THE TWEED Volume 2 #42 Thursday, July 1, 2010 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 editor@tweedecho.com.au adcopy@tweedecho.com.au www.tweedecho.com.au
Waterway fight taken to MPs Luis Feliu
Planning minister Tony Kelly has referred concerns over a controversial Chinderah development which would destroy a popular waterway to his department for a closer look. Residents of the Tweed Heritage Caravan Park have taken the fight to protect their much-loved waterway to state parliament with a petition signed by more than 550 people tabled last month. Tweed Shire Council has approved plans to build a 630-metre road over the tidal creek, which runs alongside the unformed Ozone Street next to the Tweed Heritage Caravan Park, and replace the waterway with concrete pipes.
No consultation The controversial plan, to accommodate a four-lot subdivision near Anne Lane, was given the green light last year by a majority of councillors, despite hundreds of residents from surrounding caravan parks not being consulted over it. It is believed some of the councillors deciding the issue failed to inspect the site before casting their vote. Council has since moved to remove the anomaly whereby only a caravan park manager or owner are entitled to comment on plans affecting parks, which on the Tweed house thousands of permanent residents. Mr Kelly, responding to the petition calling for the approval to be rescinded and to prohibit any interference with the waterway, said he had asked his department’s Grafton office to ‘note the concerns raised by the petitioners’. A spokesman for the minister told The Echo that affected residents could
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take the matter to the Land and Environment Court. Cr Katie Milne was the only councillor to oppose the plan, which still requires state fisheries and water agencies to sign off on it before building can start. Two weeks ago, dozens of residents voiced their anger during a protest on site, addressed by Crs Milne and Kevin Skinner and televised regionally. Cr Skinner told residents last week he raised the issue with council staff, who he said had been talking to the developer about an alternative entry/ access route and he would keep them informed on any progress. Tweed MP Geoff Provest has also helped the residents by tabling the petition in parliament. Park resident Lynda Mack says that despite the mayor, developer and some staff calling the waterway a ‘drain’ the creek was shown on an 1897 survey map as a natural tidal waterway. ‘We just can’t believe they want to destroy this beautiful waterway which has been there forever, it’s such a prolific fish breeding area and home to many birds and other wildlife,’ she said. ‘Even council staff said acid sulfate runoff as a result of the development could be a problem with inadequate safeguards proposed, so that too would seriously impact on the river downstream.’ Mrs Mack said the developer could easily have sought an alternative access other than Ozone Street, as the subdivision site is much closer to Anne Lane. She said the developer and council planners used a flimsy excuse that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)
Farmers feast aids B’bar hall
Kate McIntosh
L-R Rosemary Toovey, Sue Harnett and Deborah Allard gather the essential ingredients for a winter feast. Photo Jeff ‘Burringbarred’ Dawson
Farmers have been the lifeblood of the Burringbar School of Arts Hall throughout its 106-year history, so it’s no surprise that they’re once again at the forefront of renewed efforts to ensure its survival. The hall, which has served three generations of Burringbar residents and remains a central part of community life, has recently come under threat due to a $1,000 hike in annual insurance costs. In a bid to offset the hefty $6,000 annual fee, committee members are organising a Winter Farmers Market Feast to take place on Sunday, July 11. The event features a mouth watering degustation menu made from fresh local ingredients donated by farmers across the region. This is the second farmers feast to continued on page 2 take place at the hall, with the last event
through farmers markets, so we really hope this will promote the importance of buying local food and supporting the local economy,’ she said. First up on the menu is an antipasto platter, followed by specially created main course, the Turduckenail, turkey stuffed with duck, chicken and quail and prepared by resident Burringbar butcher, Brett. Local produce including fruits, beef, nuts, coffee, wood fired breads, beer and cheese will also be available for sale throughout the day. In keeping with the rural theme guests will be able to watch the afternoon milking of cows from the verandah. Tickets are $40 per head. To book call 02 6677 1111 or email tweedcheese@ bigpond.com
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raising some $3,700. When the hall first ran into financial problems some years ago, local farmers rallied together to hold a livestock auction, helping raise much needed funds. Built by local farmers in the early 1900s as a school of arts, the hall now hosts a wide range of important community events including school discos, wedding ceremonies, P&C meetings and fundraisers. Today, rising insurance and maintenance costs means the hall remains entirely dependent on community support for its survival. Hall committee and trustee member Sue Harnett said the idea for the farmers market feast was in keeping with the hall’s heritage and would help promote local produce. ‘A lot of farmers produce is now sold
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