THE first meeting of the Scotts Head Master Plan Project Reference Group has been held, with community members describing it as an important step towards shaping the future of the village.
The Reference Group met for the first time on Thursday 26 March following Nambucca Valley Council’s call for expressions of interest late last year.
The meeting was opened by Deputy Mayor Susan Jenvey and attended by representatives from Council, Reflections Holidays and the Scotts Head community.
“It was a productive night where we discussed the master plan’s scope, timeframe and everyone shared what they wanted to get out of the plan,” said Council Director Engineering Services David Moloney
“We are looking forward to engaging with the broader community to create the master plan together.”
Reflections Holidays Regional Manager Scott Burns said there was strong enthusiasm among those taking part in the process.
“It’s heartening to see the enthusiasm of those at the PRG meeting as we work together to achieve a future vision for this coastal village,” he said.
Scotts Head Community Group Inc Chairperson Tony Crimmins said the process would allow residents to have meaningful input into the future of local public spaces and foreshore areas.
“The master planning process is a great opportunity for the Scotts Head community to review the current state and management of the town’s beautiful foreshore areas.
“Our community is really keen to have its say in how our foreshore areas and public spaces are managed into the future.”
The Scotts Head Master Plan is intended to provide a framework for the future management of the village’s foreshore areas and public spaces.
Reflections Holidays is contributing financially to the project and, as a major tourism operator in Scotts Head, will also help inform the planning process.
The project will include two phases of community consultation.
The first phase is expected to take place from late April to mid-May 2026.
It will include an online survey and a community event on 3 May 2026, where the key themes of the master plan will be presented.
A second round of consultation is planned for late June to early July, when early ideas and concepts for different parts of the plan will begin to emerge.
The Project Reference Group is expected to meet twice more following each stage of community consultation.
A draft master plan is due to be presented to Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 28 October 2026.
If Councillors agree to place the draft on public exhibition, a further round of consultation and formal submissions will take place during October and November.
The Scotts Head Master Plan Project Reference Group includes Mayor Gary Lee, Director Engineering Services David Moloney, Reflections Holidays Scotts Head Park Manager Caroline Winter, Scotts Head Community Group Inc Chairperson Tony Crimmins, Macksville-Scotts Head SLSC’s Eric Graham and community representatives John Schmidt, Nicole Lane and Liam Swan.
More information about the Scotts Head Master Plan is available on Nambucca Valley Council’s website.
By Mick BIRTLES
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