FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Welcome to Volume Three of the Clarence magazine. The first two editions were well received both online and in hard copy. We also continue to receive constructive feedback about topics you want to see more of, and topping the list is the outcomes of significant investment being made on our road network.

So what have we been doing during the quarter?

The term ‘betterment’ has been bandied about a bit since the floods of last year, and I’m pleased that in this volume we start to unpack what that means as an outcome and how you’ll recognise road and infrastructure improvements that are delivered to greater withstand the forces of future disasters and improve longevity of assets.

Take for example the Fixing Country Bridges Program. Following construction of 36 timber bridges at a cost of $46 million, we will have reduced our timber bridge number to 88. While still one of the largest owners of timber bridges in the State, we will have rebuilt our high risk and more expensive timber bridges in concrete, and 88 will be a more manageable number for the capital program.

On March 2nd, almost $10 million was awarded to Council and another $5 million to Transport for NSW to improve the flood immunity and resilience of sections of Yamba Road and Pacific Motorway interchange. Design and relevant flood studies will commence soon to ensure any road raising does not adversely affect adjacent residents. The outcome of this work will be a reduction in the days of isolation for the Yamba community.

Following the 2022 storm events, the inadequacy of our stormwater drainage systems became very evident and an exciting project over the past few months is the Iluka Urban Drainage Survey. The data collected has been invaluable in preparing a forward works program of maintenance and upgrades that will increase the capacity of the system in future deluges.

As you can see from the statistics provided on page 6, across the board access to online services is increasing, as is online contact. Pleasingly, so too is use of our website because when customers use self service to seek answers to their questions, our resources are freed up to get on with other priorities.

While on the matter of online services, did you know you can receive and pay your rates online, and up until 30 June this year you can register to go into the draw to win up to $1,500 off your 2023/2024 annual rates. The cost savings of receiving and paying your rates online leaves more money available for delivering service outcomes. It is great to see the proportion of Clarence Valley ratepayers embracing online access is higher than the State average of 26.0 per cent.

There is always lots to do in the Clarence Valley, and this volume brings you news of both recently delivered and upcoming events at our libraries, art gallery and in open spaces across the Valley, and of course details about how to secure funds for your next event or community initiative. Or maybe it’s just a walk with your four-legged friend, and if so, all the information you need to enjoy off leash time with your loyal companion is available in these pages too. And finally, you can’t read this magazine without seeing the spectacular winners of the 2022 InFocus photography competition adorning the front and back covers. The Clarence Valley captured spectacularly, its not hard to see why so many love the area.

Laura Black, General Manager Laura Black