Clarence Valley Council rips the green heart out of Maclean, the 'Scottish Town'

Maclean's small and unique central business district has once more fallen victim to the unelected triumvirate which governs the Clarence Valley Local Government Area, with more of its green heart ripped away to please the developer, IGA Metcash.

Despite the eloquent pleas of those councillors hailing from the 'Scottish Town', a majority at the 26 June 2012 Ordinary General Meeting voted to further reduce the size of Cameron Park - until it will resemble nothing more than a barren pocket handkerchief of sun damaged turf between so-called improvements jammed together willy-nilly (see Item: 13.080/12  below).

McLachlan Park which straddles the town's vital flood levee is also under threat to compensate for the original carpark land sold to IGA at an almost bargain basement price.

Once again Clarence Valley Council has broken faith with Lower Clarence residents and ratepayers.

Avid council watchers tell me that It is not hard to work out that this unelected triumvirate is possibly taking full advantage of nine shire councillors who have formed into dysfunctional cliques and, that on most matters it favours National Party political aspirant Mayor Richie Williamson's faction.

Item: 13.080/12 REPLACEMENT PARKING OPTIONS FOR MACLEAN CBD

….options to replace Maclean CBD public carparking lost due to the sale of 3,750m² of Centenary Carpark to Metcash for a supermarket development.

1. Cameron Park, Maclean

Plan A (attached) shows an arrangement whereby 15 additional 90º nose-in spaces can be provided by encroaching 6.0metres into Cameron Park green space. While acknowledging that this is contrary to Council's September 2011 resolution that Cameron Park green space be excluded from consideration, the space sought in this instance is approximately 230m² (out of total green space of approximately 5,500m²) and is located on that section of the Park having least public usage.

Plan A also indicates the provision of an additional thirteen 90º nose-in spaces immediately adjoining the swimming pool. This would require the relocation of the three long-vehicle spaces currently at this spot, and it is proposed to relocate those to the northern side of Argyle Street, shown on Plan B.

2. McLachlan Park

A concept plan prepared by the Maclean Chamber of Commerce for the upgrade of McLachlan Park incorporates 45º nose-in parking. Council staff have refined that plan to provide 16 additional spaces (29 new – 13 existing), including 3 in the carpark beside Spar following demolition of the existing toilet block (refer Plan C)……

3.5 Cameron Park

Remove 7-9 trees and excavate topsoil from 6 metre wide strip, construct carpark and line mark for 15 spaces; construct carpark adjacent to pool and line mark for 13 spaces. In conjunction with those works, the remainder of Cameron Park should be upgraded including new toilets, improved playground, additional seating and BBQ shelters. An improvements plan will need to be prepared and all works could be funded from the proceeds of the supermarket site sale.

3.6 McLachlan Park

The preliminary concept plan suggests the following works:

 Remove 5 Camphor Laurel trees

 Remove existing footpath and excavate 2-3 metres into park.

 Underground power along park frontage as required.

 Construct retaining wall along edge of excavation, designed to protect the integrity of the levee.

 Relocate the bus bay approximately 30 metres to the north.….

The total number of replacement spaces is now 86, leaving a shortfall of 23 spaces.

Mapping here.

Before Clarence Valley Council moves further with this park theft, local people might like to write or email councillors (details here) and tell them just how 'thrilled' they are at the prospect of losing more of Maclean's public, passive green space.

Ongoing community concerns about Clarence Valley Council's redevelopment of Maclean's McLachlan Park is not confined to trees, parking, toilet blocks or loss of green space

Map excerpt showing the Clarence Coastal Zone & surrounding zones

The coastal zone is illustrated on the maps produced to accompany this policy which will be available for public inspection at all local councils. Mapping of the coastal zone is based on the following criteria.

* three nautical miles seaward of the mainland and offshore islands;

* one kilometre landward of the open coast high water mark;

* a distance of one kilometre around:

   all bays, estuaries, coastal lakes, lagoons and islands;

* tidal waters of coastal rivers to the limit of mangroves, as defined by NSW Fisheries’(1985) maps or the tidal limit whichever is closer to the sea;

* with the line on the maps being taken to the nearest cadastral boundary and/or easily recognisable physical boundary, in consultation with local councils. [NSW Coastal Policy 1997, Part A & Part B]¹

McLachlan Park in the Lower Clarence Scottish Town of Maclean has been raising the ire of residents and ratepayers ever since the $1.13 million redevelop plan for this park, sitting virtually atop the town's levee, was first disclosed in all its 'glory'.

This time the issues of local government transparency and accountability, as well as using Clarence Coast Reserve Trust monies raised in Yamba to meet the mounting costs associated with this redevelopment, are at the bottom of this particular exchange between one ratepayer and Clarence Valley Council, reproduced here with permission of Mr. Hunt.

______________________________

From: Ray Hunt [redacted]
Sent: Saturday, 3 January 2015 11:55 AM
To: david.morrison@clarence.nsw.gov.au
Cc: Richie Williamson; Craig Howe; Sue Hughes; Jason Kingsley; Margaret McKenna; Jim Simmons; Karen Toms
Subject: Re: McLachlan Park

Mr David Morrison,

  Its unbelievable.

