FROM THE MAYOR

Welcome

to this the third Clarence Magazine which includes valuable information for the Clarence community on Council’s wide-ranging activities and projects. Please enjoy the read!

In this introduction I address policing and crime in our community, the now commenced Councillor Listening Tours, and Council engagement arrangements with the First Nations citizens of our Local Government Area.

Recently the General Manager and I had a first meeting with the new Acting Superintendent of Coffs-Clarence Local Police District, and also the recently appointed Inspector in charge of the Clarence Valley. We raised some local crime issues and noted the police advice that statistically crime rates were down in recent months.

Council is committed to collaborating with our police. To that end Council is developing a new Crime Prevention Strategy to provide approaches that support our Valley to be safe, vibrant and welcoming. To create a plan that meets our community’s needs, Council needs to better understand your experiences of, and priorities for, community safety in our Valley Local Government Area.

Data gathered will be used to inform the development of strategies to address community concerns in partnership with key internal and external stakeholders, and especially NSW Police.

Councillor Listening Tours have now commenced. Please check the Council website for details and watch for advertisements advising when the councillors will be visiting you to hear your concerns and issues.

Over the past several months Council has been visiting First Nations communities to listen and ascertain the nature of preferred communication with these communities. Council recognises that ‘one size does not fit all’ and has adopted a range of engagement models and allocated councillors to engage with the First Nations people. The key objective is to enable direct access by these people to the Council to secure better outcomes.