Tweed Mayor Katie Milne is pushing for a Green Star rated sustainable development to be established in the shire.
On Monday, councillors, senior council staff and planning staff met with NSW Planning Minister and Minister for Housing Anthony Roberts, together with his Chief of Staff and advisors to examine upcoming planning challenges and opportunities in the Tweed.
One of the big ticket items that was given serious consideration was the implementation of an urban growth/Landcom style government development corporation to lead quality development projects in either the Tweed Heads CBD or greenfield sites.
The development would provide social inclusion, open space, links to transport and community amenity, coupled with good environmental and built design.
On Tuesday, the Minister and his retinue took a tour of the shire with Cr Milne and Tweed MP Geoff Provest to visit some of the sites discussed at the briefing.
Mayor Milne said she was delighted with the response she received.
‘It was very pleasing to hear the Minister support our desire for quality in our new developments,’ she told Echonetdaily.
‘Tweed really needs one of our new development sites to showcase all the creative community and smart energy planning that is available these days. We need support from the state government to make that happen though.
Cr Milne said that , ‘once one development site sets a new standard they will have a massive competitive advantage’, predicting, ‘others will follow.’
‘I’m sure there would be huge demand for Green Star rated developments in this area if they were available.
‘Our community is one of the most mature, intelligent and progressive in Australia and our environment is of world significance. With so much new development for Tweed passed by the state government over the recent years I hope the state sees this shire is deservedly the right place to lead the way in the revolution of the smarter, greener planning techniques,’ Mayor Milne said.
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