  Your email 24-12-14 is acknowledged, (apparently) on behalf of Mr Peter Birch, Director of Environment, Planning and Community to my simple inquiry three months ago, viz: How was it possible that the CCRMS Coastal Zone definition (p30) which expressly specifies a 1 km strip along the coastline, can include reserves in Maclean some 20ks up river?

Three months to think about it, yet you avoid the question.

The CCRMS was adopted by the Minister 18-12-02 pursuant to Sect 114 Crown Lands Act and no operations can be undertaken unless it is in accordance with the CCRMS.

  I also note your comments on the inclusion into the CCRT, the Herb Stanford park. But again you do not explain how this park some 20ks up river can be included into the CCRT when the CCRMS coastal zone definition expressly specifies a 1k strip along the coastline.

Whatsmore, when that matter came before Cllrs at the CCRT meeting 8-10-14, even the Cllrs were not informed.

  It is this same lack of accountability, reminiscent of the past, when Cllrs were not warned when they were deciding CCRT matters, enabling CCRT revenues to be exploited and pay for Councils services.

  Due to this lack of accountability, I had little choice but to lodge a complaint with Crown Lands with whom the reserves are vested and was in possession of the CCRMS which it knew or ought to have known was flawed.

Unfortunately, without first consulting me, Crown Lands sent it to Council as the Trust Manager and Mr Birch gave his undertaking to address the issues I raised.

But it seems no one wants to be accountable.

  Its more than a coincidence that one day after responding to an inquisitive Mayor that I had lodged my complaint with Crown Lands and not Council, Crown Lands informed me it was not responding to my complaint as it had requested the Trust to respond and the Trust (Mr Birch) gave its undertaking to do so.

Then came your email (apparently) on behalf of Mr Birch, that "Council was not obliged to reply to matters raised by me to Crown Lands---"

So who is obliged?

With great respect that obligation now rests with you.

  There has been no entrapment here. Mr Birch, a senior officer in Council and representing the Trust manager, was fully aware of the situation and freely gave his undertaking to address the issues I raised concerning Councils management of the CCRT.

I hope the integrity of senior operational staff has not sunk to the depths where they can openly lie to the community and not be held accountable.

  The issue of the Coastal Zone however, is not the only issue that remains unexplained. So too are the issues of  Sect. 10 CLAct ( management for the benefit of the people of NSW) and Councils perceived conflict of interest as the CCRT Manager as well as Councils lack of accountability and community consultation meetings.

Iluka, Yamba and Brooms Head are just the few communities that are making significant sacrifices to their valuable CBD water front lands to contribute to the CCRT. But there is no benefit, fairness or equity to them.

  In particular the Harbour St., residents are subjected to noise, traffic congestion, obstructed views and depressed land values, so that unquantified amounts of CCRT funds can be spent on the beautification of Macleans multi million dollar CBD water frontage, improving views and increasing land values to the River St. residents.

It is not unreasonable for those few communities that are making those significant sacrifices, to want a say in the management of the CCRT that has extensive socio-economic impacts on their lives.

  But more to the point. Why are you trying to prevent it? In doing so, operational staff are exceeding their administrative functions and usurping the role of Cllrs and their policy making functions of directing and controlling the affairs of Council. Your behavior demonstrates your intentions to protect Councils perceived conflict of interest in an indeavour to exploit the CCRT.

  If reserves are funded from the CCRT caravan park revenue, then the larger "the CCRT Manager" can make the caravan park to generate more CCRT revenue, the more savings "the Council" makes to service the wider Clarence Valley.

This may benefit the wider Clarence valley, but it exploits those few communities that are making significant sacrifices to generate the revenues for the CCRT. There is no benefit for them.

Their facilities are left to deteriate in a long waiting list, unable to compete in a competitive tourist market.

Yamba for example:

#   Resurface Ford park as promised 10 years ago and include potable recycled water sprinklers from the Yamba STP that crosses Ford park before it is discharged to sea,

#   Upgrade Yambas zig zag path in Flinders park as promised 15 years ago and improve surrounding aesthetics.

#   Upgrade Yambas rock pool to include barriers and pump to maintain water quality and a safer environment.

#   Assist the funding of volunteer Landcare groups

#   Make the CCRT financial records more transparent to Cllrs and the community.

  If fairness and equity and indeed productivity is to be achieved in the management of the CCRT, those few communities that have made significant sacrifices to fund the CCRT, must be given an effective voice in its management to prevent them from being exploited in the manner you are doing.

I have suggested Sect 355 C'tees or Precincts similar to the Ballina Coastal Reserves Management Plan.

  Accordingly, I respectfully await the Trusts response in addressing the issues I have raised.

Ray Hunt

Yamba

On Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 1:55 PM, David Morrison <David.Morrison@clarence.nsw.gov.au> wrote:

Dear Ray,

I am responding to and acknowledge your email of 28 September 2014 forwarded by Crown Lands on the 1 October 2014. I am also responding on behalf of Council's Peter Birch.  Council also acknowledges your email of 28 October 2014 to Crown Lands and forwarded to Council on the 3^rd November 2014. Council notes that your email of 28 October to Crown Lands was primarily to lodge a complaint about Council and Council's role as Trust Manager of the Clarence Coast Reserve Trust (CCRT). Council is not obliged to reply to matters raised by you to Crown Lands, but will provide a response to Crown Lands if required.

