Rodney Stevens
The Yamba Community Action Network has launched a petition to be submitted to Clarence Valley Council concerning the community expectations surrounding the Treelands Drive Community Centre.
The petition comes after council resolved to investigate a contract variation with the current design for ‘option B’ and retain Wooli Street Hall at its December meeting.
Demolishing the existing 22-year-old Treelands Drive Community Centre TDCC is not a priority for the Yamba Community, the petition states.
“Community expectations demand that the existing Treelands Drive Community Centre is not demolished – it should be expanded to include a library, commercial kitchen and carpark,” the petition states.
Council’s cost estimate for option A (to demolish the existing TDCC) is $14,548,183, requiring council to take out a loan expending ratepayers’ money.
Council’s estimate for option B (to expand TDCC) is $8,000,000.
In June 2021, Clarence Valley Council CVC announced it had been awarded a $11.1 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery BLER grant to redevelop TDCC.
Then, when issues arose with Grafton Pool last year, CVC applied to have the BLER grant funding transferred to that project, but council were advised by the Department of Regional NSW the money had to be used for the TDCC and could not be transferred to the pool project.
Now, the date to use the BLER grant funding has been extended to June 2025, Cr Tiley recently confirmed, providing council with sufficient time to complete the TDCC project.
Yamba CAN spokesperson Lynne Cairns said the group was very disappointed to find out after December’s council resolution that the Treelands Drive Community Centre was before the Northern Regional Planning Panel and will come back before council at their February meeting.
Mrs Cairns said Yamba CAN feels the council is still working toward option A, demolishing the TDCC, which the community don’t want, after the council resolved not to.
“We are very disappointed that it’s coming back to the table, we are saying why, particularly when the grant has been extended until 2025,” she said.
“The council resolution back in December was to get a contract out for detailed designs for option B, and talking with the mayor we understand that this is coming back with option A on the table at this month’s council meeting.”
Mrs Cairns said the aim of the petition was to ensure the residents of Yamba get the TDCC they want and to see any remaining BLER funding spent on projects in the Yamba area, as it was intended.
“Yamba CAN is a forum for community to articulate their concerns and we are currently providing an opportunity for the community to consider whether they want the existing Treelands Drive Community Centre demolished or not,” she said.
“Why demolish a 22-year building – extend it.
“If you want extra space in your home, you don’t demolish the whole building, you extend it.
“Why give Yamba something the community don’t want.”
“The funds could be better spent on other priorities in the Yamba area.”
The petition requests the following action;
“We, the undersigned, request the Mayor and Councillors of Clarence Valley ensure,”
1.The expansion of the existing TDCC to at least include a library, commercial kitchen, and carpark.
2.Council undertakes community consultation for Option B inviting residents to group gatherings and exhibitions.
3.Residents’ suggestions for the expansion are fully considered in consultation with residents.
Paper copies of the petition can be found in shops around Yamba or the petition can be signed online at and is accessible through the Yamba CAN Facebook page.