Yamba community pushes for Treelands Drive Community Centre to be expanded to include a library, carpark and commercial grade kitchen

IMAGE: Supplied

Col Shephard (left), Vice Chair of Yamba CAN: Community Action Network handed the Treelands Drive Community Centre petition to Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley (right) on Tuesday, 14 February 2023.

In just 7 days 385 hardcopy signatures (28 pages) and 106 online signatures were collected totalling a petition print out of 491 signatures.

The petition reads:

“Action requested:

We, the undersigned, request the Mayor and Councillors of Clarence Valley ensure:

1. The expansion of the existing TDCC [Treelands Drive Community Centre] to at least include a library, commercial kitchen, and carpark.

2. Council undertakes community consultation for Option B inviting residents to group gatherings and exhibitions.

3. Residents’ suggestions for the expansion are fully considered in consultation with residents.”

The mayor was informed that Yamba CAN recognised that Clarence Valley Council Petition Policy states that:

Petitions to Council are not specifically covered by legislation. However, the Local Government Act 1993 encourages effective participation of local communities in the affairs of local government. Council deals with petitions in keeping with this principle.

I am sure every resident or ratepayer who has signed the petition to date is hoping that it will be seriously considered by Council in the Chamber.

Yamba CAN is still collecting as many signatures as possible up to 27 February, the day prior to the Ordinary Monthly Council Meeting and, hoping as many people as possible can attend this council meeting on Tuesday 28 February 2023 commencing 2pm in Maclean Council Chambers in order to observe councillors' deliberations.

To sign the petition online go to:

https://www.change.org YambaTreelandsDriveCommunityCentre

If you as a Yamba resident wanting a large, fully accessible modern library situated within town's second principal shopping precinct — with adequate parking and an existing sheltered bus stop outside for those without cars — now is the time to speak up.

Especially if you are one of the 37.7 per cent of local residents who are aged 65 years and older (including the est. 1,837 who are 70 years of age to over 85 years), or are among the est. 70.6 per cent who have a significant chronic health problem (many of whom have mobility issues) or who are a parent (and chauffer) to one of the est. 1,079 children who are potential users of local library facilities. [ABS Census 2021, Yamba (NSW) All Persons, Quick Stats, retrieved 20 February 2023]