On matters raised in your email of 28 September 2014, Council provides the following response:

Inclusion of non-coastal zone reserves within the CCRT

Council notes that Kevin Cameron has provided a reply in regards to this matter, and concurs with it.

Application to the Minister for Crown Lands to include Herb Stanford Park (R8422) in the CCRT

Herb Stanford Park (R8422) is gazetted as road reserve. No Trust has been appointed to this reserve and the gazetted purpose does not meet the definition of a public reserve under the Local Government Act 1994. However, Council and the community of Maclean have developed this park over time for the benefit of the Maclean and wider Clarence Valley Community. To ensure its ongoing care, control and management the CCRT have applied to the Minister to have this small but community important reserve included as part of the CCRT.  

Redevelopment of McLachlan Park

The adopted budget for the redevelopment of McLachlan Park will be undertaken largely with grant monies ($500K – Regional Development Australia Fund; $300K – Better Boating Program) and from the sale of Operational land in Maclean ($500K). The CCRT may contribute some monies to complete the redevelopment of this reserve if required, but it will not be in the order that you claim. Similarly, Council and Council as Corporate Manager of the CCRT will apply for grant monies as opportunities arise to offset the majority of the cost of the proposed redevelopment of the Calypso Caravan Park.

Management of Crown Reserves in general

Council and Council as Corporate Manager of more than 90 Reserve Trusts manage more than 200 Crown Reserves covering approx. 1240ha on behalf of the people of NSW. This is in addition to the 272ha of Community and Operational land owned by Council and developed as public open space. Council is aware of its responsibilities as Trust Manager of Crown Reserves under the Crown Lands Act 1989 and will aim to ensure equity of service provision across all public land managed by Council on behalf of residents and visitors to the Clarence Valley. This may include grouping Crown Reserves under fewer Reserve Trusts to improve the efficiency of the management of Crown Reserves on behalf of the people of NSW.

I trust that this clarifies the situation for you.

Yours faithfully

David Morrison

Acting Director Environment, Planning and Community

David Morrison

Manager Strategic & Economic Planning

Clarence Valley Council

Locked Bag 23, GRAFTON NSW 2460

P: (02) 6643 0204

F: (02) 6642 7647

M: 0408 296 365

www.clarence.nsw.gov.au

______________________________

Foot Notes

1. NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes has announced the development of reforms to the State’s coastal management laws, including improved technical support and new funding arrangements for local government coastal management initiatives.

The coastal reform package is expected to come before the State Parliament at the end of 2015 and will replace the 35-year-old Coastal Protection Act, which the Minister said no longer achieves the desired integrated and balanced approach to coastal management. [National Seachange Taskforce, 20 November 2014]

Maclean public car park, Cameron and McLachlan parks: he said, she said

Having recently listened to Clarence Valley councillors debate before voting to deny a $2.8 million boutique redevelopment of the older-style Surf Motel in Yamba, primarily on the basis that the architect had kept the allegedly 100 year-old frontage footprint in the plans before council and the lift well was 97cm higher than allowed with part of the rear of the building 27 cm higher than allowed, I can appreciate the sense of frustration building in a section of the Maclean community at the same nine councillors approach to the latest move by the company behind the IGA supermarket development.

The Maclean dispute has a long history and it’s not only the siting of the supermarket which has changed - some individual positions have also changed. Cr. Sue Hughes now supports the IGA supermarket development (with subsequent loss of parts of Cameron and McLachlan parks as well as part of the public car park) which started the row back in 2011-12.

Along the way there has also been one very odd instance of time and money wasting on council’s part which failed to amuse many Maclean locals.

Now it appears a war of words has erupted within the community and is being played out in the pages of one valley newspaper.

Open Letter to Clarence Valley Council in The Daily Examiner, 25 February 2015:

Dear Councilors,

We understand many Councilors perceive the activities of the Greater Maclean Community Action Group as negative and reactionary. Unfortunately that perception has arisen following public delivery of an objective and responsible planning assessment made of the proposed supermarket in Maclean's car park. Council only last Tuesday has voted to proceed with the rezoning of this application without having any proper understanding of what the full implications are.

For Councillors to understand the "negativity" from the residents we represent, a step back is needed to look at what has happened to Maclean.  It is no longer negativity they will see; it is now a considerable anger.  Maclean isn't dying, it is being killed.

Everyone sees the need for a "supermarket anchored shopping centre" (a direct quote from the now outdated Retail Strategy).  That is nothing like what is being proposed.  There is absolutely no provision for future growth or expansion.  Hasn't this Council ever heard of "long term planning"?

We have observed as a group this Councils lack of expertise and commitment to even the most basic concept of "Assets and Risk Management" and the pretence of public consultation.  Implicit in the process of Consultation is the recognition of the opinions expressed, acquiescence or rational informed debate to the contrary, and above all, feedback.  Council doesn't even pretend to do that.  If public consultation and "planning" were anything more than "box ticking", there just may have been some acknowledgement in the 10 year plan that Grafton is at high risk of becoming a rural backwater when the new Harwood Bridge and Pacific Highway are completed.  The State Corrective Services seem to have already realised that and no reasonable person actually believes there will be a second bridge over the Clarence at Grafton.

