Cudgen/Kingscliff Farmland Under Threat- Help Required

Can you please help me with this?

thanks mate. I agree that the Tweed Coast needs services, but yes, let's use another site.

thanks tdoubleb. i am very confident that another site will be chosen.I can be very persuasive if I have to be, but it won't come to that. Geoff Provest will shortly make an announcement about how he and his govt listen to their constituents and are willing to change things to assist them. The sydney stadium re think, and now the Tweed Valley Hospital, shows that Geoff and his party, are the people's party. Sounds good hey.

politicians love votes more than anything else. This issue is about the site. We are not against better health facilities, we are just saying, "good idea, wrong spot". So they can get their infrastructure trophy built and we retain good growing ground. It's a win-win for everyone- and of course a vote winner around here.

thanks TBB, as usual, you are full of great insights. IF there was nowhere else to build the SUPER HOSPITAL, well I might say okay, but that's not the case. I'm stoked that Health Services will be improved for the area, but not at the expense of prime growing land. A farmer doesn't put his house or shed on top of his best paddock. He/she uses the land in it's most effective/efficient way and in Cudgen's case, it's to grow produce.
YES TO NEW HOSPITAL. NO TO THE CUDGEN SITE SELECTED.

thanks crg and tbb. not over the finish line yet, but very close to getting a win-win.happy surfing.

