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Clarence Valley News

Council inserts action plan into tourism blueprint

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Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan
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Council inserts action plan into tourism blueprint

 

By Tim Howard

Rubber stamping a seven-year plan to manage and develop tourism in the Clarence Valley was never going to good enough for Cr Bill Day.

Cr Day, who headed the Clarence River Tourism Association for two decades, saw danger ahead when the proposal to put the Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan out for public exhibition came to the latest Clarence Valley Council meeting.

Cr Day said given the record of the council in tourism management, the plan would “collect dust” unless councillors committed to acting on its recommendations.

“They often collect dust unless it’s supported by annual plans that actually get down to the tin tacks, the budget, the staff resourcing that details of activities and projects,” he said.

He pointed to the failure of council’s first venture into tourism management after it shut down the CRTA in 2014.

“We haven’t had a current tourism strategy for three years,” he said.

“The last one was brought in in 2016 for a five-year period.

“I’ve gone through the 2016 plan and there’s things that were never done. There were things that failed miserably.

“It’s important that councillors get a grasp on what they want for the ratepayers money that we spend on tourism.”

He said the document about to go out on public exhibition was a “wish list” and a “word salad” but was also an important document.

“It doesn’t contain a lot of heart and a lot of things that are quite substantial receive one line in the strategy,” he said.

To beef up the strategy Cr Day moved that council:

  1. endorse the Clarence Valley Destination Management Plan for public exhibition from Friday 26 April to 6 June 2024.
  2. as soon as possible following this exhibition, hold a councillor workshop for council to review the plan and submissions received during the exhibition period.
  3. receive at this workshop a 12 to 24 month plan outlining the funding and processes regarding Clarence Valley Tourism activities and options.

“This workshop that I’m proposing is, really, really important,” Cr Day said.

“I’ll certainly be making a response to the draft strategy.

“I might bring up a notice of motion yet, detailing a few more specifics about what I’d like to see in the workshop.

“There’s a new coordinator for Economic Development and Tourism, who’s just taken up her position in council.

“It’s very important that we help her understand where to start and what’s expected from tourism from us representing the council.”

Deputy mayor Jeff Smith, who seconded Cr Day’s motion, said it was important to include an “action step”.

“I’ve read a lot of reports, and a lot of them don’t have that action step,” he said.

“This motion does in that we’re going to have a workshop and just as importantly talk about funding and processes for the next 12 to 24 months what’s achievable and what can and can’t be done.

“It’s all very good to having a wish list. But what is realistic, what’s feasible and what’s going to actually benefit the valley and the economy?”

Councillors were excited at the tourism opportunities discussed in the draft plan with indigenous heritage, eco-tourism and the environment heavily mentioned.

But Cr Debrah Novak sounded a word of warning about how climate change could impact future tourism development.

She even posited a term “natural disaster adventure” to keep tourists coming when nature turned ugly.

“It’s perfect for tourists, but when it’s blowing a gale, flooding they run, so we need to have a plan B to support these tourists to stay here,” she said.

“Give them some other sort of natural disaster adventure and come up with something different that will actually keep our tourists here looking for a bit more opportunity.”

Cr Steve Pickering said the draft plan did have a “plan B” with emphasis on galleries, museums as alternative activities to exploring the outdoors.

But he said plan was designed to get visitors to explore areas the hinterland as well as enjoy the beaches and coastal activities.

He said an attraction like a paddle steamer would be an ideal link between these activities.

Cr Greg Clancy said he enjoyed the DMP’s focus on enjoying the region’s natural beauty but also the need to not “flog it to death”.

“They’re all all good things,” he said “And when they’re done properly and we protect what we’re what we’re trying to sell to the. tourists, I think it’s a win, win.”

Cr Alison Whaites said the planners had plenty to work with in the Valley and had done an outstanding job with the draft.

“They are doing a very good job of doing this and I encourage people to go and have a look to see what we’ve actually got,” she said.

Summing up, Cr Day said it was exciting to hear councillors talking so positively about tourism, but he added it was also important to ensure the tourism industry worked with the whole community.

“We need to focus on the troughs not the peaks when residents don’t resent tourism so much in those trough periods and we need to look at that,” he said.

Councillors vote unanimously in support Cr Day’s motion. It’s been on exhibition since April 26 and submissions close on June 6.

 

For more local Clarence Valley news, click here.

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Clarence Valley News

CLARENCE AND RICHMOND VALLEY BUSINESSES SUFFERING IN ONGOING ENERGY DISPUTE

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CLARENCE AND RICHMOND VALLEY BUSINESSES SUFFERING IN ONGOING ENERGY DISPUTE

Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson is urging the Minns Labor Government to step in and resolve the ongoing industrial dispute between the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the state’s major energy companies, which is heavily impacting local businesses across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys.

Months of strike action by the ETU has delayed thousands of projects, including critical infrastructure such as housing and roadworks, while driving some businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.

Mr Williamson emphasised the need for immediate intervention, noting the essential role energy workers play in the community.

“Our energy workers are invaluable, often stepping up as first responders during emergencies and natural disasters across regional NSW,” Mr Williamson said.

“They work nights, weekends, and through holiday periods to keep the power on, and we all want to see a fair resolution reached quickly.

“However, this dispute has dragged on far too long, and our local businesses are paying the price while the Minns Labor Government continues to sit on the sidelines.

“The Premier, along with the Ministers for Industrial Relations and Energy, must act under Section 424 of the Fair Work Act to bring this dispute to a close before more damage is done to our regional economy.”

