Tweed Mall masterplan approved for development

On Bundjalung Country in northern New South Wales, an urban renewal project for Tweed Mall led by Elanor Investors Group, and designed by Chrofi and Turf Design Studio has been recently approved for development by Tweed Shire Council and the Joint Regional Planning Panel. The project reimagines the existing regional CBD site, providing increased retail amenity to an anticipated 4.2 million annual visitors.

According to the architect, the project seeks to redevelop the existing Tweed Mall into an urban destination while addressing the need for sustainable development to account for rapid population growth. "Centres like Tweed are beginning to follow larger centres such as Wollongong and Newcastle, focusing on densification and urban renewal … The project seeks to create an active urban precinct that reflects the area's unique subtropical character while connecting the CBD to the surrounding natural amenity."

Linking into the anticipated Gold Coast light rail extension and emerging growth corridor, the project is situated next to Coolangatta Airport, hospitals and Southern Cross University's Gold Coast Campus. The proposal includes approximately 13,500 square metres of commercial floorspace, 39,000 square metres of retail floorspace and 1350 new dwellings - a portion of which comprises build-to-rent and seniors' living, both planned for the first stage of development. In total, the proposed dwellings deliver 12 percent of the 2036 North Coast Regional Plan target without the need for new land releases.

Having been developed over several years with input from the NSW government architect, the design is a collaborative outcome that, according to Chrofi, blurs "the lines between landscaping, urban design and architecture." Aiming to strengthen the landscape connectivity with the Jack Evans Boat Harbour and Tweed River, the proposal consolidates large retail tenants away from the site's edges.

Hybrid retail and public spaces are located around a central "green heart" and beneath a layered outdoor canopy, allowing for semi-outdoor, natural-ventilated environment to suit Tweed's subtropical climate. According to the architects, landscaping across the design, "prioritises deep greening, incorporating multi-layered endemic plants across both ground and podium levels to create a comfortable environment that invites exploration and interaction."

Deferred commencement approval for the concept development application was awarded in mid-June, with the project planned for a three-stage development over the next 15 years.