Rural Land Strategy- Exhibited November 2017 to February 2018

Online forums and surveys for Council's Rural Land Strategy have been extended until the end of this week, to coincide with three community issues forums being held during the next few days.

Council's Planning Reforms Unit is staging forums at:

• Pottsville Neighbourhood Centre - Tuesday 4 June, 3-5pm
• Piggabeen Hall - Wednesday 5 June, 3-5pm
• Kingscliff Bowls Club - Thursday 6 June, 5.30-7.30pm

"These forums are taking the discussion out to the communities, enabling residents to find out more about the Rural Land Strategy and give their input about how they would like rural land in the Tweed to look and feel over the next two decades," Senior Strategic Planner Stuart Russell said.

"The online questionnaires and forums are further convenient ways for people to add their voice to the conversation, whenever and wherever it suits them.

"While there has already been a fantastic response to the surveys, the rural land is a very important part of what gives the Tweed its distinctive character and we encourage everyone to provide their opinions."

Click here to participate in the online surveys or here to get involved in the online forums.

The surveys and online forums will close on Friday 7 June at 5pm.

Enquiries can be forwarded to Council’s Planning Reform Unit on (02) 6670 2503.

Three additional issues forums will be staged for Council's Rural Land Strategy next month, as part of the current series of community consultation sessions.

More than 100 people attended the initial four forums - staged in Tyalgum, Chillingham, Burringbar and Murwillumbah last week - and Council resolved on Thursday to add further sessions in other parts of Tweed Shire:

• Pottsville Neighbourhood Centre - Tuesday 4 June 3-5pm
• Piggabeen Hall - Wednesday 5 June 3-5pm
• Kingscliff Bowls Club - Thursday 6 June 5.30-7.30pm

Community members also have until 31 May for provide input through online surveys and forums.

The strategy is being developed to provide clear guidance about the future uses of rural land in the Tweed, to achieve an optimal balance of uses including farming, protection of the environment, tourism, rural industries and housing.

A series of community issues forums for the Rural Land Strategy got underway today, with forums in Tyalgum and Chillingham.

A good mix of community representatives attended the opening forum in Tyalgum, raising many issues with the Council strategic planning staff on hand to answer their questions and record their input.

The series continues tomorrow (Wednesday 15 May) with forums at the Burringbar Community Hall at 10am to noon and the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre auditorium from 7.30-9pm.

The forums coincide with the recent launch of online forums for the Rural Land Strategy engagement campaign, giving community members further opportunity to join the discussion when and where it suits them.

A series of Tweed Rural Land Strategy online forums were launched today to provide another method of community input and to encourage discussions between members of the public.

"The forums on www.yoursaytweed.com.au are a great way for community members to expand upon their concerns and ideas for rural land in the Tweed," Council Senior Strategic Planner, Stuart Russell, said.

"Not only does it enable people to participate in the convervations whenever it suits them, it also fosters constructive discussions between members of the public.

"They enable people to respond and build upon the feedback of others and these discussions really help the community to consider and identify how they want to Tweed rural land to look and feel in the future"

Mr Russell said it was also a very transparent way for the community to provide input on the issue, allowing other people see their feedback to Council.

People will have until 31 May 2013 to participate in the forums.

Residents, business people, community organisations and other groups are being given a variety of ways to provide their input to the creation of Tweed Shire Council's first Rural Land Strategy.

Community engagement will be an essential part of the strategy's development, particularly during Stages 2, 3 and 4 of the process when the majority of public consultation will occur.

Attend a land owner forum

A range of meetings and forums will be conducted throughout the year to give stakeholders and the community an opportunity to meet with Council officers and the consultants preparing the Rural Land Strategy.

Issues forums

Consultants from EnPlan Partners will be conducting the first round of community forums to discuss issues confronting rural landowners.  They will be held at:

• Tuesday 14 May 2013, Tyalgum Hall, 10am -12pm;
• Tuesday 14 May 2013, Chillingham Hall, 3pm - 5pm;
• Wednesday 15 May 2013, Burringbar Hall, 10am -12pm; and
• Wednesday 15 May 2013, Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre Auditorium, 7.30pm -9pm.

Details of these and other forums will be announced on this site, Council's website at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au and in the Tweed Link.

