The controversy enveloping Clarence Valley Council was raised in the NSW Legislative Council last week, when Dr Amanda Cohn unleashed her opinion under parliamentary privilege, putting local Government Minister Ron Hoenig on notice.

The statement follows the polarising “Wrecking Ball” leaked internal Clarence Valley Council email concerning a ‘suggested’ Council staff skit in the award-winning Jacaranda Festival.

The email, which was initially sent on September 17, featured workers wearing crowns, swinging on wrecking balls while smashing caravans, orchestrated to Miley Cyrus’ song Wrecking Ball.

Currently, almost 100 semi-permanent caravan owners from four Council managed caravan parks on Crown Land at Brooms Head, Iluka, Minnie Water, and Wooli, are battling to save their homes against Council in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

The email has since been reported to the NSW Office of Local Government, NSW Local Government Minister, Ron Hoenig, and the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

On October 23, at 10.03pm, Member of the Legislative Council and Greens spokesperson for Local Government, Dr Cohn commenced her address, saying the decisions made by local government councillors make a tangible difference every day to the communities they represent.

“That is why it is so important they are well informed,” she said.

“The Minister for Local Government agrees. In September he said, “Councillors are entitled to whatever information they need to have to make their decisions.

“Withholding material from councillors who are entitled to it is not appropriate.” That is why what is happening at Clarence Valley Council is so concerning.

“I draw the attention of Parliament and the community to the following matters.”

Dr Cohn went on to list (at length) four issues of concern regarding Clarence Valley Council. (See Hansard link …).

In her closing remarks, Dr Cohn said, “I asked the Minister at budget estimates whether, in instances where advice has been provided or exists and has been given to a mayor or general manager, all councillors should have access to that advice if it relates to a decision they are being asked to make.

“The Minister was clear that “If it’s a relevant issue that is needed for the decision making process of the governing body, they should have it.”

Dr Cohn asked, “when will Clarence Valley Council be held to account for failing to follow the Local Government Act, and for those poor administrative and governance decisions?

“The community deserves to have confidence in their local council,” she said.

Requests for an interview by the Clarence Valley Independent with NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig have not been responded to.

The Clarence Valley Independent has contacted Dr Cohn’s office to arrange an interview which will be published in an upcoming edition

Clarence Valley Council were contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.

The link to Dr Amanda Cohn’s full address to the NSW Legislative Council appears [here]:

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 29 October 2025.
Related stories: Council reported to ICAC over ‘wrecking ball’ email, A meeting with the General Manager, “Inappropriate and insensitive”