Well we can thank Labor for coming out and making a site selection before Health Infrastructure gave it's final report. It forced the Coalition govt to come out and HAVE to name another site and it was easier to go with their original choice. As my submission states, building on that State Significant Farmland site actually breaks a National Legislation called The National Strategy For Ecologically Sustainable Development 1992. It's up to the farmers now if they want to challenge it. If you are interested, here's my submission, I have done enough already. It's a longish read, but I thought summed up the issue.
Tweed Valley Hospital Development (TVHD)
Part A​- Feedback on the Proposed Site- Wrong Site
“I am proud to lead a government that is working hard for the people of NSW, that treats our communities with respect and that is creating opportunity for all." states The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP, Premier,New South Wales on the New South Wales Government homepage.
Unfortunately this has not been the case with the proposed Tweed Valley Hospital (TVHD).
The Tweed community, and even the Tweed Shire Council, were not informed that the N.S.W Government had decided to build the Tweed Valley Hospital (TVHD) on a site in Cudgen that is designated State Significant Farmland.
Working hard is one thing, but not allowing any community consultation is not treating a community with respect.So in this instance, the N.S.W Premier and Government have not been consistent with what they have stated they would do.
The Expressions of Interest for the Tweed Valley Hospital (TVHD) were only extended after a Community outcry about not being involved/consulted correctly in the first place.
Not only has the N.S.W Government failed it's Public Consultation Duties to the N.S.W and Tweed population, but it's selected site seems to breach the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development, endorsed by all levels of Australian Government in December 1992.
Australia's National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (1992) defines ecologically sustainable development as: 'using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased'.
It goes on to state, “Put more simply, ESD is development which aims to meet the needs of Australians today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future generations. To do this, we need to develop ways of using those environmental resources which form the basis of our economy in a way which maintains and, where possible,improves their range, variety and quality. At the same time we need to utilise those resources to develop industry and generate employment.
The Core Objectives are: • to enhance individual and community well-being and welfare by following a path of economic development that safeguards the welfare of future generations • to provide for equity within and between generations • to protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems.”
The Cudgen Site selected is already designated State Significant Farmland. It has previously been farmed and the farms surrounding this proposed (TVHD) site will be impacted and poses a definite threat to the inter-generational equity of current and future farmers.
The Cudgen State Significant Farmland area is an already established industry,it already generates employment and it is using, conserving and enhancing individual and community well-being and welfare through fresh food, rural aesthetics and social benefits. Plus also using the land for what it is best suited for, growing food in a rich red volcanic soil.
Farming records show that the Cudgen State Significant Farmland area has been growing food for the Tweed Shire population since 1866* and is indeed an environmental resource that forms the basis of our economy.
Allowing farmers to farm and to then pass down their farms and give other people equitable opportunity to farm is therefore so important it is in Legislation, and also is congruent with what the N.S.W Government declares on its webpage,
" Our state is thriving like never before. But we know the job is not done. We want NSW to be not just the best place in Australia, but the best place in the world in which to live, work and raise a family – where each generation hands down greater opportunity to the next." The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP
Premier New South Wales.
Greater opportunity for the next generation does not come from breaking Legislation or ignoring local Planning Laws. So the proposed (TVHD) Cudgen site on State Significant Farmland already breaches Legislation that has been agreed upon by all levels of Australian Government, and it also breaches the Tweed Local Environmental Act 2014, especially the Aims 2(b) (d) (e) and also does not fit into the guidelines and plans within the Kingscliff Locality Precinct Plans 2015.
Combined with the fact that the site will have to be re-zoned means that this site is not the best site for the (TVHD) and for the Tweed Community where it will mean losing State Significant Farmland.
The proposed Cudgen State Significant Farmland site also seems to contradict what N.S.W Health actually declares are their Objectives. The NSW State Health Plan Towards 2021- Direction 1 states " Prevention is critical to keeping people healthier and out of hospital." Under the N.S.W Plan it includes, “Implementing the NSW Healthy Eating and Active
Living Strategy 2013 - 2018 to encourage healthy changes at a personal level and environments that support healthier living.” The NSW Healthy Eating and Active Living Strategy state’s one of it’s core Objectives as to, “-Increase consumption of fruit and vegetables.”
The Cudgen State Significant Farmland site in growing fresh produce is already an environment that supports healthier living and already satisfies one of the core objectives of the N.S.W State Health Plan Towards 2021 by already supplying vegetables and fruit. So to build a hospital on this site fails to satisfy the criteria as set out in the N.S.W Government’s own Health Plan.
So in conclusion to Part A, the proposed site at Cudgen can be seen to be not in the best interests of the Tweed Shire and it’s growing population.
Firstly-​ by taking away good growing land, it diminishes the region’s capacity to grow it’s own food and to supply other’s with food. This is important, especially in times of emergencies.
