Ordinary Council Meeting Held on 9/12/2020
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Beechwood & Pembrooke Community in collaboration with Beechwood & Pembrooke [DRAFT]COMMUNITY PLAN November 2020 FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY WHAT IS COMMUNITY PLANNING? .................................6 The Beechwood/Pembrooke Community-Council Action Team acknowledges the Birpai people as the traditional custodians COMMUNITY PLANNING PROCESS .................................8 of the lands within its local boundaries. We would like to WELCOME TO BEECHWOOD ......................................... 10 acknowledge Elders both past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. WELCOME TO PEMBROOKE ......................................... 12 We also acknowledge that the area is represented by the Birpai HISTORY OF BEECHWOOD .......................................... 14 Local Aboriginal Land Council. HISTORY OF PEMBROOKE .......................................... 16 FROM THE MAYOR, PETA PINSON ZONING ................................................................... 18 PLACES ................................................................... 20 I am delighted to present the shared Beechwood/ Pembrooke Community Plan, which sets out the vision, COMMUNITY PROFILE ................................................ 22 goals and priorities for improving the quality of life for the residents of the Beechwood/Pembrooke region for PEMBROOKE COMMUNITY VALUES ............................... 24 the next five to ten years. This Community Plan reflects the communities’ aspirations to protect and enhance BEECHWOOD COMMUNITY VALUES ............................... 26 the unique village character and semi-rural lifestyle that residents enjoy, whilst acknowledging the importance of COMMUNITY VIEWS ................................................... 28 community connections. The people of the Beechwood/ Pembrooke region see the future of their place as one that FUTURE FOCUS ......................................................... 32 is accessible by all, is a vibrant region that attracts visitors to experience its beautiful natural environment and enjoy its GOALS AND ACTION PLAN .......................................... 34 community events and facilities. GOAL 1: WE HAVE ACTIVATED PLACES AND SPACES ...... 36 GOAL 2: WE ARE A SAFE COMMUNITY ......................... 38 FROM THE BEECHWOOD/PEMBROOKE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY-COUNCIL ACTION TEAM GOAL 3: WE REMAIN A CONNECTED COMMUNITY .......... 40 The Community Planning GOAL 4: MAINTAIN VILLAGE CHARACTER AND HERITAGE process has allowed us to ASPECTS ................................................................. 42 identify what is important to us, what can be improved and GOAL 5: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE what we would like to protect. GROWTH .................................................................. 44 Community connections both physically and socially have APPENDIX A: COUNCIL’S STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND been identified as vital for the PROJECTS ................................................................ 46 future of our region. We value our peaceful rural lifestyle, but in turn encourage visitors to come and enjoy the unique experiences we have on offer. CONTENTS 2 PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL 3 BEECHWOOD/PEMBROOKE COMMUNITY PLAN OUR VISION The Vision for Beechwood-Pembrooke was created through input from the community in October – November 2019 through community surveys and meetings. The community of the Beechwood-Pembrooke region value a peaceful, rural lifestyle, the village character and a safe connected community. FOR THE BEECHWOOD, PEMBROOKE AND SURROUNDING HINTERLAND TO REMAIN A PEACEFUL AND PICTURESQUE REGION WHERE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IS RESPECTED AND NURTURED BY THE COMMUNITY, A PLACE WHERE LOCAL BUSINESS THRIVES, WHERE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE REGION IS VALUED AND CELEBRATED, AND WHERE VIBRANT LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE ENJOYED BY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE. Beechwood township 4 PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL 5 BEECHWOOD/PEMBROOKE COMMUNITY PLAN WHAT IS COMMUNITY PLANNING? The Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area is home to a number of vibrant towns, villages and communities, each with its own unique history, character, urban amenity, community and vision for their future. These communities also have common threads in their past, present and the opportunities and challenges that each will face in their future. At the heart of Community Planning is a dynamic and participatory process that allows communities to have their voice heard and enables them to identify priorities and actions to achieve their vision - the responsibility of