By NIKKI TODD
TWEED Shire Council will finally progress plans to complete the beautification of the Tweed Heads CBD, more than 16 years after the project was first adopted.
Councillors at last week’s meeting endorsed a decision to apply for funding from the latest round of the Federal Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) which had already allocated $613,184 to Tweed subject to a grant application.
Once granted, the money will be used to complete stage two of the Tweed Heads Streetscaping Master Plan (THSMP) first adopted by council in August 1997.
Stage one of the streetscaping plan was completed in Wharf Street from the border to Frances St and in Bay St from Wharf St to Navigation Lane more than a decade ago.
But the second stage of the project, which included streetscaping in Bay Street West from Navigation Lane to the border and Wharf St between Florence and Frances streets, was delayed due to funding constraints dependent upon the sale of the closed section of land in Bay Street East.
Councillors in January finally ordered council to withdraw from the unsuccessful sale process and to explore beautification options with affected businesses and residents, many of whom had paid additional rates to benefit from the project.
In its report last week, council admitted it had spent all of the collected funds on stage one of the project, leaving some ratepayers short-changed.
“There is an expectation of landowners and an obligation on council to deliver the promised streetscaping to the areas rated who have not yet received streetscaping and requests have been made to this effect,’’ the report said.
In anticipation of the grant, council last month agreed to allocate $50,000 in the 2013-’14 budget to complete detailed design of the missing areas, in accordance with the original THSMP and subject to consultation with affected owners, tenants and the business chamber.
If successful, construction is expected to get underway next February to be completed by June 2014.
Deputy Mayor Michael Armstrong, who initiated the move in January to restart the stalled process, said it was about time the project was completed.
“This decision to finally complete the THSMP is an important step forward for the whole Tweed Shire,’’ Cr Armstrong said.
“This has been a matter of serious concern to many locals. In January I moved council to restart this stalled process and it is a great community victory that we can now expect this project will soon be completed.
“It is important for this project to proceed with the input of the whole community and local businesses, community groups, and interested locals will now have that chance.’’
The Labor councillor, who works in the office of Richmond MP Justine Elliot, said the work could not have been finished without the support of the Federal Government and Ms Elliot.
