Maclean plan ready

HARNESSING the untapped potential of the Clarence River flowing past Maclean to transform the town could soon be a step closer.

HARNESSING the untapped potential of the Clarence River flowing past Maclean to transform the town could soon be a step closer.

Tuesday's Clarence Valley Council Environment, Economic and Community committee meeting recommended adopting the Maclean Waterfront precinct plan which, if implemented, would see the aesthetics of the historic town transformed.

With significant property holdings in the Maclean waterfront area, Andrew Baker has been monitoring the plan closely.

While he says it is a definite positive step forward for the town, the Maclean-based developer said it was slightly different to his waterfront plans.

"It doesn't exactly align with what we'd hope to see there but it doesn't mean it's unacceptable, just different," Mr Baker said.

"It envisages the council owning all of the land between the Maclean hotel and the riverfront, where we currently own more than half of it."

Mr Baker said there was mention of land swapping in the plan but he was unsure of the finer details of that proposal.

"Although we appreciate that the consultants have to take into account a lot more things than just what we might want."

The committee's recommendation will go before next Tuesday's full council meeting to decide if it is adopted.

Mayor Richie Williamson said the next step in the process if the plan is adopted would be for it to go on public exhibition for at least 28 days.

"You can never pre-judge a council resolution," he said.

"But it would be fair to say councillors will indeed vote to put it out on public exhibition."

Cr Williamson said if the plan was adopted the public could begin to have their say on the transformation next Wednesday when consultants who prepared the plan will be in Maclean.

Originally published as Maclean plan ready