In the lead-up to Christmas, many of us found ourselves rushing to secure last-minute gifts, wrap up end of year events and attend community gatherings, perhaps finalise travel plans, and lock in dates with family members we may only see once or twice a year. I was no exception.
Amidst the festive preparations, I also accepted a few last-minute invitations within the community and one left a lasting impression.
It was a gathering of a local LinkedIn group, with the discussion cantered around mental health—an issue close to my heart as it affects so many within our community.
One of the panelists shared a deeply personal story about his wife’s battle with postpartum depression. He described how she silently carried the weight of her struggles as a new mum, trying to keep everything together until, one day, it became too much. He returned home from work to find her sitting alone in the dark, overwhelmed by despair.
During the session, it became evident that the situation he suddenly found himself facing was a consequence of the rising cost of living.
The family had relocated from Sydney to the Central Coast in pursuit of affordable housing and homeownership. However, this move came at a cost—they left behind their support network of family, including in-laws, aunts, and uncles who once lived just down the street.
Without that nearby support, there was no one to drop in and help with the little things new mums often rely on – like cooking a meal, putting on a load of washing, or simply taking the baby for an hour to give mum a chance to rest.
The challenges we face in Berowra, particularly around housing affordability and its ripple effects on mental health, are very real. With a significant number of senior residents in our community, it raises an important question—will support workers and healthcare providers be able to afford to live here and continue delivering the essential services our aging population relies on?
Over the past 25 years, house prices have increased fourfold, while typical incomes have only doubled.
This represents a terrible imbalance that has made it almost impossible for many people to get a foot in the property market, leaving aspiring homeowners watching prices continue to rise beyond their reach. Tax reform is urgently needed to address this crisis and help level the playing field for first-home buyers.
Authorised by Tina Brown for Tina Brown for Berowra, 1/149 Peats Ferry Road, Hornsby NSW 2077
