.

00:21We need them, and how?

00:23The current precinct structure plan is for 6,000 homes.

00:26How in the hell is that number going on?

00:28The townsfolk all grumbled.

00:30They shuffled their feet.

00:31Their dreams of new houses lay dead in the street.

00:35Taxes were strangling.

00:36Fees were too steep.

00:37Pipes?

00:38What pipes?

00:39Not a trickle.

00:40Not a seep.

00:41There's no water pipes.

00:43He'll pay the land tax.

00:44And what about stamp duty?

00:46We can't connect gas.

00:47It cost $373,000.

00:50Oh, what a sight.

00:51To build in Victoria, that just isn't right.

00:54Then from the crowd stepped a stranger so bold.

00:57In a coat that burned orange, like fire, like gold.

01:01Her hair was a tangle, her smile full of glee.

01:05And slung on her back was a flute.

01:07Wait and see.

01:08I can fix this.

01:12The Pied Piper chined.

01:13Her eyes alight.

01:14Her voice well-timed.

01:15The mayor cheered.

01:17His worries flew.

01:19Oh, Piper.

01:19Dear Piper.

01:20We trust in you.

01:22Her music is magic.

01:23Her wisdom is grand.

01:25She holds all the answers right in her hand.

01:28With friends in high places and plans set to go,

01:31she'll lead us to greatness.

01:32Just follow the flow.

01:33She gave no reply.

01:36Just lifted her flute.

01:37And played a sweet song.

01:39Oh, the notes were astute.

01:41A melody soft, yet swirling and grand.

01:44It swept through the town like a magical hand.

01:47The people all blinked.

01:48Their worries took flight.

01:50Like mist in the morning.

01:51Like stars in the night.

01:53Follow me, whispered the woman in tune.

01:56And follow they did, neath the spell of her room.

01:58In orange they marched, every buyer and renter.

02:01Each weary and teary tax-burdened mentor.

02:04They skipped through the town in a trance, in a line.

02:08Past half-built houses, past for-sale signs.

02:11She led them all down to the great Murray shore.

02:14Where water lay waiting so wide evermore.

02:17The music swelled higher, it danced in the air.

02:20And into the river they walked without care.

02:23One step, then two, then three, then four.

02:28Till the river embraced them, and they were no more.

02:32Not a scream, not a sound, not a struggle or shout.

02:36Just rippling waves as the song faded out.

02:40The piper just smiled, her task now complete.

02:44She slung up her flute, turned heel in the street.

02:47With a hum on her lips and a swing in her stride,

02:49she vanished, just gone, with the evening tide.

02:54And Murraytown, well, it's problems remain.

02:58No crisis, no housing, just silent refrain.

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