The first was the ongoing impact of the noise created by the new highway on residents, such as at the Pearl Estate. People complained about being unable to sleep with their windows open. The impact of noise is a serious issue affecting mental and physical health.

There are ongoing concerns about noise testing (or rather the lack and effectiveness of), remedial action (mostly none), and the opacity of RMS and other government departments.

The second issue is the plan for VUGAville (Valla Urban Growth Area). Most people appear to be unaware of council’s plans for a town the size of Nambucca Heads to be built on the west side of the highway between the service centre and Valla Rd.

The plan is for an industrial area alongside the highway to be started later this year. This will be followed by housing, a town centre, a school and a retirement village behind this. Passing motorists will just see an ugly industrial area. Welcome to Valla!

During discussion the mayor, Rhonda Hoban, and the general manager, Michael Coulter, both agreed with the obvious criticism that the entrance to the residential areas would be through the industrial estate. This is the same problem that affects Nambucca, as admitted by Cr Hoban and Mr Coulter.

There is then the issue that all the housing would be subjected to the same highway noise that concerns the residents of the Pearl Estate and Valla Beach. Mr Coulter also added that the area set aside for the industrial estate is sloping land which would require extensive earthworks to make it suitable for purchasers.

The design is apparently a fait accompli, even though the development could be halted if the council chose. Is this really the best that this council can come up with? I really believe that we can do better than this. It is a design that is out of place and out of time.