Cudgen/Kingscliff Farmland Under Threat- Help Required

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davetherave started the topic in Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 7:52am

G'day Swellnutters. Hope Stu and Ben support this forum topic.
If you have ever surfed the Southern Goldie and Tweed Coast, you already know how beautiful the countryside is. Behind Kingscliff is prime agricultural land that the NSW govt has decided to build a hospital on. If you like sweet potatoes, this is where they have probably come from.
There was no consultation on this issue. No one, not even the Tweed Shire Council was informed. Behind closed door dealing here maybe. I smell developers close by me thinks.
So very precious farmland will be taken, there has been no community consultation whatsoever, and it will create Traffic and Noise chaos for Kingscliff.
It's not good enough. There are 11 other sites that they could choose as well as upgrade the region's two hospitals and build a smaller facility on the Tweed Coast.
So if you think this is a pretty average performance by the NSW govt, please sign this petition so we can educate the govt on how to create infrastructure with the community's input and get an outcome that really works.
Once that farmland goes and the rezoning occurs, say goodbye to the Tweed's rural feel behind our great beaches
The link is below but it didn't copy so you will have to go to change.org or google Cudgen Farmland.
Thanks alot and may you enjoy some very happy surfing sessions, good vibes, dave
https://www.change.org/p/tweed-fruit-save-prime-agricultiral-land-in-cud...

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davetherave Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 8:15am

Can you please help me with this?

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thermalben Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 8:35am

I don't live in Kingy, but the Swellnet office has been here for the last three years - and I've only heard whispers about this development in the last few weeks.

The farmland along the Tweed is a big part of the coast's character, and it'd be a terrible shame for it to be lost if there were viable options nearby (how about around Chinderah? Still close to the Tweed but adjacent the Motorway).

That being said, I do also understand the need for more services along the Tweed as the population continues to grow, so finding the right balance will be difficult.

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davetherave Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 9:58am

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

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crg Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 1:16pm

Good luck Dave...this concept of major developments (particularly here in NNsw) being adjudicated on behind closed doors in Sydney without local consultation is disturbing. We're fighting a similar principle a little further south against the West Byron development. Over 5000 public local submissions against the proposal and word along the grapevine is it's already rubber stamped. Fight the good fight!

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truebluebasher Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 5:53pm

Local National Party member sells out the farm to LNP.
LNP bakes sweet potato cottage pie...A heap'n help'n for all local coalition farmers.

Promo/Biggest Tweed deal ever! Banora Point Bridge? Breakwalls had 4 Quarries?

(Kingscliff Site)
Hospital hugs [M1] + North/South arterial Coast road intersects East/West Range road.
Existing front door Bus Interchange routes with Murwillumbah/Tweed/Gold Coast Hospitals
Whereas nearby Kingy Farm sites require urban expansion of Bus Routes/Traffic Lights.

Clear elevated supply route west for 15- 20m Tsunami (Requirement for Evacuation Centre)
Sites South... Pottsville, Round Mountain, Hastings Point become stranded Islands in flood.

Kingy also fends off any Mount Warning/Coastal Ranges fires... While retaining access.
Kingy is OK with Traffic Lights...(Next south coastal traffic signals at Port Macquarie )

Attributes so rarely aligned so close to the beach.(Site is prime for any civic development)

Common sense also reveals
Valuable farmland falls to Whiteshoe retirement havens. Kingy Cnr new centre of town?
Land is prone to landslips and washouts.( Mega Project = Mega stabilization Blowout costs)
Hilltop Hospital may derail Tweed - Kingscliff Light Rail push.
Top of Town Hillside Bend is not the ideal site for the regions frail.
Carer costs/delays may skyrocket negotiating disabled patients on slopes.

davetherave I wish you luck but best consider a Plan B to claw onto Kingy culture
I doubt Public will get a say in Hospital site,but getting the hospital you need. Maybe?

Near all Hospital sites roll out endless non edible turf farms for vacant sculpture walks.
Kingy TAFE Saturday market gardens preserves culture(Setting a healthy precedent)

Kingscliff Hospital Garden/Cafeteria the first in OZ serving up fresh Sweet Potato Hot Chips?
Doctors may prescribe take home vege/potato packs from Kingy Hospital Gardens.

