Local Government Issues

Native Vegetation Management - A recent Notice of Motion for consideration of a significant tree register was lost despite considerable community support. Further review and amalgamation of the Tree Maintenance and Removal, Tree Vandalism and Trees in Parks, Streets and Street Gardens into one cohesive document is planned, with an integrated and strategic focus.

Macksville saleyards - Macksville Show Society (MSS) is interested in purchasing the showgrounds including saleyards. To be reported back to Council in February 2012, once MSS has assessed all info and made a decision. In the meantime Council has invited WorkCover Authority NSW to assess the saleyards and the Saleyard Risk Assessment already undertaken for Council.

RTA not interested in HCV land swap proposal - 8.9ha of Council owned scientifically identified High Conservation Value (HCV) forested land at Lower Nambucca was offered in exchange for RTA land being the North Macksville Playing Fields and Casey Drive as part of the highway upgrade biodiversity offsets process. RTA claim that their preliminary advice was that the land would be of little value.

Submissions for Valla Urban Growth Area planning proposal which would see an entire new town near Deep Creek, will be considered soon before being forwarded to State Government for endorsement. Four endangered ecological communities and nine threatened species have been identified on the site so far. Council has invested considerable resources in the proposal despite no demand.

A Development Application (DA) has been lodged for a crematorium at the northern entrance to Nambucca Heads adjacent to the highway. Significant Aboriginal and traffic issues have been identified.

Vehicular Access to Beaches Committee has identified the need for more voluntary rangers in the lead up to the holiday season. There has been a number of complaints of irresponsible driving  and illegal vehicles on beaches. Council is recruiting for a new ranger for the busy season.

The Catholic Diocese of Lismore appeal in the Land and Environment Court challenging the refusal by Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) of its DA for a Catholic School on flood prone land at Dudley Sreett in Macksville was lost. Commission Hussey dismissed the appeal on 30 November on the basis of the JRPP’s expert flood advice.

Lower Nambucca planning proposal by land owner to change RU1 primary production land to R1 General Residential was not supported by Department of Planning during the regional planning and Nambucca LEP process in 2009/10.  The developer then lodged a proposal as a Gateway application and again State Government refused, citing many reasons including fact that NSC does not have a Local Growth Management Strategy (LGMS). The developer now seeking Council support to prepare a LGMS and Council staff recommendation to do so and to declare support for the planning proposal. The motion was lost (amazingly) but a rescission motion resulted in a resolution to prepared a LGMS but not declare support (yet)for the planning proposal. Councillor Flack also asked a series of questions relating to possible illegal filling activities undertaken on the subject land which can be viewed at http://www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au/bps/Open/2011/CO_17112011_MIN_WEB.HTM

Bellwood - the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) to determine a Development Application (DA) for a 357 lot subdivision. Council resolved to advise Department of Planning it supports the developer’s request for a waiver of the requirement for a Master Plan, despite delegations from Aboriginal and community representatives highlighting the need for one.

On exhibition and available on Council’s website - Draft Water Supply & Sewerage Development Servicing Plans and Strategic Business Plans to 27 Jan 2012, Kingsworth Estate Lake Reserve draft MP to 22 Dec, Draft Bushfire Buffers on Public Land Policy to 22 Dec, Pesticide Use Notification Plan to 22 Dec, Nambucca Coastal Management Plan to Feb 2012.

- Opinions expressed are those of Councillor Flack and not necessarily those of Nambucca Shire Council.