Councillors knock back Brooms conflict consultant proposal

By Tim Howard

Arriving at a plan of management for the Brooms Head Reserve has become so contentious Clarence Valley Council staff considered a conflict resolution consultant necessary to continue the process.

Council resolved in February to hear a further staff report on the long running attempt to arrive at a PoM for the reserve.

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But when the report arrived it recommended ditching previous efforts and estimate costs for a new draft plan.

It also included recommendations to engage both a planning consultant and a “facilitator specialising in conflict resolution given the polarisation within the community regarding future management of the Reserve.”

To fund it the plan was to allocate $100,000 from the Crown Maintenance Reserve and include it in the 2024/25 Operational Plan.

The proposal was not to the liking of councillors.

Cr Debrah Novak moved council continue with preparing the draft PoM in accordance with the resolution in February 2024, allocate funds up to $40,000 from the Crown Maintenance Reserve  to complete this PoM.

The motion recommended funding the engagement of a planning consultant, but not a conflict resolution consultant.

It also stipulated the Terms of Reference for the PoM do not include, or relate to, the 2017 Concept Design Report for Brooms Head Holiday Park.

Most councillors believed the need for conflict resolution was overstated, although all admitted the process to arrive at a PoM had been long and contentious, with some reference to attempts in 1995 to come up with a PoM.

In moving her motion, Cr Novak said many people at Brooms Head were happy with what the council proposed in its February 24 resolution and this motion if successful would “provide clarity” for the community.

But Cr Karen Toms said she could see trouble ahead if the council pressed ahead with current February resolution.

“It’s it is a it is a very contentious issue,” she said. “And I wish we could fix it so easily.

“But I come back to the information in the report that tells us that the Local Government Act 1993 does not make provision to amend an existing PoM.

“And we’ve got a very old PoM that I don’t think we even had proof that had went out to community consultation.”

Cr Toms said there she knew people in the community who were unhappy with the process.

“It’s it’s complicated because I think some of the community stakeholders don’t really understand what a plan of management is,” she said.

“They wanted to have it to have more teeth, they wanted to have nitty gritty things in there, but that’s not what Plans of Management do.”

Cr Toms was also concerned the $40,000 allocated would not cover what needed to be done and and the absence of conflict resolution consultant.

“In the report, it talks about $34,000 And it was $54,000,” she said. “So we’ve got a bit of money.

We don’t know if that’s enough.”

Cr Toms said conflict resolution was perhaps not the right term, but she believed there needed to be some interaction with the community to ensure both it and the council were on the same page.

“We need to somehow bring the community with us,” she said. “That’s what was said back in February or before we need to bring the community with us but I think the community also needs to understand really what a PoM is.”

Cr Steven Pickering said he had heard many different messages coming from the Brooms Head community about what was needed.

“They want a different goal from the plan of management I think that by putting the conflict resolution consultant back into the mix, will give for a more streamlined and hopefully a better outcome,” he said.

“In the end, we want to we want to plan of management that the community agree with.

We don’t we don’t want a plan of management that is being forced on the community because it just won’t work.”

He said the community were engaged and consulted in the previous plan of management, but when it came to council, there wasn’t one person that he spoke to me that agreed with the entire plan.

“If we don’t have the conflict resolution, and we don’t end up with a PoM that they all agree with, we’re going to be back to square one again,” he said.

“And we’ll be doing this for the third time within a couple of years and I don’t want to see that.”

But the majority of councillors were more optimistic.

Cr Bill Day said beginning again would offend many in the Brooms Head community.

“It seems this Brooms Head plan of management issue has been argued for just so long,” he said.

“Finally in February we seem to have reached a degree of consensus with most parties.

“I had quite a bit of feedback from Brooms Head, people, residents and people who use the caravan park saying that we’re very very happy with council’s decision in February.”

“It seemed that we were on the right track.”

Cr Greg Clancy said there were different views about what needed to be done, but his feedback was that it did not need a person to sort them out.

