By TANIA PHILLIPS
A planned $1 million upgrade for the Tweed Heads CBD has been thrown into disarray following the new Federal Government’s decision not to go ahead with the Regional Development Australian round five (RDAF) program.
Earlier this year, the Labor Government announced funding for the RDAF program, and the Tweed Shire Council was allocated $613,184 for the redevelopment of Bay Street. The work, in Bay between Sands and Enid and Wharf between Florence and Frances, will bring the street up to the same level of streetscaping as the surrounding area.
It was scheduled to begin early next year however Tweed Mayor Barry Longland said the withdrawal of funding from the RDAF had placed the project “under a cloud”.
Cr Longland said planning had already begun on the project and the plans had been on display at the Tweed Shire Council offices at Tweed and Murwillumbah until 28 October.
“When governments change these things happen,” Cr Longland said.
“This has put a cloud over the the project.”
However, he said it was a much-needed project in the area and council would be looking at other options to ensure that it happened whether that be “diverting funds from other projects or looking for other sources of funding to fill the gap”.
“We are not giving up hope on it – where there is a will there is a way,” Cr Longland.
The announcement has also “disappointed” the Tweed Heads Chamber of Commerce and Industry who have been pushing for the beautification of the area.
“The Chamber is disappointed to read that the funding for the Tweed Heads CBD streetscape upgrade project won’t proceed as anticipated under the recently announced Regional Development Australia round five program,” president Victor Lapardin said.
“We understand that the new government was under no obligation to proceed with un-contracted projects under Round 5 of the RDAF and that the RDAF program was being replaced with the National Stronger Regions Fund.
“We will make contact with our Federal Member and seek her assistance in securing funding for this project under the new National Stronger Regions Fund, which would begin operating in 2015.”
Federal Labor member for Richmond Justine Elliott condemned the decision.
“This decision is unfair for the people on the North Coast. Across our region we have funding cuts of more $2.5 million to seven councils for 12 local projects. (see full list attached)
“This is all we ever see from the National Party on the North Coast – cuts to vital funding and services.
“The Regional Development Australia Fund was designed to stimulate regional economies and create jobs by funding important community infrastructure projects like the much-needed redevelopment of the Bay Street in Tweed and a dedicated cycling track in Byron,” Ms Elliott said.
