Draft roads strategy open for comment
11 May 2018
Community invited to drop-in session to unpack important roads map
Council has begun talking with the community about its draft Tweed Roads Development Strategy, which recommends upgrades to 51 shire roads.
Council will hold a drop-in session on Tuesday 22 May from 4.15pm to 6pm at the Canvas and Kettle Meeting Room, Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, Murwillumbah, to assist the community to understand this important document and make informed comment while it is on public exhibition.
All community members are invited to attend the drop-in session, including developers, who help shape the patterns of the Tweed’s growth as this strategy will become a key input in their business planning.
The draft Tweed Roads Development Strategy reviews the Tweed’s road requirements until 2041. Once it is adopted by Council, it will form the basis for updating the s94 Tweed Roads Contribution Plan, which will fund or partly fund the identified road upgrades required.
Bitzios Consulting developed the draft strategy using the latest population and employment demographics for the Tweed, aligning it with the neighbouring Gold Coast 2041 Strategy.
“The draft strategy proposes a range of upgrades to existing roads and intersections, as well as new links through urban release areas,” Manager Roads and Stormwater Danny Rose said.
“It is a significant piece of work and, when adopted, will improve the efficiency of traffic flows within the shire and to connecting shires.
“The updated traffic model developed by the consultants will allow Council to test further road options down the track, as priorities change, such as new developments and the proposed Tweed Valley Hospital.
“For example, when Council was upgrading Cudgen Creek Bridge at Kingscliff community members suggested a new road link between Salt Village and Cudgen Road. Using the updated traffic model we can see how this link might improve traffic flows. Then we can weigh those benefits against the costs, which in this case were very high as there is no road reserve through the agricultural land and it would need to cross a creek through environmentally sensitive land. So, that proposal is not recommended by the strategy.”
Council’s drop-in session will help members of the community understand the strategy, including the methodology used and the recommended road upgrades. Anyone can attend to speak with Bitzios Consulting’s Andrew Eke, Mr Rose and Council Traffic Engineer Ray Clark.
The draft strategy can be viewed at Reception at both the Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads Administration Centres, at both the Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads libraries or online at http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/OnExhibition.