Hello Concerned citizens,
Just when we thought that Kings Forest couldn’t get worse, it has.
Breifly, Leda Corp has applied to vary their plans for the small piece of land on the ocean (east ) side of the Tweed Coast Road . Instead of “rural supplies” store (aka lanscaping business), Project 28 Pty Ltd (LEDA) sought to amend its DA to 6 food outlets – 2 of which are drive through – a car wash and dog wash and a fossil fuel service station. All to go in Precint 1 of the KF development on the bank of the Cudgen Creek and wetlands adjoining State Significant Farmland on the block’s northern boundary.

This is a modification to the original approval given to the site for a Rural Supplies Building.

This modification was objected to by local land owners, but Tweed Shire Council and The DPI failed to object to this new land use. The danger to the wetlands and Creek becoming seriously contaminated made some of us think this change would be refused…and it was:
The Modification request was refused by the Executive Director Key Sites and Industry Assessments under section 74W of the Environmental and Planning and Assessment Act 1979. on 18th April 2016.

But…Project 28 Pty Ltd (LEDA) appealed this decision and an on-site conciliation conference was held with some objectors, the commissioner and Project 28 on 13th Sept 2016. ( report was confidential).
Tweed Council held an extraordinary meeting on Tues 24th January 2017 to discuss the issue, and sent an urgent letter to the Lands Dept. Neighbour and organic farmer Donna Smith has since learned that Council’s letter was “too late” and that a S.34 Agreement has been reached which will be tabled in the Lands and Environment Court on Monday 30th January 2017. The terms are not yet known but Donna feels certain that Leda Corp will have its way, with some conditions imposed.
I appeal to everyone to spare a few moments to save Cudgen Creek – that wonderful regional asset and tourist attraction – please email Gladys Berejiklian, who is the new Premier of NSW, via the Premier’s web site, an appeal based on threat to clean water and prime farmland.
The Planning Department listed risks to the environment and wildlife among it’s concerns. You comments might include the fact that a new Caltex roadhouse has opened a few kms away and that established area businesses ( in Kingscliff, Cabarita, Casuarina ) will suffer as a result. Perhaps even make an argument about moving away from fossil fuels during our Climate Change emergency.
Today the Three Minutes to Midnight Scientific Committee advanced the Doomsday clock” by 30 seconds.
Search for NSW Premier – contact. You will find there also a link to message the Premier on Facebook and Twitter .
Do it now. Just a few words may turn the tide.
Thanks, Sledge
NRG President

NSW Premier and Deputy Premier 23-1-2017

Dear Ms. Berejiklian and Mr. Barilaro

I write on behalf of the Northern Rivers Guardians, Inc whose membership of more than 600 are dedicated to responsible development in our area.

We congratulate you both on your recent elevation to high office. We hope that you will adhere to the highest standards of public service and remember that you are there to serve, not to rule.

We want to raise with you a few issues that are hot topics around here:

1. Local decision-making : The broken campaign promise when the Coalition first took office that planning decisions will devolve back to local Councils. We oppose the use of state power to impose developments on local populations against their will. The JRPP is unable to give fair consideration as their record of approving developments shows. We are happy that Mr. Barilaro has said that he will oppose forced Council amalgamations. If there is any good reason to take away the most direct access to democratic governance, we would like to hear it.

2. Fossil fuel mining does not deserve a place in this region, or any region which wants to be “Fit for the Future.” Please rescind mining licences that are detrimental to local industries and/or health. Remove heavy penalties for people who protect us through action to preserve our environment.

3. Marijuana: Legalising marijuana for medical use is a no-brainer. Get on with it. Talking about it while people suffer or get arrested at police discretion is not good enough. Many time people in the Northern Rivers have suffered major police paramilitary raids, which are totally inappropriate to this mainly peaceful area. We recommend decriminalising recreational use of marijuana as well to alleviate social discord and help reduce the problem of prison overcrowding in NSW.

4. Environment first : Please take all possible action to assist the planet to avoid the harmful effects of climate change. The proposed container deposit scheme needs to be expedited. All committees should consider the environment as a first priority. The economy cannot grow without a fully protected environment. We have no other planet to leave for future generations.

5. Rail transport : Please bring trains back for passengers in our area and connect to the Gold Coast. This should focus on commuter trains rather than distant connections. Electric trains will help reduce pollution and traffic congestion.

6. Land clearing/ wildlife corridors : The community expects government to regulate to preserve native flora and fauna. The recent legal changes could allow for self-assessment by landholders. Please ensure that well-credentialed officers are empowered to oversee land use and resourced to prosecute illegal land-clearing. We welcome recent announcements of funding to help connect habitat for wildlife corridors.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter and provide responses to any anal issues raised.

