May 2011

A meeting was held on Sunday 24 April in the Wooli Bowling Club. It was great to see some new people there keen to learn about our campaign. Many thanks to Phil Baynham for arranging the use of the meeting room.

In our first get-together after the state elections, there was discussion about where our campaign should focus given the changes in key ministerial positions that may affect us. Unfortunately, the environment portfolio did not go to the Shadow Minister Catherine Cusack who attended our last meeting, but we hope to be involved in some useful discussions with the new government in the near future.

Tim Heldt summarised the report received from Shaw Mead of coastal engineering consultancy ASR. If you attended the February meeting you will remember Shaw ‘s presentation. Encouraging to hear that Wooli beach, essentially a large pocket-type beach, has plenty of sand in the system. The key to solving Wooli ‘s erosion problems is to ensure that sand is directed to and retained in the right places.

Shaw also stressed that regeneration and protection of the dunes is integral to the entire beach system. Refer to item on Dune Care group below for more on this.

Putting Shaw ‘s 70-page report on the website is proving to be a technical challenge, but we will keep trying and keep you posted.

President Bruce Bird addressed some issues about how CCPA should organise itself now that it is a growing incorporated organisation. There will be ongoing discussion on this matter and your input will be important so that we develop a decision-making process that reflects the wishes of the members.

We are currently seeking confirmation from Clarence Valley Council that Wooli ‘s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan does not have to be submitted until December 2011, not July as we first thought. To date we have had no response to our request.

HOTSPOT NEWS

Belongil Beach residents have been encouraged by Byron Bay Council ‘s decision to withdraw the CZMP, which incorporated planned retreat of Belongil, that they had submitted to the NSW government.

Another hotspot, Old Bar Beach near Taree, has been in the news lately. Shaw Mead recently helped them install data-gathering equipment to assess the options for protecting their beach. They have a small, hard-working core of residents active in their campaign and we wish them all the best with their efforts.

DUNE CARE

EnviTE Environment has been running a series of workshops with Wooli residents to encourage community involvement in protecting coastal native vegetation. The Wooli Dune Care group is up and running again in the capable hands of Len O ‘Shea and Dave Richardson. Although the group is separate from CCPA, we hope both groups can help each other by sharing information and supporting each other ‘s activities.

 Dune Care needs your willing hands on Saturday 7 May, 9.00am-12.00 to plant a dune area where natural regeneration has been limited. There is no charge for spending a morning doing something for your beach just wear sturdy shoes, long pants and shirts, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Relax at a post-planting barbecue bring water and extra food if required. Meet at the Cenotaph at 9.00am. Register with Georgina (0266219588), Mick (0428665061) or Len (lyoshea@yahoo.com.au).

BRUSHES WITH FAME

The Wild About Wooli Artshow on 22/23 April was an outstanding success. Over 100 works from artists both local and further afield, all inspired by Wooli ‘s beauty, decked the walls of the Wooli Hotel dining area on opening night. There was a fair bit of frocking up and the event was opened by Steve Cansdell, Member for Clarence and a “dab” hand with a paintbrush himself. The kids of Wooli also put up a fine display.

There is evidence of considerable artistic talent in the Wooli community. It was exciting to see “Sold” stickers on many of the works by the end of the show. The People ‘s Choice vote went to Theresa Lord ‘s driftwood and felt sculpture of a handsome cormorant on a nest of fishing net. The raffle for Leone Coper ‘s beautiful Wooli quilt was drawn and won by lucky Kasia Stack of Wooli.

Congratulations to the Wooli Artists Group, especially Yvonne O ‘Shea, Leone Coper, Ruth Boyd, Margy Ward and everyone else who helped in its success. An impressive donation was made to CCPA ‘s operating funds from the exhibition and we thank them very sincerely for this generous gesture.

HAVE A CUP

Coffee is good for CCPA! Did you know that when you buy your caffeine fix from the Main Street Store or the machine in the Bowling Club that a percentage goes to our operating costs? Wooli fans Mike and Gayle Koolen from Espresso Essential have kindly installed these machines and Nicky and Robert and the Bowlo have generously agreed to donate from coffee sales.

 Contributions to this newsletter are welcome we hope it will become a forum where members can express opinions and share information. Contact Margy Hewetson (margarethewetson@yahoo.co.uk), Leone Coper (lcoper@attglobal.net) or Janet Dunn (janet.dunn@xtra.co.nz).