Mr Williamson expressed concern about the growing impact on local businesses.

“Many great businesses in the Clarence and Richmond Valleys may be forced to close their doors, which is completely unacceptable. These businesses are the backbone of our community, and they need support.

“It’s time for the Minns Government to show leadership, bring all parties to the table, and reach a resolution that protects our local businesses and workers.”

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Clarence Valley News

Ferry’s demise inspires ferry exhibition

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Ferry’s demise inspires ferry exhibition

 

By Tim Howard

Just months after the controversial closure of the 130-year-old ferry crossing at Ulmarra the Clarence is about to get a reminder of the importance of river crossing in the regions.

On Thursday the Clarence River Historical Society will open its latest exhibit: Vehicular Boats of Grafton, South Grafton and Surrounds.

Society president Steve Tranter said the exhibition had been inspired by the demise of the Ulmarra Ferry and a need the society saw to celebrate the importance and history of crossing the region’s waterways.

He said Transport for NSW had been keen to memorialise the ferry and had made available some artefacts from the 70-year-old vessel decommissioned in June.

“They offered us the anchor, but that would have been too large and bulky,” he said.

“But they have provided the ferry lighting system, a set of lights that changed colour depending on which direction the ferry was heading.”

Ulmarra Ferry

He said the exhibition would also feature a lot of information on the history of ferries in the Clarence.

“Vehicular boats provided a service from roughly 1859 to 1932 and over that long period of time saw the changing face of transport,” he said.

Before then the rowing boat was king as the growing population in Grafton and South Grafton sought ways to get themselves and good across the Clarence River.

“In those times and you either paid the owner to cross with your possessions or if you were wealthy, you would employ someone to ferry you across in a boat that you owned, possibly a servant of yours,” Mr Tranter said.

“Where your possessions were too big to be contained in a small boat, rafts have been documented as being used in early times.”

Mr Tranter said the society’s records revealed some surprising developments in ferry transport from the time of the first specialised vehicular ferry in 1861.

Ulmarra Ferry

“The first specialised vehicular ferry was introduced in 1861,” he said.

“It was worked by hand with Charles Matthews in charge and replaced an 1859 makeshift that was propelled across the river by hauling on a thick hemp or coir rope.

“In 1867 this punt was replaced by a steam vehicular ferry which arrived by ship from Sydney in pieces and was then assembled at the foot of Villiers Street before being launched.

John Kilton Andrews was the new punt’s master, but, in Bates and Mackey’s words, it ‘wasn’t very popular with residents as it was very noisy and could be heard for miles away and when it started it sent clouds of black soot all over its passengers’.

“The reason why it was so noisy was that its engine drove a cog which engaged what the Clarence and Richmond Examiner’s first editor described as ‘a great clanking chain’.

“It does not take much imagination to appreciate the rattling of the chain as it was guided by runners to engage, like a great bicycle chain, with the grinding teeth of the steam-driven cog.

Ulmarra Ferry

“Another account says that: ‘Sometimes the chain gave way under the strain and punt and passengers would find themselves adrift and helpless on the broad Clarence.’

“This chain-driven punt lasted less than a decade, and by 1869 Andrews was in charge of a steam punt in which the inefficient chain drive had been replaced by a cable-operated mechanism.

Mr Tranter said the exhibition contained many fascinating tales such as this that showed how the ferry services developed in the regions and brought to life the characters who had made history in the Clarence.

Mr Tranter said the exhibition would open on Thursday at 10am at the Schaeffer House Museum, 190 Fitzroy Street.

“The e public is invited to visit the Museum and see the new display on Vehicular Boats that crossed the Clarence River from early European settlement times to 1932 when the opening of the Grafton Rail and Road Bridge brought the service to an end,” he said.

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Clarence Valley News

Jacaranda honour for former Matilda Jo

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Jacaranda honour for former Matilda Jo

 

By Tim Howard

One of the Clarence Valley’s leading sporting and business identities former Matilda Jo Powell has accepted the invitation to the Guest of Honour for the 90th celebration of the Jacaranda Festival.

Festival manager Mark Blackadder said he was thrilled to announce the beloved local icon would headline this historic occasion.

“This milestone event will take place from Friday October 25 to Sunday November 3 and promises to be a memorable highlight for the Clarence Valley community,” he said.

Mr Blackadder said the Grafton born and bred sportswoman and business person embodied the spirit of the town.

“With a storied career as a Matilda, she has not only made her mark in the world of women’s football but has also become a powerful advocate for empowering individuals, especially young women, to pursue their dreams and become the best versions of themselves,” he said.

As an influential figure and current Matilda alumni, Ms Powell reflected on her journey and how she used her platform to inspire others to embrace their potential.

“I am incredibly honoured to be part of the 90th anniversary of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival,” she said.

”This festival is a celebration of our community, our culture, and the incredible spirit of Grafton. I look forward to celebrating 90 Years in Bloom with everyone and empowering our youth to chase their dreams.”

The Grafton Jacaranda Festival is a cherished tradition that showcases the beauty of the jacaranda tree and the vibrant community of Grafton.

This year’s festival will feature a range of events, including parades, live music and cultural activities, all aimed at bringing the community together in celebration and putting on a show for the thousands of visitors.

Mr Blackadder invited Grafton people in the Jacaranda City and beyond and anyone who wished to be part of one of the country’s oldest floral festivals to join in honouring Ms Powell and all that she represents at the 90th Grafton Jacaranda Festival.

For more information about the festival and its events, please visit here or visit the Grafton Jacaranda Festival Facebook page.

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