As for Maclean, in 10 years this Council has delivered very little positive value to the town.  But the negatives are numerous and significant.  There has not been so much as a new rubbish bin put in this town over all that time.  The main street is breaking up and will soon look like a patchwork quilt, if indeed it is patched at all.  The only new footpath constructed by Council in 10 years is 13 metres from the CBD car park. It was constructed by throwing dry mix asphalt over grass, and is now almost completely overgrown. We now stand to lose most of what little green space we have in central Maclean and the destruction of the heritage in McLachlan Park seems imminent. We did, however, get a new toilet block which wasn't needed when there was already a perfectly good one just needing overhaul, at a fraction of the cost of the new one. I won't go further with the list but suffice to say it is very long.

The public meeting on Monday last was not sponsored by Council.  It should have been!  It explained very professionally exactly what was proposed in the DA for the supermarket and how it would impact on the town. It was the result of lot of effort by the Maclean Action Group and it drew the wholehearted support of the 3,000-strong Maclean Bowling Club.  There has been absolutely no response from Council to the issues presented. Public consultation is a box to be ticked and the responses are simply ignored. The supermarket debacle is only one of the many examples.

There were comments that audio visual presentation was difficult to hear and see.  Let me say that the Bowling Club is not a theatre and neither is the RSL.  Maclean has no theatre or anywhere else that is remotely suitable for public meetings or presentation using standard audio visuals.  There is a Civic Hall that is more than 100 years old, has a leaking roof and severe water damage to the ceiling and roof structure.  It is in that state because successive Councils have not carried out even basic routine maintenance.  I know of people who have left this town because they have to drive to Yamba to find anywhere they can have a family picnic and watch their children play.

Major trees (75-100 years old) have been removed and not replaced eg. the Taloumbi St Jacaranda and Fig trees.  The only four Camphor Laurels to be removed because of their genus are in one of only two small parks left in the town, if indeed the nature strip along the river can be called a Park.  There are estimated to be over 2000 Camphor Laurels growing in the Valley on public land but only the four delivering shade and ambience in Maclean are programmed for destruction and no "program" for the progressive removal and or replacement of the species exists.  Why the four in a Park in Maclean and why do this when the residents are overwhelming against it? Why would a Council crying poor even consider spending scarce cash on something like this? It's illogical and irrational.

However, all of that aside, the single most appalling facet of this Council Administration has to be the erratic and inconsistent application of its own drafted Policies, procedures and regulations.  Is it any wonder that the major investors bypass this Valley? It is just not worth the trouble, as the IGA no doubt is now starting to realize.  And that is why we will have to send our children away to find decent employment, and why we will pay rates 30% higher than inner city suburbs in Brisbane, and most other places in the State.

Do not for one moment interpret the absence of a Lower Clarence Candidate in the recent Council bi-election as an indication of complacency or acquiescence. It wasn't!  The years of disregard for the views and aspirations of the people of the Lower Clarence and the quest for responsible and professional planning may well materialize into something far more tangible in the lead-up to the next Council general election.

Ian Saunders, Hon Secretary GMCAG

A somewhat less than polite response published in The Daily Examiner, 27 February 2015:

COUNCILLORS, I am apologising in advance that you have had to put up with the blatant lies which have emanated from the Maclean Inaction Group letter.

A group of 100 people does not and will not ever represent the sum of all opinions on any matter, let alone that regarding a supermarket. It certainly does not represent the whole 3000 members of the bowling club.

It is unfortunate that the current discussion to move the supermarket does look like a variation on a plan, but it will undoubtedly be a better solution if shoppers have the current tar car parking to use while the supermarket is being built.

But let's get back to the letter:

Accusing the council of no provision for future growth. WRONG.

There is ample space for future growth, and this supermarket plus current supplies, according to the Maclean Urban Study (a plan I think) will be enough until 2031. But hey, the Maclean Action Group - a misnomer if ever there was one - say otherwise. They must be the experts.

Accusing the council of a pretence with public consultation. WRONG.

The Maclean Inaction Group did not even bother to put in a deputation when this was discussed two weeks ago, as the Chamber of Commerce did. A deputation is the correct forum for pleading your case.

Accusing the council of no feedback. WRONG.

The council replies by many methods: email, letters, phone calls, deputations on site, and when they call a public meeting to discuss the visions for the year, six people turn up.

Accusing the council is ignoring Grafton. Well, let Grafton solve its own problems and get its own Grafton Inaction Group. We've got enough up here if they want to share.

Accusing the council of doing very little in Maclean in 10 years. WRONG.

They have paved through the CBD; built a footpath from past Gulmarrad School all the way into the High School; built the Sports Centre; built the new toilets which were needed and connected the sections of grass in a much more usable way; re-done the stormwater around the bowling club and up the hill; done the garden roundabout at the Post Office.

They are in planning for a million-dollar upgrade of McLachlan Park and Wherrett Park, both of which should start as soon as the weather clears and the Highland Gathering is finished.

