Multinational and interstate developers are devouring the Northern Rivers region one hectare at a time

 

Alan Edward Larkin
IMAGE: Linkedin

With 30 plus years experience in construction and property development, former managing director and principal of Aspect Property Group in Brisbane and current managing director of Digital Infratech Pty Ltd, Alan Edward Larkin of Coolangatta Qld, joins the conga line of multinational or interstate developers on the make in north-east New South Wales.

Mr. Larkin appears to be part of an alleged consortium involving IRBS1 Pty Ltd formerly trading as Aspect Property Group, Digital Infratech Pty Ltd solely owned by IRBS Holdings Pty Ltd & with Larkin as only listed director and, ASX-listed specialist funds manager Centuria Capital Group (currently $21 billion in assets under management with a $1.7 billion healthcare platform).

According to the Federal MP for Richmond Justine Elliot in February 2022: At the time of the land purchase [in 2019], it was widely publicly reported that Aspect had donated numerous times to the Liberal National Party in Queensland. Searches reveal that Aspect had donated more than $28,000 to the LNP in Queensland, including the infamous LNP Forward Brisbane Leadership Fund.

One has to wonder if the consortium was expecting its largesse in Queensland to translate into favourable treatment by a then Coalition state government in New South Wales.

Echo, 23 November 2023:

The rezoning of the State Significant Farmland (SSF) to build the Tweed Valley Hospital on the Cudgen Plateau near Kingscliff split the community and ultimately came with an ‘iron clad’ promise from local Nationals MP Geoff Provest that no more SSF would be rezoned.

However, the land next to the hospital site was bought by Allan Larkin, Director of Digital Infratech [Managing Director at Digital Infratech Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland], just days before the announcement that the SSF would be rezoned for the Tweed Valley Hospital site. Since then Mr Larkin has proposed a mixed-use site called Cudgen Connection. Initially, they proposed that the site to be part of the stage 2 hospital development but this was rejected. Now they are imminently submitting a development application (DA) that provides private hospital and medical suites, essential worker housing, koala research centre, an education and community housing precinct and more at the 5.7 hectare site.

An artists impression of the new Cudgen Connection

Tweed Councillors write to the government

At the recent Tweed Shire Council (TSC) meeting (16 November, 2023) Councillors voted to write to Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, NSW Leader of The Opposition, Mark Speakman, NSW Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Scott Farlow MLC, and Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest to request advice that ‘they will uphold the integrity of the Cudgen Plateau and support the existing retention of State Significant Farmland’.....

Full article can be read at:

https://www.echo.net.au/2023/11/call-to-protect-state-significant-farmland-next-to-tweed-valley-hospital-as-promised/

$52.7 million about to go up in smoke in Ellangowan

Google Images, 23.11.23

Now that's a lot of weed.....

NSW Police News reported that seven people faced court on Wednesday 22 November 2023, after police seized more than $52 million worth of cannabis south-west of Lismore on Tuesday 21 November.

"Following extensive inquiries by the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad and Richmond Police Detectives, assisted by the Aviation Command, Dog Unit and Northern Rivers Region Enforcement Squad, police attended an Ellangowan property, about 11.30am yesterday (Tuesday 21 November 2023).

Police will allege in court that the property was being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.

At the property, police allegedly located and seized more than 15,000 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of $52.7 million.

Six men aged between 41 and 61, and a 52-year-old woman, were arrested during the operation before being taken to Lismore Police Station.

All seven were charged with participate in criminal group contribute activity, and knowingly take part-cultivate large commercial quantity-cannabis.

They were refused bail to appear before Lismore Local Court...."

A name change for Hottentot Crescent, Mullumbimby?

 

IMAGE: Daily Telegraph, 22 September 2023

Echo, 21 November 2023:

Changing the name of a local street because it is derived from a racist slur might seem a simple decision at first glance.

But the reality has proven more complicated when it comes to Hottentot Crescent in Mullumbimby’s Tallowwood housing estate.

The street was given its name because of the hottentot fig trees that were planted there in 1993.

But the word ‘hottentot’ itself is a racial slur that has been directed toward members of the Khoisan tribe in South Africa for hundreds of years.

Earlier this year Byron Council was approached by a local resident who argued that the crescent should be renamed.

In response to the approach Council sent letters to the 23 houses on the street asking for their views.

It received a wide range of responses, from those who felt the strongly that name should be changed, through to those who strongly believed it has become part of the local identity that has nothing to do with its racist derivation.....

Byron Shire councillors will consider the issue as Item 13.23 Possible change of road name Hottentot Crescent, Mullumbimby at its ordinary monthly meeting on Thursday 23 November 2023.

