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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We acknowledge the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work.
We honour the First Nations peoples’ culture and connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Clarence magazine reports on Council’s projects and services which contribute to making the Clarence Valley a community full of opportunity as outlined in the Community Strategic Plan. The magazine is structured in line with Council’s fouryear Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan to provide clear and transparent information to the community on the key priorities under five strategic themes. The magazine contributes to Council’s reporting obligations as set out under the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.
THE FIVE STRATEGIC THEMES:
Community
A community that is safe, connected and inclusive.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure and facilities that are safe, accessible and serve the needs of the Clarence.
Economy
A diverse economy that complements the environmental and social values of the Clarence.
Environment
A natural environment that is protected from local and global pressures.
Leadership
Open and transparent leadership that effectively sets and delivers the long-term goals of the Clarence.
For more information on Council’s Intergrated Planning and Reporting framework visit clarence.nsw.gov.au/IPR
Welcome to the eleventh edition of Clarence magazine, highlighting the wide-ranging work that has been carried out in Quarter 3 of 2024-2025, as outlined in Council’s Operational Plan.
The Clarence Valley has once again proven its resilience as a community, weathering the impacts of flooding rains from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
There has been significant investment to make our infrastructure more disaster resilient, however there have been some impacts and our crews are now assessing the damage including our 2475-kilometre sealed and unsealed roads network.
Our civil works team is well versed in taking on this task, with 10 natural disasters since 2019.
Meanwhile, the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre is now open, and it is fantastic to see the diverse range of community members who have already enjoyed this quality facility. I know there will be many who will be excited to know that funding has been secured to build two new slides.
Delivery of the Yamba Library and Community Centre is also on time and on budget to open July this year.
We are also in the process of completing a revised Community Strategic Plan – a roadmap for the next decade based on extensive community consultation. It is encouraging to see how our community has engaged actively with this process. Now together we can bring this vision to life over the next 10 years.
— Cr Ray Smith, Mayor
PICTURED: Clarence Mayor Ray Smith was given the honours of starting the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic, officially opened the new Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre, and was a guest speaker at the Grafton Library’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
IN-DEPTH
14 How work is prioritised to maintain a safe and connected transport network.
16 Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has provided the first real test for flood resilience projects undertaken in the past two years, and they didn’t disappoint.
20 A day in the life of a ranger BEHIND THE SCENES
PERFORMANCE
Update on Council’s performance in the third quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, as outlined in it’s Operational Plan across all five strategic pillars:
FEATURES
06 Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre
Now open to the public, the centre is setting the standard for regional aquatic facilities. 10
Places to learn, inspire and connect Yamba Library and Community Centre construction nears completion and Grafton library turns 80.
12 Securing a safe and reliable water supply
Millions of dollars in projects are at various stages, to ensure reliability and safety across water and sewer infrastructure.
COMMUNITY
42 Learn more about how you can have your say and stay up-to-date on Council’s community engagement activities.
It is pleasing to see the community actively involved in the process of revising the vision of what we are going to achieve together over the next 10 years, the Community Strategic Plan.
Hundreds of online and phone surveys have been received as well as extensive in-person feedback and comments, ensuring that this plan is one that the entire community can feel a proud sense of ownership and achievement.
Work continues into May on creating the four-year Delivery Program, the annual Operations Plan, and the all-important Budget. Your comments and input are vital to this process and I’d encourage all to have your say by visiting clarence.nsw.gov.au/on-exhibition.
It was also rewarding to take part in the official opening of the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre, and to see hundreds of people young and old flocking to enjoy this fantastic facility. The new aquatic centre is the culmination of years of hard work not only on the project itself, but on careful planning and economic management over the past decade to place Council in a strong economic position to afford to undertake such a project.
Millions of dollars in work to improve the flood resilience and connectivity of our communities over the past few years has proven to be invaluable, standing up to its first major test through the impacts of ExTropical Cyclone Alfred. Not to rest on our laurels, this work to improve our capacity to deal with natural disasters in ongoing, and crews have already launched into efforts to repair damage to infrastructure that resulted from heavy rain and flooding.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Citizen of the Year Awards recipients for their incredible contributions to the community that we all love. There are also countless others out there making a difference without recognition, and I would like to thank them too for their selfless work to help those around them.
— Laura Black, General Manager, Clarence Valley Council
PICTURED: from top; celebrating the contribution our library makes to community life; opening of the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre; and, the team manning the closure of Yamba Road during the impacts of ExTropical Cycline Alfred.
AT A GLANCE
— Swim club excited for yearround training and events.
— Commemorating young lives lost in 1943 tragedy.
— Designed to maximise comfort, minimise impacts.
— A facility for all abilities.
— More fun to come with green light on next stage.
— Supporting local jobs.
Setting a new standard for the community
The Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre is a facility our entire community can be proud of, setting the standard for regional swimming complexes, according to Clarence Mayor Ray Smith.
Outdoors, the new state-of-the-art centre includes a 50-metre Olympic pool, spectator grandstand, refurbished amenities and all-ages accessible splash pad.
The indoor centre includes a 25-metre FINA-standard pool, a combined program and leisure pool and additional accessible amenities.
“This is a fantastic facility for our entire Clarence community,” Cr Smith said.
“Creating a truly regional facility such as this one also opens up new opportunities for attracting new carnivals and competitions, building on our strong culture of high-level competitive swimming and providing flow-on economic benefits,” he said.
Construction was supported by more
“This is a fantastic facility for our entire Clarence community.
— Cr Ray Smith, Mayor
than $2 million from the Australian Government under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, more than $1.4 million from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund and close to $23 million from the Clarence Valley Council.
Swim clubs excited for yearround training and events
Grafton District Services Swim Club (GDSSC) is among the competitive swimming groups excited to start utilising the new Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre.
GDSSC President Stephen Donnelly said the club’s 22 active swimmers were eager to train and compete year-round at the new regional centre.
“The outcome has been fantastic. Not only does the community now have the 50-metre outdoor pool – we also have the 25-metre indoor pool all in the one complex. We have this great grandstand that gives spectators a fantastic view, and the change facilities truly are first class.” he said.
Mr Donnelly also highlighted that, beyond the return of regional carnivals,
the new centre could position Grafton as a strong contender to host National Championships in the future.
The facility is also being welcomed by young competitive swimmers. The aquatic centre has already hosted school carnivals and is anticipated to be a major drawcard for attracting regional competitions.
Commemorating young lives lost in 1943 tragedy
The indoor swimming facility has been officially named the Grafton Cub Scout Memorial Indoor Pool to continue the legacy of commemorating the tragedy that sparked the construction of the original Grafton Olympic Pool in 1956.
It was Sunday 12 December 1943 when a punt carrying 31 Boy Scouts and Wolf Cubs capsized on the Clarence River on a return journey from Susan Island, tragically resulting in the loss of 13 young lives.
The event triggered a massive local fundraising effort to build a public pool to ensure that all children had the opportunity to learn to swim.
“Creating a truly regional facility such as this one also opens up new opportunities for attracting new carnivals and competitions, building on our strong culture of high-level competitive swimming and providing flow-on economic benefits.
Designed to maximise comfort, minimise impacts
The indoor facility will provide year-round aquatic activities with reduced humidity and chlorine odours, while reducing power consumption and environmental impacts.
The system utilises heated flooring and automated louvres to efficiently extract hot humid air and bring in cool fresh air, and low-odour bromine disinfection rather than chlorine.
PICTURED: From left; take a dip in the sparkling 8-lane, 50-metre Olympic pool or cool off in the inclusive, zerodepth splash pad; Clarence Valley Anglican School students participate in the first school swimming carnival at the new centre; lifeguard, Emmit Green.
A facility for all abilities
The Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre has been designed to be accessible to a wide range of users regardless of ability.
All amenities including toilets, showers and changing areas have been designed to meet the latest accessibility standards to ensure inclusion of people with limited mobility. Two adult change facilities have been created, with an electronic bed and hoist.