Priority Kingy (Community Garden patches) could be enforced into each redevelopment.
Previous Farmer Stalls to community owned. (Same Kingy soil/ produce & more variety)
Fresh Kingy Flowers would brighten up sick bay @ Kingy Gardens Hospital.

davetherave leading by example keeping Kingy in the game. Town needs more like you!

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davetherave Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 9:21pm

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.

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donweather Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 9:54pm

Ben, Chinderah floods at the drop of a hat, so you can't build essential services like a hospital in flood prone areas.

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truebluebasher Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018 at 10:17pm

Taxpayers would insist Hospitals be built closest to assist the most emergency patients.
Sadly we surfers are the most needy greedy bell ringers for a naughty nurse.

GCCC/SLSQ Gold Coast Lifeguards respectively treat 12,000/year each for 1st aid alone.
The Gold Coast Hospital alone treats 400 surfers/year @ $650 for each emergency visit.

Figures don't tally extra 5 beachside Emergency Hospitals treating most surf emergencies.
Add cost blowout of Spinal fractures/Facial Lacerations/Sprains needing transfers.

Surfers have the biggest stake in a beachside Hospital as the essential Surf Product.
Govt'/insurance could easily insist surfers need a Hospital no matter the make or model.
How clever are [LOCALS ONLY] to argue otherwise? Get well soon Kingy!

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davetherave Wednesday, 18 Apr 2018 at 6:14am

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.

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thermalben Wednesday, 18 Apr 2018 at 6:20am

Don, I’m aware of the flooding issue at Chinderah but there’s been some recent work done at Cudgen Heights where they’ve (at great expense, I assume) raised the ground level by several metres prior to development (you can see it on Tweed Coast Rd, just before the Kingy turn off). Perhaps this could also be applied for a hospital with a small footprint? Just a thought anyway. 

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truebluebasher Wednesday, 18 Apr 2018 at 11:29am

davetherave your force is strong and aim is true.
Clearly the biggest deal requires epic forethought...hence your asking & our assist.
Being across the facts will better enable your town. I can offer bare bones & no more.

With respect to lands of Saltwater Coodjingburra people.

Geographical Disaster planning is at the fore. Evacuation centre must survive tsunami/fire.
Set Flood Map Tool at 15-'20 mtrs' for alternate fullproof '24/7 accessible' Hospital sites.
On this matter allow Emergency Chopper access with free surrounds.(No Telco Towers?)
Sounds insignificant but Telcos own every mound in town & wouldn't budge for Hospital.
As said, I understand rail/tram planning is already on towns horizon.

Consider bigger picture of urban Seachange sprawl headed your way.
[M1] Coomera is next northern site for next bigger Gold Coast Hospital.
Ocean side Hospitals measure a constant 5 kms apart southward to Kingy.
Parkwood/Southport/Benowa/Robina/Tugun/Tweed/.......

Kingscliff is smack bang in the frame both geographically & population wise

However! I do agree Dave, that this site has obvious issues.
(A rising bend + downward landslip zone). Builders waving platinum compliance orders.
Construction Costs to ongoing site retaining issues can shutdown Emergency operations.

Kingscliff residents must consider future non scenic denuded dynamic of Cudgen Rd.
Site requires Overtaking/Bus lanes+Ambulance/Truck/Taxi slipways + Cycle/foot paths etc.
Widening of Cudgen Road will Terrace North face pushing building pads off the slope.
The site collapses into a money pit more so an ongoing burden to the community.
$300m Varsity Station stands testament to that. (Solid ground is worth it's weight in gold)

Furthermore should transit unions smell a trip or stumble hazard then they're outta there!
Safe to assume many Hospital patients have a disability requiring Busdriver's assist .
Busdrivers run a timetable. Should NSW Health Site fail driver safety. Then all Deals are Off!

Translink Qld ban bus stops failing Sight lines/ Wheelchair slope compliance.
Despite disabled commuters screaming to be let off at their local non compliant stops.
Transit shapes the viability of the site.This farmland site may prohibit a large civic structure.

Hospital will bank up Town's business/Student Buses with newly 'signaled' bypass delays.

Fair to say this farmland was cherry picked... being Isolated on north/eastern town side.
A more accessible site westward of intersection on Cudgen Road "may" provide better....

'Assuming urban utilities run east of Tweed Coast Rd then moving west burdens taxpayers.
Either way a hillside farm lies in the frame...Hot Potato! Hot Potato! (Love your work Dave)

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davetherave Wednesday, 18 Apr 2018 at 2:12pm

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.