“I went to the campers and caravans annual meeting and I’ve talked to locals and I’ve talked to visitors so I’ve got a bit of an idea of across the board and I think we need to employ a planning consultant to complete the job,” he said.

Put to the vote, council voted 7-2 in favour of Cr Novak’s motion, with Crs Toms and Pickering against.

For more local Clarence Valley news, click here.

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.

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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.

Anzac Day Services Northern Rivers – Comprehensive Guide for the Region

This Thursday April 25, 2024, communities across our region will come together to commemorate Anzac Day with various services and marches. Here’s what’s planned for each area:

Richmond Valley

Casino:

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• Dawn Service: Assemble at 5:15 AM on Canterbury Street at the Casino RSM Club. The march to the Mafeking Lamp starts at 5:30 AM.
• Mid-morning Service: Gather at 10:00 AM in Graham Place for a 10:15 AM march to Casino RSM Club.
• Evening Retreat: A brief service at 4:55 PM at the Mafeking Lamp.

Coraki:

• Assemble at 10:00 AM at the Coraki Hotel for a 10:30 AM march to the cenotaph in Riverside Park.

Broadwater:

• Community Dawn Service at 5:30 AM at Broadwater Community Hall, followed by a community breakfast.

Evans Head:

• Dawn Service: Gather at 5:20 AM on Woodburn Street near the bus stop, marching to Memorial Park for a 5:30 AM service. Breakfast at the RSL Club Evans afterward.
• Day Service: Assemble at 10:00 AM on Park Street, marching at 10:30 AM to Club Evans in McDonald Place.
• Additional Services: A bus departs the RSL at 8:00 AM for services at the memorial aerodrome and war cemetery, with a special flyover by the Amberley Air Force.

Rappville:

• Dawn Service at 5:30 AM at the Anzac Memorial on Nandabah Street.
• Day Service: Gather at the Rappville Post Office at 10:30 AM for an 11:00 AM service at the same memorial.

Woodburn:

• Assemble at 9:45 AM at the old Woodburn Post Office, marching at 10:00 AM to the memorial in Riverside Park for a service.

Kyogle LGA

Kyogle:

• Dawn service at 5:30 AM at the cenotaph.
• Assemble at 9:15 AM for a 9:30 AM march through the town center, concluding with a 10:00 AM service at the cenotaph.

Woodenbong:

• Dawn service at 5:15 AM at the Woodenbong water tower, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast.
• Gather for a 10:40 AM march to the Woodenbong Public Hall for an 11:00 AM Anzac Memorial Service. The day concludes with a wreath-laying at 11:45 AM and a Diggers Luncheon at 12:30 PM at the RSL Hall.

Bonalbo:

• Dawn service at 5:30 AM at Patrick McNamee Anzac Memorial Park, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Bonalbo Bowling and Recreation Club.
• An 11:00 AM service at the Bonalbo Community Hall.

Old Bonalbo:

• A 9:30 AM service at Old Bonalbo Soldiers’ Memorial Hall.

Tabulam:

• Gather at 10:30 AM on Clarence Street for a march to the Light Horse Memorial, where a service and wreath laying will take place at 11:00 AM, followed by refreshments at noon at the Tabulam Hotel.

Mallanganee:

• A service and wreath-laying ceremony at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park.

LISMORE

Returned and Services League of Australia – City of Lismore sub-Branch ANZAC Day Committee wishes to invite the community to Lismore’s ANZAC Day March and Services, commemorating the fallen from Gallipoli and all other subsequent wars and deployments in which Australian Defence personnel have been involved.

At 5am the traditional Dawn Service will be held at the Lismore Cenotaph, following the March from the “Old Post Office Corner” on the corner of Magellan and Molesworth Streets.

The main March will commence at 9am and will depart Browns Creek Carpark, proceeding along Molesworth Street to the Lismore Memorial Baths. Followed by the ANZAC Day commemorative service at the Lismore Cenotaph.

The Lismore City Bowling Club will host a breakfast for veterans, families and community members.