The indoor leisure and activities pool has been designed for ease of access and use and the outdoor splashpad is also fully accessible, offering multi-sensory fun with varying sprays, jets, bubbles and mist.
More fun to come
A total $3.2 million has been set aside to create two fun water slides, including $1.6 million in grant funds through the Commonwealth Growing Regions Program.
The new slides will mark completion of the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre masterplan and are scheduled to be installed and ready for use by next summer 2025 along with additional shade, furniture and landscaping.
Supporting local jobs
Construction of the new centre supported many local businesses who subcontracted to the job across a range of trades, creating an average 32 full time equivalent positions during construction.
Nat Sewell of Grafton-based Nat Sewell Concreting said the project provided work for up to 30 of his employees, laying steel reinforcement, building formwork and pouring 2,800 cubic metres of concrete.
“It was a good job, well run. A good job close to home, kept all my boys going,” he said.
Ben McLennan Construction Manager Riley Want said he had around a half dozen workers on site throughout the project, installing more than 2,000 square metres of roofing, 100 square metres of external sheeting, plus gutters.
“It’s a big thing for the town so to be involved in it is rewarding for our company,” he said.
Big River Glass owner Adam Sydenham said more than 20 of his employees had been kept busy over the past six months manufacturing and installing all the commercial glass – everything from windows to automatic doors and glass louvres for the ventilation system.
Mr Sydenham said he too was proud to be involved in a project that would bring lasting benefits to the community.
PICTURED: Wicks and Parker was among the local subcontractors to gain work through the aquatic centre project.
Places to learn, inspire and connect
Yamba Library and Community Centre on track to open in first quarter
It’s official: The Yamba Library and Community Centre in Treelands Drive is planned to be completed and open in July 2025.
For more information on the Yamba Library and Community Centre and to go on a walkthrough of progress as of February, go to clarence.nsw.gov. au/treelandsdrive
Final touches are currently being put on the new, purpose-built centre and its surrounding grounds, which feature a modern design and ample natural lighting.
The new library is three times the size of the old one and will provide expanded opportunities for the community to engage in library programs and activities.
The facility is designed to provide flexible and functional spaces for a wide range of community groups and events well into the future.
Clarence Valley Mayor Ray Smith PSM congratulated everyone involved in the project – including a range of
local subcontractors – for ensuring its completion on time and within budget.
“The new library and community centre is a fantastic facility that will benefit the community now and for years to come, thanks to the dedication and hard work of those behind the scenes,” Cr Smith said.
“Funding support of $11 million from the Australian and NSW Governments was also instrumental in making this new community centre a reality.”
Community groups are looking forward to utilising the new community centre
Long-time AA member, Ben, said the group had an immense impact upon his life and he was excited to share the program with newcomers at the new community centre. Meetings are currently held at the Wooli St Hall, from 6.30pm Sundays.
The Yamba Toy library is also eagerly anticipating its move from the Wooli
Street Hall to the new centre, offering affordable access to a variety of toys and the chance to connect with others, according to coordinator Amy Tierney.
“We are excited to make the move. I think we will be able to reach out to a wider variety of families at the new centre that is located in the residential area of West Yamba,” she said.
The Yamba Library and Community Centre is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund in association with Clarence Valley Council.
Seniors celebrate
More than 340 Clarence seniors attended the local NSW Seniors Festival event, On Record –Celebrating our Seniors, at the Grafton Library on 26 March.
The second annual event featured performances by The Tempomentals, Grafton Ukettes, Good Vibes Choir, Scottish Piper Ross McLachlan and Lower Clarence Filipino Dancers.
It was held in collaboration with 15 community and government organisations, and supported by funding from the Department of Communities and Justice.
PICTURED: left from previous page, artist impression of the Yamba Library and Communtiy Centre; close to 340 attended On Record –Celebrating our Seniors at the Grafton Library in March, as part of the statewide NSW Seniors Festival; the Grafton Library has changed a lot since the days of reel-toreel projectors.
Celebrating 80 years of the Grafton Library
Grafton Library is celebrating 80 years since its inception in 1945, beginning with a modest £350 collection of technical and educational books and just 442 readers. There were no programs, no fiction, no phone, no trained librarian – and the mayor of the day even gave up his rooms to house the initial collection.
The library’s first phone arrived in the 1980s, followed by an electric typewriter. In 1997, internet access was introduced via dial-up. A major milestone came in 2014 with the opening of the Sir Earle Page Library and Education Centre, dramatically boosting technology offerings and increasing internet speeds by more than 800 per cent, now providing 200 Mbps NBN and Wi-Fi.
Programs and events have grown over 400 per cent in the past decade, catering from babies to seniors. Members now have access to 227,476 physical and digital items, plus a digital subscription offering 1.6 million titles.
This celebration was proudly supported by Clarence Valley Council and Clarence Regional Library, with funding contributions from both and additional support from the NSW State Government.
Not yet a library member? Sign up now to access all your local library has to offer at clarence. nsw.gov.au/ librarymember
Maintaining a safe and reliable water supply
Maintaining a safe and reliable water supply, as well as processing wastewater in an environmentally responsible manner, is a complex task. Council has several multi-million-dollar projects at various stages across the water cycle, from sourcing water from the Nymboida River to managing biosolids at the end of the cycle.
Nymboida Headworks
Water is supplied to the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour from the Nymboida River via a tunnel that has been excavated through the rocky hillside. However, since the second tunnel was damaged during the 2013 floods, there has been no backup in case the operational tunnel fails. Repairs to the damaged tunnel are planned to ensure the region’s ongoing water security. This repair is a top priority.
y ESTIMATED COST: $20M (to be shared with Coffs Harbour)
y STATUS: Concept development, call for tenders mid-2025.
Filtration plant for Rushforth Water Treatment Plant
Adding filtration to the treatment process would reduce suspended particles in town drinking water but comes at a significant cost. Modelling estimates the cost at approximately $83 million, with funding sources
yet to be secured. Investigations into potential grants are ongoing, and other funding options may include water charge increases and loans. Once the Environmental Impact Statement is approved by the State Government, Councillors will consider whether to continue with the project.
y ESTIMATED COST: $83 million
y STATUS: Awaiting approval of Environmental Impact Statement, seeking government funding
Chlorine contact tank and 16ML reservoir
The existing reservoir has reached the end of its operational life, and a new, modern replacement has been designed for installation this year. The new reservoir will include a chlorine contact tank to improve chlorination efficiency, resulting in better disinfection.
y ESTIMATED COST: $19 million
y STATUS: Designs complete, early site works to commence mid-2025
PICTURED: New HDPE mains pipe under installation at Swallow Road, South Grafton.
Glenreagh and Coutts
Crossing water treatment plants
Filtration is planned for the Glenreagh and Coutts Crossing water treatment plants to enhance drinking water safety. As a smaller project compared to the Rushforth plant, the estimated total cost is approximately $1.4 million. Tenders were scheduled to go before Council in April this year with site works to commence later in the year.
y ESTIMATED COST: $1.4 million
y STATUS: Site works to commence late 2025
Swallow Road
South Grafton mains replacement
The mains pipeline that runs along Swallow Road to Tyson Street supplies most of the Lower Clarence, and it is being replaced with new High Density Polyethylene pipe. The old pipeline has failed multiple times causing disruptions and affecting the surrounding area. The new pipeline will significantly reduce the risk of failure, protecting surrounding streets and ensuring a reliable water supply to the Lower Clarence.
y ESTIMATED COST:
$3 million
y STATUS: Nearing completion
Sustainably managing our wastewater
Ongoing sewage and wastewater treatment projects
North Grafton Sewage Treatment Plant
The Sewage Treatment Plant in North Grafton, near Corcoran Park, is at the end of its life and needs replacing to meet modern environmental standards. Three companies have been involved in the tender process and Council is expected to make a decision in mid-2025 on who will be chosen to build the new plant. It would then take around 60 weeks to construct the new facility at the site before decommissioning and removal of the old plant.
