AS 2022 draws to a close and 2023 draws near, I am pleased to report that there has been a reset, re-focus and reinvigoration of the Council since this time last year when the new Councillors had only just been appointed.

We have two major challenges to immediately address in the New Year.

We urgently need a waste solution.

It is clear that the current tip is not ideally located at the entrance to our growing City.

We need to decommission it and find a new solution as soon as possible.

Red bin waste continues to be transported to Queensland as this is the most cost-effective option.

This was a response to the NSW Government regulator withdrawing support for previous processing methods without sufficient notice to create an appropriate local solution.

However, it is neither responsible nor sustainable management of our waste in the long-term.

This situation has resulted in an extra $10 million in waste management costs as a result of the changes to State government regulations.

As promises of funds for our local community are made in the coming months as part of the upcoming State elections, it is fitting that our community seeks to receive support on this issue so
that local residents do not continue to shoulder this cost alone.

The second challenge is to make progress on expanded parklands and community recreation facilities on our Foreshores.

The current State government proposal to rezone large parts of land that could see foreshore lands be used for permanent residential development is not supported by your Council.

Once this land is gone, it is gone forever.

A two stage ‘Community Consultation’ process to create a State Government Masterplan for the Coffs Harbour Jetty has been questionable.

The Masterplan was supposed to be founded on the Stage 1 consultation, however the plan presented did not appear to accurately reflect community feedback.

The Stage 2 consultation has, in turn, been questioned by many as to the accuracy and integrity of the process.

The result has been a direction your Council believes is not favoured or supported by the general community.

There are better options for our premier recreational precinct that will accommodate our expanding and inclusive community priorities.

As local Councillors we look forward to further discussions about this with community members over the summer.

By Mayor Paul AMOS