Clarence Vally

Below is information that has been provided to Council by RSL Sub-branches across the Clarence Valley. If you are wishing to lay wreaths, please contact the sub-branch organiser for your area.

RAMORNIE (Sunday, 21 April)

• 10:45am – Ramornie Cenotaph
  Contact: Barry Whalley – 0428 432 014

GRAFTON (ANZAC DAY Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:50am –  Muster at Memorial Park
• 6:00am – Dawn Service at Memorial Park
• 6:30am – Gunfire breakfast at GDSC – $10pp (donated to charity)
• 9:30am – March from Market Square
• 10:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, Memorial Park
  Contact: Denis Benfield – 0412 410 474

SOUTH GRAFTON (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 4:50am – March from New School of Arts
• 5:00am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph, Lane Boulevard
• 7:00am – Gunfire breakfast at South Grafton Ex-Servicemen’s Club
• 10:50am – March from New School of Arts
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, Lane Boulevard
• Contact: Barry Whalley – 0428 432 014

ULMARRA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 10:40AM – Muster for march at Ulmarra Cenotaph
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at Memorial Park
• Contact: Robert McFarlane – 0407 415 923

CHATSWORTH ISLAND (ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April)

• 5:15am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph
  Followed by a sausage sizzle
  Contact: John Goodwin – 0419 282 555

COPMANHURST (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 10:45am – Commemoration Service at Copmanhurst Memorial Cenotaph
  Contact:  Denis Benfield – 0412 410 474

GLENREAGH (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Dawn Service at the Glenreagh School of Arts
• Followed by a cooked breakfast in the hall (donation)
  Contact: Noel Backman – 0434 197 994

HARWOOD (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:15am – Muster at Harwood Hall
• 5:30am – Dawn Service at Harwood Cenotaph in River Street
• Followed by Gunfire breakfast in the Harwood Hall (donation)
  Contact: Helen Briscoe – 0431 677 110
  Barry Smith – 0427 469 495

ILUKA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Commemoration service
  BBQ provided after service – outside hall (donation)
• 10:30am – March from Iluka Public School
• 10:45am – Commemoration Service and wreath laying
  Followed by free morning tea
• Contact: Phil Bradmore – 0448 465 269

LAWRENCE (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:45am – Muster at Lawrence Hall for march to Memorial Park
• 6:00am – Dawn Service at Memorial Park
• 9:45am – Muster at Lawrence Hall for march to memorial park
• 10:00am – Commemoration Service at Memorial Park
• Contact: Bryan Whalan – 0417 232 809

LOWER SOUTHGATE (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 3:00pm – Commemoration Service at Lower Southgate War Memorial, Doust Park
  Contact: Pauline Glasser – 0419 986 554       

MACLEAN (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Dawn Service at Cenotaph
• 10:40am – March from Esplanade
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at Cenotaph
  Followed by lunch at Maclean Bowling Club (members only)
• Contact: Trevor Plymin – 0415 400 658

TULLYMORGAN (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:15am – Muster for march at Tullymorgan School
• 5:20am – Dawn Service at the Tullymorgan School
  Followed by gunfire breakfast (gold coin donation)
• Contact: Sue Searles – 0408 408 749

WOOLI (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph
• 6:00am – Breakfast for those attending the Dawn Service at Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club (gold coin donation)
• 10:45 am – Assemble at Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club for march
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph
  Lunch for ex-service personnel and partners at the Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club
• Contact: Brian Frederiksen – 0421 077 718

YAMBA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:45am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph
• 9:30am – Assemble for a 9.30am march in Clarence Street opposite Stella Motel, Clarence Street, for march to Cenotaph
• 9:35am – Commemoration Service to commence at completion of the march
  Followed by morning tea at Yamba RSL Hall
• Contact: Donna Ford – 0498 330 024

CHATSWORTH ISLAND (ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April)

• 5:15am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph
  Followed by a sausage sizzle
• Contact: John Goodwin – 0419 282 555

Byron Shire

Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Services will be held across the Byron Shire to commemorate ANZAC Day.

