Clarence Valley Council

Last updated

Clarence Valley
New South Wales
Clarence valley LGA NSW.png
Location in New South Wales
Population
 • Density4.85308/km2 (12.5694/sq mi)
Established24 February 2004 (2004-02-24)
Area10,441 km2 (4,031.3 sq mi)
MayorPeter Johnstone
Council seat Grafton and Maclean
Region Northern Rivers
State electorate(s) Clarence
Federal division(s) Page
Clarence Valley Council Logo.jpg
Website Clarence Valley
LGAs around Clarence Valley:
Tenterfield Richmond Valley Tasman Sea
Glen Innes Severn Clarence Valley Tasman Sea
Armidale Bellingen Coffs Harbour

Clarence Valley Council is a local government area in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.

Contents

The council services an area of 10,441 square kilometres (4,031 sq mi) and draws its name from the Clarence River, which flows through most of the council area. The area under management is adjacent to the Pacific Highway, the Gwydir Highway and the North Coast railway line. The Clarence Valley region includes the coastal plain and lower valleys of the Clarence and Nymboida river. Most of the valley is agricultural; however, the oceanside towns of Yamba and Iluka are popular holiday resorts. [3]

The council was formed in February 2004 by the merger of the City of Grafton and Maclean Shire, and parts of Copmanhurst, Pristine Waters and Richmond Valley local government areas, and the activities of North Coast Water and Clarence River County Council. [4]

The mayor of Clarence Valley Council is Peter Johnstone. [5]

Towns and localities

Towns and localities in the Clarence Valley Council are:

Heritage listings

The Clarence Valley Council has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Demographics

At the 2011 census, there were 49,665 people in the Clarence Valley local government area, of these 49.4 per cent were male and 50.6 per cent were female. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.7 per cent of the population which is more than double the national and state averages of 2.5 per cent. The median age of people in the Clarence Valley Council area was 46 years; some 10 years higher than the national median. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 18.6 per cent of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 21.3 per cent of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 49.3 per cen% were married and 14.6% were either divorced or separated. [7]

Population growth in the Clarence Valley Council area between the 2006 census and the 2011 Census was 3.15 per cent. When compared with total population growth of Australia for the same period, being 8.32 per cent, population growth in the Clarence Valley local government area was lower than the national average. The median weekly income for residents within the Clarence Valley Council area was significantly below the national average, [7] [8] being one of the factors that place the Clarence Valley Council area in an area of social disadvantage.

At the 2011 Census, the proportion of residents in the Clarence Valley local government area who stated their ancestry as Australian or Anglo-Celtic exceeded 82 per cent of all residents (national average was 65.2 per cent). In excess of 64 per cent of all residents in the Clarence Valley Council area nominated a religious affiliation with Christianity at the 2011 Census, which was above the national average of 50.2 per cent. Meanwhile, as at the Census date, compared to the national average, households in the Clarence Valley local government area had a significantly lower than average proportion (3.1 per cent) where two or more languages are spoken (national average was 20.4 per cent); and a significantly higher proportion (94.0 per cent) where English only was spoken at home (national average was 76.8 per cent). [7]