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truebluebasher Wednesday, 18 Apr 2018 at 4:57pm

davetherave your kindness but mostly your on message catch-cry won me over.
Where do I sign? Count me in!

I did some more downtown research and what you say is true. "The issue is about the site!"
Proposed Hospital Site is zoned (State Significant Farmland). Please accept my apology!

Off the record the site across the road behind TAFE is zoned (Educational).
Hear me out! Boy will I get into trouble... With google as a guide!

The TAFE site appears as a huge blank canvas...Mindless open air [P] devalues the site.
Most classrooms are little more than a sprawl of knock-up Titan Sheds.
Soon as any Education Building of note rises adjacent then a TAFE rebuild will likely follow.

Level site is worth $Gazillions but near nothing with TAFE sprawling neighbouring site.
Site is zoned Educational meaning a Kingy University/Hospital/TAFE combo is possible.
State/Uni shares cost for Kingscliff's North Coast crowning Glory on best site in Town.
Taxpayers save half & Institute gets a leg up even state gets a state of the art new TAFE.
Community hangs onto it's youth saving a brain drain. Student Farm Garden stalls remain.

Kingscliff becomes centre for Health/Knowledge/ Research. Grandest entry to any town.
Soon enough your new King will patron his facility. Long live Kingy!

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truebluebasher Friday, 20 Apr 2018 at 9:27pm

Congratulations davetherave!
Tweed Council voted 4-3 to knock it back.
(State Significant Farmland) mean't exactly that. (New Site to be sought.)
Check Tweed News for more.

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crg Saturday, 21 Apr 2018 at 7:15am

Result! On ya Dave!

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davetherave Saturday, 21 Apr 2018 at 8:48am

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

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thatguy Saturday, 21 Apr 2018 at 11:06am

Yeah, fuck the sick people.

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truebluebasher Friday, 15 Jun 2018 at 1:41pm

Tweed Hospital Forum Monday 5-7pm June 18 Tweed Heads Civic Centre Auditorium
Cnr Brett & Wharf Streets Tweed Heads

Tweed Daily News Editor Ms Nikki Todd is hosting the Forum/Panellists include...
*NSW Health Minister
*Tweed MP
*NSW Health Infrastructure spokesperson
*Tweed Hospital Medical Rep.

Panellists will address audience before taking questions.
Priority is given to Questions'Registered' with Ms Nikki Todd prior to 12pm on the day.
Questions should be short & to the point for clarity.
Email your questions to-
[email protected]

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the-flying-dog Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 7:13am

Local paper reporting the hospital will go ahead on farmland at cudgen/kingscliff. Sad times...

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davetherave Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 7:35am

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.

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thermalben Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 7:44am

Bloody hell, I can't read all of that. 

Quick summary?

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davetherave Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 8:00am

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.

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thermalben Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 8:03am

Bummer. Not surprised about the footy unfortunately. I'll check out the post later (haven't heard anything in this area for a little while).

See the signs for Kings Forest the other week? They were all over that stretch between the Kingy lights and Casuarina for a couple of days - then they mysteriously vanished. 

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truebluebasher Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 8:59am

Love the detail davetherave...that's some hometown pride there...Sorry for your loss bro!
Good fight Kingy! We over developed Gold Coasters feel your pain...avagoodweekend!

Tweed Daily News headlines that Kingy Hot Potato poor build site as the dirty done deal

Forever awaited Kingy Skatepark should rightfully get a fast track. (Break a leg Kingy!)

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truebluebasher Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 8:59am

Love the detail davetherave...that's some hometown pride there...Sorry for your loss bro!
Good fight Kingy! We over developed Gold Coasters feel your pain...avagoodweekend!

Tweed Daily News headlines that Kingy Hot Potato poor build site as the dirty done deal

Forever awaited Kingy Skatepark should rightfully get a fast track. (Break a leg Kingy!)

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truebluebasher Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 7:20pm

Signs can be misleading Ben. Mysteriously vanished you say?

Kings Forest campaign was run by former Political strategic adviser to PM Abbott.
*An Infamous longterm LNP bankroller of GC local/State/Fed elections.
* Champion of ASF Spit Casino & loved by Leda & every developer here & everywhere.

Shac was recently widely reported as owing GCCC money but is broke to tune of $1m+.