y ESTIMATED COST: $63M Funded by Council
y STATUS: Tenders to be awarded mid-2025
Coutts Crossing Sewage Treatment Plant
A new upgraded Sewage Treatment Plant for the village will exceed environmental protection requirements. A decision on the contractor to build the new plant is expected mid-2025 with construction to follow.
y ESTIMATED COST: $1.5 million
y STATUS: Design and construct tender to be awarded mid-2025
Clarenza sewage treatment improvements
Work is planned at the Clarenza Sewage Treatment Plant to improve biosolids management and operational efficiency. This upgrade means the plant will be able to hold more processed solids before they are dried out and removed from the site.
y ESTIMATED COST: $1.7 million
y STATUS: Design and construct tender to be awarded mid-2025
Agricultural Biosolids Reuse
A new agreement has been signed with a contractor who will take processed biosolids captured from wastewater treatment, to be used in agriculture as fertiliser instead of going into landfill. Diversion of around 2,500 tonnes of biosolids each year will result in significant savings by extending the life of landfill and negating transport costs, instead making use of a previously untapped resource. Reuse of biosolids is regulated by the NSW Environmental Protection Agency.
y ESTIMATED COST: Will save an estimated $3.8 million a year
y STATUS: Tender awarded, project commenced and ongoing
Maintaining one of the largest rural road networks in NSW
The Clarence Valley’s towns, villages and wide open spaces are connected by 2,500 kilometres of Council-managed roads –the same distance as the drive between Sydney and Cairns.
Getting around this road network is a prioritymaintenance of roads was one of the highest priorities in the 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey.
And in the Community Strategic Plan – the 10-year plan based on what you told us is important – it’s a priority for our community to have “a safely maintained transport network”.
So if it’s important to you, it’s important to us.
Requests for maintenance have been dramatically reduced in the past two years, as the result of a multimillion-dollar flood recovery effort.
A record $15 million was invested to restore almost 50 kilometres of regional roads, plus an estimated $12
Inspection schedule
Roads are inspected regularly in accordance with their classification rating, as well as in response to service requests from road users or Councillors, and service reports from employees. The purpose of these inspections is to identify the location and severity of defects, level of work required, and generating a rank order for repair works to be carried out.
Considerations when prioritising pothole and minor pavement failure repairs include:
y road classification
y defect severity
y workforce workload
y climatic conditions
y available funding.
million spent to repair more than 55 kilometres of local sealed roads with still more being done into 2025.
Road inspections are more efficient than ever thanks to use of artificial intelligence and electronic management systems. AI is now being used to capture road conditions as the inspector drives along the road, without the need to stop and manually record details such as the location, size, and type of defect. All this information is linked into a computer program that is used to map and prioritise repairs.
So why do we still see defects on some of our roads? Why don’t we repair all potholes, cracks and bumps as soon as they appear?
Weather is one factor, with heavy rainfall and flooding one of the major causes of extensive road damage. The Clarence Valley has experienced 10 natural disasters since 2019, including the 2022 floods that severely impacted more than 60 per cent of the road network.
Council is also heavily reliant on State and Federal Governments for grants for road works. Road repairs are expensive, cost upwards of $1.5 million per kilometre for full reconstruction. The number of road crew staff and available machinery and resources also has its limits.
Because of this, Council prioritises repairs to maximise outcomes and safety for the community using a Road Risk Rating calculation.
What is a ‘Road Risk Rating’ and how are defects scored to decide repair priorities?
The Road Risk Rating is a mathematical calculation used to prioritise road repairs, with each factor given a score out of five. The higher the end score, the more immediate the priority for remediation.
y Location: Where the defect is located. For example, located in the traffic lane compared with road shoulder.
y Road hierarchy: The road’s classification and the average number of vehicles per day. The busier the road, the higher score it gets. State roads are the top priority.
y Hazard: Hazard types and sizes. Depends on how much they impact safety.
y Road usage: An additional point is added if the road is a bus route.
RISK RATING
PRIORITY ACTION
14 - 21 Urgent y Inspect and make safe within 4 hours
y Effect repair within 24 hours
11 - 13 High y Inspect and make safe within 24 hours
y Effect repair within 3 working days
7 - 10 Medium y Programmed into maintenance works
5 - 6 Low y Programmed into maintenance works
4 or less No Activity y No action requiredmonitor
Scan the QR code to read the Roads Policy that outlines service levels and response to road-related issues.
Investment in flood resilience pays off
The past 10 editions of Clarence Magazine have been full of stories about projects delivering improved flood resilience for the community. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has provided the first real test of these projects and they didn’t disappoint. While a lot has been achieved, Council recognises that there is a lot more work still to come.
Flood pumps strengthen community
Sports training was back on track without delay despite torrential rain at Maclean’s Wherret Park, thanks to installation of flood pumps by Clarence Valley Council. Last year Council installed two flood pumps that work together to drain water into the Clarence River that would have otherwise flooded the park. The Wherret Park flood pumps were two of a series of pumps installed throughout the Clarence over the past two years to boost resilience of the community.
1. Swan creek residents had the piece of mind of knowing they could rely upon the new flood resilient Wilcox bridge on Four Mile Lane, built to replace the former structure that was destroyed in flooding in 2022.
2. Cricket was back on within a week of inundation at Wherrett Park Maclean, thanks to new flood pumps.
3. The new spillway dissipator in action during Cyclone Alfred.
Monitoring
flood
pump performance in real time
Clarence Valley Council staff had a front row seat to how the entire flood pump network operated throughout recent flooding – without even needing to step outside. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) real time monitoring has been installed on the flood pump network over the past two years, which sends detailed performance data to the computer, accessible from anywhere in the world.
Spillway dissipater a concrete investment
The new $6 million concrete dissipator installed to prevent erosion on the Shannon Creek Dam spillway was tested by the recent flooding deluge – and it passed with flying colours. The concrete dissipator was installed in 2023, following destruction of the previous rock and wire ‘gabion’ structure during the 2018 floods. During the recent flood event, the new concrete structure managed flows of up to 17,000 litres per second – enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool every 2.5 minutes. The dissipator was designed to prevent erosion in Shannon Creek by slowing the flow of water discharged from Shannon Creek Dam down the spillway during flooding.
Rushforth Sportsground bounces back from flooding thanks to improvements
A new bitumen carpark and in-field drainage system has helped sports get back on track faster at the Rushforth Sportsground in South Grafton The 140-space car park was completed in April 2024, followed by installation of a new drainage system on the main fields used for a range of social and competitive sports such as soccer and touch football. Similar drainage works are underway at Hawthorne Park South Grafton, Barnier Park Junction Hill and the Yamba Rugby Fields.
Redesigned Shores Drive Yamba
The $2.5 million reconstruction of Shores Drive has proven to make the busy Yamba road far more resilient against flood damage. The road was inundated during the recent heavy rainfall but unlike in past floods it escaped damage, because it was redesigned and upgraded in 2024.
Culvert and bridge upgrades create more reliable connections
Clarence Valley Council has invested millions of dollars in new concrete bridges and culverts throughout the Clarence during the past two years to improve disaster resilience. Installation of a larger culvert on Tullawudjah Creek Road at Glenreagh is just one of many examples. New box culverts were installed with twice the capacity of the old ones, allowing far greater flows without impacting the road that residents and the timber industry rely on. Improvements on Armidale Road included $3 million of drainage and embankment repairs in the Horton Creek area and replacement of a series of bridges with new concrete structures. Residents around Swan Creek also had the peace of mind knowing they could rely upon the new and improved $3.2 million Wilcox Bridge on Four Mile Lane. It was built to replace the former concrete bridge that was destroyed by flooding in 2022. Many millions have also been invested into replacing timber bridges with more flood resilient concrete, throughout the Clarence Valley.
