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As one the fastest growing local government areas in regional NSW, Tweed residents are being encouraged to help guide the planning of housing and employment land for the next 20 years so the Tweed is ready for the future.
With the NSW Government expecting a population of up to 112,244 people in the Tweed by 2041, this could mean an increase of approximately 15,000 people on our current population of 97,151 (according to the 2021 Census).
Early stage consultation will begin this month after Council appointed consultants PSA Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd to prepare a new Growth Management and Housing Strategy.
The strategy will provide a clear understanding of how our population and housing needs – and related employment-generating opportunities – will change over the next 20 years in the Tweed. It will also set out planning principles and policy goals that protect, maintain and respect the Shire’s natural environment, community expectations, lifestyle and heritage values.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said Council aims to guide growth in a way that maintains the Tweed’s desirable lifestyle, strong community, unique character and biodiversity and continues to offer opportunities for residents to thrive without compromising our internationally significant environment.
“Managing population growth and overdevelopment and access to more affordable housing were two of the top three priorities for the next 10 years in a recent independent resident survey,” Cr Cherry said.
“That’s why joining with the community in the early stages of preparing this strategy is so important so we make sure we have the right development in the right place to meet the community’s needs into the future. I really encourage the Tweed community to help us understand what they most value about the Tweed today and what they hope it will be like 20 years from now.”
Early stage consultation on the Growth Management and Housing Strategy includes:
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Community briefing sessions (online and face-to-face) on Thursday 25 August to support residents to learn more about how the strategy will be prepared and the many opportunities for them to contribute and have their say in future stages of the project. Registrations are essential.
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Online community survey open until 12 September to understand what is important to the community when it comes to housing and employment opportunities in the Tweed.
To register for a briefing session or complete the survey visit yoursaytweed.com.au/growth-management-and-housing-strategy.
A project reference group has also been established to act as an impartial body of knowledge and technical expertise to support Council decision making during the preparation of the Growth Management and Housing Strategy. Members include community members and representatives from Transport for NSW, Biodiversity Australia, Tweed Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Housing Industry Association, North Coast Community Housing, Momentum Collective, Department of Planning and Environment and Gold Coast Airport.
Cr Cherry said Council recognises that more focus is needed on housing to ensure community needs are met.
“Our housing needs change as we age. As a community we need to consider where our changing population will live and the types of housing that will be required to accommodate these different needs,” she said.
“Affordable housing is also a huge priority in the Tweed, particularly following the flood events earlier this year.
“The Growth Management and Housing Strategy will look into the housing affordability issue in the Tweed and establish the need. But, to ensure we identify the practical steps Council might take to respond to this need, we will also soon begin work on preparing an Affordable Housing Strategy which is currently in a procurement phase.”
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