Item 13.23 carries the staff recommendation:

That Council commences the name change process for Hottentot Crescent, Mullumbimby

Clarence Valley Emergency Operations Centre and a new NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Control Centre to be built on council land at Grafton Regional Airport

 

A much needed response to the increased need for co-ordinated disaster planning due to the increasing scale and intensity of climate change impacts beginning to be experienced in the Northern Rivers region....

 

Aerial view of site of the proposed Clarence Valley Emergency Operations Centre, Grafton Regional Airport. IMAGE: Clarence Valley Council

 

Clarence Valley Independent, 15 November 2023:

Disaster responses in the region will be streamlined and managed from a new $13.569 million Emergency Operations Centre, co-located with a new Fire Control centre at the Clarence Valley Regional Airport, with council currently assessing a development application for the facility.

The NSW Government announced $8.9 million in funding toward the project in February as part of a $75.1 million investment to upgrade 13 fire control and emergency operations centres across the state.

The DA 2023/0627 for 419 Airport Road, Glenugie, on land owned by Clarence Valley Council proposes construction of a NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Control Centre within the airport precinct, 11 south-east of Grafton.

The Emergency Operations Centre will be located north of the current airport terminal and feature an operations room, a planning and logistics room, two training rooms, meeting rooms, general offices, IT room, storage rooms, meal room, outdoor undercover area, bathrooms and amenities, and be fronted by 12 undercover parking spaces.

North of the single storey Emergency Operations Centre, which features 75 rooftop solar panels, will be a regional Rural Fire Service stores building designed to house equipment for the Clarence Valley District and vehicles, if approved by council.

Surrounding the Emergency Operations Centre will be new adjoining sheds, a helipad, internal roads and parking, with the site having a footprint of 6,100 square metres.

In addition to the administration, training, and operations centre spaces of the Rural Fire Control Centre, the facility “will also be able to function as an emergency operations centre for State Government Agencies and Local Government to assist in managing bush-fire support and recovery functions.”....

Hot showers for rough sleepers now available in Brunswick Heads, Northern Rivers NSW

Reflections Holiday Park, Brunswick Heads
IMAGE: Trip Advisor

The Echo, 17 November 2023:

Hot showers are something that many people take for granted, but for those sleeping rough they can be difficult to access.

In an effort to ease this problem, Reflections Holiday Parks and Byron Shire Council have partnered to jointly fund the installation of hot water at the amenity block at Banner Park Reserve, Brunswick Heads.

The aim of the initiative is to provide hot water to help people who are sleeping rough. Hot water is now available daily in the public amenity block at Banner Park Reserve between 6am and 11am. To support water conservation, showers will run on a timer.

Banner Park Reserve is maintained by Reflections for the local community and is part of the 15 acres of public reserves that Reflections looks after in the Byron Shire. Reflections uses proceeds from its holiday parks to provide nature reserves, BBQs and amenities for the local community.

Business for good

Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the role of Reflections, the only holiday park group in Australia that is a certified social enterprise, was not only to nurture land on behalf of the NSW public but also to do ‘business for good’ as a profit-for-purpose organisation.

‘As a Crown Land Manager and a social enterprise, Reflections reinvests profit from holiday parks into public nature reserves for the enjoyment of the local community, and we also partner with community organisations on initiatives that benefit the community,’ Mr Baker said.

‘We are really pleased to partner with Byron Shire Council to help the local community and look forward to continuing to work together.’....

Clarence Valley Council places its "Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2023" on public exhibition seeking resident & ratepayer feedback

Clarence Valley Council

HAVE YOUR SAY: Proposed Interim Flood Planning Levels

Published on 16 November 2023

Clarence Valley Council is currently seeking feedback on proposed interim Flood Planning Levels for the Clarence River floodplain, which is based on Council’s recently adopted Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022.

At the October 2023 Council meeting, it was resolved to exhibit the interim Flood Planning Levels proposed to replace current Flood Planning Levels.

The proposed Flood Planning Levels are informed by the peak flood depths across the Clarence Valley floodplain during a predicted 1% annual exceedance probability (AEP) flood event that includes mid-range climate change considerations, as indicated by the Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022 (see image below). An additional 500mm ‘freeboard’ is added to this flood event to determine the proposed interim Flood Planning Levels.

Click on image to enlarge

It is proposed new homes or residential development with habitable rooms will be required to be built above this Flood Planning Level.

