This just in from Surfrider Foundation Australia:

Media Release - 15/8/07

Seaside Development on the Tweed Coast - NSW
Final Piece of the Puzzle – Or Another Nail in the Coffin ...

Richtech Pty Ltd have announced the commencement of the next stage of development of the Tweed Coast between the Casuarina and Salt communities, and have described the ongoing development of this treasured section of the NSW North Coast as, ‘the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle’. Surfrider Foundation Australia believes that this is a very serious matter, not a game, as the Developers have chosen to promote it.

Chris Tola, Chairman of Surfrider Foundation Australia said, “In this age of climate change awareness, severe storm warnings and ongoing coastal degradation, it is inappropriate for developers to see the unsustainable development of the Tweed Coast as a “jigsaw puzzle”.

Surfrider Foundation Australia reminds the Developer and Tweed community that beaches adjacent to the Seaside development area are a recorded turtle nesting site, and the beach should be protected for this reason. The development and associated pedestrian activity may disturb sea turtle nesting behaviour, a problem highlighted on the same stretch of beach during assessment of the Casuarina and Salt developments.

“It is encouraging to see the developer using environmental rehabilitation commitments as a marketing tool, however, the public must be aware that they are forced to do so by conditions applied in the planning approval process.” Said Mr Tola. As with Salt and Casuarina, the Developer has had to comply with approval conditions by funding the rehabilitation of degraded coastal vegetation adjacent to their site.


‘The Seaside subdivision plan is an insensitive design that is merely repeating the mistakes of the Gold Coast’ Mr Tola said. Highlighting the historic nature of the developments original application, Mr Tola commented, “If the plans were approved in 1920, surely the planning approvals should be revised, as they are no longer valid today. If the same logic was held across the board, we would still be driving cars without seatbelts and smoking in the office!” Chris went on to say.

Another disturbing feature of this coastal ribbon development is the fact that the opportunity to live close to and enjoy coastal amenity is increasingly being denied to those who cannot afford multi million dollar resort style accommodation. “The Tweed Region is known to be one of the most difficult places in NSW to find affordable homes or rental accommodation. We can rest assured that this development will not contribute answers to this problem.”

Surfrider Foundation Australia opposes the ongoing destruction of the Nation’s coasts and marine environments, and the Seaside development is close to a perfect example of how not to do things.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Mr Chris Tola, Chairman, Surfrider Foundation Australia 0438 203964