The challenge

Cudgen Connection is a proposed $300 million mixed-use development on the Cudgen Plateau in Northern New South Wales, adjacent to the Tweed Valley Hospital. If approved, it will create a major regional health precinct with a private hospital, mental health hospital, university campus and worker housing. This will provide a significant economic boost for the region – including much-needed local jobs – and stem the flow of health services across the border into Queensland.

Backed by Centuria Capital Group and Digital Infratech, the development was contingent on a successful rezoning of the site. When Tweed Shire Council resolved not to support the planning proposal, the proponents were able to seek a rezoning review by the NSW Government’s Northern Regional Planning Panel.

The response

The SAS Group was engaged in 2021 to support the proponents’ planning proposal to Tweed Shire Council. When Council declined to support it, we helped secure a rezoning review by the Northern Regional Planning Panel and ran a local community engagement campaign. Given the development’s potential to create significant, long-term benefits for the Northern NSW community, our key goal was to shift the decision from local to state level, where the proposal could be assessed on its strategic merit.

The outcome

In July 2026, the Northern Regional Planning Panel recommended rezoning approval of the 5.7-hectare site to allow for the Cudgen Connection development. This was a win for Northern NSW community and recognised the true value of having public and private health facilities co-located in the same precinct. 

The SAS Group is proud to have worked with the proponents to achieve a great outcome, and we recognise their commitment to stay the course for six-years to achieve this result.

What they said

“It’s great to see common sense prevail in the planning panel’s decision reflecting the underlying majority community support for the proposal. The Cudgen Connection team would like to pass on its sincere gratitude to the multitude of professional consultants who underwrote the scientific, planning and community benefit analysis of the initiative.”

Allan Larkin, Owner, Cudgen Connection; Director, Digital Infratech