It ‘s hard to believe more than a year has passed since almost a hundred of us met at the Wooli Community Hall and formed the Coastal Communities Protection Alliance. At that meeting, environmental activist Aidan Ricketts talked to us about how a community facing a problem could make a difference by applying intelligence, research, determination and willingness to work with other parties and each other.

In the 12 months since CCPA was formed:

• We have become an official incorporated body with well over 100 paid-up members, and this number is steadily growing.
• We ‘ve had steady media coverage and interest from Daily Examiner and Clarence Valley Review. Our president Bruce Bird has been interviewed on radio and television. GetUp! publicised our campaign and collected over 200 signatures for our petition, which now has over 1500 signatures.
• We formed liaisons with several other hotspots, including Belongil, Old Bar,LakeCathie and Gosford-Wyong and have regular communication with them.
• We hosted a meeting with Dr Shaw Mead from coastal research consultancy ASR and now have a preliminary report on which to base our approach to research processes.
• Also at this meeting, Catherine Cusack, then Shadow Minister for the Environment, expressed staunch support for rejection of the “planned retreat” policy proposed in the Coastal Zone Management Plan. Although she was ultimately not given the ministerial position, her support was important to us and was a great morale booster.
• Kristin Stubbins has met with the new Minister Robyn Parker and presented our position on changes to the coastal zone management plan.
• We have presented a CCPA position paper to Clarence Valley Council management staff outlining our concerns and have had several meetings with them to discuss changes to the draft CZMP.
• Wooli Art Group was formed and had a resoundingly successful debut exhibition in the hotel. A generous donation was made to CCPA from the several sales of artworks.
• Mike and Gail Koolen put a coffee machine in the Bowling Club andMain Streetshop, with proceeds from sales going to CCPA much appreciated.
• Wooli was battered by possibly the most violent storm experienced by most residents a mini-tornedo damaged many trees and buildings in north Wooli. The beach withstood some severe weather and high tides in the past year and looks great
•  Goanna Pulling finally got off the ground on October 2. CCPA was there, displaying our banner, enrolling new members, talking to people, selling raffle tickets, facepainting, etc. Thanks to all volunteers.

 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

• We ‘ll continue working with CVC to move the CZMP away from planned retreat towards a well-researched beach protection strategy. CCPA delegates had a positive meeting with CVC management on November 4.
• We hope to start crucial research into the processes shaping Wooli beach. CCPA member, professional surveyor Brian Saye, will instigate survey measurements from Wilsons Headland to Jones Beach to give us an accurate baseline from which to measure quarterly changes.
• Kristin Stubbins and her team will continue to press Minister Parker and her department for research funding and legislative change to support beach protection.
• CCPA President Bruce Bird will lead our delegation to a Coastal Protection workshop hosted by the Department of Environment and Heritage at Ballina on November 16. We and several other hotspots will get a chance to put our concerns and recommendations directly to state and local government.

DUNECARE

The revitalised Dunecare group, under the guidance of Len O ‘Shea and Dave Richardson, is powering ahead. Workshops have been organised and construction of sandtraps is proceeding. They have organised funding for materials and volunteers for working bees are much appreciated to keep this important work going.

AROUND WOOLI

Sad to hear that Basil Jefferies suffered injuries in a fall from a ladder during October. He has a long stint in hospital ahead of him, but from all reports is in good spirits and feeling quite philosophical about it. He and Beverly have been supporters of CCPA since the beginning and we wish Basil a speedy recovery.

 Margy Hewetson and Russ Stevens have bought the Wooli real estate and rental agency, now Clarence Holiday Coast Real Estate. Recent sales inKendall StreetandMain Street, andWaratah Crescentin Minnie, have been very encouraging. Prior to this, there hadn ‘t been any property sales since March 2010. Margy says, “that a property right on the dunes sold just after CVC withdrew “planned retreat” indicates significant returning confidence in Wooli ‘s future. We ‘ve had a steady stream of enquiries for all types of properties including vacant land and more enquiries about absolute beachfront properties than we expected, given the GFC and the council ‘s CZMP. It ‘s good to see these positive signs.”

Newsletter contributions are welcome. Contact margarethewetson@yahoo.co.uk, janet.dunn@xtra.co.nz or mail CCPA, PO Box 3173, Post Office, Wooli 2462 NSW.

 

CCPA-Wooli representatives Kristin Stubbins, Tim Heldt and Peter Dunn met Clarence Valley Council officers Des Schroeder, David Morrison and Scott Lenton on 12 August at CVC offices in Grafton to discuss the latest Wooli Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan and the controversial planned retreat option contained in it.

 The four main CZMP sections are Long Term Solutions, Emergency Action Plan, new development Planning Controls and Dune Care, which has been rejuvenated and has a member on the CCPA Steering Committee. The existing draft CZMP has recommendeds planned retreat as the Long Term Solution. Discussion of this was highest on CCPA ‘s agenda at the meeting. CVC ‘s current priority is to submit the EAP and Planning Control proposals as required by state government later this year. They are also preparing to amend the Long Term Solutions component in accordance with expected directives from the new state government  and community feedback.

 Both parties agreed that Wooli ‘s beach erosion problems require a broader, more informed and more solution-based approach than expressed in the 2010 draft plan and that conducting the required research to produce a mutually-supported long term solution will take some time.

