Richmond Valley Council

This article is about the local government area. For the regional river, see Richmond River.

Richmond Valley New South Wales
Location in New South Wales
Coordinates
Population	22,037 (2011 census)
• Density	7.2229/km2 (18.707/sq mi)
Established	2000
Area	3,051 km2 (1,178.0 sq mi)
Mayor	Ernie Bennett
Council seat	Casino
Region	Northern Rivers
State electorate(s)	Clarence
Federal Division(s)	Page
File:Richvalleycouncil.png
Website	Richmond Valley
LGAs around Richmond Valley: Kyogle Lismore Ballina Clarence Valley Richmond Valley Tasman Sea Clarence Valley Clarence Valley Tasman Sea

Richmond Valley Council is a local government area in the Northern Rivers region of north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. The area is named after the Richmond River, which flows through most of it. The area under management is located adjacent to the Bruxner Highway, Pacific Highway, and the North Coast railway line.

It is a rural area for the most part, with most industries involving cattle and crop growing, such as sugar cane, wheat, and pecan plantation.

The Mayor of the Richmond Valley Council is Cr. Ernie Bennett, an independent politician.

History

The Local Government Area was formed by amalgamation of the Richmond River Shire and the Municipality of Casino in February 2000.

Towns and localities

3

Demographics

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing there were 24,579 usual residents living in Richmond Valley Council. Of this count, 10,507 (or 49%) were males and 10,806 (or 51%) were females. By age, 19% of the population was under 15 years old, 66% were between 15 and 65, and 15% were over 65 years old. Most people living in Richmond Valley Council were born in Australia (90%). The median age was 41 years.

Economy

According to the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median individual income was $342 per week (equal to approximately $17,833 per year). The median family income in 2006 was $826 per week (equal to approximately $43,070 per year); and, the median household income in 2006 was $651 per week (equal to approximately $33,945 per year).

There were 7,786 people employed in 2006 (to give an employment to working age population ratio of 0.48), and 752 people unemployed. The most common occupations were Labourers (20%); Managers (14%); and, Technicians and Trades Workers (13%). The top 5 industries for employment were Meat and Meat Product Manufacturing (7.0%); School Education (5.0%); Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming (3.8%); Hospitals (3.5%); and, Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services (3.5%).

Housing

In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median housing loan repayment was $910 per month. This equated to marginally under 35% of median household income. The median rent in 2006 was $145 per week. This equated to just over 22% of median household income. The average household size was 2.5 persons.

Council

Current composition and election method

Richmond Valley Council is composed of seven Councillors, including the Mayor, for a fixed four-year term of office. The Mayor is directly elected while the six other Councillors are elected proportionally as one entire ward. The most recent election was held on 8 September 2012, and the makeup of the Council, including the Mayor, is as follows:

Party		Councillors
	Independents and Unaligned	7
	Total	7

The current Council, elected in 2012, in order of election by ward, is:

Councillor		Party	Notes
	Ernie Bennett	Independent	Mayor
	Robert Hayes	Independent
	Robert Mustow	Unaligned
	Colin Sullivan	Unaligned
	Steve Morrissey	Unaligned	Elected on Robert Mustow's ticket
	Daniel Simpson	Independent	Elected on Robert Hayes' ticket
	Sandra Duncan-Humphrys	Independent	Elected on Robert Mustow's ticket