NSW Local Government: Is this the mates' club in action again?

South Grafton has quite rightly been benefiting from a change in attitude by local government and now has a plaza (first mooted in 2006-07) to enhance the Lane Boulevard streetscape.

The Daily Examiner reported on 18 April 2012:
 
Clarence Valley Council deputy general manager Rob Donges said council would be putting together a business case for a cafe there and, should the cost of establishing be realistically recovered, it would be opened to private tender.....
The Plaza was funded by a $250,000 grant under Round 3 of the Australian Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program with council contributing $55,000.

 

A strong rumour has surfaced about which Clarence valley business person might like to run this cafe and, it doesn’t take a genius to work out who local residents think may have the inside running.

 

Clarence Valley Council Ordinary Monthly Meeting ,11 December 2012 ,Item 13.226/12: South Grafton Plaza –Stage 2:

 

OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION

That following the issue of appropriate amended development consent, Council calls for tenders for the construction of toilet facilities and a café on the South Grafton Plaza.

Having declared an interest Cr Challacombe left the meeting at 9.43pm

COUNCIL RESOLUTION – 13.226/12

(Crs Howe/Hughes)

That

Following the issue of appropriate amended development consent, Council calls for tenders for the construction of toilet facilities and a café on the South Grafton Plaza.

Voting recorded as follows:   For:	Councillors Williamson, McKenna, Howe, Simmons, Kingsley and Hughes
Against:	Councillors Baker and Toms

Cr Challacombe returned to the meeting 10.11pm