Fellow civic activists Ben & davetherave... deserve to know this much!

Shac are best known for playing the good guys then ease them over to dark side. (Hobby!)

Health Minister says ALP Leader Luke Foley's choice was Politically Questionable?(Hell yes!)
Broke LNP guru Shac all too easily puppets ALP NSW Leader/Secretary/Local Member.
NSW ALP websites all now pride LNP Shac that habitually screw over Qld ALP. (Losers!)
Surely next Premier vets poorly disguised Darkside message boards before parading them?

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davetherave Saturday, 30 Jun 2018 at 7:53pm

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.

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truebluebasher Tuesday, 30 Oct 2018 at 9:09pm

davetherave check out ABC 7:30 Report (Leigh Sales) 30th/Oct/2018
Very good rundown of the Grass Roots S.O.S. (Save Our Soil)
Kingy is earning a lot of respect by fighting the Good Fight.
Way to go Kingy... go down fighting like proud Aussies!

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truebluebasher Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018 at 1:54am

davetherave asks for help and none other than the Mayor blockades the site.
Mayor gets her hands dirty. Big! BiG! BIG! Kickass help from the original Power Puff Girl.
Come and see the real thing come and see the real thing come and see ... THE REAL THING !
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/mayor-joins-hospital-protest-as-w...

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davetherave Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018 at 9:31am

better late than never i guess. sad that it turned into a political tug of war and if you watched australian story on abc last weekend, it shows just how against good land management our current govts are. i still believe that if the labor party had waited until the libs/nats made public their site choice after the public consultation period, things could have turned out differently.

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garyg1412 Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018 at 10:14am

Is this "fast tracking" of developments by politicians and councils without public consultation a new phenomenon in our political landscape and if so why. Seems to me the only reason it's being done is to hide the negative effects of any developments from the public until it's too late to have any opinion whatsoever. Plus it sounds as dodgy as fuck!!! I think politicians need to realise that by having more community engagement will at least warm any local community to the decisions they want to make and why. Or they could just ignore all of us and "gravy train" it to the next election where they might (and should) end up as unemployed statistics.

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truebluebasher Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018 at 11:23pm

Yes it is garyg well spotted.
GBR Foundation gets $500 million to polish a tortoise shell that was never asked for either?
Most say money is laundered until they get the green sticker then funnel it back soon as!

I can example what you say by looking at our City today and how it might relate to here.

GC Council/Qld TMR/GC Bulletin combined can't get 5,000 [YES] for tram after 3 years push.
1 lady & Change Campaign gets over 10,000 [NO] against Tram in just 3 months.
Govt rule her petition was invalid as online poll had no addresses.
Note: Neither did their online... Do you like nice Trams [YES]...One rule for them....

Anyhow! Turnbull promises $112m for Tram before Public Feedback even gets underway?
Yesterday ScoMo drops off the cheque before the Business Case is proven?
Comparison: We begged for 3 centuries for [m1] funds. 1000% voted [YES] & cop abuse!

Give you some idea of business Case. All cities get the same Tram deal for coming years.

Depart GC arrive Sydney Airport before GC Tram pulls into GC Airport. (Sadly not a Joke!)
From Train/Tram Hub > GC Airport (Tram- 1hr 41m) OR (Train-25mins- half built)
No brainer to build 25 mins Train already delayed from 2016 now postponed > after 2031
Unbeknown to us now GCCC/State Govt say no way never ever that 6 x efficient Train ever.
Local Planners steal Train funding as play money for 6 x slower Pollies Timeshare Trolley.

Australia's longest sustained capacity transit impost robs Tourists & locals alike .
Trade away City's income to upzone top end real estate/stamp duty/rates take.
Fuck that Nation Building Shit! Go whole hog in Whiteshoe Timeshare Trolley Trough.

Join the dots folks. I reminded above that Timeshare Trolley is headed to Kingy
Coolangatta light rail Action Group/Tweed Chamber of Commerce/Tweed MP Provest
All want Cross-border Go-card & Light rail.. 20 stories for You 20 stories for You & for Dave.

garyg...That's Why Govt can afford to throw money at it... comes back 10 fold via duties.
In otherwords how high a precedent does Hospital set for Kingy/Uni Accom & so on.

Easy access non farmland Kingy Hospital and a proper x border train is what people want!
Govt's want what their backers want...
GC is backing Tweed Mayor & Kingy! Love your community spirit led by Dave. Legends!

