Residents of the sleepy pocket adjacent to Swimming Creek in Nambucca Heads have been galvanized by a change in the management of Crown Lands, that could see a much-loved block of community land reclassified to ‘operational’ with the potential for future sale.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is one of 18 Crown reserves, out of a total of 90, now managed by the council that are up for reclassification.
Nambucca Heads resident Stewart Curtis said in the case of the Swimming Creek reserve, it was a highly-valued piece of community land.
“The block is steep with a number of magnificent mature paper barks that offer shade to many and are irreplaceable,” Mr Curtis told the council on Thursday.
“It offers a wildlife corridor and is a haven for native birds and animals. It is also a vital access for emergency and service vehicles to adjacent properties.
“The prospect of its possible development has been met with dismay by many residents. It is maintained by us at our own cost. It’s rezoning and development would be very unfair.”
Mr Curtis also pointed out that any sale would see proceeds go to the Crown Lands Dept.
Why sell something to profit them (Crown Lands) and not us?
- Stewart Curtis
Cr Hoban said the recommendation was that all 18 be placed on public exhibition and all would be subject to site visits by the council prior to any final decision being made.
Following the debate it was also decided that “direct mail notification of adjoining and adjacent owners also be undertaken”.
The mayor observed wryly this meant hundreds of letters would go out “all at our (taxpayers’) cost … more cost-shifting”.
The General Manager Michael Coulter said the recommendation was the quickest way to find a sensible solution, with some reserves kept and others sold.
“All the blocks are very different and we need to weigh up the community value and the maintenance costs,” Mr Coulter said.
“For example, two are car parks at Woolworths and the RSL – we’d never leave those as ‘community’ … there is no question about them being ‘operational’. The leases and licences for ‘community’ land are extremely complex with a lot of bureaucracy attached.”
He said plans of management would have to be developed for all of the reserves.
Cr David Jones registered his vote against the motion saying he could not vote for any proposal that could see Crown land reclassified.
After the meeting Mr Curtis said he felt confident the councillors were “reasonable people who would deal with the matter in a rational manner” and “decide to save the black”.