Environmental concerns over urban sprawl

When your backyard opens onto the bush, you don't want to lose it.

Janet Harwood is a migrant fearful of what she sees as a new philosophy - over-development - and population growth at any cost.

"If the majority (of) the world's population is going to live in urban areas in the future we need to start protecting areas of existing forest now", she says.

Originally from India, Janet knows overpopulation. Convinced that stronger and fairer planning laws to stop the bulldozing of forests, for new homes and more people across the highway, is the answer.

Peta-Jane Madam has more.