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authorities are still working to identify and source parcels of land in more than sites across the Shire. Mayor Cherry fears a possible exodus of families draining from the community when buy-backs of properties commence. “We don’t want twenty

REPORT CRIME: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

Clarence Valley Council is urging the community to be proactive when it comes to reporting criminal activity and antisocial behaviour.

Mayor Ian Tiley said Council was keen to protect its public spaces and allow our community and visitors to enjoy what these spaces have to offer.

“Clarence Valley residents have the right to feel safe and secure in their own community,” Mayor Ian Tiley said.

“Council has experienced a recent spike in vandalism to public assets which ultimately sees ratepayer money spent on annoying and often repeated repairs. This is money and staff hours that could have been spent elsewhere on other more productive Council endeavours.”

Repairing vandalised assets is a constant battle for Council’s Open Spaces teams and costs ratepayers more than $50,000 per year.

An extensive amount of vandalism to Council assets took place over the school holidays, particularly in the Lower Clarence, including damage to fences, barbecues and playground equipment in various parks, as well as graffti, while a number of shopfront windows were smashed.

“It is a big drain in terms of time repairing damage caused by vandalism, and quite devastating for staff morale to have to do this on a regular basis,” Open Spaces and Facilities Manager Peter Birch said.

Since 2021 Clarence Valley Council has promoted passive surveillance with the slogan: “If you see something say something” in response to anti-social behaviour.

Anti-social behaviour includes: • Excessive and persistent noise • Loud and unruly behaviour • Physical assaults and acts of violence • Threatening behaviour • Illegal activity

Report antisocial behaviour to the police on 131 444, or if you feel unsafe call 000. Please report damage to council assets here or call us on 6643 0200.

Community to help set direction of Tweed’s future

Community Conversations discuss population growth, housing and employment in the Tweed

Register to take part in one of a series of Community Conversations to discuss population growth, housing and employment in the Tweed moving forward. (An aerial image of the Tweed taken from Fingal Head.)

Tweed residents are invited to join a series of Community Conversations to learn more and share their thoughts about key population, housing and employment issues facing the Tweed Shire.

The events will be held in Cabarita, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Kingscliff on 2 and 3 November.

The Community Conversations are part of the public exhibition of a draft Issues Paper that will inform detailed consideration of options and opportunities in the next phase of the project and set the direction for a Tweed Growth Management and Housing Strategy late next year.

Once drafted, the strategy will describe how the Tweed’s population, housing needs and related employment land supply opportunities will change over the next 20 years and will set out planning principles and policy goals that seek to protect the Shire’s natural environment, community expectations, lifestyle and heritage values.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said the Tweed community was a key contributor to the draft Issues Paper, with around 300 residents participating in earlystage consultation in August and September.

“This draft Issues Paper presents the key findings from our consultation with the community, as well as a review of the current land-use planning and policy context, demographic and employment data,” Cr

Cherry said.

“I am pleased to see the themes identified in the Issues Paper align with what we are hearing in the community.”

Seven issue themes are identified in the draft Issues Paper: • Housing supply • Housing diversity, choice and affordability • Matching infrastructure and services with population growth • Provision of employment land • Protection of the natural environment • Protection of productive agricultural land and rural land values • Resilience to natural constraints and hazards.

“It is important local residents, business and industry representatives and community groups continue to work with us in these early stages so we can make sure the Tweed grows and evolves in a sustainable and well-managed way that aligns with our community’s values,” Cr Cherry said.

“I encourage everyone to have a look at the draft Issues Paper and attend a Community Conversation session as this strategy sets the tone for the future development of the Tweed – something we all feel strongly about.”

The draft Issues Paper is on public exhibition until 21 November 2022. The Community Conversations will be

held as follows:

2 November:

10 am - 12 pm, Cabarita 5.30 pm - 7. 30 pm, Murwillumbah

3 November:

10 am - 12 pm, Tweed Heads 5. 30 pm - 7.30 pm, Kingscliff

To learn more, read the draft Issues Paper and register to attend a Community Conversation, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ growth-managementand-housing-strategy.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry

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