With a decision on Lot 490’s fate for a proposed tourist resort due any day now, Tweed Shire Councillor Katie Milne invited David Shoebridge, the Greens MLC, who holds the planning and local government portfolios, to view the area and hear concerns from members of the community.
“On our visit, a group of pelicans swam up the creek and then flew back over in perfect formation, while gentle waves lapped at the naturally forested, sandy banks,” said Clr Milne.
“I only hope the Planning and Assessment Commissioners, who promised to visit the site before they make their final determination, will be touched by a similar experience.”
Recent sightings of the critically endangered Beach Stone Curlew recorded by a local bird photographer have cast doubts on the veracity of the developer’s reports. With only 16 sightings in NSW, this sighting is extremely significant. Even the food sources for the glossy Black Cockatoos were incorrectly identified by the developer, according to advice received by the community from bird experts.
Mr Shoebridge said, “One of the most fundamental flaws with the planning system is that there are few, if any, repercussions for inadequate consultants’ reports.”
“Recent efforts by the Greens to change this in parliament were blocked by both major parties, so the community is usually left with no option but to foot the bill for any review. In this case it should be different though, as the proponent is actually the government, and it’s the government’s integrity that is on the line,” said Mr Shoebridge.
“The community has called for an independent review of the environmental reports and for the financial details to be made public,” said Clr Milne.
“The numbers are just not stacking up environmentally or socially, and there are huge question marks over the finances, according to community members who spoke at the hearing.
“When so many of the new resorts on this coast have gone into administration or receivership, it’s bizarre to imagine how the NSW Government thinks they are going to do any better than the private sector,” said Clr Milne.
“The government should spare the community the angst and save themselves a whole lot of financial strife.
“This development would be a legacy the community would never forgive.
“One of my first motions for our new General Manager, who specialises in economic development and planning, was to review the economic justification of the of the Coastal Crown Reserves plan of management,” said Clr Milne.
“This plan has further major development in line for several other parts of the coast. Unfortunately my motion was not supported by any other councillor.
“Lot 490 is not just any old development, this is our own government giving away our public land against our will,” said Clr Milne.
“The government must justify under law that this is actually in the community’s best interest when the community is clearly crying out they don’t want it and that the environment can’t handle it.”
