Clarence Valley Council held its Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 19 March at the Maclean Council Chambers. This article outlines five key outcomes from the meeting.
Grafton Library Roof Repair Project
Consideration of tenders for repair of the storm-damaged Grafton library has been deferred because of a delay in essential advice from Council's insurer.
Councillors voted unanimously to defer awarding the tender, after Mayor Ray Smith told the meeting he had been advised the insurer would be unable to provide a cost estimate before the end of March.
Five tenders had been received in February but will no longer be valid after March.
The library roof was significantly damaged by a storm in August 2025, which leaked and caused subsequent damage to walls, floors, ceilings, air-conditioning, electrical systems and ventilation. The damage rendered sections of the library unusable.
The cost of repairs is expected to be covered by the insurance company, but Council will be required to come up with the funds up front and then be reimbursed.
Coastal Erosion on Iluka Road
Councillors have voted unanimously to lobby the NSW Government and relevant agencies for a coordinated multi-agency approach to managing the long-term risk that coastal erosion poses to Iluka Road.
The adopted motion also committed Council to continue pursuing external funding opportunities to support coastal monitoring, emergency response preparedness and the development of a long-term adaptation strategy for Iluka Road.
The decision was made as Councillors considered a report based on the Clarence Valley Open Coast Coastal Management Program (CMP), that identified Iluka Road near Shark Bay as a location exposed to coastal erosion and shoreline recession risk.
The report found that erosion events were projected to occur more frequently into the future and could directly impact sections of the road within 17 years. It also stated that the road could be currently impacted in a rare to very rare erosion event.
The CMP outlines Council's current approach to management of coastal erosion risk, and potential long-term options such as coastal protection works, relocation of sections of road, and alternative access arrangements.
Glenreagh Flood Study update 2025
Councillors have voted to place proposed changes to the Flood Planning Level for Glenreagh on public exhibition for 28 days.
The revised minimum height requirements for new developments are proposed in line with the findings of the updated Glenreagh Flood Study, which was undertaken by a specialist consultant to include projected impacts of climate change.
Inclusion of climate change in flood planning is a requirement of the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023).
The updated study showed a small rise in future flood levels, about 0.2 metres under the recommended climate change scenario. As a result, planning controls for Glenreagh in the Clarence Valley Development Control Plan (DCP) will need to be updated to include the revised Defined Flood Event, Flood Planning Level, and Flood Planning Area.
Updated Plans of Management
A new Plan of Management for public land managed by Council will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.
The updated Community Land, Crown Reserves and other Public Places Plan of Management (POM) includes proposed reclassification of a number of parks and reserves to more appropriately fit their current and future usage. The POM also includes detail of Native Title for each site.
Public hearings will also be held in Grafton and Maclean to give community members the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas, in addition to the POM being placed on public exhibition. Dates and locations are yet to be announced.
Green Seat Project
Councillors have voted unanimously to support installation of two 'Green Seats' in the Clarence Valley as part of a national project to increase public awareness of missing persons.
The Green Seat Project is a community awareness initiative developed by Sally Leydon, whose mother disappeared nearly 28 years ago. The initiative has gained the support of tens of thousands of online followers across Australia and seeks to install green bench seats in prominent public spaces throughout the country.
The seats display the words "THE MISSING MATTER" to raise awareness and encourage community conversation about long-term missing persons. Each installation also includes a QR code linking visitors to information about missing persons cases and support services available to affected families.
The Clarence Valley currently has 24 missing persons and unresolved cold cases under ongoing investigation by the NSW Unsolved Homicide Squad dating from 1902.
Council staff will now provide a report back to councillors before the April meeting highlighting the cost and availability of funds to support the installation of two green seats.
