Council Delays Townsend Collective Works for More Consultation

Community engagement expanded as Clarence Valley Council pauses site construction

Clarence Valley Council has unanimously agreed to pause physical works on the Townsend Collective project while undertaking additional community consultation, following growing public concern about the development’s environmental impacts and future direction.

The decision came after Mayor Ray Smith presented a revised mayoral minute at last week’s council meeting, calling for broader engagement with stakeholders before any construction or physical disturbance takes place within the project’s boundaries.

The pause will remain in place until consultation sessions are completed before the end of August, giving community members, neighbouring landowners and existing site users further opportunities to contribute to the project’s future.

The move follows increasing public debate surrounding the Townsend Collective, including concerns raised by Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, who had submitted a notice of motion seeking to halt the project while environmental and planning issues were addressed.

Following the Mayor’s revised proposal, Cr Clancy withdrew his motion, saying it achieved the outcome he had been seeking.

“I think this covers the intent of my notice of motion,” he told the meeting.

“The intent of my notice of motion was to put things on hold so we can sort out a few issues, not to stop the whole project, and I think this allows us to do that.”

Under the adopted resolution, council will suspend all construction activity and any physical disturbance within the project site while community engagement is carried out under its Community Engagement Strategy.

Councillors will also receive two reports at the August council meeting.

The first will detail any significant changes made to the project since the Townsend Collective master plan was endorsed in June 2024, including any agreements, obligations or commitments that may require additional council approval.

A second report will outline the outcomes of consultation with stakeholders, including current site users and adjoining property owners.

Mayor Smith said the intention was not to abandon the project, but to ensure the community remained involved as planning progressed.

“We want to engage further with all of the stakeholders, adjoining property owners, and delay any further action, particularly any site improvements,” he said.

During the meeting, Cr Lynne Cairns questioned whether a business case had been prepared covering future leasing arrangements, operating costs and insurance responsibilities.

General Manager Laura Black told councillors the master plan had already been adopted and council was still implementing that decision.

“We don’t have a business plan for operating the centre at this point in time, as we haven’t completed all of the actions of the June 2024 resolution,” she said.

Cr Andrew Baker sought clarification that planning and survey work already underway would continue during the consultation period.

Ms Black confirmed there was no intention to halt planning activities, explaining that current work was taking place within the adjoining road reserve rather than inside the project site itself.

Questions were also raised about future ownership of buildings within the development.

Ms Black said Clarence Valley Council would continue to own the land, while individual organisations constructing buildings would retain ownership of their facilities, consistent with arrangements used elsewhere on council-owned land.

The Townsend Collective is a partnership between Clarence Valley Council, Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation and Connect You Too. The master plan includes community facilities, accessible pathways, open recreation spaces, public artwork, performance areas and shared community infrastructure.

The project has recently attracted criticism from some residents and environmental advocates who believe additional scrutiny is needed to ensure the development remains consistent with commitments to protect environmentally sensitive areas.

By unanimously supporting the amended mayoral minute, councillors signalled their support for both the project and a more collaborative consultation process before construction begins.