NSW · Northern Rivers · Local council, made simple
Richmond Valley Council
A large, mostly rural Northern Rivers council on the Richmond River — around 23,900 people across Casino (the 'beef capital'), the coastal town of Evans Head, and river towns like Coraki, Woodburn and Broadwater. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates, while leading recovery and flood-resilience work after the 2022 floods. 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: 3.9%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 5 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyRichmond Valley's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
1 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Robert Mustow (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) 6660 0300
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~23,900 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Richmond Valley Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council releases Draft Flood Risk Management Study & Plan
The council placed its Draft Richmond Valley Flood Risk Management Study & Plan on public exhibition (5 May to 8 June 2026), alongside a draft amendment to its Development Control Plan, setting out how flood risk across the valley should be managed and reduced.
What this means for you: If you live on or near the Richmond River floodplain, this plan proposes how flooding is mapped and how future development and mitigation are managed; the exhibition page below explains how to read it and make a submission.
Source: Richmond Valley Council — Draft Flood Risk Management Study & Plan 2026
- Development
Flood-damaged Halstead Drive in Casino rebuilt
A State-Government-funded rebuild of Halstead Drive in Casino has been completed, restoring flood-resilient public access to the Richmond River after the original road was destroyed in the 2022 floods.
What this means for you: One of the council's flood-recovery road projects is finished, restoring access that was lost in 2022; more asset-renewal and flood-repair work continues across the LGA.
- Development
Up to 1,500 flood-resilient home sites planned north of Casino
The NSW Government's Resilient Lands Program is funding Richmond Valley Council to plan the Summerland Estate at Fairy Hill, on high ground north of Casino, for up to 1,500 flood-resilient residential lots, with further funding for water and sewer infrastructure designs.
What this means for you: This is early-stage planning for new housing on flood-free land; it could shape where growth happens near Casino over the coming years. The government announcement below sets out the funding and scope.
Source: NSW Government — Resilient Lands funding for Richmond Valley
Get the important stuff, automatically
Follow Richmond Valley Counciland we'll email you when something that affects you comes up — no digging through the council website.
We only use your email to send the updates you ask for, each with a one-click unsubscribe. No spam, no sharing.