Our Impact: facilitating positive change
Neighbours helping neighbours
When community comes together anything is possible!
The Scotts Head Community Group is a proactive and effective voice for the community and local environment, facilitating positive change. Over the years we’ve successfully worked on many campaigns and projects, with some ongoing and others in progress.
Explore a few of our wins below.
Scotts Head Community Group Strategic Plan 2024-2029
In late 2023 SHCG launched an initiative to reach out to the Scotts Head community to hear what was important to them and help shape the focus and direction of the SHCG.
The Strategic Plan is a community-initiated strategy, directly informed by engagement with local residents, businesses and community organisations, including via on-line survey (166 responses), 13 focus groups (90 participants), and key interviews and discussions.
The plan sets out the strategic priorities for the Scotts Head Community Group – based on what people told us mattered most to them, and what they wanted the future of Scotts Head to look like.
SHCG recognises the importance of our relationship with the Nambucca Valley Council and the significant role the council plays in realising many of these priorities on behalf of the Scotts Head community.
A copy of the Strategic Plan was provided to Nambucca Valley Council in August 2024 to assist in the development of the next LGA-wide Community Strategic Plan.
Bikeway/walking Path
In 2024 the Scotts Head Community Group submitted a petition calling on the Nambucca Valley Council to undertake a feasibility study into options for a safe bike and walking connection from Scotts Head to Macksville.
The petition has been endorsed by 978 people, mostly locals within the Nambucca Valley. Prominent businesses, including Club Scotts, Reflections Holidays and the Macksville Country Club have also written in support.
The social, health and economic benefits of walking and cycling are well documented, and there is a growing list of projects that are taking advantage of community support and the benefits. In our part of NSW, that includes the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (supported by four councils) and the proposed Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail through the hinterland villages of the Coffs Coast.
In the Nambucca Valley, a safe connection between Scotts Head and Macksville would be a major recreational attraction, supporting healthy local communities and stimulating economic and tourism activity. It would build on and leverage connections already established by the Macksville to Nambucca Cycleway, and the popularity of the Jacks Ridge mountain bike path.
Creating a link from the inland to the coast would be a game changer in terms of accessible and safe walking and cycling opportunities. Together with existing facilities, it has the potential to make the area a significant active recreational destination on the Mid North Coast.
Save Scotts Head
In 2022 the Scotts Head Community Group led a successful campaign to oppose a development application for a Residential Lifestyle Community at Way Way.
The campaign resulted in a groundswell of support from the local community and was subsequently withdrawn by the developer in late 2022 after strong advocacy by the SHCG and significant community submissions. This decision was received with great relief by the many members of the community who participated in the campaign.
What community members think
Support us and get involved
Positively impact the future of Scotts Head. Become a member and considering making a donation. Help support a wide range of community projects and local initiatives- now and into the future.