By Dennis Amor
  Have your say

LOCALS have appointed a university boffin to delve into controversial plans for new 200-site caravan park on Crown land in New South Wales.

Griffith University's Dr Foxwell-Norton has been commissioned by the Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Residents’ Association to prepare a development report, particularly on the proposed caravan park.

The School of Humanities lecturer will undertake a six-month consultation process collecting community reaction before drawing up a community-backed plan for the village in the state's north.

She told local media: "That's the key. It's a community action rather than a community response."

Local residents have questioned the need for the new caravan park on Crown land, jointly proposed by the NSW Land and Property Development Authority (LPMA) and the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust.

The decision to seek an independent report comes after a series of heated and controversial meetings.

Tweed Shire Council declined to send a representative to one meeting, arguing that it did not want to become embroiled in a 'protest' meeting.

But opponents argued it was not a protest rally, merely an information meeting.

The LPMA said the proposed Cabarita Beach Holiday Park would provide contemporary facilities including a range of accommodation options catering for families, tourists and locals looking for a weekend escape or short holiday.

About 8.3ha of Crown land would be developed and up to ten full-time staff positions generated at the park.

It would also produce  "significant demand" for goods and services from the Cabarita or Tweed areas, the authority added.

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