Councillor cleared of code breach

By Tim Howard

Clarence Valley Greens councillor and former deputy Mayor Greg Clancy is breathing easier after councillors voted to clear him of a breach of the council’s Code of Conduct.

In a press release

Cr Clancy revealed it was he who was the subject of a confidential session of the November Clarence Valley Council meeting to hear a Code of Conduct report.

Cr Clancy said an independent organisation he was not permitted to name had been brought in to investigate the allegation.

It found he had breached the code of conduct, but a majority of Cr Clancy’s peers did not agree.

“The majority of councillors who were still in the chamber for the confidential session voted not to censure me on the basis that the investigator had not substantiated the allegations,” Cr Clancy said.

“I am relieved that a sanction, such as being censured, was not imposed as I am confident that I did not breach the code when I shared some information with other councillors that was relevant to our position as councillors.

“As councillors we have the legal responsibility of directing and controlling the affairs of the council.”

Cr Clancy would not be drawn on how the allegation was made, which came after heated debate over the decision making around the Treelands Drive Community Centre.

The Code of Conduct includes specific provisions to avoid it being weaponised against individuals.

He did not make any allegations this had occurred during his matter.

“I have always carried out my duties in an honest and diligent manner to the best of my ability,” he said.

“My message is let’s get on with the job of making the best decisions for Clarence Valley.”

Byron Shire Anticipates New Housing Plan Unveiling in 2024

For a six-week period, the Housing Options Paper stood as the most visited page on Byron Shire Council’s website, drawing nearly 2,000 views and gathering 286 submissions for review by the staff. This paper was a foundational step in revamping the Byron Shire Residential Strategy, a comprehensive document outlining the Council’s vision and framework for future housing over the next two decades.

Council Mayor Michael Lyon emphasized, “The NSW Government has tasked us with a target to provide 4,522 homes for 8,590 residents by 2041. The Residential Strategy is key to achieving this objective.”

During the

December Council meeting, recommendations stemming from the Housing Options Paper were endorsed by Councillors. These recommendations highlighted four primary avenues for housing supply: infill, vacant land utilization, new release areas, and embracing alternative living arrangements.

Post the consultation phase, new sites have been proposed for inclusion in the Residential Strategy, aligning with the NSW Government’s Resilient Lands Strategy. Mayor Lyon reiterated the pressing significance of housing, stating, “It remains a top priority for governments across the nation and is equally vital within our community.”

He continued, “Though there are no swift solutions to this challenge, our Residential Strategy aims to enable development that resonates with our community values, factors in environmental considerations, and upholds the distinct character of our towns and villages.”

Highlighting the importance of affordable housing, Mayor Lyon stressed the need for contributions of land for genuinely affordable housing in any rezoning endeavors. The Council is dedicated to nurturing housing developments that cater to the appropriate market, including initiatives such as build-torents, as a means to address the housing crisis.

Details regarding alterations made to the Housing Options Paper and the Residential Strategy are accessible on Council’s website.

The finalized Residential Strategy is scheduled for presentation to the Council for endorsement early in 2024 before submission to the NSW Government’s Department of Planning and Environment.