Selected historical census data for Clarence Valley local government area
Census year2006 [8] 2011 [7] 2016 [1]
PopulationEstimated residents on census night 48,14649,66550,671
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales 46thIncrease2.svg 45th
% of New South Wales population0.72%Decrease2.svg 0.68%
% of Australian population0.24%Decrease2.svg 0.23%Decrease2.svg 0.22%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses
Australian 34.6%Decrease2.svg 33.2%
English 31.9%Decrease2.svg 31.4%
Irish 9.0%Increase2.svg 9.1%
Scottish 8.3%Increase2.svg 8.6%
German 3.4%Steady2.svg 3.4%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)
German0.2%Steady2.svg 0.2%Steady2.svg 0.2%
Cantonese 0.1%Steady2.svg 0.1%Steady2.svg 0.1%
Spanish n/cIncrease2.svg 0.1%Steady2.svg 0.1%
Mandarin n/cSteady2.svg n/cIncrease2.svg 0.1%
Dutch 0.1%Increase2.svg 0.2%Decrease2.svg 0.1%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses
No religion 15.3%Increase2.svg 19.0%Increase2.svg 26.4%
Anglican 32.0%Decrease2.svg 30.6%Decrease2.svg 25.7%
Catholic 22.5%Decrease2.svg 22.1%Decrease2.svg 20.0%
Not statedn/cSteady2.svg n/cIncrease2.svg 10.4%
Presbyterian and Reformed 7.4%Decrease2.svg 6.7%Decrease2.svg 6.0%
Median weekly incomes
Personal incomeMedian weekly personal incomeA$333A$396A$477
% of Australian median income71.5%Decrease2.svg 68.6%Increase2.svg 72.1%
Family incomeMedian weekly family incomeA$631A$924A$1133
% of Australian median income61.4%Increase2.svg 62.4%Increase2.svg 65.3%
Household income Median weekly household incomeA$781A$768A$910
% of Australian median income66.7%Decrease2.svg 62.2%Increase2.svg 63.3%

Council

Current composition and election method

Clarence Valley Council is composed of nine councillors elected proportionally as one entire ward. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent election was held on 4 December 2021, and the makeup of the council is as follows: [9]

PartyCouncillors
  Independents 8
  Greens 1
Total9

The current Council, elected in 2021, in order of election, is: [9]

CouncillorPartyNotes
 Jeff Smith Independent Deputy Mayor [5]
 Debrah NovakIndependent
 Ian TileyIndependent
 Alison WhaitesIndependent
 Bill DayIndependent
 Greg Clancy Greens
 Peter JohnstoneIndependentMayor
 Karen TomsIndependent
 Steve PickeringIndependent

2021 election results

2021 New South Wales local elections: Clarence Valley [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Jeff Smith (elected)6,02219.6
Independent Debrah Novak (elected)3,62211.8
Independent Ian Tiley (elected)2,6378.6
Independent National Allison Whaites (elected)2,4037.8
Independent Bill Day (elected)2,0396.7
Greens Greg Clancy (elected)2,5928.5
Independent National Peter Johnstone (elected)2,2127.2
Independent Karen Toms (elected)1,6585.4
Independent Steve Pickering (elected)1,5365.0
Independent Labor Peter Ellem1,4944.9
Independent Ash Gibbons1,1893.9
Independent Pete Hanson1,1893.9
Independent National Donald Scott7022.3
Independent Phil Belletty6612.2
Independent Jeffrey Fuller3571.2
Independent Warren Lang3481.1
Total formal votes30,66192.9
Informal votes2,3587.1
Turnout 85.7
Party total votes
Independent 23,85077.8
Independent National 5,31717.3
Independent Labor 1,4944.9
Party total seatsSeats±
  Independent 7Steady2.svg
  Independent National 2Increase2.svg 1
  Independent Labor 0Decrease2.svg 1

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Rivers</span> Region in New South Wales, Australia

Northern Rivers is the most north-easterly region of the Australian state of New South Wales, located between 590 and 820 kilometres north of the state capital, Sydney, and encompasses the catchments and fertile valleys of the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers. It extends from Tweed Heads in the north to the southern extent of the Clarence river catchment which lies between Grafton and Coffs Harbour, and includes the main towns of Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Casino and Grafton. At its most northern point, the region is 102 kilometres (63 mi) south-southeast of the Queensland capital, Brisbane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liverpool Plains Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Liverpool Plains Shire is a local government area located in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire was formed on 17 March 2004 by the amalgamation of Quirindi Shire with parts of Parry, Murrurundi and Gunnedah shires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nambucca Valley Council</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Nambucca Valley Council is a local government area in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond Valley Council</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Richmond Valley Council (RVC) is a local government area on the Northern Rivers region of north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. RVC services an area of 3,051 square kilometres (1,178 sq mi) and draws its name from the Richmond River, which flows through most of the council area. The area under management is located adjacent to the Bruxner Highway, Pacific Highway, and the North Coast railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamba, New South Wales</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Yamba is a town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia located at the mouth of the Clarence River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwydir Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Gwydir Shire is a local government area located in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The northern boundary of the Shire is located adjacent to the border between New South Wales and Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarence River (New South Wales)</span> River in New South Wales, Australia