Accusing the council of not upgrading the main street. WRONG.

When council did the paving, they completely revamped the outside parking lanes of the main street. The centre lanes I believe are the responsibility of the RMS. Maybe this has changed?

Accusing the council of taking away what little green space we have in Maclean. WRONG.

This new supermarket concept actually gives Maclean residents more green space than supermarket one. Keep in mind IGA has a valid DA on supermarket one. If they believe the Maclean Inaction Group, they may go back and build version one without any further discussion, but this will definitely put pressure on the people of Maclean compared to option two.

Accusing council of not maintaining the Civic Centre. WRONG.

I would like to offer the Maclean Inaction Group some vouchers to Specsavers, so they can catch a glimpse of the fairly new green Colorbond roof on the Civic Centre and the brand new kitchen which has been put in. Yes the ceiling needs painting. I'll lend them a brush.

Accusing the council of not calling a public meeting on the issue. WRONG.

They did. Years ago. The chamber has called three public meetings on the issue, but because the Maclean Inaction Group didn't get the response they wanted, the group said these meetings were rigged.

The Action Group has called four meetings - I believe meetings where if you try to stand up and discuss the issues rationally you get told to "shut up". They are meetings where there is no option to give a view opposing to theirs.

Accusing council of not replacing trees in town. WRONG.

They have replaced several trees in town, particularly in the main street. To say that Maclean only has two parks is a blatant lie. To say that people have to go to Yamba to play in a park completely ignores the beautiful children's playground next to the very expensive Sports Centre built by council with partly a grant. Specsavers again?

Perhaps the people driving to Yamba are actually going to a beach, visiting their aunt or dare I say visiting a really big supermarket?

Accusing council of overcharging on rates compared to Brisbane City. Well, sadly that's the maths behind the problem.

If you have three million ratepayers paying rather than 2600, then the base price will always be less. It's called economies of scale. Council is not crying poor over these upgrades to Maclean, as they have grants and the sale money quarantined to be spent only on Maclean projects. This is fact.

The Maclean Inaction Group concludes their letter with a threat to pull the council into line at the next election. That is their democratic right.

However if they do get elected, they will find that legal constraints on councillors are far more rigorous than even they have any understanding of.

Successful decisions of council are an amalgamation (dare I use that word!) of councillors, council management and staff and proposals put before them.

Sometimes as, in this case, they are tweaked to get the best result. They are not the result of bullying.

Denise Worrill¹

Maclean

1. As Maclean Chamber of Commerce Secretary in 2009 Ms. Worrill was vocal in her support for sale of part of the car park to IGA.

The unhappiness over plans to remove Maclean's most prominent trees continues

McLachlan Park, Maclean, November 2014

Letter to the editor in The Daily Examiner 12 November 2014:

Keep the camphors

I HAVE followed the comments about the removal of the camphor laurel trees within the Clarence Valley Council area with great interest.

I am neither a "greenie" nor a "tree hugger," but I think that going to the extreme and wanting to remove all the trees mentioned is a bit radical.

If the people or persons concerned within the Council, and the general public would only step back and view the situation before engaging the chainsaws, they would see that the "old" camphor laurel trees have been around longer than most of them.

If these people were observant enough, they would see that most of the dairy farms had some of these trees as shade for the cattle, horse and farm hands.

Observation number 1: There are very few, if any, seedlings of this particular variety of camphor laurel growing in close proximity. Check the area adjacent to the Boulevard and see for yourself.

Observation number 2: The variety in the Bangalow area is of a different growth habit, namely tall, multi-trunked with larger dark green foliage and tends to produce very readily from seed. Some of these have found their way to the Lower Clarence area, and some have been removed.

So, I say to Council, before you remove any large camphor laurel trees from within the council area, check the variety first, and also send your relevant personnel to a plant identification course.

To think that Port Jackson figs, for one, have been suggested as replacement trees for the Boulevard is absolutely horrendous, to say the least.

Ficus trees in general have very invasive root systems, and would undermine the levy wall as well as up lifting the bitumen street. So once again, Council and councillors, think long and hard about this situation.

It seems that the Council made a mistake in filling the park in the first place and now want to beautify the park at ratepayers' expense.

If the reason for the expensive facelift of the park is for additional parking, then why doesn't the Council purchase the empty block across the street and utilise that as a car park.

Probably wouldn't cost as much as a makeover.

Ken Woods

Maclean

A tale of old trees which matter to a small community

Some of the people who opposed the removal of landmark camphor laurel trees from McLachlan Park.

Photo from the Independent

The Daily Examiner 1 May 2015:

Majority view

Mayor Williamson and the councillors who failed to support the motion to save the trees should never be voted into office again.

They have blatantly ignored the wishes of a significant number - possibly a majority - of residents simply so the mayor can push through his plan for McLachlan Park, a plan which, according to him, will be "magnificent".

The mayor wouldn't know magnificence if he tripped over it as clearly neither he does not consider giant 100-year-old trees to fall under the definition of "magnificent".

According to figures available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics from the last national census "... the population of Maclean in 2011 was 2612, living in 1202 dwellings with an average household size of 2.25."

