Clarence Valley Council held its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, 28 November 2023 at Grafton Council Chambers. A Mayoral Minute and a Notice of Motion were considered and followed by eight of 18 items debated and the other ten adopted by consent in a meeting which lasted one hour and 26 minutes. The meeting then moved into Confidential Business, with the outcome publicly available in the Minutes.
- View the November meeting Agenda and Minutes
- Watch recording of November 2023 Clarence Valley Council Meeting here
- Revisit previous meetings here
⬛️ Glenreagh Boil Water Alert rebate
Glenreagh residents affected by an ongoing boil water alert will receive a $50 reduction on their water bill to offset increased electricity costs.
A boil water alert was issued to 279 properties at Glenreagh on 11 October 2023 due to increased turbidity levels in the drinking water. A new hired water filtration plant has been installed, and is currently being commissioned and tested to ensure water quality meets standards. NSW Health approval is then required to lift the boil water alert and the minimum period from commissioning commencing to approval is one week.
The increased cost of power consumption from boiling water is estimated to be up to $0.669 per day. Council accordingly resolved to compensate affected customers $50 to offset the increased electricity costs from the need to boil water.
⬛️ Disability Inclusion Action Plan
The adoption of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) was the culmination of significant community consultation and collaboration over many years.
Cr Karen Toms is the chairperson of the Access Committee who have been heavily involved in the development of the DIAP.
"I can't believe it's nearly ten years ago that we started working on this," Cr Toms said. "It's a wonderful move in the right direction, especially since we now have NDIS as well.
"Our community have contributed to this particular DIAP in a way that's never ever happened before. If you haven't read it before, even if you don't have any lived experience with a disability, I urge you to have a look. it's an amazing document and it's had a very big input by our community.
"I really want to acknowledge everybody who contributed, especially the community and staff, my colleague Cr Pickering and all the other members of the Access Committee.
"We are not going to let this Disability Inclusion Action Plan sit on the shelf and gather dust. What this will do is make our community a more inclusive place to live."
The DIAP will be reviewed every four years. It can be viewed here.
⬛️ Council on the front foot to prevent crime
Council endorsed recommendations from a Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) report into crime, law and order in regional communities, and also adopted the Crime Prevention Strategy, as it looks to get on the front foot to help prevent crime.
The CMA, supported by the Police Association of NSW, launched its report on 19 October, calling for the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry, an increase in funding to enhance front line policing in regional communities in need, establishment of first response agreements in all police stations, and
that the formula used to determine those agreements are reviewed.
Councillors unanimously supported the recommendations in a Mayoral Minute from Mayor Peter Johnstone.
Meanwhile, the Crime Prevention Strategy 2023-2026 was adopted and can be viewed here. It provides a framework for the way community, Council, police and key stakeholders can work together to implement a range of strategies that assist in maintaining a safe, inclusive, healthy and connected community for everyone.
"I want to express gratitude that the Coffs-Clarence Police command were heavily involved in the preparation of the Crime Prevention Strategy," Cr Ian Tiley said. "We must work hand in glove with the police on this matter ... to make sure we combat crime at every opportunity."
Cr Steve Pickering revealed his plans to address the lack of State Government funding currently available for regional areas including the Clarence Valley to install CCTV.
"CCTV is a known deterrent to crime and also assists police in apprehending offenders," Cr Pickering said.
"At the moment, unless we're actually in Sydney Metro, we're excluded from the Community and Small Business CCTV Fund, which would allow small businesses and local governments grants of up to $5000 to implement CCTV.
"I'm planning on bringing forward a NOM at a future date to write to the State Government to see if the Clarence Valley and rural, regional and remote New South Wales can actually be included in the fund."
⬛️ Lawrence Community Economic Development Plan
The Lawrence Community Economic Development Plan (LCEDP) has been drafted to provide a plan for sustainable economic growth, enhancement of community well-being, and address the unique needs
and aspirations of the Lawrence community.
It documents the outcomes of extensive community consultation, serves serves as a guiding framework for implementing activities identified by the Lawrence community, and formalises the community's goals and objectives to prioritise issues and project activities.
The LCEDP will be on exhibition throughout December and early January.
- Meanwhile, the Annual Report 2022/2023 and Code of Meeting Practice V15.0 were both endorsed and will be available of Council's website.
⬛️ Funding approved for events and community initiatives
Clarence Valley Council provides financial support for many community groups through the Special Event Sponsorship and Community Initiatives programs, with the latest rounds of funding approved at Tuesday's meeting.
A total of $28,000 in Special Event Sponsorship was allocated for the following eight events to take place between February and July 2024:
- Grafton Dragon Boat Regatta (09 March) - $5,000
- 119th Maclean Highland Gathering (29-30 March) - $8,000
- Women's 60th May Golf Tournament (22-25 May) - $1,000
- Double Agility Dog Trial (15-16 June) - $1,000
- Wings and Wheels Open Day (16 June) - $1,500
- Clay Target July Open Classic (12-14 July) - $500
- Maclean Veteran Golfers Week of Golf (15-19 July) - $1,000
- Glenreagh Timber Festival (27 July) - $10,000
A total of $22,510.78 was allocated to the following 21 Community Initiatives to take place between December and June 2024:Clarence Childhood Services Assoc Inc (CCSA),Clarence River Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services Inc,Clarence Valley Filipino-Australian Community Club Inc,Clarence Valley Sports Awards,Coastal Communities Protection Alliance - Wooli Inc, Coutts Crossing PreschoolGlenreagh Memorial Museum (sub-committee of Glenreagh School of Arts Inc),Glenreagh Public School,Grafton Branch CWA,Harwood Island Fishing Club Inc,Fortem Australia Limited,ICOPE inc,Iluka Golf Club,Livable Limited T/A Livable,Lower Clarence Baptist Church,Maclean & District Pipe Band,Mission Australia,New Life Church,Pelican Playhouse,Valley Watch Inc,Yamba Community Action Network (Yamba CAN) Inc.
