Council rejects boarding business
TWEED Shire Council has reversed its decision to support an application to run a wakeboarding business on the Tweed River.
Councillor Kevin Skinner gave the decisive vote at Tuesday's council meeting after withdrawing his support for Pro-Wake's application.
Cr Skinner said a petition from residents was the catalyst for his change of heart.
"Respect for the wishes of the community where it is due is always something I have wanted to do as a councillor," he said.
"As much as I would like to support it, I cannot support it at this time.
"It's a shame that we can't support it to be in the Tweed River."
Councillor Dot Holdom moved that council support a rescission motion based on the in-principle support the application received at last month's council meeting.
Crs Skinner and Katie Milne, and mayor Barry Longland supported Cr Holdom's motion.
The four councillors then voted to reject the business application.
Pro-Wake spokesman Tony Walker said Tweed River operator John Henson was disappointed but also relieved.
"I think at the end of the day the democratic process took place," Mr Walker said.
"John didn't want to be in that area but the DA process deemed that it was the best place to be.
"At the end of the day it wasn't a smart position.
"The councillors supported their positions very well."
Mr Walker also gave praise to councillors but was critical of the planning process.
"At the time we lodged the DA there was no advice or consultation," he said.
Mr Walker said the process could have been shorted considerably if there was more direct consultation between the applicant and opponents.
The wakeboarding clinic was operating for five years prior to lodging a development application.
