After more than a year of structured community consultation, Lismore City Council has resolved to formally adopt the Clunes Master Plan, a long-term framework designed to guide growth over the next 10 to 20 years while safeguarding the village character residents value.
The final plan was endorsed by Council at its February Ordinary meeting and supported by the Clunes Community Reference Group following changes made in response to community feedback.
Rather than fast-tracking development, the Master Plan establishes a clear, staged roadmap for how and when change may occur, providing certainty for residents while strengthening protections for the village's landscape, heritage and environmental assets.
Mayor Steve Krieg said the adopted plan reflects a process where the community set the direction and Council responded.
"This plan was shaped by what people told us mattered most, protecting Clune's character, improving safety and amenity and planning carefully for the future," he said
"It gives Council a clear mandate to manage growth responsibly, not to rush it.
"The outcome is a future shaped together."
The Master Plan now sets the practical blueprint for what happens next, from staged growth options and a future Development Control Plan to stronger environmental safeguards such as the Urban Green Corridor.
It also prioritises walking, safety and amenity upgrades to be progressed in partnership with key agencies such as Transport for NSW.
Council's Director of Planning and Economy Graham Snow said the adopted Master Plan gives Council a clearer planning framework for future decisions and provides the community with clarity to how change will be managed over time.
"This is about sequencing, safeguards and certainty," he said.
"The Master Plan sets out staged growth options and the planning tools needed to manage change properly."
Mr Snow also said the Urban Green Corridor was a key example of how the plan balances protection with sensible planning.
"The Urban Green Corridor protects and strengthens ecological connections and waterways while guiding development to appropriate locations," he said.
"From here, the work is about turning the framework into deliverables; detailed design, agency partnerships and prioritised program of works delivered over time."
The Clunes Master Plan community engagement began in November 2024 with two open drop-in sessions, supported by an online survey and virtual ideas board on Council's Your Say page. Further engagement took place from December 2024 to the end of 2025 with additional drop-in sessions at the Clunes Coronation Hall to test the draft vision statement and themes for the Master Plan.
Engagement and planning support was provided by Ethos Urban, Living Lab Northern Rivers and Barker Ryan Stewart, working with Lismore City Council's project team.
Key outcomes in the adopted Master Plan
- Clearer growth pathways and staging, including a future Development Control Plan (DCP). A DCP sits under the Local Environment Plan and spells out the design, character and technical details to ensure development is consistent.
- Stronger environmental protections, including the Clunes Urban Green Corridor and clearer intent around waterways, vegetation and biodiversity.
- Safer village movement with a focus on gateway treatments, traffic calming, crossings, lighting and intersection upgrades, progressed with Transport for NSW.
- Improved amenities and open space planning, including prioritised footpaths, public toilet upgrades, seating and shade, play space improvements and clearer direction on open space and the sports field location.
- Cost clarity on sewerage with Council confirming it will not pursue sewer feasibility for existing homes