Make a submission

You are invited to make a submission on issues and options for the future of rural land in the Tweed.

 Written submissions can be made:

• Online at Council’s website at: www.tweed.nsw.gov.au, under ‘What’s New’.
• By email to Council's corporate email address at tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au.
• In writing to:

Rural Land Strategy – Background and Issues Submission, General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484

Submissions and comments on Stage 1 (Background) and Stage 2 (Issues) must be received by Council no later than close of business on Friday 31 May.

Complete a survey

Two surveys will be conducted to give community members a quick and easy way to provide input.

Land holder survey

A survey of rural landholders will provide insight to the nature of life on the land in the Tweed. The questionnaire is designed to help build a picture about community concerns and expectations about the present and future of our rural land. It asks questions about the history of rural holdings, about how the land is and could be used.

Printed copies of the questionnaire will be mailed to all rural landholders in the Tweed.

For an easier way to complete and submit the questionnaire, landholders can choose to complete the survey online instead by clicking here [insert hyperlink].

Printed copies can be delivered to Council's offices at Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, or posted to:

Rural Land Strategy – Questionnaire, General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484

Only original copies of the survey form will be accepted.  Photocopies of the survey form will not be accepted.

Each landholder cannot submit an online and a printed copy of the survey.

Community survey

The landholder questionnaire will be complemented by an additional survey for the general community.

It will evaluate general community opinions about rural land in the Tweed, and it current and potential future uses.

It can be completed online. 

Printed copies are available by contacting Council's Planning Reform Unit on (02) 6670 2503.

Online forums

Online forums will soon be available on the Your Say Tweed site, addressing a  range of topics to allow you to enter into conversation with others concerned about similar issues.  

Tweed Shire Council has outlined a four-stage process to create a Rural Land Strategy.

Stage 1 - is underway to collate information on rural land and land uses in a Resource Inventory. A Land Capability Assessment of all rural land will be prepared as part of this stage.

 Stage 2 - Produce a Background and Issues Analysis Paper to:

• Provide an understanding of how and why rural land uses have changed.
• Start consideration of community attitudes, expectations and concerns.

 Stage 3 - Build on this information and develop a Land Suitability and Options Paper to:

• Investigate opportunities to develop a sustainable rural industry in the Tweed.
• Investigate alternatives to current land uses.
• Present strategies for adapting and managing change.

 Stage 4 - Develop the final strategy and recommendations for its implementation.

Tweed Shire Council is calling for Expressions of Interest from appropriately qualified persons for a Tweed Rural Land Strategy technical reference panel.

The Tweed Rural Land Strategy Reference Panel will comprise qualified professionals, experienced local rural landowners and other persons with a direct and recognised interest in the future of rural land in the Tweed. The panel will provide a technical review of draft documents before they go on public exhibition, and act as a technical resource to inform and guide best landuse practices and outcomes of the Rural Land Strategy.

Click here to see the reference panel charter.

The panel will convene in late May 2013 and is expected to run for the remainder of the year as the final draft rural land strategy is prepared.

An outline of responsibilities of panel members can be obtained from Council offices at Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads or on Council’s website www.tweed.nsw.gov.au.

The panel will comprise persons who:

• Are recognised for their knowledge and experience in a particular rural or related industry.
• Are able to provide a positive and expert input.
• Represent relevant Government agencies or educational institutions.
• Represent the diverse range of rural landuses and associated industries, including:
  • dairy farming
  • beef cattle
  • vegetable farming
  • sugar cane farming
  • intensive agriculture
  • horticulture
  • rural lifestyle living
  • rural business (non agricultural/horticultural land use)
  • government agencies
  • tourism and marketing organisations
  • educational institutions
  • landcare networks
  • organic farming
  • other legitimate rural land or associated industries or land uses

 Interested persons are asked to submit an Expression of Interest which addresses their:

1. Background, experience and expertise.
2. Contribution they can make to the panel's outputs.
3. Acceptance of the role of the panel as a technical review panel only.
4. Ability to critically analyse and assess draft documents.
5. Experience and expertise in one or more of the rural land uses and associated industries listed above.

Expressions of Interest should be delivered to Council's offices at Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, or posted to: Rural Land Strategy – Expression of Interest, General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484

Expressions of Interest should be received no later than Wednesday 15 May 2013.