FAQs

Rather than a funded implementation plan, the management plan outlines a vision for the future management of public open spaces at Hastings Point. 

Some actions of the plan will be implemented in the short term with existing budgets (e.g. fencing, vegetation management) while others will be implemented in the longer term as funding becomes available. 

Some actions identified in the plan have already been implemented or planned as part of Council’s management of the area (e.g. Cudgera Creek foreshore park carpark upgrade, relocate osprey pole, access tracks design).

A management plan is a long-term vision for how an area can be cared for and/or managed into the future. It recognises how an area may grow and change over time, outlines aims, objectives and opportunities for ongoing management, and expresses a commitment to implement management actions. 

The management plan expresses 'the future plan' for the area, and how Council will achieve it. It's often implemented using a staged approach with certain aspects of the plan implemented as funding becomes available.

The area consists of nine (9) parcels of Crown-owned land (some part lots). Council manages all land parcels other than Lot 7053/DP1111122 which is managed by the State Government. The total area is approximately 27.617ha and the relevant Lots are identified below:

The Hastings Point headland and adjacent Cudgera Creek are renowned for their scenic beauty, seaside public areas, abundant environmental attributes and deep Aboriginal cultural history. Even careful visitors create an impact, and without careful management, the cumulative future impact of headland visitation will negatively affect its existing values. The plan endeavours to manage use of the area to help the area from being ‘loved to death’.

Stage 1 – Community input 

Council staff will undertake project initiation consultation with Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee (AAC), the Hastings Point Progress Association (HPPA), and Tweed Coast and Waterways Committee (TCWC). Council will issue Request for Offer and engage consultant. Council will open and encourage community input through its Your Say Tweed website.

Stage 2 – Draft management plan

The consultant will develop the Site Analysis and draft Hastings Point Headland Management Plan (HPMP) in consultation with Council’s Coastal Management Officer with consideration of the community input received through Stage 1. The draft HPMP will be the focus of consultation with community stakeholders in Stage 3.

Stage 3 – Exhibition and Community Consultation

The draft plan will be presented to Councillors and principal stakeholders and publicly exhibited.  

This consultation will generate feedback on the draft HPMP and may identify additional matters for consideration. During exhibition, community consultation will be encouraged through online and in-person (at location & drop-in) engagement.

Stage 4 – Finalise management plan

Finalising the management plan will include preparing a submissions report to summarise feedback and amending/updating the draft management plan in response to submissions. The amended draft will then be presented to principal stakeholders for endorsement and recommendation that Council adopt the plan.

Stage 5 – Final Management Plan adopted

The final management plan will be presented to Council for adoption.  

This area floods and is expected to flood more in the future with rising sea levels. It is not suitable for new infrastructure like toilets.  

The concrete slab is not a council-maintained boat ramp. It is often buried under sand and removing it will not stop boats from being launched at this location. 

Yes — parking on the headland will retain ocean views from your car. 

During our initial consultation in 2023, the community's feedback was to keep the headland looking natural, so we haven’t recommended shade or other structures. 

Illegal camping is an issue in the whole Tweed Shire, and not something this management plan is designed to resolve. Rangers and police patrol this area and ‘On-the-spot' fines are issued to anyone ignoring these rules.  

This campground is one of a kind in the Tweed. Some people value it, others don’t. The plan aims to strike a balance. It proposes reducing the camping area slightly to return a popular ocean-view picnic spot in the northeast corner to the community, even when camping is happening.