Critical development

Referring to Young Remarks Out Of Place (Gazette, 14 August), it was pointless for Cr Lempriere to criticise Cr Young’s throw away comment re developers because everyone knows that what he said is true.
The only contribution from a developer is made as required by mandatory planning regulations and certainly not for any altruistic motives.
Of course an exception comes to mind which is the donations from developers to political parties, particularly when an election is coming up.
We have seen this recently through very public revelations in New South Wales and it is fair to say it also happens in other states as well, including Victoria.
I can recall one very prominent developer in Cardinia shire publicly declaring in the daily press his financial donation for a certain candidate in the 2010 state election, so there is no need to be coy about these activities.
Gloria O’Connor,
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association.