AROUND 30 local residents attended a “Meet the Mayor” event at the Bowraville Sports Hub on Monday, 12 May.
Joining the community was Nambucca Valley Council Mayor Gary Lee and councillors Jimmy Angel and Ljubov Simson.
The meeting was hosted by the Bowraville Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Lee opened the meeting with a general welcome and acknowledgment of the community’s role in shaping Bowraville’s future, before councillors Angel and Simson introduced themselves and their priorities.
“A broad range of concerns and enquiries were raised by the community members and appropriately answered by the Mayor with added input from the two councillors present,” said Chamber secretary Phillida Hartley.
“There were no acrimonious exchanges.”
Topics covered included beautification of High Street, the town’s planned “splash park”, a request for improved playground facilities, and the Bowraville Theatre upgrades.
Concerns were also raised over river water quality, the lack of a fit-for-purpose youth centre, and issues with parking and traffic on Coronation Street.
Calls were also made to raise the profile of Bowraville, through the promotion of Aboriginal cultural traditions and European verandah-style heritage.
Some residents expressed frustration with council delays, while others expressed praise for the work of Council General Manager Bede Spannagle.
With large groups of 10-30 motorhomes visiting the town at various times, the need for a dump point and clearer signage to welcome travellers was also discussed.
As was the state of the road leading to Bowraville cemetery, with requests to tar the road, improve landscaping and parking, and acknowledge potential damage to Indigenous heritage.
Ms Hartley said the Sports Hub proved a “perfect setting for such a gathering”.
“The Bowraville Chamber of Commerce provided food for the morning tea and would like to thank the Sports Hub for their offer of the venue for this community event at no charge,” she said.
A process to create a Bowraville Town Plan is now underway, with community consultation starting 4 June.
The broader plan will include a Reconciliation Action Plan.
