Tweed Shire Council is seeking community feedback on two draft policies – one relating to how Council works with developers, and the other addressing the removal of high-value trees and vegetation.
A media statement reads, ‘The draft Planning Agreement Policy aims to improve transparency and consistency in how development contributions are managed’.
‘The policy explains how Council negotiates voluntary agreements with developers to deliver public benefits like infrastructure, land or community assets’.
The draft Compensatory Planting Policy builds the framework for the delivery of planting to compensate for the removal of regulated trees and vegetation. The policy sets out rules about how high-value trees and vegetation are to be replaced when they are approved for removal.
‘The policies are now on public exhibition, together because they are often applied in tandem as part of the development assessment and approvals process. Exhibiting them at the same time allows the community and stakeholders to consider how they work together to support sustainable growth and environmental protection.
Director Engineering, Tim Mackney, said both policies reflect Council’s commitment to sustainable growth and creating healthy, liveable communities.
‘These policies are about making sure development supports the community and the environment,” Mr Mackney said.
‘I encourage everyone to have a look and share their views. Your feedback will help us manage the impacts of development in the Tweed.’
The draft policies are available on Council’s Your Say Tweed website, where community members, developers and stakeholders can read the documents and complete a short survey. Feedback closes October 22.
Visit Your Say Tweed to find out more: yoursaytweed.com.au
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. 
