Council vote to demolish Treelands Drive Community Precinct
Clarence Valley councillors voted to demolish the existing 22-year-old Yamba Treelands Drive Community Precinct TDCP at their February meeting despite backlash from Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, who argued the motion was illegal and moved a dissent motion. In an extraordinary turn of events that pre-empted council’s vote, people who had made submissions about the TDCP were advised by email more than three hours before the CVC meeting that the Northern Regional Planning Panel will meet on March 14, at 2pm, to determine the development application’s fate.
Council not liable if West Yamba rezoned
Legal advice received by Clarence Valley Council indicates it would not be liable to pay compensation to landowners at West Yamba if their properties were rezoned preventing development. At the December 13 CVC meeting, Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy put forward a motion to investigate whether council would be liable when and if the NSW Planning Minister was to rezone vacant lands that have not had DA approval for development on the Yamba floodplain (WYURA) from R1 General Residential to RU2 Rural landscape and C2 Environmental Conservation zonings at Council’s request.
Marigold madness at Caroona Yamba
When Ray Smith took it upon himself to grow flowers to beautify the dining room at the Uniting Caroona Yamba aged care home, he never imagined he’d be dealing with a ‘mutant’ Marigold. But in an extraordinary ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ esq case, that is exactly what happened, when a single Marigold plant grew to more than four times the size of the seedlings with which it was planted.
Yamba Doctors welcomes Dr Julia Fortes
The doors on their Treelands Drive premises have been open more than three weeks and now Yamba Doctors are proud to welcome well known female GP Julia Fortes to the practice. ... Dr Fortes grew up in the UK and went to medical school in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Water restrictions set to continue in Clarence Valley
Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black has revealed she is unsure how long Level 4 (Severe) water restrictions introduced last week for the whole Clarence Valley water supply system due to a prolonged dirty water event following recent rainfall in the Nymboida River will remain in place but said council should have “a better idea later this week.” The restrictions were issued by council on January 30 to avoid the need to call a Boil Water Alert.
CVC worst council in NSW for complaints
Clarence Valley Council has earned the unenviable title of the most complained about council per 100,000 residents out of 128 councils in NSW. NSW Ombudsman Paul Miller recently released his annual report for 2021/2022 which showed despite Clarence Valley Council receiving the ninth highest number of complaints out of the state’s 128 councils, it ranked first in the number of complaints per 100,000 population.
Ironwoman Kalani moves to train under Olympian
The Clarence Valley’s next potential Ironwoman, Kalani Ives, has made the move to train under an Olympian after being crowned the National Junior Ladies champion in the Australian Ocean Racing Series. Kalani, who started Nippers when she was seven, competed in water and beach disciplines as a member of Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club for 10 years, until she claimed the NSW under 17 ironwoman title in 2021.
iVote scrapped for NSW state election
Candidates for Clarence in the upcoming state election have expressed their disappointment in the NSW Electoral Commissions decision to scrap the iVote online voting system. Launched in 2011 by the Labor party, iVote provided eligible voters with the opportunity to cast their vote online or over the telephone in state elections and more recently local government elections.
Three locals honoured in Australia Day awards
A community leader, a teacher and an SES Unit Commander have been recognised for their decades of dedication to the region in the annual Australia Day Awards honours list. Three Clarence Valley residents, Mr Peter Dougherty, Mrs Meghanne Wellard and Mrs Susan Chapple were respectively awarded the prestigious honours of Medal of the Order of Australia, Public Service Medal and Emergency Services Medal.
Harwood Marine’s $1.3m barge refit for accommodation
A huge vessel being guided into the Port of Yamba by two tugs and a pilot boat last weekend is now berthed at its temporary home, Harwood Marine ... “Harwood Marine previously has done work for TSA and have now been engaged to build a floating accommodation block for the vessel”: Harwood Marine owner Ross Roberts.
