Strategic land use planning

The following are included in the strategy:

• a description of the Tweed Local Government Area
• the context and relationship of the Strategy within the broader legislative framework
• revised and detailed vegetation mapping
• existing and proposed frameworks for the management and conservation of remnant vegetation
• identification and mapping of remnant vegetation and vegetation communities
• a methodology for the ecological criteria and assessment of the ecological status and sensitivity of remnant vegetation that draws on recognised comprehensive assessment processes
• an overview of threatened species in the Tweed context and generally
• information on soil and water landscapes
• investigation of socio-economic and cultural heritage (including Aboriginal values)
• issues associated with the management and rehabilitation of remnant vegetation
• strategic directions and recommendations for implementing a new comprehensive framework
• reflects on the values placed on the environmental landscape identified through the resident and tourist survey undertaken as part of the Tweed Tourist Strategy and Tweed Shire 2000 Strategic Plan.

The TVMS 2004 was initiated in 1998 and drew on the original 12-member Vegetation Management Plan Steering Committee that was established in 1995 as part of the previous Strategies working group. The makeup of the committee was later changed in July 2000 to 21 Members to ensure greater representation from the rural landowners, environmental groups and relevant government agencies.

An independent environmental consultant (Ecograph) was appointed to undertake the preparation of the Strategy in consultation with Council’s Strategic Planning Unit and the community based Vegetation Management Plan Steering Committee. 

Purpose:

• To minimise conflict and dual regulation between Tweed LEP 2000 and the New South Wales Natural Resource Management Reforms introduced by the State Government in 2003;
• To enable more efficient and transparent land management practices;
• To foster holistic and equitable approaches to managing ecological processes and significant natural areas in Tweed;
• Enable greater environmental protection, economic development and improved social or cultural conditions; and
• To improve the mechanisms for the conserve and protection of the Tweed’s unique biological diversity, scenic quality and ecological integrity.

Objectives of the Plan:

• To compliment vegetation clearing controls and provisions contained in the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and to reinforce the role of the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Natural Resource Commission as natural resources managers within the Tweed;
• To minimise the impact of new development on significant natural areas and steep land through appropriate planning controls;
• To identify and protect natural areas with high ecological, scenic or cultural value;
• To retain and improve the condition of the Tweed’s natural assets for future generations; and
• To streamline the ability for land managers to undertake routine land management practices that are likely to have minimal adverse environmental impact consistent with the provisions of the Native Vegetation Act 2003.

The TVMS 2004 acts as the environmental study to support amendments to the Tweed LEP 2000 which are aimed at facilitating the recommendations and actions contained in the Strategy. The amendments were originally being sought through Draft LEP Amendment No.21 and are now being implemented through the Tweed Shirewide Draft LEP 2010. The TVMS is primarily a strategy to inform plan-making, however it also plays a significant role in development assessment.

Some key elements of the Plan’s implementation are:

• The plan amends the 7(a), 7(d) and 7(l) Environmental Protection Zone boundaries under Tweed LEP 2000, which will be combined into a single zone called the 7(a) Environmental Protection (Significant Natural Vegetation/Wildlife Habitat) Zone.
• The plan proposes reducing the area of land affected by the Environmental Protection Zone, particularly in the western areas of the Shire. The area of land zoned Environmental Protection will decrease from approximately 13,600 hectares to 5,500 hectares in direct response to the natural resource management reforms by the State Government.
• The new 7(a) zone is generally concentrated within the Tweed coastal area where there is more accurate information on flora and fauna and where there is greater development pressure on remnant bushland and habitat compared to other areas of the Shire.
• The Plan introduces a new Shire wide map entitled ‘Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2000 – Catchment Map’. The map is based on mapping of bushland in the Shire under the TVMS 2004. The mapping of bushland as part of the Tweed LEP 2000 introduces a trigger for the assessment of development applications lodged with Council to ensure Council assesses the significance of vegetation/ wildlife habitat in rural and undeveloped urban (Greenfield) zones prior to clearing approval for a particular land use. It is important to note that residential lots equal to or less than 4,000 square metres and commercial/retail zones will not be affected by the provisions of the Catchment Map.
• The Plan brings into affect amendments to Section A10 of the Tweed Development Control Plan (Exempt and Complying Development). The proposed amendment to the DCP introduces a number of clearing exemptions. T he clearing exemptions avoid the need for Council approval in circumstances where the clearing is likely to have a minimal environmental impact or where clearing is undertaken to avoid natural hazards eg, bushfire. These exemptions will operate in both rural and urban areas.

A New Approach to Bushland Management in Tweed Shire - Brochure(PDF, 586KB)
Tweed Vegetation Management Strategy - Volume 1(PDF, 856KB)of 3 (Strategy Plan)
Tweed Vegetation Management Strategy - Volume 2(PDF, 4MB)of 3 (Technical Report)
Tweed Vegetation Management Strategy - Volume 3(PDF, 2MB) of 3 (Appendices)
Map 1 - Broad Vegetation Community(PDF, 9MB)
Map 2 - Vegetation Type(PDF, 17MB)
Map 3 - Camphor Laurel Abundance(PDF, 9MB)
Map 4 - Ecological Values(PDF, 12MB)
Map 5 - Soil Landscapes, Steep Land and Drainage Lines(PDF, 17MB)
Map 6 - Koala Sitings(PDF, 9MB)
Map 7 - Indicative Rehabilitation Priorities(PDF, 15MB)