Richmond Valley Council is located approximately 800km north of Sydney and 260km south of Brisbane, within the Northern Rivers area of the Far North Coast of New South Wales.
It covers approximately 3,051 square kilometres of predominately rural lands, inter-dispersed with state forests, national parks and nature reserves, which comprise approximately 30% of the Local Government Area (LGA).
The area enjoys a temperate to subtropical climate with mild winters. It is transversed by the Richmond River which provides for both agricultural and recreational activities.
Council’s main administrative centre is located in Casino (estimated population 11,000) with a further office in Evans Head (estimated population 3,500).
The total population of the Council area is over 22,000, with the majority of the population (16,500) living in the main communities of Casino, Coraki, Woodburn, Evans Head,Broadwater/Riley’s Hill and Rappville, while the remaining live throughout the rural areas of the LGA.
Lifestyle is a significant factor for many people living in and relocating to the Richmond Valley, with the LGA stretching inland approximately 85km from the pristine waters of the Coral Sea to the lush foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The area also offers affordable land and infrastructure.
Like many of our neighbouring Councils, the local area is experiencing the physical and economic effects generated from those seeking to relocate from the more densely populated metropolitan areas.
In order to address issues relating to increased land use demands, Council has focussed on the preparation of various land use planning documents which aim “to set aside sufficient land for a range of residential, commercial, industrial and community land uses which will cater for the projected population growth of the area over the next twenty years to the year 2025.”
This is further reinforced by the Department of Planning whereby the Richmond Valley Council area has been identified under the Far North Coast Regional Strategy as an area of significant growth. This does not include rural residential development in which a strong growth is currently being experienced. To plan for this future development, Council has adopted Urban Land Release Strategies for all four towns and villages in its area.
Associated with the land use planning is the need to address long term infrastructure requirements; this has necessitated a strategic 30 year plan for sewer and water upgrade provision being undertaken by Council’s Works Directorate and the preparation by Council of strategies that will provide for the future growth anticipated in the LGA. Council is also in the process of determining a 10 year Strategic Financial Plan for all its other programs. Council in 2009 also commenced the development of a Community Strategic Plan to provide for long term strategic planning in the future.
The main economic activities within Council’s area include retail, manufacturing, agriculture,tourism, forestry, fishing and health and community services. The beef industry also continues to be an important economic factor for the area with the Northern Co-operative Meat Company’s Casino Processing Plant continuing to be the largest provider of employment in the region,exporting product to some 28 countries. An emerging energy sector in the region is the coal seam gas development and assiciated industry interest as an energy source.
Our Vision
The development of community and natural attributes of the area to enable a pleasant and sustainable lifestyle.
Our Mission
Develop our area with our community by effective leadership
Council Structure
The Council Structure provides the basis for Council to provide services and facilities to the community.
Mayor and Council
Ensures that Richmond Valley Council meets its Statutory requirements under the Local Government Act 1993 and provides the policy making strategic direction decisions of Council.
General Manager
Provides the linkage for the policies and decisions made by the elected representatives (the Council) to the organisation for implementation. The GeneralManager has responsibilities for the day to day management of Council. The following functions report to the General Manager: Governance, Corporate (Governance), Administration and Finance/ General Purpose Revenues
Corporate Services
Functions Performed:
- Council Offices
- Information Services
- Human Resources
- Public Libraries
- Economic Development/Promotion
- Shops and Offices (and other Property)
- Silver Sands Holiday Park
Environmental Development Services
Functions Performed:
- Fire Control
- Regulatory Enforcement
- Emergency Services
- Environmental/Health Control
- Development Assessment
- Strategic Planning
- Social Planning
- Customer Service
- Waste Management
- Public Cemeteries
- Community Facilities and Public Halls
Works
Functions Performed:
- Engineering Support Services
- Asset Management
- Works Depots
- Street Cleaning
- Urban Stormwater Drainage
- Environmental Protection
- Public Conveniences
- Swimming Pools
- Sports Grounds
- Parks and Gardens
- Other Sport and Recreation
- Casino Showground
- Urban Local Roads and Bridges
- Sealed Rural Local Roads and Bridges
- Sealed Rural Regional Roads and Bridges
- Unsealed Rural Local Roads and Bridges
Visit the council website www.richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au
