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