Let's allow for growth over the past four years, be generous and round that up to a population of 3000 for 2015.

To quote from your article (by Tim Howard) in Tuesday's edition of the Daily Examiner: "Councillor Williamson is not convinced the group of protestors [1500 signatures on a petition to save the trees] reflects the view of the whole of Maclean....."

So, Mr. Mayor, let's do the mathematics:

Population = 3000

Of that total it would be safe to assume, based on the figure of 2.25 per household, that at least a third would be of voting age, i.e. 1000 ratepayers.

Number of signatures on the petition to not destroy the camphor laurels = 1500.

One doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to see that the response to the petition certainly DOES reflect the view of the whole of Maclean.

In addition to the above, if our esteemed mayor wishes to spend ratepayers' money on the removal of noxious weeds why not follow up on information I supplied to the Invasive Species Officer in Grafton last June regarding a prickly pear infestation in Orion Drive, Yamba?

This information was passed on to the council (who handle the actual eradication) and, over a month later, they sent someone who poisoned one, ONE, of the more than dozen plants I reported. All the others are still there and thriving.

The sooner a new council is elected the better.

Bruce Kennewell

Yamba

It's official. Clarence Valley Council is mad as a march hare

The Daily Examiner 20 July 2013:

Clarence Valley councillor Andrew Baker says he resigned from the environment economic and planning committee in part due to the lack of action in Maclean.

Cr Baker said he was frustrated with, what he termed inaction on plans to link Maclean back to the Clarence River.

The 2011 Clouston plan was widely rejected by the public, Cr Baker said.

The plan was reworked and in June 2012 was adopted by the council, along with a resolution to do "a comprehensive design process for McLachlan Park in 2012/2013, taking into account community views and land tenure considerations".

Cr Baker attended the meeting run by Mr Engwicht, which he said had nothing to do with the design.

He also objected to Mr Engwicht's idea of a "tourist attraction toilet".

"The idea of having a tourist attraction toilet with a secret garden atop to create a secret river experience can only be described as 'on the nose' by anyone who just wants this horrible joke to go away," Cr Baker said.

"It stinks that we would waste ratepayers' money paying someone who wants to hide the river behind the dunny.

"I want Maclean to be thought of as penthouse-quality, not as an outhouse joke."  

All sides in this council debate from the penthouse-quality to the loo with a view have missed the point. 

McLachlan Park is only a name. The reality is that the area in question is a concrete and earthen levee wall of approx. 7,796m2, part of a longer earth wall constructed to protect Maclean against flooding.

It is much more important to ensure the structural integrity of this levee than to tart it up for tourists or remove part of it to provide more CBD parking.

Especially when council management has encouraged councillors to use this 62 year-old high school dropout with no design or planning qualifications (pictured below) as a consultant.

David Engwicht

A relentless self-promoter

The Border Mail 3 and 4 March 2009:

WODONGA’s controversial placemaker David Engwicht has resigned.

The man charged with the makeover of High Street and paid $150,000 a year to do so tendered his resignation to Wodonga Council yesterday.

His last day of work is believed to be today.

Councillors and senior staff have defended Mr Engwicht in recent times after he was excluded from a committee reviewing his $5.4 million concept for a makeover of the city’s main strip shopping centre….

His $5.1 million concept for High Street, released in September, was widely panned...

To date Mr. Engwicht appears to have been paid $5,000 by Clarence Valley Council. 

* Graphic from Running On Carbs

* Photographs from PPS and Engwicht website

A Lower Clarence Call to Arms

Letter to the Editor in The Daily Examiner 13 April 2013:

Join and take action

If you are one of the 4000 people in the area, not consulted, and who care about Maclean and are concerned about the way the Clarence Valley Council has made decisions in the past, and is making right now, join our new action group - the Greater Maclean Community Action Group (GMCAG). Council will listen because we represent many groups in the community.
If you think Maclean has been exploited and/or ignored since amalgamation and want to address this, join.
If you are concerned about losing Maclean's biggest car park to the proposed IGA supermarket and the consequent traffic and parking chaos, join us.
If you think that this development will close businesses during and after construction, join.
If you are worried about losing some of Cameron Park, trees, and the green space behind the library for car parking, join.
If you think that the CVC spending up to $1million on the strip of McLachlan Park between SPAR and the bus shelter is a completely ridiculous waste of money, join.
If you are not one of the 83 members of the Maclean Chamber of Commerce, but would still like to tell the CVC what YOU want for Maclean, join.
And if you are a member of the Chamber and want to be twice as effective, join. If you want development that preserves our beautiful buildings and assets, join. If you want to be part of a vibrant and passionate group of old and young who want good things to happen in Maclean, join.
And joining will cost you only $5. So please come to the public meeting to be held at the Maclean Public School in Woodford St on Monday, April 5 at 7.30pm.

Nicki Holmes

Member of GMCAG

Maclean

Policy Platforms of Candidates in the Clarence Valley Local Government Elections, Saturday 10 September 2016 - Part One

North Coast Voices contacted as many Clarence local government election candidates as was possible and issued an invitation to supply their policy positions for our readers.

Here are the first four candidates in this series.

