It's a big grant ($3 million of State Government money) with a lot riding on it (the improvement and beautification of sporting facilities for the entire community) and it was once again a topic on Nambucca Shire Council's agenda.
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At their August 15 meeting councillors received a report about the proposed reclassification of community land as a means of fulfilling the requirements of the Nambucca Valley Connected - Bowraville Sporting Hub plans, which would see a new building, children's playground, bowling greens and associated car park located at the southern end of the Hennessey Tape sporting fields.
Representatives of the working party however had an alternative proposal.
Paul le Cerf and Mary Dal Santo suggested that a land swap and a boundary readjustment would be a better way to achieve the desired outcome rather than the long-winded process of reclassifying the land, which can take anywhere between six to 12 months.
Paul le Cerf said a reclassification of the community land to operational land also raised the possibility that the land could be sold sometime in the future, "which is of concern".
Ms Dal Santo said the land swap would see no net gain or loss of land and would allow the hub to be built on what was already operational land belonging to the Bowraville Recreation Club, thus meeting the council's preference that no licensed premises be built on council land.
"This adjustment is what the community would prefer," Ms Dal Santo said.
The two also spoke in favour of an aged care facility, which is another possible development on the Bowraville Recreation Club land.
"These facilities would be available to Aboriginal family members and others in the community - it's an important possibility because many in this community don't have access to such a facility locally," Mr le Cerf said.
Bowraville Recreation Club member, Bob Mackay, then addressed the council - his was a lone voice of dissent to the proposal.
"Rec. clubs are struggling all around Australia, ours is no different, so I suggest that we first look into setting up a solar plant, that way we could generate an income and approach this whole project with a few bob in our pockets," Mr Mackay said.
He said a great new hub alone would not generate the income needed to keep it going.
"I am against this hub and aged care show - we need to get the money flowing first and I'd like the council to help me do this, and do it properly."
Cr Rhonda Hoban then put forward an alternative motion to defer the proposed reclassification until legal advice had been obtained as to whether a boundary adjustment and land swap with no net loss of community land was possible without a reclassification from Community to Operational land.
"Once we get this information, it will be clear what our options are," Cr Hoban said.
This was passed unanimously.
After the meeting the general manager, Michael Coulter, said the council had a number of sites where a solar plant could be built.
"For example we have land out at the Bowra Dam ... I am sure there are solar energy providers who would be interested and it would offer a welcome (financial) return for the council," Mr Coulter said.
He said the hub funding (of which there is an additional $700,000 from the council) was marked for the 2021/22 financial year, so there was "plenty of time for planning and reclassification."
He confirmed that a reclassification to operational land would offer the flexibility needed for planning and construction of the new facilities.
The land would then revert back to community land to ensure its long-term security.
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
