Rodney Stevens

The establishment of a new bulk water supply agreement between City of Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley Council has progressed after both councils resolved issues in dispute.

At the April 18 Clarence Valley Council CVC meeting, councillors were advised that since issues in dispute between the councils concerning the bulk water supply agreement had been resolved, to progress the agreement so it can be finalised before the July 2023 deadline, councillors were required to vote to establish an advisory committee to work with a committee nominated by the City of Coffs Harbour.

“Bearing in mind we are talking a sunset committee, hopefully will have finished its work by the end of June,” mayor Ian Tiley said at the April 18 CVC meeting.

“We’ll do our best to achieve that.”

Cr Tiley put the motion that council:

1. note the issues raised with Coffs Harbour City Council in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures of the Bulk Raw Water Supply Agreement are considered to have been concluded.
2. note the advice from Marsdens Law Group that a formal agreement with Coffs Harbour City Council is the most appropriate governance arrangement for the Regional Water Supply, and
3. establish a Bulk Raw Water Supply Agreement Advisory Committee (supported by two staff with technical expertise/responsibility for water supply functions), the membership of which is the mayor and a councillor nominated by the Council.
4. invite Coffs Harbour City Council to nominate its mayor and an elected member and two staff with technical expertise/responsibility for water supply functions to join the Bulk Raw Water Supply Agreement Advisory Committee.
5. note that the Bulk Raw Water Supply Agreement Advisory Committee has a sunset clause that intends its dissolution by 30 June 2023.
6. note that the sole purpose of the Bulk Raw Water Supply Agreement Advisory Committee is to consider the draft Bulk Water Supply Agreement inclusions and in a timely manner that supports a recommendation being made to each Council on the final agreement for endorsement by July 2023.

The motion was carried unanimously.

After the motion was passed, Cr Tiley reminded councillors that point four of the resolution requires a councillor, the mayor and two council staff members to be part of the advisory committee, staff who would be nominated by the general manager.

Cr Steve Pickering then nominated himself to be a member of the advisory committee, which was seconded by Cr Karen Toms.

Cr Tiley declared Cr Pickering a member of the CVC Bulk Water Supply Agreement Advisory Committee.