An exhibition of new plans that will create 3,000 jobs and house a further 7,000 residents in the Tweed city centre has been given the go-ahead by the NSW government.
Minister for planning, Tony Kelly, said that the government and Tweed Shire Council have been working closely to create a 25 year vision and new planning controls for the city centre.
"It's part of the Keneally government's vision to increase the vibrancy of major regional cities and help create jobs," he said.
Highlights of the plan include increasing the allowable heights and floor space of buildings in some parts of the city centre; encouraging energy efficiency, water conservation and recycling in new buildings and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that encourages outdoor dining and weather protection for passers-by.
A local environmental plan and a development control plan which outlines finer details about future development including street set-backs, landscaping design, access and parking are also included in the 25 year plan.
Emphasis will also be placed on ensuring that architectural design competitions are held for buildings higher than 35m and developments worth more than $2 million on key sites such as the Centro Shopping Centre, the Twin Towns club site and north of Jack Evans Boat Harbour.
Tweed Shire mayor, Cr Warren Polglase, said council is concurrently launching its public exhibition of the draft Tweed LEP 2010. The Tweed Cities Plan and the draft Tweed LEP 2010 will be on exhibition from 27 January to 31 March, 2010.