Sincerely,

Scott Sledge
President
Northern Rivers Guardians
PO Box 309 Murwillumbah, NSW

Three Tweed Shire Councillors – Cherry, Cooper and Allsop – attended the public meeting at Uki Hall re water mining on Thursday 19th January . Mayor Katie Milne sent an apology from Melbourne. These Councillors seemed willing to listen and act on behalf of the people.

The gathering of about 180 people expressed a broad range of concerns about the DA . The proponent, former politician Jack Hallam, was not present . Many were worried about TSC getting sued if they do not accept the proposal to extract and sell groundwater, which is legal under current rules. Despite legal complications no one spoke in favour of granting the change from home use of the bore on Rowlands Creek Road to commercial extraction and sale to a Gold Coast bottling company. Many questioned the wisdom of allowing 43-tonne tankers use of narrow, winding country roads and the cost to Council from damage large tankers will cause. The risks to other road users is unacceptable and the costs of damage to roadways and bridges is beyond calculation, but surely more than legal costs to defend a Council decision to refuse water mining in Tweed Shire. The meeting applauded a statement by Scott Sledge, President of NRG, that the water is a public resource which should not be sold off for private gain. Direct action to stop aquifer drawdown is a distinct possibility should political processes fail the community which clearly – and loudly – oppose water mining.

Stella Wheeldon told the meeting that other possible legislation that may affect the decision on the Rowlands Creek Road development is Aboriginal Cross Border Legislation (Federal Legislation).

SUBMISSION POINTS GATHERED AT THE UKI HALL MEETING

PROPOSED BULK LOADING & DELIVERY OF EXTRACTED WATER AT

LOT 3 DP 815475 (NO. 350) ROWLANDS CREEK ROAD, ROWLANDS CREEK

1. Ref Number: DA16/0936

Application lodged: 21/12/2016

Description: Advertised development – water extraction facility

• The applicant proposes to take water from an existing bore by bulk containment to a commercial bottler & distributor.

• The site distance along Rowlands Creek Road for tanker trucks entering and exiting the site is insufficient and poses a danger to traffic.

• Tankers will take up two lanes to turn by the Uki school. This will pose safety risks for school children and motorists in Uki village. Problems with tankers negotiating school buses in Uki village.

• There needs to be an assessment undertaken in order to place a load limit for Rowlands Creek Road.

• High cost to rate payers as a result of repairs to damaged bitumen from tyres churning out and displacing hot soft bitumen in summer months where tankers turn, particularly in Uki village.

• Ratepayers will have to pay to repair damage to road infrastructure including bridges and verges caused by the tankers when they leave the bitumen when approached by oncoming traffic on narrow rural roads.

• Local amenity will suffer.

• The development will provide no economic or social benefits for the Tweed Shire Council or the people of the shire.

• Tankers on the roads and travelling through our villages and towns will adversely effect tourism in the area.

• Uki’s amenity, safety and tourism based businesses will be severely adversely effected by tanker traffic

• Tourists having to negotiate 2.5 metre wide and 19 metre long tankers on narrow winding roads will deter tourists from visiting the area. Tanker drivers having to negotiate slow-driving sightseeing tourists on narrow winding roads will cause frustration and tailgating that will place the driving public at risk and damage from the Tweed Valley tourism experience.

• Frustrated drivers overtaking slow trucks will make rural roads more dangerous.

• The bridges on Rowlands Creek Road would have to be upgraded to accommodate the tankers.

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• Property values of residents on Rowlands Creek Road will be devalued.

• There has been no base data provided on the bore.

• Sufficient information has not been provided in the Statement of Environmental Effects for the Council to make an informed decision.

• Tweed Shire Council doesn’t have the knowledge or expertise to evaluate the impacts of the development on the environment.

• There has been no account provided of the long or short term cumulative effects on the environment, local amenity or tourism in the area. Once this development is approved it will be too difficult to retract it. This is too important an issue which has the potential to set a precedent for other commercial water extraction development applications in the broader area.

• There has been no account provided of how much the development will effect the charge and discharge into Rowlands Creek or the ability of other nearby residents to access ground water.

• Climate change predictions have been underestimated. Weather events like drought are expected to become more severe. The precautionary principle should dictate that the development should not be approved in order to ensure that ground water levels are not adversely impacted.

• There is an existing bore within 400 metres of the proposed extraction site.

• There is no requirement for water meters on the bores to monitor the amount of extraction.

• Once an extraction allocation has been approved the developer can apply to increase the amount allowed to be drawn.

• Ground water should remain a public asset and not used for private commercial purposes.