Engineered solution to creek erosion stands up to flooding
The $4.5 million reconstruction of a floodravaged creek at Glenreagh has functioned as designed to prevent erosion during recent flooding. The restoration, completed this year, involved excavation of the creek along the new path, reconstruction and rock reinforcement of the banks, creation of a series of girdles across the creek floor, and replanting of the banks with native plants.
Urban drainage investment boosts flood resilience
Hundreds of tonnes of silt and debris have been cleared from stormwater drains throughout the Clarence Valley over the past two years, as part of a new urban drainage program funded by the $25 per property Stormwater Management Charge. As a result, the impact of flooding rains were minimised on homes throughout the area including Yamba, Glenreagh, Grafton, South Grafton, Wooli, Woombah, Gulmarrad, Wooloweyah, Iluka, Junction Hill, and Townsend.
Upgraded airport link passes the flood test
An upgraded 450-metre section of road on Six Mile Lane over Glenugie Creek has passed its first major flood test. The section was redesigned and rebuilt in 2024 to be more resistant to flood damage, after it was destroyed and repaired five times since 2017. As a result, it escaped significant damage during recent floods, avoiding the need for expensive repairs and ensuring the vital link to the Grafton Regional Airport was maintained. Access to the airport is vital as it is used as a hub for emergency response.
1. The $4.5 million reconstruction of a flood-ravaged creek at Glenreagh
2. Rushforth Sportsfield, where sand slotting was installed as part of drainage upgrades and a new bitumen carpark, to get sports back on track sooner after flooding.
3. Upgraded 450-metre section of road on Six Mile Lane over Glenugie Creek.
4. An example in South Grafton of urban drainage improvements completed throughout the Clarence Valley.
More flood resilience projects are also underway…
Making Yamba Road more immune to flooding
Getting cut off during heavy rainfall will be far less likely for Yamba residents as the result of a project that is soon to commence to rebuild the flood-prone intersection of Yamba and Southbank Roads. Planning and design are nearing completion, with construction set to commence early in the new financial year.
Wooli Road access to be improved
Wooli will be less likely to be cut off by floodwaters as the result of improvements planned for 2026. During recent heavy rainfall Wooli Road was inundated at a section where culverts were blocked with sand. These culverts are to be replaced with a concrete bridge, with approaches to either side raised in height to improve the village’s flood immunity.
New bridge to improve Orara Way flood immunity
Residents and industries relying on the Orara Way will have a far more flood resilient connection thanks to the $16 million Bluff Bridge, under construction at Lanitza. The new concrete bridge has been designed to a new alignment eight metres higher than the old timber bridge.
A day in the life of a ranger
Ranger Dean is one of eight rangers who patrol the Clarence Valley to keep it safe and enjoyable for the entire community. These rangers have wide-ranging responsibilities, including responding to dog attacks, illegal camping and parking, abandoned vehicles and belongings, straying livestock, and nuisances such as barking dogs. However, the rangers’ work hinges on building relationships with the community, and they are always up for a friendly chat.
Today, we’re taking a ride with Ranger Dean. First stop, Minnie Water and Wooli.
These coastal holiday hot spots are known for unauthorised overnight camping, and it’s part of the rangers’ role to ensure these spaces remain open for all of the community to enjoy.
As he drives, Ranger Dean is also on the lookout for issues that impact the safety and harmony of the community such as straying animals, dumped rubbish, illegally parked vehicles, and overgrown yards.
Ranger Dean drives slowly through the village with his window down, offering a casual wave to residents as he passes by.
“We always want to work with the community, and we’re always open to a chat as we’re out and about if anyone has any concerns,” he says.
It turns out that on this day, there are no issues to resolve at either village. Likewise, a quick tour of Diggers Camp reveals the secluded retreat remains open for all enjoy without being impacted by illegal camping, dumping or other issues.
It’s time to return to the South Grafton animal shelter to check in with the other rangers and grab a quick bite to eat for lunch, prior to a visit to the Truck Drivers Memorial Park in South Grafton.
PICTURED: Beautiful Wooli is among the public spaces patrolled by Council rangers to ensure they are safe and available for all the community to enjoy.
“We
always want to work with the community, and we’re always open to a chat as we’re out and about if anyone has any concerns.
— Ranger Dean
An inspection of the site has been organised for Council’s rangers, including Ranger Dean, and two workers from Social Futures. The rangers’ primary purpose is to identify and tag campsites and items believed to have been abandoned, before they are later removed to clean up the site and allow a thorough mow. The social workers are there to offer help to those still camped at the park with housing-related issues.
Each interaction with those camped out at the park proves to be friendly and fruitful in determining which sites have been abandoned, thanks to the kind and gentle demeanour of Ranger Dean and the others.
Tags are applied to broken tents, dilapidated vehicles and other items scattered throughout the park without incident.
At the end of the day, Ranger Dean said he loved working with Council as a ranger as no two days were ever the same.
“We’re certainly not stuck in the office all day, we get out and about in the community which I really enjoy. There’s so much variety, you never know what you’ll be doing on any given day,” he said.
“It’s really satisfying to be out interacting with people and helping to keep our community safe.”
DAY IN THE LIFE
Unathorised camping is targetted at coastal locations such as Minnie Water and Wooli.
Building relationships and keeping a high profile in the community is all part of the job.
A seemingly abandoned vehicle is tagged warning of its pending removal from a public park in South Grafton.
Paving the way for Maclean arts and culture
Demolition of the old civic hall in Maclean is complete and the $16 million construction contract awarded, paving the way for work to commence on the new community and entertainment precinct.
The new centre will feature a 290seat auditorium, modern stage and backstage areas, a function room and balcony overlooking the Clarence River, accessible amenities and a café-style food and beverage outlet.
Clarence Mayor Ray Smith said the project was an exciting one for Maclean.
“Creation of a purpose-built entertainment precinct will put Maclean on the map for touring acts such as bands and comedians, as well as providing a professional-standard facility for local events such as eisteddfods and school performances,” Cr Smith said.
“The centre will also take advantage
of the majestic views over the Clarence River, making it the ideal location to host a wide range of events such as conferences, community gatherings, weddings and other celebrations.”
Demolition of the former civic hall also involved site remediation to ensure all old building materials such as asbestos were removed and safely processed.
Construction is anticipated to commence mid-2025, to be complete and the new centre open by the end of 2026.
“Creation of a purpose-built entertainment precinct will put Maclean on the map ... — Mayor, Cr Ray Smith
The Maclean community and entertainment precinct will include:
y a 290-seat auditorium
y function room and balcony overlooking the river
y modern stage and backstage areas
y accessible amenities
y café-style food and beverage outlet.
PICTURED: What the new centre will look like from the River Street view.
Building a more flood immune Orara Way
The new concrete Bluff Bridge on the Orara Way at Lanitza is being built higher and stronger than the old timber bridge, to provide a more disaster-resilient link to town for residents and industry.
The site has been cleared and piling work commenced on the new bridge that will be eight metres higher than the old one, providing improved flood immunity for more than 400 properties, school buses, farmers, and the timber industry.
The new bridge will also eliminate the need for a load restriction on the deteriorating 120-year-old timber bridge, which would have resulted in the diversion of heavy vehicles and doubling of freight times between Glenreagh and Grafton.
Its concrete construction will also be more resistant to damage by bushfires and require far less maintenance.
The bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic in late 2025.
Major flooding of the Orara River during Cyclone Alfred revealed the new higher bridge (left of existing bridge) would be above the level of a 16-metre river rise, compared to the existing bridge, which would be inundated for days:
Concrete connections for Coombadjha
Three concrete bridges are being built to provide a reliable connection to town for remote residents and industry on Coombadjha Road, off the Gwydir Highway around 80 kilometres north-west of Grafton.
The project involves installation of three precast bridge systems known as ‘InQuik’, resulting in delivery of cost-effective, disasterresilient structures in minimal time. The new concrete structures replace ageing timber bridges, improving disaster resilience and minimising ongoing maintenance.
