Clarence Valley Council has voted on a proposal to condense 10 Community Committees into 4, a move that has some councillors concerned about the impact on Council’s response to climate change.
At the December 19 ordinary Council meeting, Councillors discussed updating the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and developing a Delivery Program, which is required under the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP and R) framework within the financial year of an election, with a proposal to reduce 10 community committees to 4 that are aligned with the CSP, Community and Culture, Economic Development, Environment and Sustainability, and Access and Inclusion.
A heated debate ensued before Councillors unanimously voted to endorse a motion moved by Cr Debrah Novak and seconded by Cr Allison Whaites that Council:
- Note the update on relevant IP&R documents.
- Endorse the proposal for establishment of four Advisory Committees linked to the Community Strategic themes of Community, Infrastructure, Economy and Environment.
- Note a report will be presented to the February Ordinary Meeting seeking confirmation of draft Terms of Reference, proposed membership and nominate councillors as chairs and participants.
Deputy Mayor, Cr Greg Clancy, who was concerned the proposal would dilute the volume of specialised community knowledge coming to Council on environmental matters, moved an amendment to the motion to increase the number of committees to 5, which would involve creating a biodiversity committee and a community climate change committee.
General Manager Laura Black said Cr Clancy’s amendment was not in line with the IP and R framework, then Cr Karen Toms suggested it might be unlawful, because it didn’t identify a funding source for the new committee, so Cr Clancy amended his motion, stating the funding source would be the same as for the other 4 committees.
Cr Peter Johnstone questioned the effectiveness of the current committees, stating they had contributed little to the Council, but he acknowledged the specialist qualifications of the climate change committee members labelling them ‘experts in their field’.
Cr Lynne Cairns said climate change was a significant issue that shouldn’t be downplayed.
“The NSW State Disaster Mitigation Plan 2024-26 indicates our LGA is at considerable risk from floods, storms, coastal hazards and cyclones,” she said.
“Downgrading this committee does not make sense.
“I believe it should be retained as a separate entity, rather than a mishmash of several committees with different purposes thrown together.”
Cr Clancy’s motion was defeated 6 votes to 3, with Cr’s Cairns and Cristie Yager voting in support.
Cr Novak’s foreshadowed motion then became the substantive motion which was carried unanimously.
The focus of each committee will be:
Community and Culture: Resilience, arts and culture, open space and heritage, and community wellbeing and liveability.
Economic Development: Strengthening and diversifying the economic base, business/ industry engagement and development, tourism, housing, and public infrastructure.
Environment and Sustainability: Sustainability and climate change, biodiversity and bushland, green power.
Access and Inclusion: Creating accessible and inclusive facilities and spaces and monitoring the delivery of disability inclusion plan and active transport strategy.
Although he supported the motion, Cr Clancy labelled the proposal for the new committee structure ‘a slap in the face’ that will exclude a lot of people who had specific interests and expertise in protecting the environment.
A report will come before the February 20, 2025, ordinary council meeting for councillors to vote on endorsing the proposal and placing the CSP on public exhibition.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 29 January 2025.
