Homeless heat on MP
Provest slammed for ‘inaction’ over Tweed crisis
NATIONALS MP Geoff Provest has copped a serve from Tweed Shire Council over “inaction on the homeless crisis facing Tweed”.
The council proposes to build tiny 14sq m homes to drive down homelessness in the shire, reflecting a similar initiative in Gosford.
General manager Troy Green wrote to the Member for Tweed on March 29 last year asking for an outline of appropriate Crown Land.
“Council officers have comcent menced investigation into council-owned sites for a future report,” he said.
“As a follow-up to the council’s recent resolution it would be appreciated if you could liaise with appropriate State Government ministers and departments on any State Government-owned land in the Tweed Shire that could be suitable for a tiny homes project.”
Mr Provest responded on December 14 and said he applauded the move but that his hands were tied.
He said a review could have “identified all vacant Crown Land in the shire and provided a forum to explore its use”.
“Other councils in the region have chosen to be a part of this process and there may be an opportunity for Tweed Shire Council to re-engage with Crown Lands once this has concluded. I would be willing to approach the Minister to this end should Council so wish,” Mr Provest said.
Officers recommended at a meeting in February that the council re-engage with the Crown Land process.
The council then resolved to express “extreme disappointment in the local member’s response to council’s request and condemns his inaction on the homeless crisis facing Tweed”.
“Council was simply requesting a list of appropriate Crown Land parcels, so not to receive any information in the response after a year shows a concerning lack of attention to this crisis,” documents read.
“The recent State announcement of assistance for 50 Units in Boyd St, Tweed Heads with only 30 per cent dedicated to either social or affordable housing leaves only 15 units to assist over 400-plus reported homeless, a drop in the ocean on the crisis that has developed over many years under his watch.”
The council noted 2.8 per of dwellings in the Tweed were classed as social housing, compared to an average of 4 per cent state-wide, which it said was a “sad indictment” on Mr Provest’s “lack of success in addressing the human crisis”.
The resolution split the council – Mayor Katie Milne, Deputy Mayor Chris Cherry and councillors Reece Byrnes and Ron Cooper voted in favour.
Councillors James Warren Polglase and Allsop voted against.
Mr Provest has been contacted for comment. Owen, Pryce