Clarence Valley Council held its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, 27 August 2024 at the Grafton Council Chambers. One Mayoral Minute was considered, followed by nine of 16 items debated and the other seven adopted by consent in a meeting which lasted one hour and 32 minutes.
- Community Advisory and Section 355 Committee Review
- 2024 Cultural and Sports Trust Fund
- Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan 2024 - 2030
- Regional Aquatic Centre Naming and Management
- Open Coast Coastal Management Program
- Mayoral Address
Community Advisory and Section 355 Committee Review
Councillors have thanked members of Councils Advisory and Section 355 (S355) committees for their contribution during this council term.
As the Local Government elections approach and Council is in caretaker mode, Council is encouraged to review the operations of all S355 Management and Advisory Committees to ensure they are working fit for purpose and align with the goals of the incoming Council's Delivery Program.
We have nine S355 committees across the Clarence Valley which operate under the banner of Council to assist in carrying out the management of community facilities including parks and reserves, community centres and floodgates.
Meanwhile, we also have 11 Advisory Committees with each providing advice, guidance, and recommendations to Council in their field.
Councillor Steve Pickering called the item to pass on his appreciation to the members of our S355 committee volunteers for bettering their communities.
"I just wanted to bring this item to everyone's attention as this Council is now in caretaker mode so I would like to pass on our sincere appreciation to the members of these 355 committees that have been working tirelessly".
Councillor Debrah Novak also thanked the members of councils many committees for their contributions.
"To those who were on these committees, well done and thank you for your contribution to making some really good decisions and for the information and advice to this council and councillors.
"I chaired a number of these committees myself and it brought me great strength to hear the in-depth information that came from our community for the rest of us to learn from.
"To those who are thinking about next term, please think about applying again and telling your friends and other people within our community to put their hands up to be apart of these committees as we actually need your voice and ideas to make these group work really well."
Councillor Karen Toms also congratulated the Advisory Committees for all the work they have done over the term.
Opportunities to join a S355 or Advisory Committee will open following the October Ordinary Council Meeting. We encourage all community members with a keen interest in our Advisory or S355 committees to join.
2024 Cultural and Sports Trust Fund
For the final time in this term of Council, Councillor Steve Pickering called the 2024 Cultural and Sports Trust Fund to praise three Clarence Valley youth and the program.
Charlie Rouse and Milla Stephenson will each receive $300 after they were selected to compete at the Under 14s Hockey Championships held at the Hockey Stadium and Melville Toyota Stadium in Perth from the 29 September to the 5 October 2024. The funding will assist toward player levy, travel, accommodation, and other competition costs.
Meanwhile, Joe Bougen has received $550 to compete at the Shidokan 43rd World Martial Arts Championships in Yokohama on the 13th of October 2024.
"A big congratulations to Charlie Rouse and Milla Stephenson who are off to Perth to compete in hockey and also Joe Bougen who is off to Japan to compete in the World Martial Arts Championship in October.
"Over our term of Council, this is the first time we've had someone travelling overseas and it happens to be at our last meeting so congratulations everybody".
Councillor Pickering finished by congratulating all of the recipients and encouraged others to apply for the funding.
"Anybody who is representing the Clarence Valley in sports or cultural activities, get your application in and get some money out of council as every little bit helps."
The Clarence Valley Cultural and Sports Trust Fund provides financial support, in any calendar year, to a maximum of $300 for individuals to attend one event at a national level, and $550 per individual for one event at an international level.
To learn more about the Cultural and Sports Trust Fund, visit www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Cultural-Sports-Trust-Fund
Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan 2024 - 2030
The Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan 2024 - 2030 has been adopted after being updated following a review of community and industry submissions and engagement following exhibition from 26 April to 6 June 2024.
Initial community feedback, gathered during the Plan's creation, showed widespread support for tourism in the Clarence Valley. Key priorities identified include enhancing nature-based attractions, developing First Nations and cultural experiences, creating cultural and food trails, and promoting initiatives to increase visitor spending.
Sustainability emerged as a critical focus, aligning with the region's natural assets that are central to its appeal.
In response to community feedback, the Plan's strategic objectives aim to disperse visitors both spatially and seasonally to address these challenges. Implementing the Plan will require collaboration between Council, local businesses, regional organisations, state agencies, and the community. Progress will be monitored biannually, with objectives reviewed annually to ensure the vision is realised.
