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lose to 800 people took part in two meetings to discuss the proposed caravan park and housing subdivision for Bogangar.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 500 people filled the unofficial town square – which locals have dubbed “Victory Park” to a family-friendly rally to give voice to community concerns over the proposed 230-site caravan and 37-lot residential estate.
With evocative songs like “Your’re the Voice” and “Paved Paradise” playing over the loud speaker throughout the day, member of the community voiced their concern that the park would be “the wrong plan in the wrong place” .
A letter from State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest, read out at the rally, pledged that he would “stand up for the residents in Parliament” and labelling the plan “excessive”.
Petitions were circulated during the day and on-line and Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Residents’ Assoc-iation secretary Suzie Bourke said more than 550 signatures had now been collected and it would be sent to Mr Provest.
The rally also raised $763 through a barbecue and collection to help with the fight against the proposed development.
Residents’ Association vice president Terry Kane said the rally had been aimed at getting the community together and giving them “the lowdown on where we are in the process”.
“It is good for locals to come out and reaffirm their community friendships,” he said.
“We are really pleased; it’s fantastic support.”
On Monday night, attention turned to the Cabarita Beach Bowls Club where more than 250 people, including current Tweed Shire Council Mayor Barry Longland, Cr Katie Milne, Cr Dot Holdom, Cr Warren Polglasse, Cr Kevin Skinner, Mike Rayner (General Manager TSC) and Richard Adams (TCHPRT manager) attended a Community Meeting.
The meeting outlined the results of the survey conducted earlier this year as part of the alternative Community Plan developed by Griffith University Researcher, Dr Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, on behalf of the Residents Association.
Residents’ Association secretary Suzie Bourke said there were 222 online surveys submitted and 563 written submissions, with more than 75 per cent of respondents living in CBB area,
She said the results revealed that 76.1 per cent do not support the proposed development, 23.9 per cent support the proposal.
Ninety-seven local businesses responded – 25 of these operated in the CBD – the rest were home based; 65.7 per cent of local businesses did not support the proposal.
“This contradicts the Cabarita Business Association’s submission which said 90 per cent of local businesses support the caravan park,” she said.
“Those in favour of the proposal argued on the grounds of financial gain, those against argued on the grounds of social and environmental concerns.
“There is much similarity between local business owners’ views and residents’ views.
“Both are committed to family, egalitarian values, a down to earth life style.
“Both are concerned with the economic viability of the village and employment opportunities for youth, but opponents of the proposal place a higher value on the environmental losses.”
She said the responses generated a shared vision or character of CBB as – a quiet coastal village bordered and enclosed by bush headland and beaches, friendly and down to earth, beautiful and special, a loved place. Respondents to the survey saw the environment as the Cabarita Beach/Bogangar ‘brand’.
“Places identified by locals as worthy of development are Camp Wollumbin and Cabarita Lakes /Cudgen Lake,” she said.
“Ideas approved for development are integrated walking paths/boardwalks and viewing platforms linking Caba, Round Mountain and Hastings Point, a youth centre, a coastal environmental education facility, a surfing reserve, more indigenous culture and heritage, more parks and BBQs.”
