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.

NEWSFLASH!

 

We hope the news has spread about a very important meeting at Wooli on 26 February. It will be a Solutions Workshop Planning for Success, not Retreat.

 For some months, CCPA has been discussing what might be done to protect our wonderful village from both coastal erosion and the “planned retreat” policy. At this meeting, we will hear about the very real possibility that our community can make a stand for Wooli ‘s future, with the help of some expert coastal management advice.

 Dr Shaw Mead, the Director of ASR, an international marine engineering consultancy, is coming to look at our beach and talk about possible solutions. Dr Mead has already completed a preliminary study at Old Bar Beach, a community with similar problems to Wooli ‘s.

Professor Roger Tomlinson will talk about coastal management and beach regeneration. He is head of Coastal Management Studies at Griffith University.

Catherine Cusack, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, and Steve Cansdell, Member for Clarence, will be VIP guests.

It promises to be a fascinating meeting and is taking the Protect Wooli campaign to a new and exciting level. Come along and be part of our efforts to ensure Wooli ‘s future 2.00 to 5.00, Saturday 26 February, in the Wooli Hotel dining area.

WHAT ‘S HAPPENING WITH THE DRAFT PLAN?

The vote on the CVC ‘s Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan released last September has now been definitely deferred until after the State elections on 26March. Our petition, with well over 1000 signatures, will be presented before the vote. You can sign online at protectwooli.com website.

Stay in touch with CCPA happenings by checking the protectwooli.com website.

Hope to see you at the meeting.

What’s Happening

At the inaugural meeting of CCPA-Wooli, a number of teams were established to focus on specific areas of the campaign.   These teams reported on progress and issues of interest   to the January meeting.

Steering Committee

CCPA-Wooli is now an incorporated Association, and is working towards status as a charity.

A Planning Group has formed and joins the existing teams. They are developing a strategy for a major meeting to be held on February 26th.   Part of the Planning Group ‘s work will be following up suggested strategies in a Campaign Memo which has been prepared by Ed Coper of KeyMsg.

Peter Dunn clarified the CVC ‘s draft plan review process and how we respond and assist this.   Paul Coves, Legal team convenor, also outlined this process and the legislation governing it.

Peter also reported that after attending the December CCPA meeting, Clarence Valley Councillor Jim Simmons proposed 2 motions to Council (CVC): a relaunch of Wooli ‘s dune care program and renovation of the access ways and this has been supported by CVC and meetings are underway to implement this.

Engineering Group

Bruce Ward reported that a number of east coast universities have set up units which specifically research coastal erosion studies. Prof Andrew Short from the Sydney University coastal studies unit believes that a coordinated national approach to protective measures is vital if the consequences to communities are to be minimised.

In order to explore the potential for a well researched solution for Wooli, a firm with much experience in researching and delivering solutions for coastal erosion and other damage (ASR) will present at the CCPA-Wooli meeting on 26^th February in Wooli

Finance

Fundraising so far by Social Community has covered our budget for ongoing expenses.

We are currently working on 2 separate plans to fund a realistic survey of the alternatives to solving the long-term issues of Wooli beach. We are confident that either one of a mix of both these plans will raise sufficient funds of between $100,000 to $150,000.If the survey report recommends that an amount in the vicinity of $400,000 is required each year for the protection of Wooli, then we have 3 separate plans that can raise this on an annual basis.

The main point is, if we can convince the Council that there should be a more thorough report on the alternatives for our village, we are confident the necessary funds can be generated to undertake the preferred programs. The most expensive option for Wooli is planned retreat. This costs in excess of $157million.

Government Relations

The team is currently drafting a paper which encapsulates the CCPA position and progress to date. It will be used as an “information pack” to assist   CVC   councilors and state and federal politicians to assess the merits of the CCPA approach and the limitations of the current Worley Parsons Draft Wooli Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Media Group

Convenor Janet Dunn outlined the extensive coverage given to the campaign by local and regional media. Janet also invited discussion on how to respond to negative criticism in the press, which has been mostly based on policies that promote retreat in response to climate change. It was agreed that inviting critics to learn more about CCPA was a good strategy, as was publishing positive stories.

Janet encouraged the group to write letters to editors, to use Facebook and website blogs as individuals, and to express their opposition to the Wooli “planned retreat” policy in no uncertain terms.

Social and Community Group

Leone Coper group coordinator encouraged everyone to register   on www.protectwooli.com.au   and to access the useful information on it.

She encouraged everyoneensure everyone they know who loves Wooli or just believe the approach to date has been under researched or plain unfair have signed the petition.   Just collect one and drop it back to the Post Office. The petition will be delivered to CVC just before their decision about Wooli.