Secondly-​ it’s already been classified State Significant Farmland. It does not matter how much land is taken, State Significant Farland is that which has already been designated as being important to the sustainable future of N.S.W.
Thirdly- ​using the proposed Cudgen site could very well be in breach of a very important Law that all levels of Australian Government have agreed to. The National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development 1992 and its emphasis on using our ecology to promote sustainable employment and environmental uses and the importance of maintaining inter-generational equity means that the proposed Cudgen site’s impact on the local farming community and use of the land is not appropriate.
Fourthly-​ the proposed Cudgen site does not fit into what the Tweed Shire Council has planned for that area as contained in the Kingscliff Locality Precinct Plan 2015. It also doesn’t align with the Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014.
Fifth-​ the proposed Cudgen site seems not to be in alignment with N.S.W Health’s own health policy, the N.S.W State Health Plan Towards 2021 because it will take away an environment that already supports healthier living by growing fresh vegetables and fruit. The Cudgen site is already an existing preventative health tool for the Tweed region.
Fortunately there are a couple of options that are “better” than the proposed Cudgen site because (i) - they don’t build on and cover up State Significant Farmland, (ii) - they satisfy Legislation and Local Planning Laws, and (iii) all of the Tweed Shire resident’s will be close to a Health Facility. They can also mostly satisfy the Criteria as set out in the (TVHD) Site Identification Report Summary. These options will be discussed in ​Part B.
*Between River and Sea- Tweed Historical Society.
Part B
Tweed Valley Hospital Development
The Tweed Valley Hospital Summary states that "Selecting the right site for the Tweed Valley Hospital is vital to building the future of healthcare and servicing the health needs of the Tweed Valley community now and into the future”.
The future of healthcare in the Tweed does not take away it's best farming land to build infrastructure.
Suggestion 1- ​This is to keep Tweed Heads Hospital and actually expand it. There is space on the eastern river-side that currently has a car parking area at ground level. This whole area could be built up upon to include new car parking, new wards and sections. The building could then connect up to the existing multilevel stories of the current Hospital.
The beauty of this idea is that the Hospital is already operational and servicing the region. It already has Helicopter access. It can be easily evacuated in a flood because of traffic links to the North. It already has a lot of people living near it that use the Hospital frequently. Staff and visiting specialist’s already know the site, routines and protocols. This site actually already satisfies the first 4 Criteria as contained in the (TVH) Summary Report which are:
The Criteria of 1. Location, Access & Traffic 2. Urban Context 3. Built Forms & Landscaping 4. Environment, Heritage & Culture 5. Time, Cost & Value.
The only real issue will be cost, as there would also be a need to maintain Murwillumbah Hospital and maybe build a smaller facility at Chinderah East or in Kings Forest subject to Tweed Shire Council approvals. This would mean anyone living in any part of the Tweed Shire could easily access a Health Facility, and in times of flooding, it would give three options to utilise. So it is a very good idea to cater for the current and growing Health demands of the Tweed Shire.
2. Kings Forest
There is a strong community push for the new (TVHD) to be built at KIngs Forest. This site is in a good location access wise and it seems the Tweed Shire Council and the landowner are happy to have the (TVHD) built here. I am thankful to Mark Baxter and will use Mark Baxter’s information as reasoning to use this site. I think it sums up the main points and matches the Criteria as well as can be stated at the moment.
1.Truly greenfield site without the same impacts on existing community. Allows planning from scratch.
2. Urban context - planned and Casuarina Town Centre shops 1 km down the road - that's closer than the shopping area at Kingscliff from entry points into the current proposed site. Eight mins drive to Salt and probably the same from Kingscliff.
3. Central to Tweed Shire and accessible in flood time by coastal villages and route through Kingscliff when rarely needed. Planned upgrade of Coast Road to serve Kings Forest will eliminate short term flooding south of the traffic lights at Cudgen in the road dip, flash flooding that is not linked to Tweed River heights.
4. Possible alternative access from Murwillumbah and places west via Cudgen/Duranbah Rd and passing Tropical Fruit World with some road reconfiguration, and the M1 runs close to the western boundary -potential for access here.
5. Limited community backlash as approvals are already granted for the Kings Forest development that has been public knowledge for many years.
6. Roadworks will not have the same disruptions as would occur in Kingscliff/Cudgen and traffic pressure on the town roads in Kingscliff would be nullified by designing a road network around and to suit the hospital at a Kings Forest site.
7. It's not directly under the flight path of passenger jets arriving at the Gold Coast Airport which the Kingscliff site is (planes flying in at 200-300 metres above ground level won't mix well with emergency helicopters and the GC Airport is only going to get busier).
8. LEDA actually wants the hospital. LEDA being the landowner. 9. It is relatively flat compared to much of the Kingscliff site.
10. Town planning wasn't at the forefront of the selection of the Kingscliff site. A little local knowledge would indicate that Cudgen Road, Turnock Street, Marine Parade and Pearl Street aren't designed to take the extra traffic the hospital will generate.
11. There are no potential conflict of interest issues regarding previous attempts to rezone land owned on adjacent Cudgen farmland.
12. Prime agricultural land is not alienated in a domino effect once a hospital is built at Cudgen/Kingscliff, compromising farming activity across the road and the agri-business at the shed which could see the whole area out to the Cudgen traffic lights fall.
