Opinion by Lynne Strong 

Let’s be honest, what do we really achieve by sitting at home, scrolling through Facebook, and sticking metaphorical pins into developer-styled voodoo dolls? Sure, it might feel satisfying for a moment, venting frustration at housing shortages or the latest high-rise development. But after the post has been liked, commented on, and buried in the endless feed, what has really changed?

The housing crisis remains, the local economy hasn’t magically improved, and the decisions 

shaping our community are still happening—often without your input.

If we truly care about these issues—and it’s clear many of us do—then it’s time to bring the conversation out from behind our screens. At some point, we need to come to the table, have the tough discussions, and ensure that every voice in our community is not just heard but understood.

Developers are easy targets, and so are council members and policy makers. The problem is, when we draw battlelines, we only fuel division. Sticking pins in voodoo dolls might feel like taking a stand, but what we need is real engagement, not angry online posts. Because here’s the hard truth: if you’re not part of the conversation, decisions will be made for you, not with you.

What are the key issues? Housing affordability, land release, and economic growth are just a few, but they’re not going to be solved by another snarky tweet. These issues need the input of residents, businesses, young people, and yes, even those you might not agree with. Real solutions come when everyone is involved in the dialogue.

So, before logging on to rage about the latest development, ask yourself what could be achieved by turning that energy into real conversation? By working together, instead of against each other, we can build a community that works for all of us.

After all, voodoo dolls might be fun, but they won’t fix the real-world problems our community faces.