Geoff Helisma

Many people across the valley like to complain about Clarence Valley Council (CVC) on various social media sites, however, some of those people abstain from discussing their problems directly with CVC, while others take their issues up through the system.

And, while many people have their inquiries addressed by CVC, many others say they are not listened to – now CVC is inviting people to speak up. A CVC media release asks: “Do you feel an insatiable urge to comment on Council’s social pages about the state of our roads? “Or do you have questions for Clarence Valley Council about how your rates are spent? “If so, make your way to one of CVC’s community information days and be part of the solution; meet the executive and management teams and ask your questions in person.”

Acting general manager Laura Black: “We want you to tell us about what is important to you, what do you want the Clarence Valley of the future to look like and how do you think we can contribute to this vision?” The Clarence 2027 Community Strategic Plan “is perhaps the single most important document of all [CVC’s] strategic planning documents”, the plan states in its preamble, and it was “developed after wide consultation and identifies the type of community we want to have in 10 years”. The plan is reviewed with the election of each new council (due on Saturday, September 4). “In the past, we’ve heard that the Clarence Valley should be a thriving community that has good services, well-maintained roads, opportunities for employment and business, parks, playgrounds, and leisure facilities, alongside a beautiful and healthy natural environment,” Ms. Black says in the media release, “and while we think this is still true we want to hear if we are making progress and whether there is anything we have missed. “Come along to one of the information days and you will also see what projects we are working on and the challenges we face.”

Information Days will be held at:

• Maclean – Palace Arcade, River St (opposite the hot bread shop); 10 am – 1 pm Wed May 26, Thurs May 27 and Fri May 28;
• Grafton – The Link, Prince St – 10 am – 1 pm Tues June 1, Wed June 2 and Thurs June 3.
• Yamba – 31 Coldstream St (the cottage next to Yum Yum); 10 am – 1 pm Wed June 23, Thurs June 24 and Fri June 25.

People who are unable to attend but would like to share their feedback, can register at https://www.clarenceconversations.com.au/csp-2021-2025 to have yoursay.