Clarence Valley Council held its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday, 17 July 2025 at the Maclean Council Chambers. One Mayoral Minute and eight Notice of Motions were considered, followed by six of 18 items debated and the other 12 adopted by consent in a meeting which lasted just over three hours.
Kicking off the meeting with what could be considered a record-breaking number, Councillors debated eight Notice of Motions over multiple topics including flood adapted road network, options for 2026/27 rating period, town hall meetings, draft Clarence Coast Holiday Parks Plan of Management, overnight parking and camping at beaches, the welcome to the Clarence Valley signage, a motion to the LGNSW conference regarding CCTV and proposed motion submitted by Councillor Lynne Cairns.
CVC Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2025 update
Council noted the CVC Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in November 2024 after it was accredited by Reconciliation Australia in August 2024.
As part of our adopted Action Plan, we provide regular updates on a diverse range of deliverables, each aligned with the four pillars outlined in Reconciliation Australia's Framework.
This progress report not only showcases the collaborative efforts of Council staff with our First Nations communities but also highlights our ongoing commitment to discovering innovative ways to engage and support both our First Nations staff and community members.
View the progress report here.
Proposed Land Acquisition for the purpose of road upgrade project
Councillors endorsed acquiring part of privately owned property for the purpose of the Yamba Road and Palmers Channel South Bank Road Intersection upgrade at Palmers Channel.
Yamba Road presently traverses Palmers Island village; the proposed new alignment will reroute traffic south of the existing road alignment. This change aims to reduce traffic congestion and safety risks.
The new route will facilitate a smoother flow of traffic into Yamba, by reducing the speed zone changes along Yamba Road and consolidating Yamba Street and School Road into a larger, channelised intersection for Palmers Island.
As part of the intersection upgrade, the acquisition of part of the following land parcels is required to enable the widening of the road reserve corridor and facilitate the needs of the project:
- Lot 177 DP751388
- Lot 1 DP1078626
- Lot 1761 DP807212
The project is funded by the NSW Government under the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package.
Aquatic Centre fees and charges to be placed on exhibition
New fees for the Aquatic Centre programs that are not currently reflected in the current Fees and Charges will be on exhibition following the July Ordinary Council Meeting.
The fees and charges for both the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre and the Yamba Community Pool will be placed on exhibition for 28 days.
The need for swimming programs and associated activities are continuing to grow following the opening of the new Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre. The new activities will expand the current programs on offer at the facility.
Those activities and corresponding fees are:
- Instructor for School Swimming/Fitness activity (per hour/instructor): $60.00 per hour.
- Programs – Squads Holiday Intensive: $78.40 – 4 sessions
- Programs – Squads 2-day holiday intensive: $80.00 – 3 hours per session
- Programs – Holiday Learn to Swim Intensive: $87.00 – 4 sessions
- Aquatic Membership – Adult: $95.00 – 20 passes
- Aquatic Memberships – Child: $75.00 – 20 passes
Meanwhile, Council resolved to manage the Yamba Community Pool for a 12-month period commencing in August 2025.
To enable programs to commence, Council will need to endorse fees which have not been set previously by Council.
These fees are:
- Programs – Water confidence: $128.00 – 8 weeks
- Programs – Learn to Swim: $150.00 – 8 weeks
- Programs – Squads x 1 session per week: $185.00 – 10 weeks
- Programs – Squads x 2 or more sessions per week: $300.00 – 10 weeks
- Programs – Squads Holiday Intensive: $92.50 – 5 weeks
- Private Lessons: $35.00 – Per 30-minute lesson
- Instructor for School Swimming / Fitness activity: $60.00 – per hour
- Programs – Community Group Bookings: $12.00 per lane/hour
- Programs – Aqua-aerobics: $15.00 per session
Submissions can be made online at www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/on-exhibition
On-site Wastewater Management Strategy adopted
Councillors have voted to adopt the On-site Wastewater Management Strategy 2025, along with a new fee structure to support its implementation. These fees will be incorporated into the draft 2026/2027 Fees and Charges.
The exhibited Strategy outlines that the On-site Wastewater Management System (OSMS) program will be self-funded through application fees and an annual charge for property owners who operate on-site wastewater systems. This annual charge will be calculated based on the overall program cost, the risk classification of the OSMS, the volume of wastewater generated, and how frequently inspections are required.
The adopted Strategy will be published on Council's website following the meeting.
