Residents appointed to Nambucca town centre master plan group
Published on 03 June 2026
Six people passionate about the Nambucca Heads town centre have been appointed to the master plan community reference group.
Councillors resolved the reference group’s membership at the 27 May Ordinary Meeting of Council, endorsing the two business owners, two commercial property owners and two community members who best met the selection criteria.
Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee, who is the reference group’s chairperson, said he was looking forward to listening to the community’s views on the coastal town centre.
“Nambucca Heads is a vibrant, coastal town and it has many long-term businesses operating in it and passionate business owners,” he said.
“The Nambucca Heads Town Centre Master Plan Community Reference Group process will be to come together with the project consultant for a few meetings, meet with the community during community engagement and together create a comprehensive framework setting out a strategic vision for its land use and public domain outcomes.
“I look forward to working on it with my fellow Councillors, James Angel and Tamara McWilliam, and the community reference group members.”
Expressions of interest were open for community members, business owners and commercial property owners to join the Nambucca Heads Town Centre Master Plan Community Reference Group from 22 April to 8 May 2026.
Residents appointed to the community reference group are:
- Community members: Maryjane Campbell and Barry Hezlett
- Business owners: Sam Maier and Cassandra Doyle
- Commercial property owners: Wendy Mills and Kay Harkess.
The group will meet as required throughout 2026 and 2027 and its role is to work closely with Council staff and the masterplan project consultant, Redbelly Design, to provide meaningful, representative input and feedback. The group does not have a decision-making role.
Community member, Barry Hezlett, who also owns Northpipe Constructions, said he was looking forward to thinking about the town centre from an urban design point-of-view.
“Nambucca Heads is a place I am passionate about and I’ve worked in it, in different roles, for about 27 years,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to engaging with the community about ideas the community reference group comes up with and using my hands-on experience in interpreting design plans and delivering construction projects to support improving this town strip.”
The whole Nambucca Heads and surrounding communities will also have the chance to have their say on the master plan during phases of community engagement, including when the draft master plan is presented to Council, in the coming months.
More information on the Nambucca Heads Town Centre Master Plan is available here.