Church Lane Residents concerned about development applications before Tweed Shire Council have been urged to raise their concerns by Gary Bagnall, President, Murwillumbah and Villages Cultural and Heritage Association Inc (MVCHA) and candidate for the September Local Government Elections.
Around 20 residents of Church Lane, on Hospital Hill, Murwillumbah met Sunday at the CWA rooms to discuss and examine the Development Application which seeks to build a 23 unit multi-story complex with 80 car parks.
Church Lane residents Marie and Alan Rodgers organised the meeting to give fellow residents a chance to find out more about the DA.
Residents raised their concerns about a wide range of issues relating to the development including access and safety in relation to the major increase in traffic in the narrow lane as well as changing the quiet, relaxed culture of the lane and hillside. Residents also expressed their concern about the domination of the development on Hospital Hill, changing the local landscape dramatically and impacting on the views of other residents in the town.
MVCHA President Gary Bagnall listened to resident’s comments and spoke to the group, encouraging them to submit their concerns to council to ensure decision-makers considered the overall impact of such a development on locals and the town.
“The council needs to consider if development applications such as these are in keeping with the lifestyle, culture and heritage of our towns and villages.” Mr Bagnall said. “Residents have every right to voice their concerns and expect that these are acknowledged and weighted appropriately in all development decisions.
“Council should be considering ‘what is in it (the development) for the local community’? Does this enhance the lives of our residents? Does it bring local opportunities for employment? Will our infrastructure and services cope with it? Will it build our community spirit and connectivity?’
Local residents have until Wednesday, August 1 to submit their written concerns to council for DA 12/0271 and urge other townspeople to inspect the developers’ plan at the Council Offices and lodge their concerns with council.
