Tweed Shire Council is inviting residents from across the Tweed to provide feedback on potential options for the future use of Council-owned land at 99 Elrond Drive, Kingscliff.
The site, currently leased to the NSW Reconstruction Authority (formerly Resilience NSW) until December 2025, has been used for temporary housing since June 2022. Currently, 30 dwellings are used to house around 55 people unable to return to their homes following the catastrophic floods of 2022.
Currently zoned for 'community use', the site was originally leased to the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSW RA) under emergency orders following the flood.
To accommodate the temporary homes, the NSW RA constructed additional supportive infrastructure on site such as roads, power, water, sewerage and communal facilities including barbecues and shaded play areas.
In May 2024, Councillors agreed to a request by the NSW RA to extend the lease of the land until December 2025. As part of that decision, Councillors further resolved to consult with the Tweed community about future use options for the site.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said the return of this land to Council late next year presented a unique opportunity for residents across the Tweed who are faced with a shortage of affordable housing.
"We've heard from our community about the increasing challenges they're experiencing due to the ongoing housing crisis in the Tweed and local businesses and major employers like the new Tweed Valley Hospital are telling us they're struggling to attract essential workers due to the lack of affordable housing in the area," Cr Cherry said.
"Housing affordability is a growing issue with property prices in the Tweed rising at four times the rate of incomes in the past decade. In addition, the Tweed Shire has the third-highest homeless population in NSW, after the Sydney CBD and Byron Shire, with homelessness growing at a significantly higher rate than that of the rest of NSW. This issue is exacerbated by below average rates of social housing for the Tweed population.
"As our population continues to grow, we're hearing loud and clear that addressing this housing shortage is more critical than ever."
With significant infrastructure already in place at 99 Elrond Drive, Council is exploring a range of potential future uses for the site. Residents from across the Shire – not just those in Kingscliff – are encouraged to share their views about how this land could potentially benefit the broader Tweed community into the future.
Options under consideration include:
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returning the site back to parkland for the local community
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using the site for affordable housing for key essential workers
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using the site for social or temporary housing for vulnerable people in our community.
Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts during the community consultation period, which will inform Council's decision on the best use for the site going forward.
"This is a chance for residents across the Tweed to shape a decision that has the potential to impact the entire Shire," Cr Cherry said.
"Whether it's providing more affordable housing options or returning the site to open space, your voice is crucial in determining how this land will be used in a way that benefits everyone."
A report on the results of the consultation will be brought back to Council to guide future planning and development.
How to have your say
The community is invited to have their say on the future use of the site from Monday 4 November until 4 pm on Monday 2 December in one of the following ways:
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Online: complete a short feedback form on Your Say Tweed or via hard copy, available at Council offices in Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah.
