Ulmarra Village Inc president Steve Pickering seeks election to Clarence Valley Council
Man who has helped guide historic village’s post-bypass destiny says he has more to offer the Clarence.
Grafton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Grafton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With confirmation that Ulmarra will get a multimillion-dollar upgrade, the man who has been there every step of the way is looking to serve those beyond the small village.
Hot off the heels of the NSW Government’s announcement to spend $2.3 million on the Ulmarra Riverside Precinct, Ulmarra Village Inc president Steve Pickering has announced he intends to stand for election to Clarence Valley Council.
Mr Pickering moved to Ulmarra from Sydney in 2016 and set about transforming the historic building on the main drag into the Coldstream Gallery.
It didn’t take long for him to become deeply involved in community advocacy with Mr Pickering taking on the role of Ulmarra Village Inc president and leading the fight to save the Ulmarra Pool from closure.
He said while the pool was eventually closed, they did manage to save a shade structure which is now in Tucabia Public School and the experience showed he was a good spokesperson for the community.
“I am looking forward to meeting as many people as a I can, hearing their concerns and actioning them if possible,” he said.
Mr Pickering has been heavily involved in co-ordinating a strategy to boost the town’s appeal post-bypass, even setting his gallery up as a makeshift information centre and financing advertising for Ulmarra from his own pocket.
He said when he moved to Ulmarra there was no real post-bypass plan and by bringing together the community and all levels of government they were able to kickstart what would eventually become the Ulmarra Riverside Precinct plan.
“We had a plan for the future and the community nominated what we felt was important for the village,” he said.
“Covid changed that a little bit but we have always kept going in the same direction.”
Mr Pickering added he had also been vocal on a number of issues impacting the wider Clarence Valley, including the upgrade to Eight Mile Lane at Glenugie and running for a spot on council was a way to extend the work he was already doing in the community.
Steve Pickering is the second new candidate to announce they will run for council, following former Jacaranda Festival president Jeff Smith who made his call way back in 2020.
Former Clarence Valley Council mayor Ian Tiley has also signalled he will likely run but is yet to make a formal announcement he will nominate.
More Coverage
Mum, daughter’s stark ovarian cancer warning after double diagnosis
A Northern Rivers nursing lecturer was “shocked” after being handed a bleak ovarian cancer diagnosis — Australia’s deadliest female cancer. Then her mother was hit by a diagnosis too.
Female powerhouse: Two coastal women on track for top gong
Two regional NSW women have joined a chorus of 30 inspirational women and girls from across the state who have made the final cut for the 2025 Women of the Year Awards.