A new cultural plan for the Clarence Valley that aims to build community pride, inspire community and civic participation and encourage greater respect for Aboriginal community has been adopted by the Clarence Valley Council. The plan is the result of feedback from the community and cultural groups about what they want for culture in the Clarence Valley. Members of Yamba’s Live Prawn Productions Inc contributed to the plan in a community meeting. Chair Phil Nicholas said having been involved in the public consultation process, members of Live Prawn Productions Inc felt confident council’s support for arts in the Clarence, as expressed in the cultural plan strategic priorities, represented the cultural landscape and wishes of the community accurately. Key themes as decided by the community are: • Aboriginal – support local Aboriginal community cultural development and work to foster greater understanding and respect of Aboriginal history, cultural and identity within the broader community; • Community cultural development – build community pride and identity and inspire community and civic participation; • Spaces and Infrastructure – create and maintain vibrant cultural and public spaces; • Events – support the community to have vibrant events, and; • Public art and signage – provide opportunities for cultural awareness and creative expression and the activation of public space. Council environment, planning and community director, Des Schroder, said the cultural plan would lead to improved focus on initiatives identified by the community. “Some projects in development as a result of consultation for the cultural plan include a live music group, public art policy and an artist trail,” he said. “Council recognises the value and importance that arts and cultural activity plays in strengthening and sustaining a community. The quality of life in a community is often directly related to the level of arts and cultural activity within that community and the ability of people to participate in or be audience to such activities. “The plan will inform the work of the Clarence Valley Cultural Committee over the next four years.” There are vacancies on the committee for volunteers who are passionate about the development of the cultural sector in the Clarence and working with like-minded community members on projects that deliver on the strategies identified in the newly-adopted plan. The CVCC is an s355 committee of council. Interested parties should email plunge@clarence.nsw.gov.au for further information.