What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Richmond Valley Council's direction is set out in its 'Richmond Valley 2040' Community Strategic Plan and a Delivery Program with an annual Operational Plan and budget, shaped heavily by recovery and resilience after the 2022 Northern Rivers floods.
The council manages local roads, waste, water and sewer, libraries, parks and planning across a large, mostly rural LGA on the Richmond River, anchored by Casino (the 'beef capital') and the coastal town of Evans Head. Its Delivery Program is the elected council's statement of commitment for its term, alongside a flood-recovery program run in partnership with State and Federal agencies.
Recent budgets carry significant flood-repair and asset-renewal investment, funded alongside State and Federal disaster-recovery programs; the council reported a large operating deficit in 2023–24 (OLG data) as it works through recovery.
Underway now
Summerland Estate — flood-resilient land at Fairy Hill, north of Casino
Resilient Lands Program funding announced 2024; planning underwayWith funding from the NSW Government's Resilient Lands Program (and a Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund grant for water and sewer designs), the council is planning the Summerland Estate at Fairy Hill, on high ground north of Casino, for up to 1,500 flood-resilient home sites.
Source: NSW Government — Resilient Lands funding for Richmond Valley
Richmond Valley Flood Risk Management Study & Plan
Draft on public exhibition May–June 2026Building on the Richmond Valley Flood Study 2023 and updated climate guidance, the council prepared a draft Flood Risk Management Study & Plan setting out how flood risk across the LGA should be understood, managed and reduced over time, with a related draft amendment to the Development Control Plan.
Source: Richmond Valley Council — Draft Flood Risk Management Study & Plan 2026
Planned / committed
Richmond Valley 2040 Community Strategic Plan
to 2040The council's top-level Community Strategic Plan setting long-term community priorities across the economy, environment, infrastructure and wellbeing, delivered through the council's Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan.
Source: Richmond Valley Council — Integrated Planning and Reporting