oastal C Spirit
THE TWEED SHIRE Volume 1 #29 Thursday, March 26, 2009 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 Fax: (02) 6672 4933 editor@tweedecho.com.au adcopy@tweedecho.com.au www.tweedecho.com.au
Pages 10 & 11 LOCAL & INDEPENDENT
High-rise on the horizon Ken Sapwell
Building heights in Tweed Heads, Kingscliff and Murwillumbah will be reviewed as part of a far-reaching land release strategy adopted by Tweed Shire Council last week. The review, which is certain to spark strong opposition from community groups, is a major plank of the council’s urban and employment land release strategy which will guide the shire’s development over the next 22 years. Under the strategy the council will rely on existing stocks of zoned residential land to accommodate future population increases over the next 22 years in a bid to protect the shire from urban sprawl.
Three key urban areas It will do this by encouraging higher density living in three key urban areas through more home units in taller buildings. Until the findings of a shirewide flood study are considered, the council will review densities in Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah and Kingscliff through a process of locality planning as an ‘interim approach.’ ‘This would likely involve increasing the height limits in these areas to accommodate the additional expected population,’ a comprehensive report on the strategy says. ‘The advantages are that it could be used as a tool to revitalise these centres, especially Tweed Heads, and bring investment which will also contribute to public infrastructure. ‘It would also increase the likelihood of these centres achieving
Food and power concerns flare up
higher order social and infrastructure services such as health and education commensurate with a larger population. The report acknowledges that higher densities bring social problems which would need to be monitored ‘as they evolve and grow.’
Immediate visual impacts ‘It would also have immediate visual impacts as taller buildings appear and the urban landscape changes,’ the report says. ‘Traffic and public transport issues will increase in importance as density increases and congestion problems occur.’ Chief planner Vince Connell said the review would not necessarily translate into high-rise buildings appearing in Kingscliff and Murwillumbah. He said while increasing building heights was one way of increasing densities, there were other options which would also be investigated. The strategy also supports the rezoning of six sites identified as suitable for light industrial uses and the provision of more office space by increasing densities in the commercial areas of Tweed Heads, Tweed Heads South and Murwillumbah.
Economy at ‘crossroads’ The report describes the Tweed economy as being at the ‘crossroads.’ ‘It is critical that all available avenues to assist the Tweed economy to mature and diversify must be pursued,’ the report says. ‘Otherwise stagnation and unemployment will follow.’ continued on page 2
Organic farmer John Morgan-Lowe with organiser of this weekend’s sustainable co-operative workshop, Irene Brown, at Uki’s Castle on the Hill. Photo Jeff ‘End Times’ Dawson Roxanne Millar
A group of scientists want Uki residents to set up a sustainable co-operative supplying power and food to ensure the town is protected from the effects of a solar flare predicted for 2012. A seminar on sustainability at Castle on the Hill this weekend will aim to kick start the co-op by teaching locals how they can live self-sufficiently with solar power, organic gardens and water saving. Organiser Irene Brown said the hope was that communities and individuals around the Tweed would begin to live sustainably to ensure they would still function in the event of atmospheric instability. Ms Brown said scientists had predicted a solar flare would strike in
2012, playing havoc with electricity, plans and cars. Although recognised by many scientists, there is much debate on how bad the flare could be. ‘I am optimistic that it won’t be that bad,’ said Ms Brown.
Live self-sufficiently with solar power, organic gardens and water saving. ‘But we can still work together to buffer any pain we might experience. Now is the time to live selfsufficiently. ‘We can set up co-ops in local villages because they are small enough to succeed.’ Explaining the need for self-sufficiency at the seminar will be Harvard research scientist Paul Taylor, Sustain-
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ability Research Institute of Australia director Dudley Leggett and expert Paul Wildman. Presenting the path towards sustainability will be solar installation expert Syd Welling, Tweed Shire Council sustainability officer Dan Walton and
organic farmer John Morgan-Lowe. ‘Hopefully we will be able to work out who has what and how we can get a co-op started,’ said Ms Brown. The seminar will be held March 29 between 9am and 5pm at Castle on the Hill, Bonny Doon Road, Uki. Bookings can be made by calling 02 6679 5442 or by emailing irene@castleonhill.com.
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