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PETER ELLEM

Peter Ellem with wife Susan and daughters, from left, Lily, Tess and Zoe

Yamba resident, Walkley Award-winning journalist, editor of  The Daily Examiner and Coastal Views newspapers from 2001 to 2007 before becoming the Grafton-based policy/media adviser to the former Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin from 2007 to 2013.

In November 2011, Mr Ellem gained further political experience by standing as Country Labor's candidate in a by-election for the State seat of Clarence. He is running as an independent candidate for CVC and funding his own campaign.

Mr Ellem said his forebears had helped pioneer the Clarence Valley from the 1860s, and he was motivated by a desire to serve all local communities to make the Valley the best possible place for families and individuals to prosper.

Mr Ellem and his wife Susan have raised three daughters Zoe, Tess and Lily here in the Valley.

“Clarence Valley Council is our largest employer and its staff do a lot of good work in the community, but its long term financial position is unsustainable and should be of concern, particularly to ratepayers, but to all residents,” Ellem said.

“As an editor, I led the popular Not A Drop campaign against moves to dam and divert the mighty Clarence River westward, and campaigned for the Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment, fast tracking of the Pacific Highway upgrade and second Grafton bridge crossing.

“I managed multi-million dollar budgets for a top 100 company, and I would bring the same common sense approach to the real challenges facing the council.

“As a public servant, I liaised with five Northern Rivers councils to successfully lobby for major infrastructure projects and grant programs, and to keep capital works projects on track and to budget.

“CVC needs some new blood – progressive councillors who will try to ensure good governance and greater transparency wherever possible.

“We need to encourage appropriate development under existing planning controls to protect and create local jobs. However, growth should not be at the cost of our wonderful environment or existing industries like tourism, fishing and farming.

“This is why I will fight to stop the proposed mega-port from swamping and destroying the Lower Clarence. I have also consistently opposed coal seam gas exploration and mining in the Valley and the wider region.”

Fighting for the Clarence Valley

* Strong financial management to keep rates low

* Sustainable development for local jobs

* Support communities in sport and culture

* Protect the Clarence River from mega port, diversion and CSG

How to vote for renewal:

Novak, Debrah - Independent

Clancy, Greg - The Greens

Kingsley, Jason - Independent

Ellem, Peter - Independent

De Roos, Joy

Text and photograph supplied by Peter Ellem

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MARGARET MCKENNA

Margaret McKenna

I was born in Grafton, went to school here and then "did my time in Sydney" before returning to start a family in this beautiful part of the world.

My first taste for politics was when I was the Mayor of Grafton Junior City Council in 1977.  I have spent many years involved in charity work locally and overseas with Rotary and other community groups and when I sold my Accountancy Practice in 2008 I decided my next "charity work" would be as a Councillor.

I was elected in 2008 and again in 2012 and I feel privileged to be able to represent my community to shape the world we live in.

My years as a Registered Tax agent has demonstrated my ability to understand complex financial matters but also my ability to explain things in a "down to earth" manner to people of varying backgrounds. 

My interests would be exemplified by some Council Committees I have chaired.

Heritage Advisory - protecting our natural and built heritage, Tourism  Advisory,  and the Clarence Regional Library Committee.

I am the current Chair of the Coast & Estuary Advisory Committee. This has given me the opportunity to work conscientiously to get the Coastal Zone Management Plans for Brooms Head and Wooli to the Minister for approval. I want to see this completed to give these communities security and protection.

I am opposed to the Yamba Mega Port.

There may be an argument that the mega port will provide Economic benefits but the River already provides economic, social and health benefits.

- It is a potential for environmental noise and visual pollution.

-Tourism is one of the Lower Clarence’s major economic assets. Recreational fishing is a big part of our water based tourism and is a multi million dollar industry (and one of our major industries in the Valley) and will be destroyed. ‘

- Fishing - both Recreational and professional will suffer. Currently the commercial fishing industry is worth at least $90m annually, and generates over 400 jobs

- traditional owners must be respected

- our environment and Eco system has a delicate balance and should be respected. 

A mega port will damage the environment and ambience for tourists but most importantly,  and frightening to think of, how our local residents will be affected.

My proudest moment in the past 4 years?  Standing up for the Maclean residents who needed me to fight for the survival of the camphor laurel trees in McLachlan Park. It certainly wasn't a successful battle but I faced fierce criticism and very strong opposition from 8 Councillors and I faced it head on and didn't give up on the trees and the community . It wasn't about what I wanted or what I thought was right, it was that after listening to the community I decided they need strong representation. I proved to myself and others that I would stand up and speak up for our community and those with no voice

My future priorities:

-  financial sustainability without a Special Rate Variation

-  continue my push to get the Grafton Riverfront Plan substantially commenced, to see the McLachlan Park redevelopment completed and then continue the Maclean Riverfront Precinct Plan.

- ensure CVC water supply remains available and affordable by ensuring water assets at Nymboida are owned by CVC, not sold off by the State Government.

- further investigate free overnight 12hour camping where there is no commercially available facilities 

- provide shade over all our parks with swings and all council owned eating areas

- Increased recycling incentives to minimise dumping on our roadsides and waterways. 