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truebluebasher Friday, 7 Dec 2018 at 1:57pm

News: NSW Labor...*Keep Tweed [+] > * Stop Cudgen [+] > * Build Kings [+]
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/we-will-put-cudgen-plan-to-death-...

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truebluebasher Sunday, 13 Jan 2019 at 7:25pm

Claims nsw Govt outed Names/Addresses of public submitted responses to [+] EIS.
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/fury-over-privacy-breach/3616480/

This story condemns onsite "Dupes of Hazzard" Old school Banner.
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/activists-at-hospital-site-could-...

Stadiums before Hospitals or State/Federal Elections referendum on Hospital?
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/war-of-words-erupts-over-tweed-va...

Thanx to 'Tweed News' for Hospital updates

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thermalben Sunday, 24 Mar 2019 at 3:00pm

Sounds like yesterday's election result (Incumbent Nationals member Geoff Provest was re-elected to the seat of Tweed) means that the hospital will be built at Cudgen. 

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davetherave Sunday, 24 Mar 2019 at 4:00pm

Correct.As I invited the Team Relocate and Labor faithful to understand that nastiness can biomechanically be measured at a lower frequency on the polarity scale it would result in them not getting the outcome they desired.As usual I was ignored so my life keeps getting better and better whilst they would be very disappointed today.
I held true to myself and stated a very factual case that I believe was in the best interest of all concerned and there was no blaming/shaming/ name calling or derogatory defaming of anyone or any other viewpoint.
Good luck with getting a car park in Kingy soon and come and see the Cudgen plateau farmland now before it becomes urbanised.
I have approached our local National Party incumbent to lobby for special bodysurfing area's especially for myself or otherwise I will contest the next election under the RaveParty banner.

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truebluebasher Monday, 25 Mar 2019 at 1:02am

All pollies/locals agree Kingy soil is significant!

TAFE site is a glorified Go Cart Circuit with more [P] than Pit Lane Sheds
Hospital is more a supersized Carpark that sprawls Kingy Plateau Farmland.
Little sense in arguing over a Hospital that is smaller than the Parking Lot .

Govt has already started Earthworks!
1)Where are they dumping this valuable fertile Kingy soil?
2) Where is the Enviro award process to safeguard the soil?
3) Surely Kingy local Gardening groups are equally welcome to it?
4) Are cronie farmers getting their ute loads?
5) Is some of the Lower Site Toxic Soil if so...Where are they dumping that?

No process about #1 soil or footprint are coming before the Community.

All New Hospitals partner a University so TAFE is a Uni/Upgrade site.
Again so obvious but none speak of it, as if it's Taboo?

Hospital/Uni/Tafe/High School can combo 1km footprint on 5km Plateau.
Thus creating 4sq/km Oz #1 Educational Farming Centre.
Kingy Plateau as 5km of Carpark or 5km #1 Oz Hospital/Uni/Farm College

Hospitals need equal space for a dozen more Private Health Facilities.
All see this at Tweed/Southport/Parkwood etc..again here it's Taboo?
Smart observers note Govt set Hospital well back from Cudgen Rd.
Likely that Private Health leases line main rd in & out of town.
Bank of Traffic lights needed for entries will slow future transit.

Hospitals are the Prime drivers of Public intercity / Interstate Transit
Note: Tweed Hospital < > Gold Coast Uni Hospital maintains a 24hr link
Brisbane < > Logan also but not Brisbane < Helensvale > [+] Gold Coast
Note: Only seachange or CBD folk are afforded o/n connect to Hospital.
Be that Trains between Bne < >Logan or Buses along Glitter Strip.

Note: Tram does not connect to o/n Hospital nor 1st XPT Trains/Planes out.
Tram offers Slow Prime Time Shopping it is not a civic service for locals.
Quite the opposite...it uproots existing free Senior bus services as it goes.
Tweed Pollies are now pedalling the very same Timeshare Trolley.

Current Tweed Hospital advantages interstate natural Transit Flow.
Interstate Coaches equally run XPT- M'Bah & Kingy Routes to Tweed/Qld.
Buses long favoured M/Bah-Tweed/Qld Link to Tweed Coast secondary run.