The first of the bridges is scheduled to be open to traffic by June 2025, with the remaining two to be finished by August 2025.
New bridge underway at Tyringham
Work in underway to replace an ageing timber bridge over the Nymboida River, on Harness Cask Road, around 97 kilometres south-west of Grafton.
The new concrete bridge is scheduled to be finished by mid-2025.
Advocating for funding to complete rebuilding Lawrence Road
Just over a kilometre of Lawrence Road on ‘the back way’ between Grafton and Maclean has been reconstructed using $1.6 million in available funding.
Council plans to rebuild an additional four kilometres, but is still awaiting a response from the NSW Government regarding its request for nearly $9 million in compensation following the closure of the Ulmarra Ferry.
Council’s General Manager Laura Black, wrote to NSW Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison in July 2024, advocating for Council’s unanimous resolution to secure $8,883,950 for upgrading Lawrence Road and implementing several other connectivity projects.
This funding request aims to compensate for the NSW Government’s decision to permanently decommission the Ulmarra Ferry service.
No response had been received as of April 1, 2025.
PICTURED: Further restoration works will take place on Armidale Road now $12 million in funding has been secured.
Working to restore Armidale Road
Further restoration work on Armidale Road are set to commence with $12 million granted for flood recovery reconstruction.
Council sought $30 million through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements in 2024 after the State Government changed its position on taking over responsibility for the arterial connection between Grafton and Armidale.
A total of $12 million was approved and crews will now commence on stabilisation and rehabilitation works to fix high priority sections, while looking at ways to maximise efficiency and outcomes.
PICTURED: Reconstruction of Lawrence Road was ongoing as of April, but further government funding is needed to finish the job.
An estimated $70M has been invested in restoring flood-damaged roads, landslips and drainage over the past two years. This funding is through the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Restoring the “back way” to Glen Innes
Engineered repairs to major landslips on the Old Glen Innes Road are nearing completion.
As of March this year, 15 of 16 major roadside slip repairs had been finished, involving engineer-designed rock walls reinforced with heavy duty steel mesh and secured to bedrock with concrete and steel.
Work is continuing on the smaller repairs, with 20 of the 52 finished as of March. These repairs have involved the use of crushed compacted rock to restore stability to damaged roadside slopes.
Drains and culverts along the affected 60-kilometre stretch of road are also being cleaned and repaired or replaced.
The unsealed road surface will also be rebuilt once the landslip repairs are finished.
The work is being undertaken to repair damage from the 2022 floods that devastated the region, causing millions of dollars in damage to roads and infrastructure across the Clarence.
In an additional project that has commenced, deteriorated sealed sections of the Old Glen Innes Road are being reconstructed, including stabilisation of the road base and sealing with bitumen.
Old Glen Innes Road is known as “the back way” to Glen Innes and is also used to access popular camping and fishing locations, as well as the historic Dalmorton Tunnel.
The $19 million landslip repair project is funded by the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Restoring local roads
Heavy patching of flood-damaged roads has continued in the first three months of 2025. Work has included:
y Morpeth Street, Harwood
y Watts Lane, Harwood y Middle Road, Palmers Island
y Woodforddale Road, Woodford Island
y Roberts Creek Road, Woodford Island
y Rutland Street, Lawrence
y Clarence Road, Brushgrove
PICTURED: Crews work on installing engineered land slip repairs on the Old Glen Innes Road.
PICTURED: Proudly supported through the Special Event Sponsorship Program, the Glenreagh Timber Festival is popular among locals and visitors to the valley, attracting around 7,000 punters and supporting 13 community groups each year.
Events boost local economy
Empowering organisations to host events with a total of $29,000 through Round 2 of the Special Event Sponsorship Program will generate an estimated economic benefit of $4 million
The program supports events that attract visitors to the local area who spend money in the local economy, such as the 120th Maclean Highland Gathering, the Glenreagh Timber Festival, and a brandnew event called the Northern Rivers Food Harvest Festival.
The Highland Gathering, in April each year attracts around 6,000 people
over two days, including competitors from New Zealand, Victoria, and Far North Queensland. Council’s sponsorship this year was $8,000.
A further $9,500 went to the Timber Festival, to be held on 27 July this year, which attracts approximately 7,000 people.
Council is also proud to support the inaugural Northern Rivers Food Harvest Festival on 25 May this year, which will give food-loving visitors to the region a unique first-hand experience of what the Clarence Valley has to offer.
More than $15 million is injected annually into the economy by events that attract visitors to the region, with $90,000 awarded through the 2024/2025 Special Events Sponsorship Program.
Sport support brings in millions of economic benefit
Council recognises the immense value of sport to the local economy by sponsoring events that attract visitors from outside the region.
In 2024/2025 the Sports Tourism Sponsorship Program provided $46,000 towards eight local events, estimated to contribute more than $5.6 million to the economy through the spending of visitors.
The NSW Hockey Field State Championships to be held 16-18 May is anticipated to bring in almost $1.6 million, with almost 700 competitors and their families staying in Grafton for the three-day event. Council provided $10,000 support towards this year’s event.
The annual Grafton to Inverell Cycle
Classic is also supported, with $11,000 contributed to the 15 March event through the sponsorship program.
This year attracted the best of the best in cycling competition as part of the ProVelo Super League, bringing in an estimated 560 overnight visitors and $800,000 economic benefit. It also bolstered Grafton’s reputation for hosting premier sporting events with live television coverage and national promotion.
The Open Bowls Pennants State Final in Yamba is also supported with $3850 sponsorship and is estimated to bring in just over $700,000 economic benefit through the 240 competitors and families who visit for the four-day event.
Events supported by the 2024/2025 Sports Tourism Sponsorship Program:
y Transmoto 8-hour
y Open Bowls Pennants State Final
y NSW Hockey Field State Championships
y Australian Open Waveski Titles
y Jacaranda Basketball Carnival
y Yamba Triathlon
y Maclean Triples Bowls Tournament
y Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic.
PICTURED: The Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic is among the sporting events to attract visitors to the area, supported by Council’s Sports Tourism Sponsorship Program.
Bolstering economy while celebrating Yamba’s natural beauty
The Yamba central business district is set to be revitalised as part of a $400,000 partnership between Council, business and the local community.
The Yamba Community Improvement District (CID) project celebrates the seaside village’s natural beauty and aims to invigorate economic activity through a series of measures in the coming weeks that include:
y nature-inspired public artworks including a mural and story posts
y refreshed local amenities including crosswalks and outdoor seating
y a new bus shelter, bike bay and water fountainadditional shade trees
y three-phase power and ambient tree lighting
y a public celebration event on Saturday 24 May in Coldstream Street
Yamba Birdsong – A Celebration of Yamba’s Natural Beauty – will include live music, food and artisan stalls, school performances, and an outdoor cinema screening into the evening. Businesses and local community members have been central to the creation and planning of the Yamba CID project, funded by the NSW Government.
The Yamba central business district is set to be revitalised as part of a $400,000 partnership between Council, business and the local community.
Providing opportunities for local business and industry
Potential local suppliers, contractors and subcontractors were given the opportunity to get expert advice on how to work with Council at two workshops held during March and April.
The two-hour sessions, in Grafton and Maclean, were part of Council’s commitment to enhance opportunities for local business and industry by sharing insights into its procurement processes, industry compliance requirements, and best practices.
The next sessions will be held in July. To find out more and to sign up for Industry News visit clarence.nsw.gov.au/ workingwithcouncil
Partnering to deliver improved visitor services
Visitors can now get local information at more locations throughout the Clarence, as the result of an expansion of information services in partnership with local businesses.
Five visitor outlets and five visitor hubs have been created as part of an initiative under the 2024/2025 Destination Management Plan.
The outlets have been created in collaboration with local businesses, to provide local knowledge as well as offering an selection of hardcopy resources such as The Clarence Valley Visitor Information Guide, maps, and pamphlets on highlights such as heritage trails and the Jacaranda Festival.
