COUNCILLOR TOWN HALL MEETING
Upper River –
March 2026
Achievements –
July to December 2025
Community
Events Delivered in Partnership with Council
A total of 13 events received funding, with $40,000 in cash support and $21,500 provided in kind. Including:
• NSW Working Stock Dog Trial Championships.
• Clarence Harvest Celebration.
• Yamba Triathalon.
• Jacaranda.
• Yamba Hot Rods.
• Remembrance Day.
• Wheelchair basketball event to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
• NAIDOC Week activities.
Aquatic Centre Water Slides
In December, the final stages of the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre opened – two state of the art water slides.
The Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre received a Highly Commended in the Project of the Year Category at the Local Government Procurement Awards in October 2025.
This followed the project taking out the Commercial Swimming Pools category at the 2025 MBA Western Regions Excellence in Building Awards, in August 2025.
Community Initiatives Program
Round 1: 43 applications totalling $68,811.45.
Round 2: 18 applications totalling $27,794.04.
Supporting our Community
Sports and Cultural Trust Fund
Ten young people were supported under the Sports and Cultural Trust Fund totalling $3250.
13 organisations shared almost $200k in Community Building Partnership funding.
4 organisations shared almost $50k in FRRR Small and Vital funding.
Engaging our Youth
The annual One Stop Shop Program, in collaboration with the Clarence Youth Network, delivered health and wellbeing education to 377 students at 5 schools.
Contributed $6,000 (towards transport costs) that enables Life Education (Healthy Harold) to visit primary and preschools across the Clarence Valley. Healthy Harold visited 15 schools, involving 446 children in 34 sessions.
765 young people, in 61 sessions have engaged in Out of the Box after school activities in Yamba, Maclean and Coutts Crossing.
The Clarence Regional Library produced and distributed 'Curriculum Connections 2026' guide to all Clarence Valley Schools. Held 15 school tours and commissioned the GRG Art Cart artworks and Education Kit (Art Cart launch April 2026) for public loan of artworks to schools.
Infrastructure
Old Glen Innes Road Land Slips
More than nine kilometres of the sealed section of Old Glen Innes Road have been repaired.
A $19 million land slip repair project saw over 60 land slips repaired.
Drains and culverts along the affected 60kilometre stretch of road were cleaned and repaired or replaced.
Yamba Road Upgrade at Palmers Channel
Commencing in October 2027, benefits of this project include
• Enhanced flood resilience of Yamba Road.
• Reduced duration of road closures.
• A guided right-turn lane into Palmers Channel Southbank Road to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Wider road shoulders to enhance safety for both vehicles and cyclists.
• Construction of a more durable and resilient road pavement.
• Upgraded drainage infrastructure to better manage stormwater and reduce flood impacts.
• A wider road corridor to support future growth and improve overall road functionality.
Ewingar RFS Shed
• Our Strategic Infrastructure, Civil and Open Spaces & Facilities team delivered a new purpose-built NSW Rural Fire Service facility.
Restoring flying fox habitat on Susan Island
The project is a collaboration between Council, National Parks and Wildlife, and the Susan and Elizabeth Island Recreation Land Manager.
Almost 1,500 seedlings have been planted, 17 hectares of weeds sprayed, and 1.5 hectares of seed sown.
The program aims to link rainforest remnants on the island and revive roosting and breeding areas for flying foxes.
Improving habitat on the island aims to reduce the flying foxes roosting in areas populated by people.
Westlawn Levee
A new penstock and access road at the Westlawn Levee has improved the flood immunity of North Grafton.
Overland Flood Study Stage 1 Complete
This is the first comprehensive overland flood study for these urban areas, providing essential baseline data that was previously unavailable.
Stage 1 Report documenting modelling approach, modelled flood extents, identified problem areas, and technical analysis now complete.
Viaduct Road
South Grafton
Long term remediation works included pavement rehabilitation and road resurfacing with drainage upgrades.
Improved Footpaths
In South Grafton, the shared path along Bent Street stretches from Tyson Street to Bush Drive, providing residents with an all-weather connection to nearby schools, shops and other facilities and services.
Armidale Road –
Section 1
Council received Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for Section 1 (Nymboida to Waterfall Way) and awarded the Tender for this section (valued at over $4M) in October 2025.
Rehabilitation of this section began in November.
Works began 5km south of Tyringham and headed north towards Nymboida. Once the crew reach Nymboida they will then return to Tyringham and head South until the works conclude at the interface of Armidale Regional Council.
Rural Fire Service Emergency Operations Command Centre
The new facility includes an operations/logistics center, training rooms, administration offices, and vehicle bays to support RFS brigades and aviation teams.
The structural frame, external cladding and roof are all completed with the internal electrics, plumbing and internal walls underway.
Completion is expected in April 2026.
Roads Recovery
Council repaired more than $16 million in damage within nine months following Cyclone Alfred and subsequent flooding in 2025.
Over the past two years, Council has completed the equivalent of 10 years’ worth of repairs to transport infrastructure, valued at more than of $155 million.
Improving Stormwater Drainage
Funded by the annual Urban Stormwater Management Charge the team has undertaken a huge program of inspection, cleaning and clearing throughout the LGA including this problem area in Orion Drive Yamba.
Economy
Visitor Improvements
Council continued to strengthen its network of Visitor Information Outlets . Hubs are located at the Emporium at Iluka, Yamba Bowling Club, Ulmarra Art Gallery, and the Maclean Scottish Shop, In December 2025, Yamba Museum became a Visitor Information Outlet, expanding coverage in a high-demand visitor area.