"NO CSG

NO MEGA PORT

NO SPECIAL RATE VARIATION 

NO DAMMING THE CLARENCE

Our River is for Tourism, fishing and for our children."

Text and photograph supplied by Margaret McKenna

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GREG CLANCY

Greg Clancy

A Clarence Valley resident for almost 40 years, I have played a major role in the environment movement, from the Washpool and pulp mill campaigns to today’s mega port proposal. 

I am standing for Council to represent those who care about social justice and environmental issues. I will work to ensure meaningful community engagement in Council’s decision-making.  I chose to be a Greens candidate because I share and will be guided by the core principles of ecological sustainability, social justice, grassroots democracy and non-violence of the Greens.

My vision for the Valley is a healthy, prosperous and united community respecting our natural world. Social and environmental values are not at odds with a good economic base. Development and employment need to enhance our Valley not degrade it.  Ecotourism and renewable energy have great potential.

Small businesses and the self-employed, the backbone of the north coast, need to be allowed to prosper, bringing work and self-respect to our many unemployed.

The ongoing loss of public sector jobs from Grafton is disturbing. Tertiary educational facilities such as TAFE need to be maintained. While the reopening of Grafton Gaol is good for jobs, we need to address the reasons why there are so many inmates.

Mining threatens the Clarence Valley. Proposed Gold and Antimony mines should not be allowed in our catchment. Coal Seam Gas, although put on hold, could rear its ugly head again in future. I oppose schemes to create a mega port at Yamba and to dam the Clarence to divert its water west. Water running to the sea is not ‘wasted’ – it supports the health of the estuary and our fishing industry.   

I believe I would make a good councillor. As a consultant ecologist who also has experience working for various government departments (including planning), I have an extensive knowledge of relevant planning and environmental legislation. My doctorate is in wildlife ecology and I was the Ecological Society of Australia’s scientific representative on the Clarence Regional Vegetation Committee.

• No mega port at Yamba
• A healthy dam-free Clarence
• Keeping the Northern Rivers free of gas mining
• Local biodiversity protection through full implementation of the Clarence Valley Biodiversity Strategy
• Sustainable employment and industry, including ecotourism and ‘clean’ small businesses
• Support for minority groups, Aboriginal communities and outlying villages.

I have had over 30 years’ experience in running a small business. I have also been heavily involved in many community groups, including:

•  Susan and Elizabeth Islands Recreation Trust,
•  Coutts Crossing Tidy Towns Committee,
•  Clarence Valley Branch of the National Parks Association,
•  Grafton District Services Country Music Club and
•  Grafton District Services Big River Jazz Club.  

How to vote:

Clancy, Greg The Greens

Tibbett, Brett Independent

Kingsley, Jason Independent

Ellem, Peter Independent

Ellem, Trevor Independent

Hughes, Sue Independent

McKenna, Margaret – Independent

De Roos, Joy - Independent

Text and photograph supplied by Greg Clancy

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KAREN TOMS

Karen Toms

I am self-employed. I have served two terms on Council and represented Council on many committees covering a range of issues.

If I am re-elected I will continue to work hard representing my community and getting our finances in order. I want a Council that treats its residents with respect. One that answers questions quickly respond to enquiries quickly. I want to help build back trust. I want a Council that listens even when it is a complaint, especially when it is a complaint.

We have an enormous amount of infrastructure that needs attention and yet we are still spending millions on new things.

I did not support the previous 37% Special Rate Variation application. Even IPART didn’t approve. They approved the variation for one year only, the application was for 5. Even so 5 councillors wanted to try again and have set it up to apply again after the elections. This time for a WHOPPING 41% Special Rate Variation.

I assure you if I am re-elected I will not support this proposed increase in your rates.

I’m certain a rate rise of 41% over 7 years will put financial pressure on our families our retirees and our residents who rent.

The stupid thing about the excessive rate increases is they will not fix the problem we face. Even the experts agree.

I am also concerned by our huge debt of $130 Million. Some of this debt is good debt (sewerage water) BUT WE MUST WORK ON REDUCING THE BAD DEBT. OUR General Fund is actually like having a credit card with no limit. It is a trap to think it is our money sitting there to be used. It is borrowed money generating interest bills our community have to pay.

We pay millions of dollars in interest, which could be put to better use if we reduce debt. We own an enormous amount of unused property that could be sold to reduce debt, and reduce our maintenance backlogs. Instead we have had majority of Councillors who have supported charging the ratepayers excessive rates rather than taking another course of action.

More of the same will not improve our financial situation. Experts Ernest & Young advised Council to reduce debt to a manageable level. We’ve had TCorp tell us we have gone from a weak outlook to a neutral outlook. They also say they are not sure about some of our modelling and want it checked. This is nothing to be happy about, in my opinion.

I will continue to work and challenge all unjustified spending, analyse every cost/benefit before commitment.

I will not support building new infrastructure unless a strong business case is put forward that proves it will not burden the ratepayers further.

During my 8 years on Council, I have earnt a reputation for asking questions and being a strong advocate of scrutiny and transparency.

I will continue standing up for you. Please give me your number 1 VOTE and support those who will do the same.

Thank you

Text and photograph supplied by Karen Toms

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