Amanda Brien
Hello! Thank you for taking an interest in my story.
I am standing for election to Clarence Valley Council for a connected and supported community, a strong local economy, and a focus on mitigating natural disasters.
My values? Connect. Support. Protect.
Last year, my husband Andrew and I returned home to the Clarence Valley to reconnect our 6 children, grandchildren and extended family. It has been a warming experience to reestablish friendships made through Roches Family Hotel, see the students I taught at McAuley with families of their own, see Andrew’s passion reignite in local business, meet new people, and be welcomed as the newest member of Grafton Midday Rotary.
We’re not the only family that has returned to the Valley – and our story is not that different from others. Our experience being disconnected from community and services during Covid has given me a new appreciation of the impact local government has on people’s everyday lives.
I believe in stronger partnerships between us, council, community groups and state government. A focus on reducing social isolation to support a safe, well and healthy community. Housing that meets community needs. Decision making in the interests of all.
I have committed my life to the service of youth and families through education – as a teacher, volunteer on school boards and P&Cs, and manager of children’s sport teams.
I have spent the last 5 years coordinating committees and working groups, developing and simplifying government policies, and influencing NSW state government executives and Ministers to make decisions about school curriculum and teacher regulation – aiming to make education uncomplicated.
I will use my experience to make balanced decisions that guide council on how our local services are provided, funded and prioritised.
A vote for me is a vote for decisions that benefit the future of the Clarence Valley.
Say hello when you see me out and about in the Valley, listening to your concerns. I’d love to hear your story, what you need now, and your hopes for the future.
Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram @AmandaBrienClarenceValley or email me at Amanda4ClarenceValley@gmail.com.
Debrah Novak
I would like to begin with by saying a deep heartfelt thankyou to all those in our who believed in and voted for me in December 2021.
The past three years have had some truly great and memorable experiences and learnings and continues to be a character-building exercise and an eye opener.
It is a privilege and honour to be elected and represent the collective views of our Clarence Valley community and with that comes great responsibility and as I have come to learn, not a job for the faint hearted.
There is much to understand in an environment that has robust and diverse debates, operates within the Local Government framework and regulations set down by the State and Federal Governments.
In this my second term of office, I have received and read over 10,000 emails, replied to over 5,000 ratepayers that required a response, attended 36 Council meetings and 36 workshops, voted on over 1300 items of council business, driven numerous laps of the Clarence Valley from the hinterland to the sea, attended over 150 community events, dialled over 500 phone calls and sent and received hundreds of SMS’s.
The past three years our community have faced extreme challenges. The ongoing Impacts of back-to-back fire and flood disasters, rising costs of living, loved ones and friends lost to health issues and accidents, workforce shortages and the uptake of digital technology have pushed our stress levels and well-being to extreme levels.
What unites all of us is the understanding of the important role each and every one of us (no matter how big or small) has to play in continuing to make the Clarence Valley a great place to live, work, do business and raise our families.
Like all families at times, we have our issues, diverse needs, life experiences and various ideas however our community still holds being kind, honesty, respect, and integrity close to our hearts as its core values.
I am standing for re-election to continue my community advocacy on matters of importance that will assist our valley to thrive as we head towards an uncertain future.
Melissa Hellwig
A 5th generation local, I lived here for my first 20 years, spent the last 35 away (living interstate and overseas) and have been back for only 6 months. I’m both an old local and very new resident to the area. I was born in Maclean to teacher and farmer parents. My Cameron ancestors left Scotland (1830s) due to the Highland Clearances. They arrived on the Clarence in 1863 and have farmed continuously since then. Our lifestyle is derived from the land which was once native vegetation supporting Yaegl families.
It’s crucial we remember who came before us, ours and other ancestors – respect the land and history of the land around us. I’m a Yamba resident who manages a small sugar cane farm with my husband. My husband is a winemaker/agricultural consultant, and we have raised 2 children. We moved back to be closer to family and a familiar community. I’m grateful to be able to afford to live here – recognising the rapid growth that’s occurred in only a few decades. I’m aware Council is fairly homogenous and historically male – oh for more diverse representation! I have a Science and an Environmental Master’s degree. I’ve worked in events, environmental management, local government, mining and the wellbeing sectors. I recovered from cancer 25 years ago and now live with chronic illness. My work (as facilitator/nature therapist) is on pause since moving here (December 2023).
I’ve been involved in
- Maclean Swimming Club
- Maclean Hockey Club
- Maclean Show Society
- Maclean Historical Society
- Yamba Surf Club
- Cane Toad Muster
- Cane Harvest Festival
- Lobby groups, charities, and community organisations.
In my younger days I worked at
- Harwood Sugar Mill &
- Yamba Main beach Kiosk.
I attended
- Yamba Public School
- Maclean Primary School
- Maclean High School and the
- University of New England, Armidale.
In recent months we’ve restored a 1940’s dairy and volunteered with the Harwood Mill 150th birthday Celebrations.
My vision for the Clarence region is to shift rapidly to being the most unique, regenerative, equitable and satisfying place to live for all.
Lynne Cairns
I’m not a member of a political party and will continue advocating for the whole Clarence Valley community. My core values are honesty, integrity, commitment and compassion.
My husband, Bob, and I have lived and worked in the Clarence Valley for over 30 years. I worked in the Departments of Planning and Natural Resources, Roads and Maritime Services (Sanctions and Prosecutions) and Local Government. Bob worked as County Engineer Flood Mitigation and Senior Project Manager Pacific Highway upgrades.
I have supported the Clarence Valley community by:
- Presenting in NSW Parliament House: Parliamentary Inquiry, “the planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities.”
