A as a long-time advocate for proper due process the launch of former long-standing Tweed Mayor, Max Boyd’s book Saving Paradise – The Tweed under siege early this year is most timely.
Zombie development approvals are springing to life on our coastal floodplains with no regard to the science and evidence of today and the cumulative impacts on existing communities. With one catastrophic disaster after another the business-as-usual march of unsustainable development is never-ending.
To witness the evidence exposed at the Hastings Point court hearing last month was disturbing – nine previous DAs refused, then bingo the door opened. Then there is the Kingscliff West development on yet another coastal floodplain that will significantly impact downstream and upstream existing communities – in court seeking approval.
Following what was argued, correctly I believe, to be the unlawful access via Tringa Steet, Tweed Heads to moonscape the site of threatened ecological communities this industrial development on the shores of the lower Tweed River estuary floodplain is marching full steam ahead with absolute failures of governance. It is now proposed to clear the little left of coastal forests with a document used to support the further clearing coming to light that I believe incorrectly states Tringa Street is an access to this industrial subdivision, despite the legal statutory provisions of the development consent.
And after more than two decades pushing for the development of the Cudgen Plateau State Significant Farmlands (SSF) the next proposal after the controversial relocating the Tweed Hospital to the SSF is in train, despite commitments there would be no further rezoning of these SSF. The Cudgen Connection development has been under a real cloud of controversy since it came to light, along with very serious conflict of interest matters – to restore community confidence in proper transparent processes, an inquiry is urgently needed.
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. 
