I could submit a book on this Concept Plan for Tweed Mall! It proposes to become a NEW Town Centre but Tweed Heads already has three: Tweed City, Tweed Shire Council buildings & Tweed Mall.
So, is this NEW Town Centre needed? This a major revamp of a RETAIL CENTRE to attract local shoppers & holiday-makers to a vulnerable, already fragile site. A strange one, where the 3 major food supermarkets are positioned side by side! Yes, the addition of a few cafes/eating places, modern children's area, indigenous cultural aspects, some pleasant trees & foliage look enticing, but the actual surroundings – Jack Evans Harbour, new children’s play areas & the boardwalk have already been improved by TSC & offer outdoors & fresh air!
The sheer extent & time schedule of the building process will cause major upheaval & change for residents not only in the immediate residential streets, but affect traffic, transport & the environment throughout Tweed Heads.
Particularly concerning is the rise of 3 tall accommodation towers & a hotel, leaving those who are in need of reasonably priced units excluded. Facts are needed: Is there a predicted rise in local population that ensures that these high rises are the most appropriate type of housing required in Tweed Shire? In this particular position?
The existing blocks of units surrounding the complex, Seascape & unit block owners & renters, locals who fish, picnic & walk along the river, access the old Tweed Hospital site etc. will be affected by noise, limited access, lack of kerbside parking (where are all the tradies to park?), for an uncertain length of time. As a result, the lifestyle of those who already live in the surrounds will be significantly impacted. Many walk to the Mall because they don’t drive & are elderly – they will need to shop elsewhere, thus affecting other nearby businesses.
And how will the existing transport be reorganised to service the public who depend on it? Shouldn't there be, due to this concept's revamp, an investigation into the necessary & relevant transport needs in Tweed Shire?
Has consideration been given to the many homeless people who choose to socialise & sleep in the area?
The lot & surrounds already have contaminated soils (as described in EIAustralia Doct), & native animals & plants at risk. More parking basements are to be constructed & there is an inference/lack of clarity that this project could be environmentally catastrophic for the existing riverside walk as well as local species of birds, reptiles & endangered animals.
The old petrol station’s demolition (1972) also raises the issue of contamination. Mention of existing fuel outlets on Wharf St & their future will also change the type of transport needed for households as well as the public.
There has been no planned local resident consultation process, but in researching this project, it was widely publicised in interstate papers & financial reviews. I trust Tweed Council will establish a broad consultative process with all ratepayers, renters & businesses, hopefully with expert speakers to enlighten us on the above & many other concerns in this massive project.
