Kingscliff height fight
Push to stay at 3 storeys
A FACTION of the Tweed Shire Council is fighting a rearguard action to impose a three-storey height limit in Kingscliff.
For the past three years council officers have been working on a proposal to raise the limit to 16.6m, or four storeys, in part of the northern NSW town.
But the faction has put forweard a rival development control plan.
Tweed Shire Councillor Ron Cooper is leading the push for three storeys and says he wants the plan taken to public exhibition – the next step in the process.
“They (those backing the original DCP) are not really reflecting this community,” Mr Cooper said.
“Visitors want a relaxed, laid-back type of village. That’s identical to what residents want.”
The local chamber of commerce will meet with the council to discuss each proposal.
Councillor Warren Polglase said the original development control plan, which had been under scrutiny for the past three years, would allow for considerable business investment in the region while maintaining a balance with the natural beauty of the village.
Cr Polglase said under this plan, the maximum height limit would only apply to part of the town.
“A greenie-led council has decided to tell the people, ‘This is what you’re going to have’, and all of a sudden there’s been a bit of a rising down there,” he said.
“What one developer wants to do is create a centrepiece for Kingscliff.
“As you go higher, you’ve got to create more open space. This issue is going to not only split the council but split the community of Kingscliff.”
Cr Cooper, Mayor Katie Milne, Chris Cherry and Reece Byrnes are thought to support a three-storey limit while Cr Polglase, Pryce Allsop and James Owen are in favour of the higher limit.