(Pause)
Recall Commonwealth Games running a 15min o/n service thru Kingy.
Note: A continued GC o/n service affording only the Sea Change folk.
M'bah was never serviced o/n during the Games.(A Major Change)
This was a quantum shift in steps toward a Tweed Coast Primeline.

More importantly shows Kingy Hospital will likely link 24hr to GC Hospital
Note: No o/n Bne link is possible since (Games & Night Link services ended)
Although a combined NSW/QLD push may re-open o/n QR hourly to Bne.
This reopens 24 hr OZ Train/Plane Border Loop to Oz Capitals opening time.

Suffice to say Coastal Tweed Hospital Transit is soon E/Coast Primeline.
Again M'Bah will suffer, now with less Bus Links To Qld but more to Kingy.
It could well be future XPT might only run via Kingy/Hospital - Tweed.
M'bah may need to forge a Bus link to Kyogle Stn to back up Border Loop

If pollies aren't over this (which they aren't) then good for Kingy.
Kingy still gets to decide from 24 hr capitals loop or o/n shut down.
Kingy decides to keep rapid Bus Timetable or go Slower with Tram.
Kingy copped a major blow but still has the power to shape it's own destiny.

Proposed 13 year skate park bid now has an emergency wing! [Vote YES].
Davetherave's bodybash'n ward gets tbb's vote..
GC salutes Kingy!

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dimdim Monday, 25 Mar 2019 at 9:54am

Maybe smaller hospitals might be the go. Uki village in Tweed Shire wanted a medical centre and council blocked it.? Still no doctor in Uki. Mega hospital for Kingscliff.

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Solitude Monday, 25 Mar 2019 at 3:13pm

It's not for Kingscliff. Kingscliff just so happens to be the site the government forced the Tweed's new hospital to be.

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Supafreak Saturday, 18 May 2019 at 11:06pm

Absolute effing joke ! It’s not the site that will flood but roads leading to it ! How do you get to this site in flood times ? Tinny ? Everyone knows this but powers that be don’t care . The old border park raceway is the perfect site , close to airport , easy access, industrial area , this hospital will take 3-5 years to constuct and the powers that be are dragging the chain and really haven’t a clue , but what can you expect from a government that puts mining magnates like gina and clive ahead of hospitals and schools.

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Solitude Sunday, 19 May 2019 at 9:17am

It’s done and dusted mate. Although most locals feel the same as you the ‘spot x is perfect site because.....’ has fallen on deaf ears. Doesn’t seem like they actually considered any other sites

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thermalben Friday, 16 Aug 2019 at 8:49am

And it begins. Currently sitting in gridlocked traffic trying to get into Kingy.. construction now well underway.

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the-flying-dog Friday, 16 Aug 2019 at 6:56pm

A taste of things to come unfortunately...

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tubeshooter Friday, 16 Aug 2019 at 7:20pm

When you say gridlocked does that mean Salt and North Kingy too . ?

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truebluebasher Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 at 2:32am

Tweed Valley Hospital combos Private & Health Education Precinct

Phase 1 Tafe Sponsors Students from Kintetsu Osaka Pharmacy University. Huh!
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/students-taking-valuable-lessons-...
Phase 2 Tafe Tweed Valley Skills Centre..built & operational by late 2019.(Later)
Health precinct replicates Hospital for Nursing & Health Training + Emergency care.
http://www.tweedvalleyhospital.health.nsw.gov.au/WWW_Tweed/media/TweedVa...
Phase 3 Tafe Kingscliff integrates a Health & Education precinct across campuses.
Phase 4 Northern NSW prime health University upzoned on TAFE site 'over time'
Phase 5 TAFE site & Cudgen Road will be an ongoing work site for next 20 years.

All the clues are there just join the dots.(Uni needs Hospitals need Private patients)

Hospital Video Flyover.
https://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/watch-concept-design-for-new-twee...

See: The site on the east is plenty big enough for mirror Private Hospital.
See: Hospital is set back for Private Specialist Suites fronting Cudgen Rd.
Resulting in many Combo entries buying up Traffic light U turns for favour.
Add this to constant TAFE-Uni upgrade then Cudgen Rd is 24/7 uprooted.
Note this is Public Hospital Land cornering private health rent. What's new!