Outlets are easily identified by the internationally recognised “i” symbol for visitor information.
They are located at the Grafton Regional Gallery, Coldstream Gallery, The Maclean Scottish Shop, The Iluka Emporium and the Yamba Bowling Club.
The visitor hubs offer a selection of hardcopy resources but don’t offer in-person advice.
They are located at The Grafton Library, Grafton train station, Ferry Park, Calypso Caravan Park and the Glenreagh Bakery.
Visitors also continue to access online services, with myclarencevalley.com being a key resource for trip planning. The digital presence continues to grow with 106,000 unique website users recorded in the last 12 months and almost 60,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram.
PICTURED: Visitor information outlets such as the one at Grafton Regional Gallery, the Scottish Shop, and the Iluka Emporium.
Celebrating partnership with Clarence Landcare Landfill gas capture under expansion
Clarence Landcare is celebrating 30 years this May, and Council is proud to work with this vital community organisation across a wide range of projects.
The collaboration with Clarence Landcare groups includes work on bush regeneration and beach restoration along the coast from Iluka to Wooli, revegetation of coastal reserves, and control of weeds on Crown Reserves. Inland, work includes restoration of natural habitat at Cowans Pond near Waterview Heights,
including recent planting of food trees for koalas and glossy black cockatoos.
In addition, Council supports the operation of two community nurseries at Townsend and Minnie Water, raising native plant seedlings used for bush regeneration projects throughout the area.
Public liability insurance is also covered by Council for the hundreds of volunteers operating under the Clarence Landcare umbrella across more than a dozen individual Landcare groups.
PICTURED: Council is proud to partner with Clarence Landcare groups on vital community projects.
Landfill gas capture and flaring over the past 12 months has contributed to carbon abatement equivalent to taking 3,298 cars off the road. Since 2015, a total of 18.5 million cubic metres of gas has been captured and flared at the Grafton Regional Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre.
Now, the project is being expanded to process even more landfill methane. In the past three months, contractors have been drilling into older landfill cells to expand gas capture. This will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to improved air quality.
Ultimately the longerterm goal is to utilise captured gas to generate power, once volumes reach the critical level that makes it viable.
Not all heroes wear capes – some wear waders
The keen eye and swift action of a landholder at Seelands has helped avert an outbreak of a potentially disastrous weed.
The highly invasive kidney-leaf mud plantain (Heteranthera reniformis) was identified for the first time ever in the Clarence Valley in February 2025.
The landholder spotted the plant on their property dam and knew exactly what it was thanks to their aquatic weeds book.
They immediately reported the kidney-leaf mud plantain to Council’s weeds team, who confirmed the plant’s identity and offered help to eradicate it.
The landholder donned their waders to remove the weed by hand. Council’s weeds team will carry out follow-up inspections to ensure it doesn’t reemerge. Inspections of neighbouring properties showed no further outbreaks.
Council Biosecurity Team Leader
Shane Landrigan praised the prompt actions of the landholder and urged all Clarence Valley people to be on the lookout for potentially disastrous invasive weeds.
“Heteranthera reniformis is a serious biosecurity threat that can choke local waterways impacting biodiversity and agriculture. We’ve never had this weed detected in the Clarence before, so prompt action to eradicate it was vital,” Mr Landrigan said.
“This landholder did everything right – they were well informed thanks to reading their aquatic weeds book, they reported it to Council, and immediately took action to remove it from their dam.”
Investigations are continuing into how the weed was spread to the Seelands dam. Common causes include dispersal of seed by wind and water, transfer of stem fragments by water, animals, people or vehicles.
Early detection is key
PICTURED:
Removal of Kidneyleaf mud plantain in the Bellingen Shire – a situation that has now for the first time occurred in the Clarence Valley at Seelands.
“
... landholder did everything right – they were well informed thanks to reading their aquatic weeds book, they reported it to Council, and immediately took action to remove it from their dam.
— Council Biosecurity Team Leader Shane Landrigan
To report a possible weed or to get your copy of Weeds of the North Coast, contact Council on (02) 6643 0200. Weeds can also be reported via ‘Report It’ by scanning the QR code.
Electric vehicle using free fuel from the sun
The new Toyota BZ4X has completed its first 5,000 kilometres as Council’s first fully electric fleet vehicle, fuelled by solar at the Rushforth Road Works Depot.
In comparison to its sister hybrid petrol-electric fleet vehicle, the new EV has saved approximately 300 litres of fuel consumption and around $540 at the fuel pump.
Each litre of fuel would have emitted approximately 2.31 kilograms of carbon dioxide, meaning the new EV saved almost 700 kilograms of carbon emissions.
The mid-sized sedan became the first
Trialling electric tipper truck
Clarence Valley Council will be among North Coast councils to take advantage of a free, one-week trial of an electric tipper truck. The trial of the Foton T5 truck aims to determine the on-theground practicality of such a vehicle for Council operations. It was organised in collaboration with the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO).
fully electric vehicle in the Council fleet in 2024, when it was purchased to take advantage of extensive roof-top solar already in place at the Rushforth Road Works Depot.
Electric vehicle savings for 5,000kms travelled:
y 300 litres* of fuel
y $540 worth of fuel
y 693kg of emissions
*in comparison to the Toyota RAV4 hybrid averaging 6L per 100km fuel consumption.
Protecting our coastline for future generations
A long-term strategy and coordinated action plan to protect and preserve our coastline has been given the final stamp of approval by the NSW Government.
The 387-page Clarence Valley Open Coast Coastal Management Plan was created over three years using your thoughts and ideas, outlining measures to be taken by Council and a range of NSW Government agencies to ensure we can all enjoy our renowned beaches and foreshores into the future.
It was adopted by Council in August 2024 and put to the NSW Government
for gazettal, which was successful in January 2025.
Work on sourcing funding and implementing initiatives within the plan has commenced. Some initial funding has been successful for three actions within the plan including beach scraping, slope stabilisation, revision and improvement of local planning controls.
The plan was created to manage the impacts of flooding, erosion, and land instability as we brace for worsening climate impacts, such as higher tides and more intense storm surges.
PICTURED: Brooms Head is one of the locations to be preserved through measures outlined in the Open Coast Coastal Management Plan.
Key locations in the plan include:
y Iluka
y Whiting Beach and Hickey Island
y Yamba Main Beach and Pilot Hill
y Angourie
y Brooms Head Foreshore Reserve
y Lake Cakora
y Sandon Village and Sandon River
y Wooli Beach and Wooli River
Celebrating our outstanding citizens
The 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards have been announced, recognising the outstanding community contributions of individuals and organisations.
Citizen of the Year
Citizen of the Year went to Gavin Rayward, for his dedication to engaging community members with outdoor activities and improving mental health. Since 2013, Gavin has organised a range of orienteering events to engage people of all ages and abilities, founded the Men Against Depression (MAD) paddlers group in 2023, volunteered with schools and was involved in establishing the Grafton parkrun.
Young Citizen of the Year
Nash Crofton was named Young Citizen of the Year. Nash has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit in supporting the local music industry, including the creation of a highly successful home-grown music festival during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also manages the Youth Stage each year at the Jacaranda Festival. Through his efforts, he nurtures creativity, promotes selfexpression and strengthens the area’s cultural identity.
Community Achievement Group
Local Hero
The Local Hero Award went to Warm Touch 2460 founder and coordinator Jenny Vickery. Jenny Vickery is a dynamic leader whose charitable efforts have profoundly impacted vulnerable individuals in the Clarence Valley. In addition to her charitable work, Jenny is a longstanding member of the GDSC Swimming Club and has supported swimmers of all ages in improving their skills.
The Community Achievement Group award went to Warm Touch 2460, for its extensive work in supporting people in need, including those in aged care, people with disabilities, and patients undergoing cancer treatment. Their dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to deliver essential and comfort items as quickly as possible, ensuring recipients feel cared for and supported.
