South Murwillumbah residents are being handed the pen on their own future, with a month of consultation starting in September to decide what happens to land bought back after the devastating 2022 floods.
Tweed Shire Council and the NSW Reconstruction Authority have formed a new Community Reference Group and are calling on locals to help shape the South Murwillumbah Master Plan, which will chart the future of land voluntarily acquired through the Resilient Homes Program. While the buyback land cannot be redeveloped for housing, it opens the door to open space, recreation, environmental restoration, active transport links and better local amenities.
The plan will also look at strengthening ties between South Murwillumbah and the main town centre, building on assets such as the heritage listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and the Prospero Street commercial precinct.
Locals can have their say at community pop-ups and drop-ins, including at Tweed Valley IGA on Saturday, 12 September, Murwillumbah Railway Station on Saturday, 26 September, and Murwillumbah Showgrounds Market on Sunday, 27 September.
Residents can also book one on one listening sessions with the project team, with booking details being mailed directly to local households, while a stakeholder design workshop will bring together community and business networks including the Murwillumbah District Business Chamber and council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
Feedback can be submitted online until 5pm on Sunday, 27 September via Your Say Tweed.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said South Murwillumbah had shown incredible resilience since 2022.
“The Resilient Homes Program has moved families out of harm’s way. Now, we have a clean slate to rethink how this land can be transformed safely and creatively, turning high risk areas into vibrant green spaces, recreational hubs, or environmental corridors that benefit everyone,” Ms Saffin said.
“This isn’t a top down plan, it belongs to the people who know and love South Murwillumbah best.”
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said the floods had also created a rare opportunity.
“The 2022 floods changed this part of Murwillumbah in profound ways, but they have also created a once in a generation chance to rethink how these flood prone places can be used safely and positively for the whole community,” Mayor Cherry said.
Feedback from this first phase will guide a draft master plan, which returns to the community for a second round of consultation in February 2027, before informing a formal planning proposal to rezone the land.
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