 It was agreed that CVC and the Wooli community would collaborate in revising elements of the plan and in research to support solutions other than planned retreat. CVC stated that the land-swap arrangement is to be removed from the plan. There is still a lot of work to do to determine the Long Term Solution but council clearly indicated very little, is any, of that work would concern planned retreat for existing dwellings.

Funding requirements and strategies were discussed for conducting this research. Based on Dr Shaw Mead ‘s report (March 2011) these requirements are relatively modest. CVC suggested a joint community/council funding request to Environment Minister Robyn Parker when the plan is submitted. Kristin ‘s meeting with Ms Parker in July indicated that some level of funding for research into Wooli beach processes may be available. At this meeting, Ms Parker also advocated the need for community and local government co-operation on these issues. CVC ‘s preparedness to meet and work with Wooli community is a positive move in this direction.

There remains the issue of funding for long term solutions. We pressed CVC not to discount long term options on the basis of perceived cost until funding questions are properly examined. Investigating funding options will be a priority for us as our campaign progresses.

The next joint working session is planned for late September to be followed by a community meeting in early October at Wooli where CVC and CCPA will update the community on progress.

Detailed minutes of the meeting and information on Shaw Mead ‘s report are available from Peter Dunn on petedunn@bigpond.net.au.

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).

To those of you who swelled the ranks to over 120 at the February 26 meeting, thank you for your interest. We hope you found our fine speakers interesting and informative.

 We hosted Catherine Cusack, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, Dr Shaw Mead from international marine engineering consultancy ASR, Professor Roger Tomlinson from Griffith University Coastal Management unit and Steve Cansdell, Member for Clarence.

 Also, for the first time, people from other “hotspots” attended Old Bar Beach, Belongil, Brooms Head, Lennox Head and Lake Cathie. Great to know that word is spreading and that we are forging ties with these similarly threatened communities.

 Feedback from the meeting has been fantastic I think that we are finally starting to realise that “planned retreat” from Wooli village is not a done deal and there are many options available, short and long term, to protect our beautiful beach and community.

So what next?

The upcoming elections present significant implications for our campaign. Catherine Cusack indicated that, if there is a change of government, legislation that includes extensive research into other options will relegate “planned retreat” to a last resort. She expressed interest in exploring ideas presented by Shaw Mead – his suggested “managed attack” strategy has a much more positive ring to it than “planned retreat”.

 Steve Cansdell, Member for Clarence, was a very supportive speaker too and even sported his Protect Wooli tee shirt to front the podium!

 Council has indicated willingness to work collaboratively with CCPA and Wooli community to find optimum solutions and support the adoption of available short term measures to protect the coastline. Councillor Margaret McKenna, who attended the meeting, spoke very positively of our campaign.

 Thanks to the many people who made this meeting happen. Much behind-the-scenes organisation was required, but Kristin Stubbins and Tim Heldt must be sincerely thanked for their tireless work. Peter Wise manned the camera and will attempt to put excerpts from the meeting on Protect Wooli website when editing is complete thanks Peter. Ian Rees generously provided the great meeting venue in the hotel ‘s dining area. To all raffle ticket sellers, petition gatherers, t-shirt sellers, equipment lenders, chair arrangers, minute takers and anyone else we ‘ve forgotten, thank you.

 Future newsletters will be emailed to campaign supporters, posted on Protect Wooli website and placed in Wooli businesses. Old Bar Beach ‘s report on their fund-raising event on the same day as our meeting makes interesting reading on the website.

FROM CROATIA TO WOOLI

Artist and jewellery-maker Jan Ejsymontt is visiting Wooli shortly, as a guest and friend of Leone Coper. Jan lives and works in Rovinj on the beautiful Croatian coast.  She was inspired to come to Wooli by the Protect Wooli campaign and will be working here on the “water” component of her next exhibition in Croatia about our planet entitled “Earth Fire Air Water”.

She could be talking about Wooli when she describes her surroundings: “I live in a place of outstanding beauty. I am able to use the nature that surrounds me as a starting point for my art. The pure unbridled power of the sea and the wildness of the coastline are a constant source of inspiration.”

Her vivid acrylic artworks have a lightness and sense of joy and are often highly textured, using paper, raffia, shells, sand, driftwood stones and glass polished by the waters of the Adriatic. She will exhibit in the Wild About Wooli Artshow at Easter.

Jan will display and sell her unique jewellery at a gathering on the banks of the Wooli Wooli River at Wooli River Lodges, Wooli Road, Wooli, on Saturday 12 March at 6.30pm. Come and enjoy a drink and nibbles ($5.00 entry) and see some very special jewellery from a talented artisan and artist. 10% of sales will go to CCPA-Wooli Inc.

RSVP to lcoper@attglobal.net or 0266 497860 for catering purposes. Lodge accommodation can be booked with Margy or Russ on 0266 497 750.

WOOLI ART GROUP (WAG)

 The WAG continues to meet every Monday from 10.00am at the Wooli Hotel, welcoming new members every week. Currently we are being inspired by Yvonne and drawing on her skill to create mixed media artwork even those of us who haven ‘t held a paintbrush since primary school!

Organisation of the Wild About Wooli Artshow at Easter continues. Artists are encouraged to submit their   work. Information and forms are available on www.protectwooli.com.au or from gayeshield@hotmail.com or Di on 0266 497021.