Five community-led projects across the Clarence and Richmond valleys will share more than $1.25 million under the NSW Government’s $50 million Active Regional Communities Package, supporting local organisations to deliver practical projects that will benefit their communities, State Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson said. Leading the successful local projects is Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation, which has secured $1 million to deliver its four-year Mudyala BRIDGE P

A $700,000 funding boost will deliver much-needed refurbishment and facility upgrades at the Aruma Community Mental Health facility in Grafton, helping ensure the existing service has a safe, functional and welcoming environment for patients, families and staff, State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson said. The funding is part of the NSW Government’s $12 million Regional Health Minor Works Program and will deliver a range of improvements at the Grafton facility, i

The appointment of local builder Bennett Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd to deliver 36 new accommodation units for healthcare workers in Grafton has been welcomed by State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson. The announcement comes after the official ground-breaking of the $283.8 million Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment earlier this week, marking another important milestone in the transformation of healthcare infrastructure in the Clarence Valley. Mr Williamson sai

A major new chapter for healthcare in the Clarence Valley has begun, with main construction officially getting underway on the $283.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital. Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson said today’s sod-turn was a significant milestone and a day for the entire Clarence Valley community to celebrate. “This is a great day for Grafton and communities right across the Clarence Valley,” Mr Williamson said. “For decades, our community has w

NSW Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on the Minns Labor Government to immediately rule out any downgrade or closure of the Grafton Aquaculture Centre at the Grafton Primary Industries Institute. Mr Williamson said concerns about the centre’s future had only increased after Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty was asked this week to rule out plans to downgrade or close the facility but failed to do so. Minister Moriarty was given two opportunities

Nationals State Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has used the NSW Parliament to call on the Minns Labor Government to take immediate action to dramatically reduce unacceptable delays being experienced by lawful, licensed firearms owners and dealers across New South Wales. Mr Williamson said delays in the Permit to Acquire process had blown out from what was previously around 24 hours to many months, with some licensed firearms owners reporting waits of more than six mo

Swimmers and surfers at Evans Head and Yamba are benefiting from expanded shark surveillance, with drone operators now providing increased coverage as part of the NSW Government’s $120 million Shark Management Program. State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson recently visited Main Beach at Evans Head to see the drone operation in action and meet local drone operator Ashley Slapp. Mr Williamson said the expanded use of drone technology was a welcome addition to be

State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has welcomed the opening of the new Emergency Department Short Stay Unit at Grafton Base Hospital, describing it as an important improvement for patients while the hospital’s major redevelopment continues. Mr Williamson was given the opportunity earlier this week to have a look inside the new six-bed unit, which is now treating patients requiring short-term care, observation or investigation. “This is a really positive add

Five new probationary constables are joining frontline policing across the Clarence and Richmond valleys, with three new officers heading to Grafton and two to Casino, State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has welcomed. The new officers are among 15 probationary constables being deployed across the Coffs/Clarence (7) and Richmond (8) Police Districts following last Friday's attestation of the latest NSW Police Force recruit class. Mr Williamson said the arriv

A decision by the NSW Land and Environment Court this morning to halt the proposed aerial cull of wild horses in Yuraygir National Park has been welcomed by State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson. Mr Williamson said the NSW Government had agreed to halt all aerial and ground shooting, as well as trapping, until the matters before the Court had been considered. “I recently wrote to NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe requesting that NSW National Parks

More than $251,000 in NSW Government funding will help protect and improve Crown reserves across the Clarence and Richmond valleys, with nine local projects sharing $251,698 through the 2025-26 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. Clarence Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson welcomed the announcement, saying the funding would support the dedicated volunteers, community organisations and councils who work tirelessly to care for some of the region's most valued public spa

The Minns Labor Government must immediately halt a proposed aerial shooting operation targeting horses in Yuraygir National Park and Yuraygir State Conservation Area, with serious questions being raised about the lack of information provided to the local community, State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson says. An urgent letter has been sent to NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe calling on the Government to stop the proposed aerial shooting of horses and

Maclean High School teacher Liza Hamilton has been recognised as one of only nine recipients across the state to receive the prestigious NSW Secretary Award for Excellent Service at the 2026 NSW Public Education Awards held in Sydney last night, State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has announced. Mrs Hamilton received the prestigious honour from NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar, recognising her outstanding contribution to Maclean High School,

The search has begun for the 2027 Clarence Electorate Local Woman of the Year, with State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson inviting people from across the Clarence and Richmond valleys to nominate an inspiring local woman for consideration For the first time since becoming the Member for Clarence, Mr Williamson is calling on the community to help identify the electorate's next Local Woman of the Year through a public nomination process. Mr Williamson said commu

A $1 million NSW Government investment to improve pedestrian safety in the South Grafton CBD has been welcomed as a major win for the local community. State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson joined members of the South Grafton Progress Association in the CBD today to celebrate the funding announcement and acknowledge the Association's long-standing advocacy for improvements to the precinct. "This is fantastic news for South Grafton and a great outcome for the lo

The iconic Casino Truck Show has received a $20,000 funding boost from the NSW Government's 2026-27 Regional Event Fund, with State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson announcing the successful grant at the Casino Truck Show Sponsors' Night on Thursday evening. The funding, secured by Richmond Valley Council through Destination NSW's Regional Event Fund, will help support the delivery and promotion of one of Australia's premier trucking events, which returns to Casi

Community safety in Coraki has received a significant boost with the activation of a new CCTV network aimed at deterring crime, supporting police investigations and improving confidence for residents, businesses and visitors, State Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said. Mr Williamson was joined in Coraki by Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow, local Police Sergeant Dean Childs, and members of the local business community yesterday to launch the activa

Three outstanding women from across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys whose selfless volunteer service has made a lasting difference to their communities have been recognised in the 2025 NSW Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. State Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson congratulated Lesley McFarlane of Ulmarra, Rachelle Dean of Woombah and Emma Crethar of Broadwater on receiving the prestigious recognition, which celebrates the invaluable contributions of women volunte

Primary school students across the Clarence Valley will soon have the opportunity to participate in a new Rugby 7s competition thanks to a $15,000 grant awarded to the Yamba Buccaneers Rugby Club through the NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Grant Program 2025/26, State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has announced. The funding will support the establishment of the Clarence Valley Rugby 7s Schools' Competition, providing boys and girls in Years 3 to 6 with the opportun

Crown reserve managers across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys are being encouraged to apply for a share of up to $13.5 million in funding through the NSW Government's 2026–27 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, with applications opening today. State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson said the annual program provides valuable funding to improve and maintain important community assets located on Crown land. "Many of our most valued community facilities are located o