Wild About Wooli ArtShow Opens 7pm Easter Friday

Calling all artists inspired by Wooli! You are invited to enter up to 5 paintings in the ArtShow. Entry forms are available at www.protectwooli.com.au, Wooli Post Office or gayeshield@hotmail.com.

Everyone is invited to attend the Opening Night Cocktail Party from 7pm at the Wooli Hotel Motel.   A drink and finger food will be provided with the $10 entry donation.   Paintings, works on paper, sculpture and fabric art will be featured, so come and support the many artists who are inspired by Wooli.

The ArtShow continues on Saturday 23^rd April, and will be accompanied on Saturday morning by a market by local craftspeople.   You can obtain a table there for a $20 donation.

Wooli Artists Gathering

The WAG – people connected with Wooli who are artists, or have an interest in art – meets every Monday from 10am to 3pm in the Games Room at the Wooli Hotel to work, learn and have fun.   If that ‘s you too, you are very welcome to join us.   Workshops where members share their expertise are often part of these meetings. Further information: Leone 66497 860.

 

Wooli Quilt for Raffle

Own your own piece of paradise!   Based on photographs taken by WAG members, the Wooli quilt is now being raffled.

 Tickets are $5 and available at the Post Office.

All monies collected will be donated to CCPA to help protect Wooli.

 

 

Wooli History Group Calls for your stories

The History Group wants to publish some history of how we all ended up in paradise! One or two pages will do, but families with long connections are allowed more space!!

All co-ordinators of the group – Marlene 66642 6146; Maureen 66497377; Barry 0427092271 and Judy 66497099 along with Ruth 66497880 have offered to help you write up your family ‘s story.

Next meeting is at Waves Restaurant 16th February 10am.

The meeting on 28^th November   attracted almost 90 resident/property owners and visitors.

Bruce opened proceedings, followed by steering committee spokesperson Peter Dunn and some interesting comments from the floor.

Local YCoast Real Estate agent Rod reported that the only way to reverse declining values of all Wooli ‘s homes and businesses would be supporting the CCPA in their efforts to turn around the proposed planned retreat policy and start pushing for options.

Councillors Craig Howe and Jim Simmons indicated that there was a willingness from most councillors to reach a positive outcome and that they were receptive to Wooli ‘s concerns.

Luke Hartsuyker, MP for Cowper, spoke about the need for any study of this problem to be based on sound modelling principles and assured the community of his support.

Presentations by the Media and Finance teams threw up some interesting discussion points and voting papers were circulated for a favourite campaign slogan.

A tea break and sausage sizzle courtesy of Ian at the pub (who also provided a ham for the raffle and some emergency equipment for the meeting) were very welcome. Big thanks to Ian from everyone.

The Government, Engineering/Research, Social/Community and Legal teams made presentations outlining their progress, problems and plans for moving the campaign forward. Anyone interested in more detail on these contact Margy or Janet (email addresses on website).

Robert Allan, a media relations and community consultant, spoke about our need as a group to be reliable, honest and thorough in our campaign strategies. He urged us not to divide Wooli as north or south, residents or visitors, old or young, etc  but to simply be the community of Wooli, with a common goal and consistent message.

There was general agreement that it was a day well spent and that we have made progress. The atmosphere was lively, interested and positive, with many good questions asked. This showed that people have been thinking and talking –   greatly encouraging to CCPA-Wooli members who had worked hard to organise the meeting.

FUND-RAISING

Our costs are mounting for printing, photocopying, equipment, stationery, publicity, etc. We need Wooli to get behind fund-raising efforts to keep our campaign moving along briskly. Social/Community team, headed by Leone and Margy, are handling fund-raising so if you can help or have some ideas, see them they need you NOW!!

WHAT DID YOU CHOOSE AS A SLOGAN?

After the vote, two suggestions stood out: PROTECT WOOLI and DON ‘T WAVE WOOLI GOODBYE. Several people thought WILD ABOUT WOOLI would be good for kiddie t-shirts.

We ‘ve decided to use all three. PROTECT WOOLI is more legible for car stickers. We ‘ll use PROTECT WOOLI and DON ‘T WAVE WOOLI GOODBYE on adult t ‘s and other publicity material, with the website added. WILD ABOUT WOOLI will go on tiny t ‘s.

We are working hard to produce these before Christmas. Our timing is poor – businesses are really busy now but we ‘ll do our best and will bring other items out when time and funds permit. Sales of these will help with our running costs.