Check out the full program for the Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year Awards at clarence.nsw.gov.au/citizens
Students given a voice
Students have created a new event to spark conversations and awareness around mental health as part of their involvement with the Clarence Valley Youth Voices Program.
The five-kilometre Youth Run for Mental Health was held in Grafton on 13 April as part of Youth Week, as a result of the hard work of a group of nine Clarence Valley Anglican School students, supported by Council.
These students have been giving up their lunch break once a month to take part in Council’s Youth Voice Program, which involved workshops with Council’s Youth Officer to learn more about Council operations, as well
as creating, planning, promoting and running a Youth Week event.
Program participant Emily said that the group had decided to organise an event themed “Running for Youth, Running for You” to spark conversations on a topic that affects many young people.
“Mental health is something that needs to be spoken about to destigmatise it,” she said.
The Youth Voice Program was created as a result of young people’s feedback through two youth forums held in 2023, as well as consultation undertaken to create Council’s Community Strategic Plan.
Also
What students are saying about the Youth Voice program:
“It was really good to learn how to run an event”
– Millie Lloyd
“I didn’t realise that Council did so much youth stuff”
– Taya Graham
“It’s expanding our knowledge of Council ’s operations and how we can interact with Council”
– Caleb Foster
planning out the course of the 5km Youth Run
program but not pictured are Will Hagon, Gavin Wood and Julia Cabai.
PICTURED: Council’s Community Development Officer (Youth) Allira Newton with CVAS students Charli Macaskill, Taya Graham, Emily, Millie Lloyd, Caleb Foster and CVAS teacher Michael Parry,
for Mental Health.
involved in the
Elders proud of inclusive town signage
Inclusion of First Nations languages on town signage throughout the Clarence Valley has helped “create a legacy of harmony for our young people that live upon Yaegl Country”, according to Yaegl Elder, Aunty Glenda MacPhail.
The new signage was unveiled by Council and the Yaegl Elders Group members in February, at the Maclean town sign that proudly announces entry to Iwayarrilay – the home of Iwayyarr, the sulphur-crested cockatoo.
“Our Yaegl story of the white cockatoo is one of many stories that we have upon Country where we as a people respected and coexisted with flora and fauna once and many still do. As Elders for our Yaegl community and Country we have a deep inherited cultural responsibility to ensure everything is done correctly, ensuring balance throughout,” Aunty Glenda said.
“I feel very proud that the Yaegl Elders Group was part of this important project … we have been fighting for recognition and respect as a First Nations people for many years, and we feel it is about time that everyone embraces us, our Country and our culture wherever possible.”
The first phase of the signage rollout has been completed, with 34 town and village signs installed including reference to the Nations of Yaegl, Bundjalung, and Gumbaynggirr. Input from all three Nations was sought throughout the project.
New signs have also been installed at five entry points to the Clarence Valley and at various popular parks and community facilities. The rollout of updated signage will continue over the next three years, with a $300,000 annual budget.
OVERVIEW
Phase 1 of the signage rollout is complete, with the installation of:
y 34 town and village signs
y 5 town entry signs.
“We want to create a legacy for our young people to be proud of, where we are able to recapture our culture and bring it into the modern era.
— Aunty Glenda MacPhail
PICTURED: Unveiling new town signage at Iwayarrilay are Yaegl Elders Group members Uncle Neville Vesper, Aunty Glenda
MacPhail, Kerri McLeay and Cr Diane Randall.
Weaving ancestral heritage with contemporary art
Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition has been hailed as “a momentous homecoming of ancestral heritage,” touring Bundjalung lands in the Northern Rivers NSW in 2024 and 2025.
This reclamation project, presented by Arts Northern Rivers and curated by Kylie Caldwell, toured three major regional galleries - Grafton, Lismore and Tweed. It was at Grafton Regional Gallery 21 December 2024 to 9 February 2025 .
For the first time, nine ancestral woven objects, held in the Australian Museum collection, returned to Country for the exhibition. These historic pieces stood alongside ten newly commissioned works by contemporary Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, and Kamilaroi (Gamilaroi) artists, who have drawn from their great grandmothers’ wisdom to breathe new life into ancient weaving traditions.
Elders and weavers included: Bindimu, Casino Wake Up Time, Janelle Duncan, Madeleine Grace, Lauren Jarrett, Tania Marlowe, Bianca Monaghan, Krystal Randall, Rhoda Roberts AO, Kyra Togo and Margaret Torrens.
Exhibition Curator and artist Kylie Caldwell said the Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition was a unique showcase of ancient and contemporary women’s woven practices.
“Each weaver’s story is interconnected in one way or another. They all have a strong appreciation and respect for renewing and continuing our ancient woven cultural practices. We are fortunate with this exhibition to share a union as such, the past with the present that leads to tomorrow,” she said
“The Bundjalung bags were home for a while; conversing, sharing, informing, inspiring, affirming and connecting to their homelands. This was an exciting homecoming, one that weaves our history into the present.”
School holiday program
“This was an exciting homecoming, one that weaves our history into the present.
— exhibition curator and artist, Kylie Caldwell
Graffiti art at Woombah was among the 32 activities and workshops getting kids out of the house and off their screens, throughout the January school holidays. A total of 336 young people took part in the school holiday program across 15 locations throughout the Clarence, including laser skirmish, art and skate workshops, box fit, and many more. Council partnered with five other organisations to deliver the program.
What is the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee
The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) provides independent advice to the General Manager and Council on a wide range of operational topics, such as:
y compliance with legislation, regulations and other legal requirements
y adequacy and effectiveness of internal processes and activities such as risk management, fraud and corruption prevention, and financial management and performance
y processes and structures around decision making and enforcement
y achievement of goals set out in the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan, and other plans and strategies
y delivery of local services and ways to improve performance
y collection of performance measurement data
y local government regulations and requirements such as internal audits.
A new ARIC team has been formed for the current fouryear Council term, following a selection process including unanimous approval by Councillors.
Melissa Jacobs
Ms Jacobs is a governance and risk professional with more than 20 years’ experience in local government executive leadership roles across Queensland and New South Wales. She has extensive experience in providing advice to local government organisations on governance, risk, project management, workplace health and safety, auditing and strategic planning. Ms Jacobs’ other experience includes serving as Head of Program and Risk Management for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.
Cr Peter Johnstone
Cr Johnstone is the councillor representative on the committee. He previously served as Clarence Valley Mayor and has a background in teaching with a Master’s degree in Educational Management.
Neville Parsons (Chair)
Mr Parsons has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Law and has decades of experience in senior credit union and banking roles. He has also practisedas a solicitor and was the owner-principal of his own law firm, and currently holds several senior roles in charitable organisations. Mr Parsons has extensive experience and expertise in strategic planning, corporate governance, management and financial accounting, credit union and community development, risk management, and law and compliance.
Rochelle Davis
Ms Davis is a Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in senior finance executive roles in government and non-government organisations. She has extensive experience and expertise in finance, business accounting, financial planning, governance and internal auditing.
MEET THE TEAM
Gaining a better understanding of First Nations challenges
Councillors and senior staff have completed cultural awareness training to deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by First Nations people in the community.
The one-day workshop facilitated by Monaghan Dreaming was designed to start participants on a journey of exploring Aboriginal culture while identifying and enhancing skills in delivering services to Aboriginal people in a manner that respects and supports the diversity of Aboriginal cultures, and values the strengths of Aboriginal individuals, families and communities.
The training was a requirement for participation in the First Nations Engagement Framework.
PICTURED: Consultant and Bundjalung man Robert Monaghan has provided cultural awareness training to Councillors and a number of senior staff.
CREDIT: Monaghan Dreaming.
Course topics:
y Aboriginal cultures, nations, protocols, family, and kinship systems
y discrimination, myths and stereotypes
y the impact of colonisation and its effect on contemporary Aboriginal peoples
y current statistics regarding Aboriginal people
y Aboriginal identity and how to improve communication.