which will be shared between the community and Council. A Community Plan is developed through a partnership between Council and the Community producing a 5 to 10 year plan for future investments. This Plan is a community-led blueprint, which is developed in partnership between Council and the community. It highlights what is special or unique about the area and reflects the aspirations, strengths and the vision that the community has for its future. It identifies key priorities and actions to achieve the community’s vision - the responsibility for which will be shared between the community and Council. Ongoing community planning is seen as the key to developing a strong partnership between Council and the In December community to: 2019 a Community-Council • Understand what our communities’ value; Action Team (CCAT) was formed to further develop the Community • Understand the issues and priorities for each Plan and to prioritise and ensure delivery community; of the identified actions. The CCAT was • Better incorporate these priorities into Council’s made up of members from a cross-section planning framework; of the Beechwood/Pembrooke community. • Work together to deliver the identified priorities. With thanks to Rosalie Clark, Kelsie The Beechwood-Pembrooke Community Plan evolved from: Ramsay, Judith Allan, Alexander Allan, Jeannette Rainbow, Margaret Davies, • An online and postcard survey in October 2019; Thea Horsman, Erin Moore, Howard • Two Council-coordinated Think Tank workshops in Horsman, Luke Moreta, Joel November 2019 were held allowing community Wrigley, and Sharon Weir. members to identify and prioritise values, issues and opportunities for the future of the Beechwood- Pembrooke region. 6 PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL 7 BEECHWOOD/PEMBROOKE COMMUNITY PLAN COMMUNITY PLANNING PROCESS Community-Council Action Team and Development of Draft Community Plan and Action Postcard Survey Plan Postcards delivered to households in the If you are passionate about your community community. Community Plan and Action and would like to be a part of the Community This is your chance to Have Your Say on Planning process, join the Community-Council Plan Endorsement by Council what is important for the future of your area. Action Team (CCAT) to develop a Community Plan This is the final step in making your Community Complete the survey to send us your big specific to your area and prioritise and scope the Plan official by having it reported though to ideas. actions identified at the Community Think Tanks. Council. Community Think Tank Community Consultation Delivery of the Action Plan Council holds a series of Community Think Tanks This is the opportunity for the broader The Community Council Action Team continues and Pop-Up sessions. community to provide feedback on the draft to work on the delivery on the actions identified Come along and join us to develop a vision for Community and Action Plans developed by the and prioritised by the community. your community and identify key actions you Community-Council Action Team. would like to see delivered. 8 PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL 9 BEECHWOOD/PEMBROOKE COMMUNITY PLAN Bago Bluff WELCOME TO BEECHWOOD Beechwood is a small growing town of approximately 615 people situated North of the Hastings River, 12kms to Wauchope and 28kms to Port Macquarie. It has access to the Hastings River through Koree Island Road and along Beechwood Road over Bain Bridge, and from other small arterial roads. In the township of Beechwood, the river runs very close to some of our residential properties. To the north of Beechwood lies Frazers Creek, which runs near the Beechwood Recreation Land Manager property, which encompasses the Beechwood Football and Cricket Ground. Beechwood was originally established in the timber getting days in the 1800’s and its name was derived from the beech trees which abounded in the area. The district also had forests of rosewood, tallowwood, cedar, blackbutt and turpentine. When the Beechwood Hotel was built, it included horse and cattle yards; at times with up to forty horse and bullock teams in residence. The town was also home to a watchmaker and several blacksmiths. It was considered a major township at that time and was generally bustling with activity. Today Beechwood welcomes visitors and new residents alike. The village offers a hotel, Café, hairdresser, Public School, Post Office, community hall, playground, football and cricket ground, tennis courts, two churches, a historical cemetery, an equestrian centre, various tradesmen and the Rural Fire Service (RFS). It is surrounded by a rural outlook with some views to the Hastings River. Along Koree Island Road west of Beechwood you will find a tranquil and peaceful area to the right, just off the tar which provides a swimming area in the Hastings River. Major dairy farms operate in Brombin and in Bellangry outside of Beechwood along