Clarence Valley Council has been successful in securing $14,210 through the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund to support the relocation and restoration of South Grafton’s historic war memorial gates, NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has announced.   The wrought iron gates — originally donated by the South Grafton RSL Sub-Branch and dedicated by Rev C E Nahle — have been a significant feature of the former South Grafton Indoor Pool and Boy

The Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has today blasted the Minns Labor Government for abandoning the Clarence prawn industry as the current biosecurity control order expires and a new, expanded order immediately takes effect.   Mr Williamson said the existing control order will expire on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, with a new control order replacing it without pause, extending the requirement to cook prawns across a new merged control zone area, further crippling t

5 December 2025       Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has congratulated the Grafton Rowing Club on the official opening of their stunning new clubhouse on the banks of the mighty Clarence River.   Mr Williamson said the magnificent building, now a centrepiece of Grafton’s riverside and Memorial Park precinct, is a real credit to the Grafton Rowing Club, the architects, and local builder, Ron van Vyfeyken from Nanobuild who used local tradies to deliver this fantastic

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson, is backing a community-led petition calling on the NSW Labor Government to urgently reform youth sentencing laws, following growing concern across Casino and the wider community about repeat juvenile offenders.   The ePetition, organised by Casino resident Judith Karam, urges the NSW Government to review and strengthen current legislation to prevent violent and repeat youth offenders from returning to the community without adequate co

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson will join with members of the local community to support the launch of a community-led ePetition calling on the NSW Government to urgently reform youth sentencing laws following rowing concern across Casino and the wider community about repeat juvenile offenders.   The ePetition, organised by Casino resident, Judith Karam, urges the NSW Government to review and strengthen current legislation to prevent violent and repeat youth offender

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson today joined local paramedics in Grafton to launch a community e-Petition calling on the NSW Government to urgently support an increase Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) staffing across the Clarence Valley.   The e-Petition, now live on the NSW Parliament website, urges the Government to upgrade Grafton Ambulance Station from a Category B to a Category A station — a change that would increase staffing to 12 ICP positions and deliver round-

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson will join local paramedics to launch an ePetition advocating for 24/7 Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) coverage in the Clarence Valley.   The ePetition calls on the NSW Government to work with and urge NSW Ambulance to upgrade Grafton Ambulance Station from a Category B to a Category A station. This upgrade would increase staffing to 12 ICP positions and ensure ICP coverage 24 hours a day 7 days a week across the entire Clarence Valley.  

The Minns Labor Government has let down families and frontline police across the Richmond and Clarence Valleys by voting down stronger youth crime laws that would have better protected regional communities, according to Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson.   Last Friday night, Labor rejected amendments put forward by the NSW Nationals to the Children (Criminal Proceedings) and Young Offenders Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 , opting instead for a weakened approach mo

The $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital has taken a major step forward, with the Clarence Valley community now invited to review and provide feedback on planning documents that are on public exhibition, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has announced.   Mr Williamson said the release of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) marks an important milestone for the project and provides another opportunity for the community to help shape the future of lo

Nationals Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has called on the Minns Labor Government to urgently increase funding to ensure students in Clarence and Richmond Valley schools can access the support class placements they are entitled to.   Speaking in the NSW Parliament, Mr Williamson revealed that up to eight students set to enter South Grafton High School in 2026 are at risk of missing out on crucial support, due to a significant funding shortfall. He warned that the sit

The Clarence River Historical Society has been awarded $12,000 under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program to support a major digitisation project, Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson has announced.   Mr Williamson said the funding will enable the Society to purchase specialised scanning equipment to digitise key areas of its collection, including photographs, paper records, catalogue cards, negatives, and large-scale prints.   “This grant is a fant

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has welcomed significant investment for two important local projects under Round Three of the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund.   The Iluka community will benefit from more than $3 million in matched funding from Clarence Valley Council to complete the design and construction of 2.1 kilometres of flood-prone sections of Iluka Road—a critical emergency connection route for the town. This upgrade will help ensure residents, eme

The Rotary Club of Upper Richmond will soon be better equipped to support local events and emergency response efforts thanks to a $19,990 grant from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program, announced by Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson.   The funding will allow the club to purchase a new BBQ trailer—making it easier and more efficient for members to transport and prepare food at community gatherings, fundraising events and in times of need.   Mr Wil

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has slammed the NSW Minns Labor Government for continuing to leave commercial prawn fishers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond rivers without answers, without support, and without a pathway back to work as the expiry of current biosecurity orders rapidly approaches.   Mr Williamson said affected prawn fishers — who have been unable to fish due to white spot — are still completely in the dark about the NSW Government’s plan beyond the 9

South Grafton Public School has enhanced learning opportunities for children in its Early Intervention program thanks to $11,904 in funding secured through the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnerships program, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has announced.   The funding has enabled the installation of eight new pieces of modern sensory educational play equipment in the Early Intervention playground located on the Infants School campus. The specialised equipmen

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has again received the backing of the local Nationals grassroots membership, securing formal endorsement to contest the 2027 State Election as the NSW Nationals Candidate for Clarence.   Around 50 Nationals members from across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys gathered at Brushgrove Hall on Saturday for a meeting of the NSW Nationals Clarence Electorate Council, where the endorsement was confirmed. The meeting was also attended by NSW N

Clarence Valley’s BMX community is gearing up for a faster, safer future thanks to $19,250 in NSW Government funding to resurface the track at the Clarence Valley BMX Club, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has announced.   Mr Williamson said the funding, secured through the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program, will ensure the Club can continue to support local riders of all ages — while getting ready for a major event on the regional sporting calend

Local squash players are set to enjoy smoother moves and refreshed facilities with an $11,000 upgrade on the way for the Waterview Heights Squash Club thanks to funding secured under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has announced.   Mr Williamson said the Club will receive $11,000 to support important improvements, boosting participation and ensuring safe and modern facilities for local players.   “This is gr

NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has used a speech in the NSW Parliament to raise the alarm over the worsening biosecurity situation across the Northern Rivers. Mr Williamson said several major threats demand immediate and transparent action from the State Government. “The march of the cane toad continues southward, and yet the Government remains silent on its plans, if any exist,” Mr Williamson said.   Mr Williamson expressed disappointment that Lo

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has thrown his full support behind community-based preschools and their educators across New South Wales, joining today’s Day of Action outside the NSW Parliament where hundreds of teachers, educators, and supporters rallied for fair pay and funding.   Mr Williamson, who has spoken twice in the Parliament in recent weeks about the crisis facing community preschools, said the NSW Labor Government’s continued refusal to adequately fund th