Clarence Valley Council held its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 15 May 2025 at the Maclean Council Chambers in a meeting which lasted one hour and 37 minutes.
Call for formal discussion with First Nations people following April 11 meeting
Concerns have been raised within the community regarding a meeting held on 11 April 2025. In response, Councillors acknowledged the importance of addressing these concerns through open and respectful dialogue.
A motion was unanimously carried calling for a formal discussion between Council and representatives of the Yaegl, Bundjalung, and Gumbaynggirr First Nations communities to express their perspectives and concerns.
The discussion will clarify the full context surrounding the issue, encourage respectful dialogue, rebuild relationships and collaborate on options moving forward.
Closure of Community Justice Centres in NSW
The closure of Community Justice Centres across NSW has been announced by the NSW Government effective 1 July 2025.
These centres provide a range of services to the community and council staff often recommends members of the community that have conflicts with neighbours or nearby residents regarding keeping of animals, noise, fences, stormwater management, trees or non-priority weeds, to refer their dispute to the Community Justice Centre for assistance.
The report went on to mention that at time when cost-of-living pressures and mental health issues are increasing, the removal of this respected and well-utilised community service will have serious consequences. Without CJCs, residents will face higher barriers to conflict resolution, and we risk leaving people without any meaningful recourse to resolve disputes constructively.
Councillors voted to support that Council write to the Attorney General The Hon. Michael Daley MP raising concerns about the lack of effective consultation and, the removal of a well-utilised service, particularly in regional and rural communities and requesting that the full range of services provided by Community Justice Centres continue to be provided by the NSW Government.
Tender for North Grafton Sewage Treatment Plant Construction Project Management awarded
Amato Slapp Engineering Pty Ltd has been awarded the North Grafton Sewage Treatment Plant Construction Project Management tender after councillors supported the officer's recommendation at the May Ordinary Council Meeting.
A total of eleven tenders were received which were then assessed by a panel of Council staff.
The panel considers that, having regard to all the circumstances, the most advantageous tender is from Amato Slapp Engineering Pty Ltd who received positive referee reports from both City of Coffs Harbour and Transport for NSW.
Tenderers were required to submit rates for two days per week of site surveillance, with an optional rate for full-time surveillance. As the full-time site surveillance option is within the project budget, it is recommended that this option be accepted.
Supply, Delivery and Commissioning of Water Treatment Plants
Council called for tenders for the supply, delivery and commissioning of two Water Treatment Plants to be installed at Coutts Crossing and Glenreagh.
Six tenders were received with all submissions assessed by a panel comprising two Water Cycle representatives, a representative from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and a consultant who had prepared the technical specification.
Councillors supported the Officer's Recommendation of accepting the tender from Aquamanage Environmental Pty Ltd.
Proposed EOI for Future Use of 45 Wooli Street, Yamba
With the opening of the new Yamba Library and Community Centre quickly approaching, the Community Hall and Library at 45 Wooli Street, Yamba will become available for alternative uses.
Councillors supported the Officer's recommendation to seek Expressions of Interest for short-term use of 45 Wooli Street, Yamba while the land remains classified as community land. The recommendation also seeks future long-term use of the site, which may include uses that would require, or be more easily enabled by, reclassification of the land to operational land.
The site contains:
- The Yamba Community Hall (large hall with stage, meeting room, kitchen, bathrooms, offices)
- The current Yamba Library (exclusive library use)
- A rotunda (currently used for storage)
- Off-street parking for up to eight vehicles
While all previous rental arrangements have been discontinued, the hall and meeting room remain available for casual hire. Council staff have received informal expressions of interest from multiple parties regarding both community use and potential purchase.
Keep your eye on Council's website to enter your EOI for the future use of the site.
Maclean Riverside Walkway
Councillors have voted to proceed with a formal land swap offer to enable delivery of the missing walkway section in accordance with the Maclean Riverside Precinct Plan.
The Maclean Riverside Walkway was first identified in the Maclean Riverside Precinct Plan (2012) and later incorporated into the Clarence River Masterplan II (2021), both prepared by Clouston Associates. These documents envisage a continuous public walkway along the Clarence River, enhancing recreational access and precinct connectivity.
Council has already completed sections of the walkway between Munro Lane and the Maclean Courthouse, and in McLachlan Park.
