Tweed Shire is expected to see an increase in population of 30,000 by 2041 while an additional 11,000 jobs are to be created according to the NSW state government predictions and expectations. Though these estimates are lower than Informed Decisions who are predicting an increase of 31,571 people reaching 131,489 persons by 2041.
How that is to be accommodated, how the environment is to be protected, and if it is even realistic is part of why you need to respond to the Tweed Growth Management and Housing Strategy 2041 (GMHS) that has gone on exhibition.
‘Tweed residents need to urgently look at this document, including the detailed localities in the appendix, and give feedback,’ said Tweed Councillor Dr Nola Firth.
‘When finally adopted by Council it will influence housing and industrial development patterns in the shire for many years to come. Location options put forward [for housing and industrial development] include native treed areas, greenfield sites, secondary dwellings, expanded villages, including industrial areas and increased density in urban areas.
to increase by 12,247 dwellings over the next 20 years – from 41,167 dwellings in 2021 to
53,413 dwellings in 2041. Image GMHS
Localities put forward for potential future housing growth include: Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads West; Banora Point and Terranora; Kingscliff, Cabarita and Hastings Point; Pottsville West; Murwillumbah; Rural Tweed – so almost everyone in the Tweed Shire will potentially be impacted by outcomes of the GMHS.
‘We need to plan for a future that is adaptive to growth and change while respecting the beautiful attributes of the Tweed,’ said Council’s Director of Planning and Regulation Denise Galle.
‘This plan is about increasing the diversity of options to address future growth. Some of the possible changes include higher density living in some zones, change of land use, rural village expansion, review of greenfield sites and more housing diversity. Changes may be incremental over time and some may not even happen but we need to have options for sustainable growth that accommodates our future housing needs.’
Mad suggestions
During a previous council debate on the GMHS Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry made it clear that the future housing plan now on exhibition is open to significant change as a result of community feedback.
Developed by consultants, without community representation on the project reference group, the GMHS includes areas that some councillors believe the community will say ‘you’re mad’ for suggesting for housing development.
‘It needs to be made very clear that the options that have been put out there are not endorsed by Council, they have are options that have been put forward by the consultant and they are for discussion,’ said Cr Cherry.
Presenting the housing paper staff were clear to highlight that the primary purpose is to ‘plan for growth; the right development, in the right location, at the right time.’ Desirable outcomes include: diversity (density and choice), affordability, sustainability, liveability and wellbeing, streetscape, reliability and certainty, implementability (constraints).
Affordable housing
The Strategy will also look at other future challenges such as the need for infrastructure, more sustainable housing options, issues related to short-term rental accommodation, agricultural land suitability and the implication of climate change on housing and employment opportunities, to name a few.
‘We do urgently need affordable and social housing and support for homeless people but it needs to be undertaken in appropriate areas,’ Cr Firth told The Echo.
‘The population growth estimates for the Tweed vary greatly e.g. the NSW government estimate is half the main estimate used in this paper. Further estimates are being undertaken.
‘Increased density in urban areas like Tweed Heads is likely to be mandated by the state government and to be a place where this occurs. With regard to greenfield and bushland it needs to be noted that we already have large areas allocated such as Kings Forest which will accommodate thousands of houses. Our shire is in a World Heritage area with the most threatened species and it is crucial it is protected from habitat loss (including urban native habitat ) due to development – the key reason for loss of biodiversity.
‘None of these options, or the assumptions behind them, have been accepted as yet by Council. That is why we need urgent feedback from the community,’ said Cr Firth.
Information sessions
Council is running a series of community information sessions and drop in sessions on the GMHS throughout the shire either in person or online.
Community information sessions – registration essential
- Tweed Heads Administration Office, Tuesday 5 March, 5.30 pm – 7 pm.
- Kingscliff Bowls Club, Tuesday, 12 March, 5.30 pm – 7 pm
- Murwillumbah Services Club, Wednesday 13 March, 5.30 pm – 7 pm
Drop-in sessions – no registration required
- Kingscliff markets: Saturday 10 February, 8 am – 12 noon
- Kingscliff Shopping Village: Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 February, 9 am – 2 pm
- Murwillumbah Makers and Finders markets: Saturday 17 February, 8.30 am – 1 pm
- Murwillumbah Farmers Markets: Wednesday 14 February, 7 am – 11am
- Murwillumbah Sunnyside Shopping Centre: Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 February, 11 am – 4 pm
- Pottsville markets: Sunday 18 February, 8am – 12 noon
- Tyalgum village markets: Saturday 24 February, 8am – 12 noon
- Tweed City Shopping Centre: Tuesday 20 – Thursday 22 February, 9am – 2pm
Can’t make it in person?
Register for an online information session.
- Thursday 29 February 5.30pm – 7pm
· Thursday 7March 12.30pm – 1.30pm
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