Councillor Bill Day called the item to include a point that Council requires an annual report detailing council tourism actions and budgets to achieve the Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan 2024 - 2030. The item was endorsed unanimously.
Councillor Day praised the work of staff and the direction that tourism is heading the Clarence Valley.
"I'm really happy with how the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee has operated in the last 12 months or more."
Councillor Debrah Novak also thanked the staff for the report and information provided and was happy for the positive outcome.
"Nothing makes me happier than to know that when we finish this term of council that Councillor Day is finishing on a happy note."
Regional Aquatic Centre Naming and Management
Expected to be completed in December 2024, it's time to officially appoint a name for the Regional Aquatic Centre as well as components within the facility.
A Clarence Conversations page will soon be established to allow the community to participate in naming the facility with a report to be brought back to the new Council.
To establish quality data for the facility, the Regional Aquatic Centre will be managed and operated by Council staff for an initial period of two years.
This will allow time to collect entry data, establish programs and activities for the facilities as well as provide local employment opportunities.
The item was carried unanimously.
Open Coast Coastal Management Program
Councillors endorsed the Open Coast Coastal Management Program – Stage 4 after public exhibition from 28 June to 29 July 2024.
Nine public submissions were received from the public as well as various State agencies and the draft document was amended to address the feedback.
Key issues raised in submissions included:
- Impacts of 4wd on beaches.
- Impacts of proposed missing link at Pilot Hill Yamba.
- Land risk zoning at Pilot Hill Yamba.
- Management of dunes, littoral rainforest, feral animals, and illegal camping at Angourie.
- Planning controls and Aboriginal cultural heritage management.
- The consideration of sea level rise in the management of Lake Cakora.
- Clarification of approvals required for any waterway access facilities at Lake Cakora.
- Concerns about the amount of budget for protection rather than retreat and habitat restoration actions (NPWS)
- Clarification of the retreat plan for Sandon River campground (NPWS).
Minor wording changes were made to several CMP actions/tasks in response to the public submissions.
However, the majority of submission points were either already covered by existing CMP actions or fell outside the CMP scope.
While there's a lot of reading, Councillor Steve Pickering says its well worth it.
"I have learnt an awful lot about our coastal management and different strategies. The way water works, estuaries, retreat, just to name a few words that have come along over the last few years.
"I'd like to thank absolutely everyone that has been apart of this process, it's absolutely enormous.
"If council adopts this recommendation today, we will be able to start immediately applying for funding from the state government to start this journey of rectification and improvement betterment works that are definitely needed.
"It's a lot of reading but it's well worth it."
Councillor Greg Clancy also spoke as the chair of the Clarence Coast and Estuary Advisory Committee supporting the points made by Councillor Pickering.
"It has been a long process, but I think a very professional one. The consultants working with Council staff have done a great job.
"We need this before we can start putting our hand out for money so its an essential component of us managing the coast. We're now moving onto the Estuary Management Program which I think is really important as well".
The item was supported unanimously.
Mayoral Address
Mayor Peter Johnstone addressed the gallery giving his thanks to Council's General Manager, the directors, staff and the councillors.
"Since I've been mayor, every single one of you at some point or another, have shown me a great deal of kindness. Have given me advice which has been welcomed and have given me encouragement when I needed it and I really appreciate that."
Mayor Johnstone then went on to thank the three councillors who won't be standing for re-election come the September Local Government Elections.
"I'd like to start with you Bill, I've enjoyed our games of pool and chess, I think we're fairly even at the moment, but we'll have some more chances for that. I appreciate your kindness and as I said to you earlier the emails you've sent have kept me laughing when I wouldn't otherwise be laughing, and I appreciate that. Thank you for coming out of retirement for this council too and I wish you a happy retire to retirement.
"And to Jeff as my deputy I have felt very supported by you. I've enjoyed our cups of coffee; I've enjoyed your advice and for covering me in my absences. I'm sure you will be back in the future, but I have a feeling you're going to have a lot to do in the community since then.
"And finally, I've got to say a big thank you to Ian. Unfortunately, he's not here today but I hope this will be passed on or perhaps he might even be watching us as we speak."
Mayor Johnstone continues expressing his gratitude for the guidance and support Councillor Tiley has given him over his time as Mayor and will miss having the experience from Ian along side him and hopes Councillor Tiley won't mind if he gives him the occasional phone call for advice.