- Giving evidence to the Land and Environment Court in relation to inappropriate development on the floodplain.
- Providing presentations to the Northern Regional Planning Panel about unsustainable developments.
- Making deputations to Council.
- Lodging submissions and petitions in relation to Council’s policies, strategies, development applications and plans.
The main issues for me are:
- Improving transparency and accountability to rebuild confidence and trust in Council and Councillors.
- Better community consultation including advertising in the local newspaper.
- Encouraging Councillors to unite in supporting the community.
- Supporting redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital.
- Affordable housing in appropriate locations with adequate infrastructure and services to cope with the increased population.
- Filling of floodplains for residential development. I am not against development; however, I oppose inappropriate and unsustainable development that adversely impacts existing residents. Homes on floodplains are becoming uninsurable. Clarence Valley LGA has the highest flood risk in NSW in each of the social, economic and natural environment categories.
- Ensuring resilience and sustainability in times of natural disasters.
- Ensuring financial stability and responsible spending. The amount of debt, loan repayments, ongoing maintenance costs and reserves for depreciation are of concern. Ratepayers’ money must be spent wisely and needs to be focused on essential infrastructure.
- I am opposed to a Special Rate Variation as it will increase the cost of living and homelessness.
- I oppose all mining in the Valley impacting the natural, economic and cultural values.
- Supporting all people in the Clarence Valley to preserve the character and lifestyle for our future generations.
Email: lcairns2024@gmail.com
Facebook: Lynne Cairns for the Clarence
Justin James
With nearly a decade of active involvement in the Clarence Valley, I have been a dedicated supporter of local businesses and the community.
As a former President of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous community members and business leaders. This experience has honed my ability to make informed decisions that consider the broader impact on the community and contribute to the overall betterment of the region.
The following topics represent areas in which I am committed to promoting and advancing as a Councillor, should I be elected. While I cannot guarantee positive outcomes, I will strive to move these issues forward. It’s important to note that my efforts will be part of a collective endeavour involving all nine Councillors. Therefore, individual aims or promises are contingent on achieving majority support within the Council Chambers. In this context, none of the Candidates can promise specific outcomes, as doing so could be misleading and potentially unattainable.
– Small Business & Economy
In Council, I will seek ways to promote new business ventures in the Clarence Valley and simplify business operations for those already established here. Our region boasts numerous exceptional attributes that are underutilised. We must spotlight these features to attract tourism and new residents, thereby fostering a thriving local economy.
– Affordable Housing & Cost of Living
As a Councillor, my aim is to advocate for the development of affordable housing. This means supporting initiatives that encourage the construction of new, affordable residential units and ensuring that existing housing plans continue to move forward. This could include exploring options such as mixed-income housing developments, incentivizing developers through zoning changes, and leveraging state and federal funding for affordable housing projects.
– Transparency
As a Councillor, my commitment to transparency will be unwavering.
By implementing clear communication, fostering public engagement, making information accessible, practicing proactive disclosure, building a culture of openness, establishing feedback mechanisms, and upholding ethical standards, I aim to build trust and accountability between the Council and the community.
Whether my perspectives are agreeable or not, I am dedicated to being open and transparent in all my dealings.
Ray Smith
I have been married to my wife Donna for over 40 years and we have four children, Jessica, Ben, Scott and Jake all of whom attended school in Grafton and we have five grandchildren, Ayla, Pablo, Luedi, Reza and Idris.
I moved to Grafton in December 1992 to take up the position of General Manager of Grafton City Council after just over 20 years working in major Sydney Councils.
I have been a Rotarian for over 30 years, a Justice of the Peace for over 50 years, former Chairman of the Clarence Valley Life Education Unit for ten years and I have been actively involved in many community events over the past thirty years.
With over fifty years of experience as a local government leader, I bring a unique blend of skills, knowledge, and expertise to the table. Equipped with a strong academic background in political science and extensive experience working with local government agencies, I have developed a deep understanding of the complexities of local governance and the challenges faced by local communities.
My strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills have helped me to develop effective strategies for improving public services and promoting community development.
Additionally, my ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, including elected officials, community leaders, state and federal government representatives and residents, has allowed me to create consensus and drive positive change.
I was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2020 Australia Day Awards for service to local government in NSW.
I believe that I have the local government knowledge and experience to be an effective councillor and to be able to make a positive contribution to the future of the Clarence Valley.
If elected I will be aligning my actions and decisions with the Clarence Valley Community Strategic Plan focusing on the five objectives of Economy, Leadership, Infrastructure, Society and Environment. My other emphasis will be on creating a teamwork approach to ensure that the best decisions are made for the benefit of the community.
Allison Whaites
The Clarence Valley has been home to my family and I for more than ten years. It has offered my family and I so many opportunities.
Over the past term of Council, I have stood up for local families, businesses and ratepayers to try and better achieve better outcomes for our community. I believe in family values and standing by those working hard for our community to become a better place. Times are tough right now and I want to advocate for a council that stands for jobs, community development and cost of living relief for local families.
I am a hard-working business owner and ready to put in put in the fight to achieve a better council for our community, and work to keep the Clarence Valley the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family.
My Plan for Clarence Valley Council Build the Aquatic Centre Over the next term of council, I will fight to continue building the next stage of Grafton Olympic Pool. SLIDES…. Fixing Roads and Local Services. Too often we see potholes and road repairs left without repair for too long. I will push for faster repairs.
Sustainable housing Development. Council has a key role in increasing housing availability, and I will advocate for a better housing strategy in our LGA.
Fight for Local Industry. Green and NIMBY Councillors have attacked local projects including housing, timber and farming.
If re-elected I will fight for Common Sense….