NSW · Mid North Coast · Local council, made simple
Nambucca Valley Council
A largely rural Mid North Coast council on the Nambucca River — around 21,000 people across coastal towns and river-valley villages like Nambucca Heads, Macksville, Bowraville, Valla Beach and Scotts Head, on Gumbaynggirr country. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads and bridges, water, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.6%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyNambucca Valley's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
3 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Gary Lee (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6568 2555
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~20,986 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Nambucca Valley Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council allocates childcare funding, backs Macksville Preschool expansion
At a June 2026 council meeting, councillors resolved to allocate $100,000 to a childcare reserve and to contribute $80,000 towards the expansion of Macksville Preschool.
What this means for you: The decision directs council funds toward local childcare capacity; the council's meeting records set out the detail and any conditions.
Source: News Of The Area — Childcare back on Nambucca council agenda
- Development
Valla Urban Growth Area moves toward Stage 1 land release
The council is progressing the Valla Urban Growth Area mixed-use precinct, funded by a combined $11.2 million from the Australian and NSW Governments plus $17 million from the council, with Buuluga Road works reported for May 2026 and Stage 1 industrial land expected to be released to the market later in 2026.
What this means for you: If the project proceeds on schedule, new industrial (and later residential) land near the Pacific Highway could be released, part of the council's economic-development plans following the highway bypass of the valley's towns.
- Policy
Gary Lee elected Mayor; James Angel elected Deputy Mayor
Gary Lee (Independent) was declared the directly-elected Mayor of Nambucca Valley on 30 September 2024, and at the new term's first meeting councillors elected James Angel (Independent) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: This sets the council's leadership for the 2024–2028 term; the nine-member council is undivided (no wards), so all councillors represent the whole LGA.
Source: News Of The Area — Gary Lee officially elected as Nambucca Valley Mayor
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