13. Leda would assist to get this site going and site placement, filling and road construction would ensure facilities and access were out of those rare flood events that take place.
14. Zoning for multi-storey building at Kings Forest would still be contentious but not as critical as in Kingscliff and other coastal towns where people have fought changes to height limits for many years, and the Kingscliff site on a ridge overlooking town does not fit into the Locality Plans for the area.
Suggestion 3- Kingscliff Business and Education Precinct.
This site has already been scheduled to include a possible hospital in the Kingscliff Locality Precinct Plan 2015. The site will be shown to satisfy all possible criteria and ensure the Tweed gets a modern health facility that is in a good position and does not have to sacrifice State Significant Farmland in the process.
The site is on the Eastern side of Tweed Coast Road and has ample space to build the new (TVHD). It has the ability to satisfy all the Criteria as set out in the Summary Report plus also assist local drainage and environmental issues.
The Kingscliff Locality Precinct Plan describes the site thus, “The large (47.5ha) area undeveloped land to the south of the existing industrial estate and west of the drainage channel presents a significant future development opportunity given its proximity and access to Tweed Coast Road and the Pacific Highway.The existing condition of this site is predominantly cleared given its existing agricultural use apart from stands of native vegetation across the northern part of the site. A decommissioned wastewater treatment site is located in the south-eastern corner of this allotment which has been undergoing decontamination and rehabilitation works for a number of years.The Tweed Valley Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (TVFRMS 2014) examined a range of possible filling scenario’s which takes in this precinct to assess the cumulative impacts of loss of flood storage due to the filling of this
and surrounding sites.Modelling confirmed that the fill impacts of flood plain development across this site remain within an acceptable level across adjacent urban and rural land providing coverage of the site filling is restricted to a maximum of 65%.”
Flooding of course is an issue, but engineered flood defence systems date back centuries with Ancient Egypt and China showing examples as early as 400BC. Architectural designs like Sacrificial Floors and building foundations acting as drainage channels enable buildings to be built that will not have to be evacuated even in a major flood like 2017.
The (TVHD) design could be built using landscaping and swales to assist any floodwater to be diverted into the existing and improved drainage channels. It could even include construction of a storage/holding pond that could be filtered/pumped through the decommissioned wastewater facility and drainage channels on an outgoing tide. By improving these drainage channels, and with the introduction of agricultural lime and phyto-remediation plantings around the decommissioned wastewater plant and drainage channel, it would also improve the local environment plus also create a lovely green landscape around the eastern side of the (TVHD).
The actual building could be constructed with the first levels having the ability to be made sacrificial in the event of a massive flood so water could flow through it. Having all uprights circular will assist water flow. In fact the roadworks and roundabouts necessary for the new (TVHD) could be engineered to assist the Tweed Coast Road water run-off around this area.
The close proximity of this site to North Kingscliff and to the Southbound lane of the M1 also means that it is possible to create road/cycle/ emergency access into Kingscliff and to other areas of the Tweed Shire or Gold Coast. The Kingscliff Locality Plan outlines the vision to link up and build connection roads around this area that would enable the (TVHD) good transport access, even in a major flood.
This site is also easily accessible from the northbound M1. So this Chinderah East site does satisfy the Criteria as set out in the Summary Report,
1. Location, Access & Traffic- central and easy to get to with improved traffic conditions around the site. 2. Urban Context- already designated as per The Kingscliff Locality Plans. 3. Built Forms & Landscaping- will actually assist drainage for area and not impact visual aesthetics.
4. Environment, Heritage & Culture- will actually help remediate an environment and not listed as having Heritage or Cultural Significance. 5. Time, Cost & Value- flat land and fits in with Tweed Shire Council’s vision for the area.
Conclusion
As shown, there are other sites that are “better” than the Cudgen State Significant Farmland site. These sites do not over-ride or neglect current Legislation and State (SEPP) and Tweed Shire Council Laws and Plans. Yes to better Health Facilities on the Tweed, but not built on Cudgen State Significant Farmland. Better Health Outcomes for the Tweed means preserving and improving our natural ecology and eco-system”s to provide a better sustainable economy, through better healthy living, eating local fresh produce grown in our rich local soil.

don't worry mate, just another example of an issue that got turned into a political football in the end. the post was for tbb, I'm now retired from community activism, I'm going surfing.

yeah mate, i was on to it from day dot. That's why I never got onboard with any side as it was obvious, especially at the Daily News Meeting last Monday what was in play. I asked a different version of the question I had submitted but the Health Minister and co answered my original question, but I hadn't even asked about that???? Today I get shitcanned for explaining how Labor were not interested until they could, lock in answer A Dave=SCORE VOTES. Yeah brutha, join the white shoe brigade, we are selling off all the farmland that has to happen under Statuatory(sp) law once a precedent is set.The classic thing was I purposely wore white shoes to the meeting to take the piss and no one noticed. They were too busy playing politics and being right. So today, I unsubscribed from all the groups, the papers, and then plucked my last arrow out of my quiver and fired it off. Silently, independently, but straight. And maybe they will move the target, but if they do, well, buy shares in a fan shit cleaning business. Seriously, I no longer care, I just want to be Koa Smith at Donkey Bay.