The revelations exposed in the NSW auditor-general’s report on the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires recovery grants recently released reveals a culture of politics that is so entrenched, with no end to the self-serving antics. That the taxpayer-dollars grant scheme established to assist our devastated communities across the state was directed instead to prioritising political pork-barrelling is unconscionable.
This matter of absolute failure of any proper governance brings to light a separate matter on our door step. Under both the former premier and deputy premier, the development of Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) for regions across NSW commenced in 2017, including in the Tweed Shire, with no public consultation. This was despite the Tweed Shire Council undertaking public consultation for our own Economic Development Strategy adopted in 2014. The Tweed Shire REDS 2018–22 only came to light in the community last year and it was later discovered that it consisted of two documents. The main document was not publicly available, however the main document for other shires was publicly available.
It is now apparent that perhaps the main document for Tweed was not publicly available as its revelations and timelines are very disturbing. It includes ‘action plans’ such as: ‘Investigate the potential of a Super Precinct built around the new Tweed Valley Hospital: timeframe – December 2018’. This was prior to the TVH site being rezoned to enable such development, and prior to any development approvals process.
The Tweed Shire REDS 2018–22 was being updated late last year, again with no public consultation. Relevant to the areas of government and players in ongoing investigations I urge our state MP to have the government urgently release the updated Tweed Shire REDS (both documents). The Tweed constituents rightly should know what the government has in plan for the future of the Cudgen State Significant Farmlands, and any other proposed developments.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
