TWEED Greens Party councillor Katie Milne has questioned the wisdom of the planned multi-million revamp of the Kingscliff foreshore which involves shutting down part of the council caravan park and building an underground car park.

Cr Milne unsuccessfully tried to stall progress on planning for the new Kingscliff Central Park last week but failed to get a seconder from among other councillors to defer any decision until they hold a private workshop.

Instead other councillors voted to endorse concept plans put to them by staff and told them to proceed with detailed design.

“It’s a huge project,” said Cr Milne.

“It has got some controversial issues in there. In this day and age should we be trying to do such manipulation of the landscape, especially on the foreshore?”

Council staff said they had undertaken “extensive community consultation” on the plans through March and April “which included an online internet forum, presentations to the Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association and the Kingscliff and District Chamber of Commerce, an information booth at the NSW SLSC Championships at Kingscliff as well as displays at council’s libraries, offices and internet site”.

“The feedback from Tweed Shire residents was overwhelmingly - over 70%- in favour of the Central Park progressing,” they said in a report to councillors.