Engaged with local Aboriginal organisations—particularly Yaegl Traditional Owners, LALCs, TOACs, Destination North Coast, and Destination NSW—to explore opportunities for developing new and authentic First Nations tourism experiences.
Council met with National Parks and Wildlife Service representatives in August to discuss opportunities for strengthened collaboration, including improvements to visitor facilities, signage and access along key nature-based assets such as the Yuraygir Coastal Walk.
Council successfully delivered the Business Leaders Roundtable Forum in Yamba.
Supporting Industry and Local Businesses
Council delivered a comprehensive program of small business workshops designed to build digital capability, strengthen resilience, and support local industry development.
Supported Small Business Week events in Iluka, Maclean, Yamba, and Grafton with $500 funding per event.
First bi-annual local contractor / supplier information session successfully held in Yamba in December.
Inaugural Sustainable Agriculture Grants Program established, program promoted and open for applications until early 2026.
Sports Committee Grants
Projects approved for 50% CVC funding in FY2025
• Grafton Netball Association: Canteen Renovations.
• Coutts Crossing Croquet Club: Lawn Renovations.
• Big River Campdraft: Loading Ramp Renewal.
• Grafton Pony Club: Guttering Replacement Project.
• Yuraygir United Football Club: Clubhouse Canteen Upgrade.
• Rushforth Park Town Clubs: Fencing Replacement - Stage 2.
• Total Value of Projects: $82,934.85.
Environment
New Compliance Team
The new compliance team will provide additional oversite in relation to compliance with conditions of development consent and implement appropriate enforcement action for breaches / illegal clearing.
The team will also monitor compliance with and respond to breaches of various legislation such as Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Protection of the Environment Operations Act, Swimming Pools Act etc.
Delivering the Urban Tree Planting Program
Planting target on track, with a large portion of trees endemic to the area planted. 80 advanced native trees in the Junction Hill and Grafton area.
120 Native trees planted in Yamba between Civil Services projects and Open Spaces budgeted plantings.
Replacement Jacarandas planted in existing avenues as planned, some damaged and storm affected Jacarandas to be replaced in March as the weather cools.
Solar Farm and Landfill Gas to Energy Projects at Grafton Regional Landfill
Progress on both the landfill gas and solar farm projects continues to be achieved. Contractors have further improved gas capture at the regional landfill at no cost to Council and will double gas flaring capacity in near future.
National Water Week
Water Efficiency Officer active during National Water Week in October to promote water efficiency across the Clarence Valley community.
Our Water Efficiency Officer heads a strong water efficiency education school program of visiting students in class and organising the ELF and Shannon Creek Dam visits.
Upcoming – December to June 2026
Upcoming Youth Engagement
School Holidays Free Activities:
• Youth Week.
• Youth Voice Pilot Program - Attending SGHS, GHS, MHS, CVAS monthly.
• Close the Gap.
• NAIDOC Week.
• National Reconciliation Week.
• Annual One Stop Shop Health & Wellbeing Days at local High Schools.
Skinner Street, South Grafton
Detailed concept designs have been prepared for traffic calming and a pedestrian crossing on Skinner Street, South Grafton and are nominated for construction funding under the Federal Black Spot Program and the High Pedestrian Activity Area Funding Program.
Open Coast Coastal Management Program
Funding applications have been submitted under the NSW Coastal and Estuary Grants Program for several Stage 5 projects including:
• coastal habitat restoration.
• Brooms Head coastal protection works.
• emergency coastal protection works.
• coastal hazard monitoring.
Grant outcomes are expected to be announced February-March 2026.
Yamba Integrated Transport Strategy and Traffic Network Efficiency review
Consultant will be engaged early in 2026 to undertake the traffic analysis and network planning.
Koala Strategy
Council’s Draft Koala Strategy is currently out on exhibition.
The Strategy contains current and best practice knowledge for the management and conservation of koalas and their habitat with a particular focus on six areasAshby, Lawrence, Waterview Heights, South Grafton, Coutts Crossing and Shannondale.
You can provide feedback via Council’s website.
Glenreagh Main Street Upgrade
In the coming months, the final concept design will be placed on exhibition with a view to finalise design and cost estimate, ready for grant funding nominations.
Armidale Road Section 2
Council is currently awaiting determination of the funding for Armidale Road - Section 2 (Grafton to Nymboida) however pavement rehabilitation and drainage works are continuing south of Nymboida to ensure public safety.
Eco Certified Destination
Council is pursing Eco Certified Destination accreditation by completing a comprehensive six-month readiness review and is now progressing to full certification.
Plunge Art & Culture Festival
The festival runs right through April, and there is something for everyone with more than 120 experiences.
Try a workshop, learn a craft, catch a performance, see an exhibition, and celebrate our talented creative community.
Trenayr Road Renewal Project
Bluff Bridge Replacement
Traffic has switched onto the new Bluff bridge.
The bridge will remain 1 lane only while staff finish the tie-ins, remove the old bridge and remove old pavement.
Both lanes are expected to be open by the end of March.
Annual Sewer Main relining program
The sewer main relining program is about 90% complete and is on track to be completed by March.
Upgrading Floodplain Assets
Grants to the total value of $51,238,260.21 have been secured for:
• Rock protection works around Grafton, Ulmarra and Maclean Levees.
• Repairs to Iluka Levee.
• Other associated floodplain infrastructure such as relocation & replacement of pipes and floodgates at Boormans Creek, Palmers / Marsh’s Drain & Thompsons Drain.
Upcoming Civil Works
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Details upcoming projects, advertised DAs, items on exhibition, announcements and other important information.
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