Bangalow

• 10:30am – March from the Bangalow Hotel to the Cenotaph

Brunswick Heads

• 4:30am – March from the RSL Hall to the Cenotaph

Byron Bay

• 5:30am – Meet at the memorial Gates in Tennyson Street
• 10:30am – Meet at the memorial Gates in Tennyson Street

Mullumbimby

• 4:30am – Meet at the Cenotaph in Dalley Street
• 11:00am – March from Railway Station to the Cenotaph in Dalley Street.

Ballina Shire

• 5:30 AM – Dawn Service

Join us at the RSL Memorial Park Cenotaph for the first commemorative event of ANZAC Day. This service marks the time men of the ANZAC approached the Gallipoli beach and honors the traditional ‘stand-to’ ritual.

• 6:00 AM – Poppy Collection / Ballina RSL Breakfast

After the Dawn Service, collect your poppies from the ANZAC structure and enjoy a “In The Trenches Breakfast” at the Ballina RSL club for just $5. Open to the public – no bookings!

• 10:30 AM – ANZAC March

The ANZAC Day March will start at the far end of River Street, near Woolworths, moving towards the RSL and Memorial Park.

• 10:55 AM – ANZAC Day Service

The main service will be held at RSL Memorial Park adjacent to the Ballina RSL Club.

• 11:18 AM – RAAF Fly Past
• 11:30 AM – Ballina RSL Lunch

Conclude the morning’s commemorations with lunch at the Ballina RSL Club.

• 2:00 PM – Brownie & Friends’ Two-Up

Join us for a game of two-up at Brownie’s. Learn the rules and participate in this traditional ANZAC Day betting game. Open to all of legal gambling age.

Additional Information: Open to the public. All are welcome to join in remembrance and honor of our veterans.

Tweed Heads & Coolangatta

Dawn Service 5.45am

Held at Chris Cunningham Park, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Anzac Day Service 10.55am – 11.45am

Held at Chris Cunningham Park, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Burringbar – Old Bakery at 0845hrs for the march to the Memorial. Service to commence at 0900hrs. Refreshments and Bowls at the Sports Club after the service.

Cudgen – Assemble at Crescent Street at 0410 hrs. March to service at Collier Street Cenotaph at 0428hrs.

Kingscliff dawn – Assemble at Turnock Street at 0555hrs. Service at Kingscliff War Memorial. Breakfast at the Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club at 0700hrs.

Kingscliff main – Assemble at 1000hrs. March commencing at 1020hrs. Service at the Memorial at 1100hrs. Cars available for non-marchers.

Murwillumbah dawn – Assemble at War Memorial at 0520hrs. Breakfast in the Services Club at 0615hrs. Veterans and children under 12 free, others $5.

Murwillumbah main – Marchers assemble in Brisbane Street. Schools and other organisations assemble Main Street, opposite the Post Office at 1010hrs. March off at 1030hrs for Cenotaph Service at 1045hrs. Transport available for non-marchers at the assembly area.

Pottsville – Assemble at 0730hrs at Pottsville Beach Chemist. March off 0745hrs for the service at 0800hrs at the Cenotaph ANZAC Park. Breakfast at Pottsville Beach Sports Club after the service.

Tumbulgum – Memorial Gates 0430hrs. Breakfast in the hotel after the service.

Tweed Heads – Assemble on pathway behind Chris Cunningham Park at 0545hrs. Short wreath laying service at Chris Cunningham Park at 0630hrs.

🎖 Tweed Heads – Assemble in Boundary Street at 1000hrs, march off at 1030hrs down Boundary Street, left into Wharf Street and left to the Memorial in Chris Cunningham Park. Service of Remembrance from 1100hrs.

Tyalgum – Memorial 0515hrs. Breakfast in the hotel after the service.

Uki – War Memorial 0420hrs. Breakfast in the hall after the service.

These services offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces and provide an opportunity for community members of all ages to come together in remembrance.

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