THE TWEED Volume 2 #41 Thursday, June 24, 2010 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280
[email protected] [email protected] www.tweedecho.com.au LOCAL & INDEPENDENT page 10 Council backflips on illegal clearing Kate McIntosh ing significant Aboriginal heritage value. Tweed Shire Council has backed The destruction of the tree, which down on plans to pursue legal action is subject to a council tree preserva- over the alleged wilful destruction tion order, is currently being inves- and illegal clearing of trees, including tigated by the NSW Department of a sacred Aboriginal tree and other Environment and Climate Change vegetation at the site of a proposed (DECCW). industrial estate near Pottsville. Chief planner Vince Connell told A council report has recommended The Echo council officers had drawn against taking legal action on the mat- on their substantial expertise and pro- ter in favour of a negotiated settle- fessional judgement in forming their Performing ment with landowners Tagget. recommendations. Council also deferred a decision on ‘Officers are obliged to weigh up arts festival a revised rezoning proposal for the the technical merits of any legal ad- site exempting areas of environmental vice provided and any wider policy or sensitivity, including illegally cleared precedent implications, as well as the a stairway to land, pending further consultation possible financial impacts to council on the matter. and the Tweed ratepayers in any rec- stardom The recommendation follows legal ommendation for substantive legal advice received from council solici- action,’ he said. Mime performer Ashlee Pollecutt from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School at the Murwillumbah Festival of Per- tors, the details of which are confiden- No council decision has been made forming Arts.