Concerns Raised in Parliament Over Clarence Valley Council’s Governance

Community frustration around transparency and decision-making within Clarence Valley Council has now reached the NSW Parliament.

In a recent speech, Dr Amanda Cohn drew national attention to what she described as deeply concerning governance issues within the local council. Her comments echo growing discontent among residents and ratepayers who say they have lost confidence in how decisions are being made and information is being shared.

Dr Cohn said it was vital that local councillors are properly informed so they can represent their communities effectively. “Councillors are entitled to whatever information they need to have to make their decisions,” she said, referencing comments made by the Minister for Local Government in September. “Withholding material from councillors who are entitled to it is not appropriate.”

According to Dr Cohn, Clarence Valley Council’s general manager engaged a solicitor to issue a defamation concerns notice against a local community group without consulting the elected council. The group had shared information with councillors that was obtained through a Government Information Public Access (GIPAA) request, which had not been provided to councillors before they voted on the relevant issue.

The general manager allegedly refused multiple motions from councillors who sought access to the concerns notice and related documents, while also not declaring a conflict of interest. When ratepayer Craig McNeill submitted his own GIPAA request for the same documents, council denied having them. Mr McNeill has since taken the matter to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), where it is alleged that incorrect information has been provided by council during proceedings.

Dr Cohn also raised concerns about the termination of 136 long-term casual occupancy agreements at council-run holiday parks, despite a previous council resolution to withdraw those terminations. More than 100 affected occupants have now taken legal action, with four NCAT cases already held.

She told Parliament that four other council resolutions made in recent years have not been implemented at all, and two others have only been partially carried out. The council also reportedly removed 34 sites at Brooms Head Holiday Park against its own plan of management.

The issue, Dr Cohn said, points to a much larger problem in the breakdown of accountability and the erosion of trust between council, councillors, and the community.

“The community should be able to have faith that their elected representatives are informed, empowered, and able to act in their best interests,” she said. “Instead, councillors are being denied documents, excluded from decisions, and handed legal advice only an hour before meetings.”

Residents across the Clarence Valley have increasingly expressed frustration with what they see as a lack of openness from council leadership. Community groups say it is becoming harder to access information, while long-term ratepayers have described the process as secretive and disrespectful to the public.

Dr Cohn told Parliament that even councillors have been refused access to the general manager’s contract, with requests met by claims that the document is confidential. Legal advice has also reportedly been shared at the last minute, making it difficult for councillors to fully consider important matters before voting.

The Minister for Local Government has previously stated that councillors are entitled to all relevant advice and information necessary for the decision-making process of the governing body.

The growing controversy has sparked community calls for a review of Clarence Valley Council’s internal governance processes and for stronger accountability measures to ensure elected representatives can effectively serve residents.

As Dr Cohn concluded, “When will Clarence Valley Council be held to account for failing to follow the Local Government Act? The community deserves to have confidence in their local council.”

For many residents, that confidence has been shaken and the call for transparency has never been louder.