Emma Pritchard

A Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Peter Johnstone during the Ordinary Meeting of Clarence Valley Council (CVC) last week acknowledging the tireless work of Council staff, emergency services personnel, and additional state and federal agencies during recent flooding associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, and also proposing Council write to NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Minister for Emergency Services, the Honourable Jihad Dib, MP, to reconsider the Clarence Valley Regional Airport near Grafton as the preferred site for future development as an Emergency Services Coordination Centre was carried unanimously.

Cr Johnstone identified the sites excellent roads, air transport links, proximity to the North Coast rail line and main thoroughfares, and it’s establishment on a flood safe location as key components in comparison to Lismore, which due to its geographical setting on flood-prone, low-lying land, exposes its vulnerability during natural disasters including inundation by floodwater.

Intended as a formal acknowledgement of the incredible efforts demonstrated by all those who provided assistance during the recent wet weather event in Northern NSW and establish the proposed Northern Rivers Emergency Services Coordination Centre in the Clarence Valley, Cr Johnstone’s Notice of Motion also sought an invite to the CEO of the Reconstruction Authority to meet with Council, and establish a mechanism for residents to record their experiences of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The Mayoral Minute during the Ordinary Meeting of Council in August 2024 called for the proposed Emergency Services Coordination Centre to be situated at the airport near Grafton as opposed to Lismore.

At the time it was voted unanimously by the previous council.