Clarence Valley Council held its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 21 May 2026 at the Maclean Council Chambers. The meeting began with one Mayoral Minute followed by 16 of 22 items debated and the other 6 adopted by consent.
Mayoral Minute: Joint Organisation Membership
Councillors debated Mayor Ray Smith's Mayoral Minute for Council to join the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation effective from 1 July 2026.
Mayor Smith's motion stated while there are priorities in both the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers Joint Organisation, the priorities relating to water supply and security and waste management are the most relevant to the future growth and sustainability of the Clarence Valley. Both priorities are more aligned to the councils to our south, particularly Coffs Harbour City Council.
Moving forward, Council will withdraw its full membership of the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation, seek Ministerial approval to withdraw from the NRJO without the mandatory 12 months notice and advise both chairs of both Joint Organisations of Council's decision.
The motion was supported 6 – 3 with Councillors Johnstone, Novak and Yager voting against.
Tender for water meter reading approved
Councillors voted to authorise the General Manager to finalise and execute the water meter reading contract with Skilltech Consulting Services Pty Ltd after Clarence Valley Council took part in a regional procurement process alongside Byron Shire Council, Lismore City Council, Richmond Valley Council and Ballina Shire Council.
Participating councils could opt in from 1 April 2026 for a 36-month contract with options for 2 x 12-month extensions based on satisfactory performance.
The item was supported unanimously.
Draft Clarence Valley Cultural Strategy 2036
The Clarence Valley Cultural Strategy 2036 was developed in collaboration with the community, and will guide Council's role in supporting arts, heritage and culture across the region over the next ten years.
Five key parts of the cultural ecology of the Clarence Valley have been identified as pillars of the Cultural Strategy:
- First Nations Arts and Culture
- Festivals and events
- Creative careers
- Places, spaces and Country
- Community
Councillors voted to place the Clarence Valley Cultural Strategy 2036 on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days.
The draft document was supported unanimously by councillors.
Grafton Saleyards Future Management Options Report
Councillors considered the Grafton Saleyards Future Management Options Report prepared by Delos Delta, following extensive community consultation.
The report identifies that the facility continues to provide important economic, agricultural and community value to the Clarence Valley and recommends that Council retain ownership and operation of the saleyards.
Following staff review of the consultant report, it is proposed that three new fees be considered as post-exhibition adjustments to the draft 2026/2027 Integrated Planning and Reporting documents when they are considered in June 2026.
Councillors unanimously supported to place the draft Strategy on public exhibition on Council's website for a minimum of 28 days.
Investigation of Council Owned Land for Housing Options
Councillors debated Item 6.21 Investigation of Council Owned Land for Housing Options, which sets out a clear approach to create more affordable homes.
The report focuses on changing land use rules where needed, working with partners, finding funding, and talking with the community. The goal is to provide a range of housing options that are easy for people to access and match Council's plans and policies.
Councillor Baker put forward an alternate motion to note the report, excluding the old South Grafton Pool site, and defer action on the other ten sites mentioned in the report until another report is put to Council on the options available to achieve the best outcomes from disposal or otherwise of each site.
Of the 11 sites identified in the report, four were deemed priority sites with the potential to deliver 118 affordable homes within 1 – 4 years. These locations include the former South Grafton Pool, the Grafton Library carpark, a former landfill site in Crown Street, Grafton and the former Yamba Library and community hall site in Wooli Street, Yamba.
Councillors supported the motion unanimously.
