About Us
COMMUNITY
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
DUNGHUTTI LAND
We are a community-based organization focused on protecting our pristine environment and keep our Village Vibe. With the help of our tireless committee, we organize community events, exciting forums and correspond on communities behalf with Government agencies, local, state and federal.
We are residents/volunteers who share a common pass
We are a community-based organization focused on protecting our pristine environment and keep our Village Vibe. With the help of our tireless committee, we organize community events, exciting forums and correspond on communities behalf with Government agencies, local, state and federal.
We are residents/volunteers who share a common passion for our community’s outstanding natural beauty and cultural values. Voices started the day the chain linked fence went up and the trees came down at Settlers Ridge. The day our kids asked us why and the day we as a community mobilized side by side in disbelief as to what was occurring.
We operate with integrity, shared values and with positive attitudes towards these common interests. We are a community with rich textures and depths, some born here and others lucky enough to have discovered this pristine environment some time ago. Our roots and bonds are deep and continue to evolve with the ebb of the tides.
DUNGHUTTI LAND
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
DUNGHUTTI LAND
We live meet and work on the land of the Dunghutti People. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the important role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play in caring for land and sea country. We believe in town planning that is transparent and prioritises community en
We live meet and work on the land of the Dunghutti People. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the important role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play in caring for land and sea country. We believe in town planning that is transparent and prioritises community engagement, cultural and natural values, sustainability and tourism carrying capacity over any unsustainable development.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
We want to ensure appropriate wildlife corridors are kept to maintain the thriving natural destination that South West Rocks continues to be. We want to conserve its pristine marine life as well as the unique coastal environment. We strive for more vegetated gateways, street scaping and town beautification that will compliment the environment of South West Rocks.
KLEP
South West Rocks Building Heights amendment planning proposal APPLICATION NUMBER: PP-2023-2105
Public Responses due 15 December
SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL to CHANGE the LAW
Context
· The North Coast Regional Plan (NSW Govt) anticipates 30,850 persons in 15,550 dwellings in Kempsey Shire by 2036. %56.7% of these will be located in SWR
· While the majority of us are against the scale of this increase, it is important that the height limits proposed by KSC are implemented ASAP to prevent large scale introduction of multi storey structures being built
Vision for SWR (from Local Growth Strategy 2020-2041)
· maintains its picturesque coastal setting through the management of development height, scale and density and protection of significant vegetation and key scenic view corridors;
· is the key coastal lifestyle and tourism township for Kempsey Shire, providing a range of housing densities and types, supported by commercial, retail and industrial development appropriate for the scale of the township;
· promotes its key tourism destinations as a major attractor to the town;
· does not allow growth in residential development to occur at the expense of maintaining important scenic and environmental values.
SWR Structure Plan
· (To achieve the above), accommodates the need for additional housing as estimated by the NSW Govt by mostly increasing horizontal density rather than vertical. (The exceptions are the three existing commercial areas.) This decision was supported by an independent survey conducted by GHD in which only approximately ¼ of respondents voted to increase housing density by going up.
· Was developed after exhaustive consultation with the community and other stakeholders from 2022.
· Facilitates approximately 500 additional jobs by 2041
Proposed changes to Kempsey Local Environment Plan (KLEP) 2013
· The elected Kempsey Councillors voted 6/1 in favour of the proposal
· We should fully support the Kempsey Shire Council accommodating these changes to the KLEP2013 Height of Building Map as a matter of urgency.
· Write to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au quoting the above reference with a copy to our local state member, Hon. Michael Kemp oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au
NSW Parliament Delegation
Updates
What an honor it was to represent you all in the NSW State Parliament. It was an emotional and euphoric experience. Watching all your hard work get tabled in the Legislative Council by Sue Higginson MLC and then being an important part of the launch of CRU (Coastal Residents United) in the Legislative Assembly with Cate Faehrmann MLC and the report Concreting Our Coast which we are a part of. It was a crazy day in Parliament with so many events on it was amazing that both these events coincided on the same day. Thank you to all of you for your hard work collecting signatures and donating to help us get there to represent.
Sue is now heading up a Parliamentary Inquiry into the planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities. This is a positive step forward in drawing out Zombie DA's and implementing ecologically considered developments from here on. It's empowering to know that SWR is a considered factor in bringing this Inquiry to fruition. Unfortunate but a step in the right direction for once.
Being part of the CRU, a valuable alliance is people power in its grassroots form. It was eye opening hearing the stories and sharing the experience with many small communities along the East Coast. Many who had already faced destruction at the hands of climate change. Larah presented our plight with passion, and we certainly opened some eyes with the scale of destruction being actioned in our beautiful village. We have friends united with us all along the East Coast and it was amazing to hear that we are all over the news even down south. From the event we were able to do some great press, so the coverage and message is spreading further. If you would like to be a part of CRU please join on the FB page.
We then had a fantastic hour meeting with our Local Member Michael Kemp MP who was not only generous with his time on such a busy day but completely across the issues facing South West Rocks and is dedicated to listening to us on a case-by-case basis to assist where he can. It was a frank; open and honest meeting and we look forward to working closely with Michael in the future.
So, thank you for all your hard work, we certainly have next steps which we are currently working on and will discuss very soon.
Like a Mountain
By Naomi Littlebear
Nobody can push back an ocean
It's gonna rise back in waves
And nobody can stop the wind from blowin'
Stop a mind from growin'
Somebody may stop my voice from singing
But the song will live on and on
You can't kill the spirit
It's like a mountain
Old and strong, it lives on and on
Nobody can stop a woman from feelin'
That she has to rise up like the sun
Somebody may change the words we're sayin'
But the truth will live on and on
You can't kill the spirit
It's like a mountain
Old and strong; it lives on and on
Donate Now
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you. In early 2022 Voices of South West Rocks Community became Incorporated under the NSW Associations Incorporation Act (2009) and we registered as a charity under the Australian Charities and Not For Profit Commission.
We are dedicated to protecting our pristine environment. Your contribution today helps us make a difference. These fights can be costly and as we endeavor to self fund things there will be costs coming up that we can't. Your contribution will help us to engage the right help, for the right job in the right time...
For Cheques please send to PO BOX 66 South West Rocks, NSW 2431 or for direct deposit Coastline Credit Union BSB:704 189 ACC:11018060