Private shops high cost Accident / Trauma / N/ICU to pay for Hi tech Public Suites
GC Uni Hospital is Oz leader in all 3 for a reason...Private Patients double / yr
University holds hand out for fresh parts (Trans-parts-time dictates close unity)
Public ban Overweight & Elderly to unscrupulous outsourced Private care plans.
That's the vicious circle & that's the plan.

#1 GC Model is going Oz wide with conga Timeshare Trolley to shop for upzones.
Pretty sure Kingy had it's hand up for Timeshare Trolley...

Goldie swellnetonians give neighbours a chance.[Future Kingy Transit Timetable].

Hospital Tram prescription (note: slower than 1880 steam timetable).
Slow = Upzones... Council reaps Rates & Govt swims in a sea of Stamp Duty.
Don't even have to build it ! Just bash the shit out of public & say they need it bad.
Palmy least want the damn Tram nor the 12 cranes. Palmy is now Shadowland!

Tram / Kingscliff to B'Hds = 1:20m / 2:40m rtn (Slow due to many stops / signals)
Tram / Kingscliff to Bne = 3:20m / 6:40m rtn (via Helensvale-Train)
Tram / Kingscliff to Bne (Airport) = 3:50m / 7:40m rtn (via Helensvale -Train)
Yes! It is quicker to fly to Sydney & back..Don't let them know you know that!

Placebo Train (Never to be taken) (note: Peak hour Train is fastest Transit mode)
Off grid speed doesn't upzone Council rates or Govt stamp Duty so Train is evil .

Train / Kingscliff to B'Hds + bus = 25m / 50m rtn (Fast due to few stops / signals)
Train / Kingscliff to Bne = 1:35m / 3:10m rtn
Train / Kingscliff to Bne (Airport) = 2:05m / 4:10m rtn

Note (2016) Gold Coast Airport Train has been shelved until (2038) re: Pure evil .
GC denied #1 Prime Qld link for 22 years & soon each lose 2.5 hrs/day to Trolley.

Kingy! Have a sniff of the brownpaperbagtrail...It's Whiteshoestompin'time!

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thermalben Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 at 6:53am

Tubeshooter - the gridlock was on Tweed Coast Rd, turning into Cudgen Rd. Not sure if the road in from Salt or North Kingy was affected as a result.

For some reason, the developers didn't seem to take into account the fact that Tweed Coast Rd is a single lane carriageway. So, yesterday when they decided to block one lane of Cudgen Rd (serviced by two blokes with stop/go signs), the traffic quickly backed up to the lights. 

Therefore, traffic coming from the south only had a small area - about 100m - where there's a turning lane, and this filled up quickly - which in turn went back into the main road. Which meant anyone trying to get from Casuarina (or further south) through to the Tweed Coast couldn't do so (even though they weren't trying to turn right into Kingy) because of the blockage. 

Traffic from the north was similarly affected, though - now having sat through about five sequences of the lights to see for myself - they get a much longer window of green lights. Every time the lights went green (from the south), no-one could move around the corner because everyone coming from the north had filled into Cudgen Road. 

And it's not like it's a small project.. construction will be happening for a while. So I can only presume that this will be the norm for a while. Why couldn't they build a service lane for construction vehicles instead?

Whew! Glad to get that off my chest, eh?

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davetherave Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 at 10:25am

Ben, now you can see why i didn't think it was the best place to build a huge project. lot's more inconvenience to come, unfortunately.
I just got back from a lovely relaxing week on the coffs coast where still lots of places left to chill out without human noise pollution. surf quality not as good as coolie/tweed, but man, there's hardly anyone out- u bewdy!!!!!!!!

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Solitude Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 at 12:18pm

Paper and mainstream media have kept this one quiet. I only realised through one sentence published in a tweed paper letter to the editor

https://m.facebook.com/ABCNorthCoast/posts/2493223270698886

https://www.change.org/p/gladys-berejiklian-preserve-south-sea-islander-...

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the-flying-dog Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 at 1:49pm

Heard a bit about this locally Solitude. I can’t see it having a major effect on the development. HI ran limited discussion sessions with South Sea Islander Community members but it seems like a token gesture just as the community consultation with the initial site selection was. The site has been marked for development for years and nothing like culturally significant features or the loss of a town’s soul will stand in the way of a greedy few pushing to open up the local areas farmland to more development .

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Solitude Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 at 6:59pm

Yep sadly you’re right. She’s full steam ahead. Only time will tell what effect it has on the area, not many positive ones for those who like the quiet life.