The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) sits at the top of Council’s planning framework and will influence all the activities Council will undertakes during the coming 10 years. This planning framework is determined by the Integrated Planning and Reporting requirements of the Local Government Act 1993.
The Richmond Valley Made 2030 Community Strategic Plan identifies the priorities of our community for the future of our local area. It provides information about Council’s service response to these priorities as well as the input from other agencies.
The CSP sets out the community’s goals and objectives over the coming 10 years and is supported by a four year Delivery Program, and Operational Plan, including Draft Financial Estimates, and a Revenue Policy.
The Community Strategic Plan and current four year Delivery Program are also listed at the bottom of this page.
Council continues to listen to its community and over the past 18 months has been canvasing ideas and suggestions to ensure a prosperous future. During our consultation, we heard many great ideas for the future of our Valley. But overall we heard four very clear messages. You want a stronger economy, better roads, and you want better communication from Council and more say in the decisions we make.
We also know you value a council which is financially sustainable and one which lives within its means. That is why as the basis of all our decisions is the need to make sure we only spend what we can afford in the long term.
Informing other plans
The CSP will form an important reference point for State and Federal agencies preparing their plans and programs for our region. They will be encouraged to build activities around the objectives and strategies set-out in our plan. One of the opportunities to achieve this is through the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils network, which is the peak representative group for the Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas. With representation by the mayors and general managers of each Council, NOROC’s role is to facilitate and lead advocacy, political representation and cooperative action on matters of regional significance.
Richmond Valley Council’s strategy for raising agency awareness of the issues in our CSP is to form closer links with the NSW Government and organisations such as the Regional Development Australia, which supports the development of local economies and dynamic communities; and enhances liveability in the Northern Rivers by improving access to government funding and programs, facilitating partnerships and linkages with all tiers of government and the community; and managing a diverse range of projects which strengthen economic, social and natural capital.
We will also be working more cooperatively with our neighbouring councils.