The Clarence River is a river situated in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales, Australia. It rises on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, in the Border Ranges west of Bonalbo, near Rivertree at the junction of Koreelah Creek and Maryland River, on the watershed that marks the border between New South Wales and Queensland. It flows generally south, south east and north east, and is joined by twenty-four tributaries including Tooloom Creek and the Mann, Nymboida, Cataract, Orara, Coldstream, Timbarra, and Esk rivers. It descends 256 metres (840 ft) over the course of its 394-kilometre (245 mi) length and empties into the Coral Sea in the South Pacific Ocean, between Iluka and Yamba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tweed Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Tweed Shire is a local government area located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. It is adjacent to the border with Queensland, where that meets the Coral Sea. Administered from the town of Murwillumbah, Tweed Shire covers an area of 1,321 square kilometres (510 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1947. It was named for the Tweed River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maclean, New South Wales</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Maclean is a town in Clarence Valley local government area in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Clarence River and near the Pacific Highway. At the 2021 census, Maclean had a population of 2,778, total urban area including Townsend and Gulmarrad is more than 8,304. The Maclean, Yamba and Iluka area known as the Lower Clarence had a combined population of 17,533. Its industries are tourism, sugar cane production, farming and river-prawn trawling. Together with Grafton, Maclean is the shared administrative centre for the Clarence Valley Council local government area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulmarra</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Ulmarra is a small town on the south bank of the Clarence River in New South Wales, Australia in the Clarence Valley district. At the 2006 census, Ulmarra had a population of 446 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloucester Shire</span> Former local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Gloucester Shire was a local government area in the Mid North Coast and Upper Hunter regions of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire was situated adjacent to the Bucketts Way and the North Coast railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyogle Council</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Kyogle Council is a local government area in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Lismore</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

The City of Lismore is a local government area in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. The seat of the local government area is Lismore, a major regional centre of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singleton Council</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Singleton Council is a local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated adjacent to the New England Highway and the Main North railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muswellbrook Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Muswellbrook Shire is a local government area in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is situated adjacent to the New England Highway and the Hunter railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Innes Severn</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Glen Innes Severn is a local government area in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The council serves an area of 5,487 square kilometres (2,119 sq mi) and is located adjacent to the New England Highway. The council was formed by the amalgamation of Severn Shire and Glen Innes City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenterfield Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Tenterfield Shire is a local government area located in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is situated adjacent to the New England Highway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inverell Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Inverell Shire is a local government area in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia adjacent to the Macintyre River and the Gwydir Highway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dungog Shire</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

Dungog Shire is a local government area in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is situated adjacent to the Barrington Tops and consists predominantly of very rugged to hilly country which becomes less rugged from north to south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nymboida, New South Wales</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Nymboida is a rural village in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. It is about 21 kilometres south-west of Coutts Crossing, 44 kilometres south-west of Grafton and approximately 687 km north of Sydney. Nymboida is close to the challenging and popular white water rafting waters of the Nymboida River along the Armidale–Grafton Road. The village is in the Clarence Valley Council local government area.

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Clarence Valley (A)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 7 July 2017. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
  3. "Clarence Valley Social Plan". Clarence Valley Council. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2006.
  4. "About Council and the Clarence Valley". About Council. Clarence Valley Council. 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Cr Peter Johnstone voted new Clarence Valley Mayor". Clarence Valley Council. 2023.
  6. "High Conservation Value Old Growth forest". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01487. Retrieved 18 May 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  7. 1 2 3 4 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Clarence Valley (A)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 November 2012. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  8. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Clarence Valley (A)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Clarence Valley Council: Summary of First Preference Votes for each Candidate". Local Government Elections 2016. Electoral Commission of New South Wales. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  10. "Clarence Valley". ABC News.