Clarence Valley Council held its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 18 June 2026 at the Grafton Council Chambers. One Mayoral Minute was adopted and 13 items were adopted by consent (without being called for debate). A further 15 items were called for debate prior to a decision. Two Notice of Motions put forward by Councillors were discussed. The meeting commenced at 9:30 am and concluded at 4:20 pm.
Integrated Planning and Reporting
The suite of documents known as the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework were adopted by Clarence Valley Council, outlining services to be delivered and how these will be resourced.
The Resourcing Strategy included a Long-Term Financial Plan, a Workforce Management Strategy, and an Asset Management Strategy. Fees and Charges were also set for the coming year.
The Operational Plan outlines activities for the coming year, and the Capital Works Program details works to be implemented in the coming four years. The budget, which shows how these things will be paid for, was also adopted.
The proposed rating structure was also adopted. The base rate increased by $25 for the Yamba Maclean, Townsend, Grafton and Junction Hill residential categories. Business rates increased by $25, Farmland by $18, Residential Outside Town Areas and Coastal Villages by $33, and Business Jetties by $3.
Empowering sustainable agriculture
Five local projects were awarded support from Clarence Valley Council through the Clarence's first-ever $25,000 Sustainable Agriculture Small Grants Program.
The inaugural grants program attracted 50 applications, and the field was narrowed down to just five successful applications by a panel of three judges.
A total of almost $24,000 will be shared by: Local Loop Fertility and Soil Health Demonstration Project (Pigface Farm, 291 Mororo Road, Mororo), Sunny Acres Farm education and space enhancements (313 Palmers Channel South Bank Road, Palmers Channel), Chaffin Creek Farm – Regenerate Learn Grow (233 Firth Heinze Road Pillar Valley), Irrigation Infrastructure and River Protection (480 Boundary Creek Road Nymboida), and Riparian Zone Restoration – Weed Removal, Stock Exclusion Fencing and Off-Stream Watering Infrastructure (169 Levenstrath Road, Levenstrath).
Coordinated approach to flying fox management
A Clarence-wide coordinated approach to managing flying foxes is the focus of a new Flying-fox Camp Management Plan 2026 adopted by Clarence Valley Council, with a particular focus on camps at Maclean, Ulmarra, and Glenreagh.
It replaces the previous site-specific approach with an integrated LGA-wide strategy, recognising that flying-fox populations are highly mobile and that management actions at one site can influence outcomes at others.
Powerhouse museum one step closer
The Nymboida Hydro-Electric Powerhouse Museum is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Clarence valley Council endorsing the Section 355 committee that will be the driving force behind the facility.
The 13-person committee was officially endorsed at the June Council meeting, and consists of: Lyle Gilmore, Fortunat Nienhaus, Norelle McLennan, Lorena Chater, Lynney Grieves, Clem D'Alessandro, Eloise Cichero, Peter Nixon, Robyn Nixon, Kim Lavery, Richard Buckmaster, Jon Lavery and Phillip Wakeling.
The committee will be responsible for planning and delivering public tours of the facility, following completion of essential safety works and compliance with governance and risk requirements.
Guide to engaging with Aboriginal communities
The Three Nations One River Aboriginal Cultural Insights and Engagement Guide was created in consultation with local Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr people, to shape how Clarence Valley Council works with Aboriginal communities.
Consultation with Elders and communities revealed that Aboriginal people want to be consulted on issues affecting them by having a cuppa and a yarn to build respectful relationships, in addition to formal local government processes such as online public exhibition of plans, projects and strategies.
The document guides staff on cultural protocols such as Welcome to Country, Men's and Women's Business, Smoking Ceremonies, and Sorry Business. It also covers expectations around Indigenous cultural and intellectual property.