"Generally, the proposed Flood Planning Levels increase in all cases, more in Grafton and surrounds, and lesser in the Lower Clarence," Clarence Valley Council Manager Development and Land Use Planning Murray Lane said.

"This is because the proposed Flood Planning Levels include greater climate change assumptions than the current 2013 Flood Model. The 2022 Flood Model includes up-to-date assumptions about sea level rise and increases in rainfall and runoff associated with climate change.

"Including climate change in Flood Planning Levels is best practice and must be considered, as required by the NSW Government’s current flood planning policy and guidelines.

"The proposed interim Flood Planning Levels do not affect the use of existing homes or buildings, and will only apply to new development where habitable rooms are proposed."

Why is an 'interim' Flood Planning Level proposed?

Council has a responsibility to quickly incorporate the most up-to-date flood planning information from the 2022 Flood Model into Council's planning controls. Due to recent changes by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to the standardised Local Environmental Plan which affects how Flood Planning Levels are determined, Council has commenced preparation of a new Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan which is expected to take 18-24 months. The proposed interim Flood Planning Levels, if adopted, will be in effect until a new Floodplain Risk Management Plan is adopted.

A series of Frequently Asked Questions has been compiled and can be viewed under Related Information on this page.

Click here for instructions on how to view the interim Flood Planning Levels for individual properties on Council's Online Mapping System. If you require any further assistance please contact Council on 02 6643 0200.

Community engagement sessions started this week with drop in sessions to discuss the proposed interim Flood Planning Levels, as well as the draft Clarence Valley Local Housing Strategy.

"The sessions at Yamba Farmers Markets and Wooli Street Hall were well attended with plenty of interest in the community," Clarence Valley Council Director Environment and Planning Adam Cameron said.

"We received lots of feedback and were also able to explain some of the finer details of the proposed changes to the interim Flood Planning Levels and how they were determined.

"We look forward to continuing to engage with the community on the interim Flood Planning Levels, as well as the Housing Strategy, which will both play an important role for future development in the Clarence Valley."

Upcoming community engagement sessions include:

• Fri 17 Nov, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4.30pm: Maclean Library
• Tue 21 Nov, 10am-4pm: Grafton Library
• Thurs 23 Nov, 10am-1pm: Iluka Bowls Club

There are additional engagement sessions planned for relevant industry groups and stakeholders including local chambers of commerce, developers, real estate agents and environmental and community advocates.

The proposed interim Flood Planning Levels, and any submissions during the exhibition period, will be considered by Council before deciding if they should be adopted. Submissions close 4pm on Monday 29 January 2024.

The Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022, including interim Flood Planning Levels proposed, animations and other details are available here: https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Council/Our-performance/Plans-and-strategies/Floodplain-Management-plans-studies-and-animations

Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2023: Final Report by clarencegirl on Scribd

https://www.scribd.com/document/685386898/Lower-Clarence-Flood-Model-Update-2023-Final-Report 

Tweets of the Week

Israel-Hamas war live: UN security council to vote on ‘humanitarian pause’; France expresses ‘serious concern’ over al-Shifa operation https://t.co/Qnp9II7l4j

— no_filter_Yamba (@no_filter_Yamba) November 15, 2023

"There is no way to physically transport them... when some people did try to leave the facility they were bombed."

We call for the protection of medical staff, patients and displaced civilians sheltered inside the hospital. We are extremely worried for their lives. #Gaza pic.twitter.com/v1UqfLHk9p

— Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (@MSF_canada) November 15, 2023

"We can't move them out it's too dangerous... our problem is protecting the people of #Gaza from what's being visited upon them" - UN Relief Chief, Martin Griffiths for @UNGeneva⤵️ pic.twitter.com/nRt1RBYQba

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 15, 2023

“I am deeply disturbed by the horrible situation & dramatic loss of life in several hospitals in Gaza.” –@antonioguterres calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, in the name of humanity."https://t.co/hT01L9zPxx

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 15, 2023

 

Reports of military incursion into Al-Shifa hospital are deeply concerning.

We’ve lost touch again with health personnel at the hospital.

We’re extremely worried for their and their patients’ safety.

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 15, 2023

UN expert Francesca Albanese: Under international law 'Israel “cannot claim the right of self-defence against a threat that emanates from the territory it occupies – from a territory that is kept under belligerent occupation”'https://t.co/Do380DNvbM

— no_filter_Yamba (@no_filter_Yamba) November 15, 2023

Francesca Albanese: "Israel has the sacrosanct right and duty to protect itself, its territory, its citizens. Although it tends to confuse a lot its own territory with the territory that it is trying to annex under occupation"...

— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) November 14, 2023