WOOLI ARTISTS GATHERING

Due to increasing interest, and the need for space for working, sharing and teaching, the WAG will now meet every Monday from 10am at the back room at the Wooli Hotel.   New members are very welcome (contact Leone or just turn up any time on Mondays).   Members are now working towards the Easter art exhibition, which is now proosed to have a craft market attached.

WOOLI HISTORY GROUP

With enomous enthusiasm, the newly formed history group has embarked on a project to collect information about families ‘ connections with Wooli. The information will be used to help write more about Wooli history. Everyone, and we mean everyone who loves Wooli, is invited to write a page about how their family is connected to Wooli. Families with very long histories are allowed 2 pages, or 6 pages if you handwrite it.  We ‘d like to receive them by the middle of April 2011. Please send electronic versions to Margy Hewetson at margarethewetson@yahoo.co.uk and paper versions to Judy Cahill c/o Wooli Post Office, NSW 2462 tel 66497099.  If anyone would like a scribe to help them, or a typist, call Ruth Boyd on 66497880

For more information about the project, see www.protectwooli.com.au or contact Barry Kemp on jbkemp@westserv.net.au, Judy Cahill, Maureen Hooper 66497377 or Marlene Harper 66426146.

We ‘re also collating more detailed histories of families by around September 2011 and hope to publish this. Families are invited to write their history and submit it to Barry.

Publications will raise funds for CCPA-Wooli.

Our next meeting is 10am February 16^th in Waves Restaurant.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The campaign has many activities and needs different types of help. Here are some things that everyone can do;

• Sign our petition, complete our survey and read our newsletters. These are all on our website www.protectwooli.com.au or ask a Wooli business. Please pass these on to your workmates, friends and relatives.
• Buy our T shirts, put a bumper sticker on your car available from Wooli businesses
• Join the art group, the history group or help with beach games
• Help with fundraising
• Let us have your e-mail address, so we can send you updates
• Contact Leone or Margy about any of the above, or about other assistance you could give.

CONTACT DETAILS

Janet Janet.dunn@xtra.co.nz

Margy margarethewetson@yahoo.co.uk 66497750

Leone lcoper@attglobal.net 66497860

 

 What is the Coastal Communities Protection Alliance (CCPA)-Wooli?

CCPA-Wooli is a group of residents and ratepayers who want Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to protect and preserve Wooli community and environment currently under threat from climate change and beach erosion.   In their recent Local Environment Plan (LEP), CVC takes no responsibility for action to prevent the dune being breached or for beach reconstruction.   They have proposed instead a policy of “planned retreat” for affected areas of Wooli.

 Who would be affected?

All of Wooli, both north and south, would be affected by CVC ‘s policy as population, land values, homes, businesses, services and tourist revenue from the southern end of Wooli would be a loss to the whole community.

 Why “Coastal Communities”?

Communities up and down the NSW coast are being affected by the government ‘s policies on climate change.   As a small village, we would have limited influence as an alliance, we would have a louder voice and more likelihood of influencing these policies.   We want to join with these communities to work with councils and government to come up with solutions to the problem.

What have we done so far?

As a result of our articles in local newspapers and our discussions with CVC   councillors, council has deferred their decision from mid December 2010 to early 2011 possibly the beginning of February.   This gives us time to prepare our case and to convince council to say NO to the LEP.

 Why all this activity?

These days a well-planned campaign which looks at many different aspects and involves a large number of people is required to convince councils and government to change their direction.

What ‘s our plan?

We want to work with council to develop ways to stabilise and regenerate the dunes and protect the beach.   We also want to convince council to change their attitude to Wooli they seem to want to wash their hands of us.   We want them to work with us to support our community, not abandon it.

 How can you help?

As a small community, we rely on each other to make our community work.   We need your support if this campaign is to succeed.   You can   complete the surveys we ‘ll send round from time to time, support our events and come to the meeting on 28^th November at 9.00 am.   You can talk to your friends, family and neighbours about why it ‘s vital to protect Wooli.   Someone from CCPA may come to your door and ask you to sign our petition .

You can also:

• Join our art group contact Leone or Yvonne
• Help set up the historical group contact Margy
• Help with our fund-raising activities we ‘ll let you know about these
• Think of an event to promote awareness of Wooli contact Margy
• Join a CCPA-Wooli team talk to Bruce

Please support our efforts the whole of Wooli, not just south Wooli, is affected by this.

Where can I find out more?

www.protectwooli.com.au has loads of info and contact details if you want to get more involved.   You can talk to Bruce at the Post Office or contact Margy.

If you would like help with transport to the meeting on the 28^th in the hall at 9.00am, contact Ian at the pub.   Ian is also kindly putting on a sausage sizzle at the lunch break and there will be raffles with great prizes.