A group of 12 staff have been selected to take part in the next round of LEDA training, which builds a broad range of skills vital to effective leadership that are otherwise not taught in mainstream education.
The program is part of the Council’s Workforce Management Strategy, which aims to ensure staff are equipped to achieve the best possible delivery of outcomes for the community.
LEDA training utilises a broad range of online and face-to-face sessions held throughout the year.
LEDA training helps participants with:
y building resilience
y self awareness
y developing a growth mindset
y achieving emotional self control
y managing focus
y building self and changing habits
y building strong relationships
y mastering collaboration
y team building
y delivering more effective feedback.
PICTURED: The latest group developing their leadership skills as part of the LEDA program.
Clarence Valley ‘liveability’ outperforms Northern NSW
It’s official: Clarence Valley residents love where they live – particularly access to the natural environment and a strong sense of community.
A survey conducted for Council by demographers at .id captured the views of more than 500 local residents on issues relating to liveability.
The Clarence scored a ‘liveability index’ of 61.2, outperforming the Northern NSW benchmark.
Residents identified access to the natural environment and a strong sense of community as particularly
important, rating their experiences more positively than people in other parts of Australia.
Results also indicated a higher-thanaverage score on health and wellbeing and financial circumstances.
One key finding highlighted the demand for high-quality health services, which residents rated as important but had poor local availability.
Demographic data captured by .id will help inform future planning and advocacy efforts to enhance the quality of life for local residents.
Health and Wellbeing
Financial Circumstances
6.1
What does your generation value most?
y Residents aged 18–34 prioritise access to nature, affordable housing, and job opportunities.
y Residents aged 35–59 value strong job prospects and high-quality education.
y Residents aged 60+ place the highest importance on quality healthcare and low traffic congestion.
Access to the natural environment was among the most valued part of living in the Clarence Valley, according to a recent demographic survey.
A framework for delivering on community aspirations
The NSW Government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework (IP&R) guides the way councils in NSW develop document, report and deliver long-term plans for the community. Council utilises this framework to ensure strategic planning and reporting delivers on the community’s vision for the Clarence Valley. Engagement with the community is at the heart of the IP&R with the development of a Community Engagement Strategy and ongoing engagement at every step of the framework. Each new council term, the Community Strategic Plan, Community Engagement Strategy and Delivery Program are reviewed to provide council with the tools to guide decision making that is in line with the community’s aspirations. Each year, Council then develops an annual Operational Plan to deliver against these higher level strategies.
For information on the framework and to view Clarence Valley Council’s plans visit, clarence.nsw.gov.au/IPR
Community Strategic Plan
The 10-year plan informs all Council plans and policies, based on the aspirations and priorities expressed by the community.
Delivery Program
A four-year plan by elected councillors establishes the direction for a new Council on how it will achieve the aspirations and goals of the community.
Resourcing Strategy
The resourcing strategy outlines how money, people and other assets will be used to achieve the goals in the Operational Plan.
Operational Plan
Each year, Council staff create this plan to detail how the goals of the delivery program will be delivered. It includes what will be done and where, resourcing, costs, who will deliver the work and how performance will be measured.
Within the Operational Plan, there are the:
y Capital Works Program – the schedule of projects that build, renew or upgrade infrastructure
y Revenue Policy – guides how rates and charges will be used fairly to deliver services
y Budget – revenue sources and how they will be used to deliver for the community.
Have your say.
Join the conversation.
Community engagement plays an important role in building communities. It allows the people to have a say on all sorts of topics, projects and initiatives and help provide better outcomes for the future of our community. your Clarence, your conversation, your future
Get Involved
Stay informed: There are several ways the community can stay informed about Council matters including engagement activities:
y community engagement e-newsletter (community engagement opportunities)
y Noticeboard e-newsletter (general Council updates)
y social media
y paid advertising
(e.g. The Independent or local radio)
y Council website (incl. Clarence Conversations)
y customer service centres Grafton and Maclean)
y other Council settings including libraries and mobile library
y drop-in sessions.
Participate in community engagement: Learn more about Council projects seeking community feedback, have your say or attend a drop-in information session.
Provide feedback on items on exhibition: Provide your feedback formally on Council documents and matters.
Attend Council meetings and public forums: The community are invited to attend Council meetings or a public forum, ahead of the council meeting.
The community are encouraged to subscribe to receive regular updates via:
Clarence Conversations
clarenceconversations.com.au
Noticeboard weekly e-newsletter
clarence.nsw.gov.au/noticeboard
Follow us on facebook, facebook.com/clarencevalleycouncil
On exhibition
To view items currently on exhibition and make a submission visit, clarence.nsw.gov.au/on-exhibition
Some items on exhibition this quarter:
y the 2025-2028 Delivery Program – April/May
y the 2025/2026 Operational Plan – April/May
y the 2025/2026 Budget – April/May
We asked. You answered. We listened.
Thanks for your feedback.
From August to October 2024, we asked the community to tell us what is important for the future of the Clarence Valley to inform the development of the Community Strategic Plan, as well as how Council can best engage to develop the Community Engagement Strategy.
Community Strategic Plan, The Clarence 2036
How we engaged
y Informed via website, social media, e-newsletter, newspaper (212,712 reach).
y Engagement hub on Clarence Conversation (6,107 informed visitors).
y Online survey via Clarence Conversations (68 completed surveys).
y Face-to-face drop-in sessions (11 face-to-face sessions).
y Dot voting (321 votes).
y Focus groups with stakeholders (4 focus groups).
y Direct – letters and email (3 received).
Insights
y The vast majority of the community agreed or strongly agreed with the aspirations from the Community Strategic Plan 2032.
y Feedback indicated that it isn’t clear how the relate to the day-to-day operations of Council.
y Feedback indicated that some of the aspirations were confusing and would benefit from further simplification and refinement.
What we did
y We’ve reviewed and drafted a new Community Strategic Plan to update the themes based on the community’s feedback and simplify the objectives in line with the community’s core priorities.
y The draft Community Strategic Plan was on public exhibition from 21 March – 23 April seeking further feedback from the community.
To view the plans visit, clarence.nsw.gov.au/IPR
Community Engagement Strategy
including the Community Participation Plan
How we engaged
y Face-to-face community consultations, including 3 drop-in information sessions.
y Online survey via Clarence Conversations (49 completed surveys).
y Focus groups with young people.
y First Nations group discussions.
y Letters and emails.
y Informed via website, social media, e-newsletter, newspaper.
y Engagement hub on Clarence Conversations (299 informed visitors).
Insights
y The community values open, honest and transparent community feedback.
y The community wants to be kept informed and their opinions, concerns and aspirations acknowledged.
y Challenges include ‘information is difficult to understand’, ‘I never know about engagement’ and ‘don’t understand how feedback will be used’.
What we did
y Redrafted a new four-year strategy based on feedback from the community that combines the Community Engagement Strategy and Community Participation Plan into a single document.
y The draft Community Engagement Strategy was on public exhibition from 21 March – 23 April seeking further feedback from the community.
Focus on local culture
The winners of the 2025 InFocus photography competition have been announced as part of the 2025 Plunge Arts & Culture Festival program. Five winners will each receive a $500 prize, and their images are now featured in the 2025 program. Large-scale banners featuring the winning photographs have been on display in the courtyard of the Grafton Regional Gallery from Thursday 27 March, through the month of April. The InFocus competition was created in 2013 to encourage local photographers to capture the culture of the Clarence Valley.
The winners of the 2025 InFocus photo competition are: 1. Environment category; Mitchell Forrester, The Milky Way, Cane Fire and McFarlane Bridge. 2. People category; Paisley Faith Padayachee, In the Spotlight. 3. Plunge category; Misty Fisher, Jacaranda Sky. 4. Landscape category; Kathy Brown, Little Dandahra Creek. 5. Community category; Abigail Smith, Woodford Island Crew.
