It was over within two hours.

There were no adjournments, minimal disruptions, and a quiet sense amongst several members of the public seated in the gallery that the first progressive steps towards restoring trust and transparency between Clarence Valley Council (CVC) and the local community following weeks of tense backlash were taken during the monthly Ordinary Meeting of CVC in Maclean on May 15.

CVC Mayor Ray Smith tabled two Mayoral Minutes last week, including one where he spoke of Council calling for expressions of interest from the local community to form a small committee along with interested councillors to review the existing Statement of Reconciliation.

Previously tabled with a view to endorsing the Statement of Reconciliation, which is currently accessible on Council’s website, the Mayor expressed his intention to change the recommendation before speaking about the possible formation of the small committee.

“I believe that will involve members of the community from all persuasions (and allow them) to have an opportunity to review this statement before it is endorsed again by this new council,” he said.

No questions were asked by his fellow councillors, and it was carried unanimously.

Council formally approved a Statement of Reconciliation in May 2005 which supports the work of the local government body in delivering the outcomes of their Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, adopted at the monthly Ordinary Meeting of CVC in November 2024.

In tabling one of his Mayoral Minutes last week, the Mayor said Council declared a public commitment to work towards achieving reconciliation between First Nations and non-indigenous people of the Clarence Valley.

There was further applause from members of the public in attendance when a Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Cristie Yager proposing Council call for a formal discussion to take place between the community leaders of those impacted by controversial remarks made by Councillor Debrah Novak during an Extraordinary Meeting of CVC on April 11 and councillors to ensure a transparent exchange of perspectives, with the goal of promoting understanding and healing was also carried unanimously.

Speaking with the Clarence Valley Independent following the monthly Ordinary Meeting of CVC last week, the Mayor said overall he was pleased with how proceedings unfolded.

“Even though there were some comments that came from the public seated in the galley, I think their behaviour was quite commendable because they allowed us to get through council business without interruption and no adjournments,” he said.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 21 May 2025.
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