By Michael Burt
The Bellinger Valley-North Beach Surf Life Saving Club (BVNB SLSC) is one more step closer to securing a long-term lease for it’s club facilities and land at Mylestom.
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has agreed to a 20-year lease to the club, conditional on the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council reviewing the lease prior to signing.
The Land Council has also agreed to the lease of an additional reserve for the purpose of community and sporting facilities to be added to Crown Reserve by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The additional reserve purpose is necessary to allow the proposed lease to be granted over the land.
Bellingen Shire Council resolved at its November 2023 meeting to grant a 20-year lease to the Bellinger Valley-North Beach Surf Life Saving Club Incorporated.
Council’s Deputy General Manager Corporate and Communities, Todd Williams, said subsequent discussions with Crown Lands and the NSW and Coffs and District Aboriginal Councils had produced a good result for the local Surf Life Saving Club.
“This is a good example of how council have worked with Land Councils to find a compliant way forward,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams said the proposed lease also provides fair and transparent terms consistent with Councils Leases and Licenses Policy and Crown Land Management Act.
Councillors welcomed the news at their May Ordinary Meeting and voted to direct the General Manager to obtain Ministerial Consent, which is required under the Crown Lands Management Act to finalise the granting of the proposed lease.
Cr Andrew O’Keeffe said the BVNB SLSC provides a critical service to the community.
“This club has 100-year plus history of the doing that and I am really pleased that Council staff have progressed the lease so it can continue,” Cr O’Keeffe said.