Flood plain development protest

around 8.30am with signs and placards to get their message across to the committee members.

The group has also prepared an extensive document package including USB devices containing Powerpoint presentations used to illustrate the issues residents face in 2022 when homes were fooded and people cut off for days due to the rising foodwaters.

Originally the committee was to visit the region for two days and hear residents’ submissions.

This had been how the committee had conducted visits to areas on the NSW South Coast and Sydney earlier in the year.

However, earlier this month the committee decided it would cut the Northern section of its tour between Port Macquarie and the Tweed to just two days.

The committee chair, Greens MLC Sue Higginson, said this was regrettable, but had to be done because of time constraints.

Yamba Can said the Committee would travel down Carrs Drive.

A spokesperson warned there were strict protocols for observers to follow to ensure they remained at a distance from the committee members as they visited sites.

“Yamba CAN Inc would like as many people as possible to stand on either side of Carrs Dr, near the access to Harold Tory Dr and O’Grady’s Lane,” the spokesperson said.

“We will have our banners and signs that observers can hold up when the committee will be driving past in a bus.

“Please ensure personal safety in relation to traffc movement.”

People who wish to take part should be on site at about 8.20am ready to hold a sign.

Residents have shown they are prepared to demonstrate en masse when given a chance to demonstrate their opposition to what they say is unsuitable development.

Earlier this year A Current Affair visited the region to look into the issues around food plain development in the region.

Ms Higginson said residents were welcome to make their feelings known to the committee. People with good knowledge and varied perspectives should be considered.

“The site visits are not intended for the general community, but the committee cannot prevent people from attending at the same time,” she said. She said the information gathered would be part of an interim report in August that would make recommendations to the government based on evidence in submissions, hearings and site visits. “We have already heard and received some excellent evidence demonstrating how the planning system is and isn’t working for communities, the natural environment and addressing the impacts of climate change,” Ms Higginson said.