Clarence Valley Mayor Ray Smith has acknowledged the positive elements of the 2026–27 NSW Budget while noting that much of the funding announced will require further advocacy to ensure it delivers tangible outcomes for the local community.
The Mayor welcomed the continued investment in the Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment, including an additional $20 million for a new maternity unit. This brings the total State commitment to $283.8 million and will significantly enhance healthcare services for families across the Clarence Valley.
“This is a very positive outcome for our community,” Mayor Smith said.
“The redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital will improve access to high-quality healthcare and reinforce Grafton’s role as a critical regional service centre.”
The NSW Budget also includes substantial funding for regional infrastructure and local government, including nearly $1 billion to repair roads damaged by natural disasters and additional support programs aimed at regional councils.
Mayor Smith said these announcements were encouraging, particularly given the ongoing impacts of flooding across the Clarence Valley.
“Investment in road recovery and resilience is essential for our region, and we welcome the recognition of the challenges faced by rural and regional councils,” Mayor Smith said.
However, the Mayor cautioned that much of this funding is either allocated through competitive grant programs or tied to disaster recovery processes that require detailed assessment and approval.
“While the headline figures are significant, it’s important to understand that this does not automatically translate into funding for Clarence Valley Council,” Mayor Smith said.
The Mayor said Council would continue to actively pursue funding opportunities and advocate strongly to secure a fair share of available resources for the Clarence Valley.
“We will continue working closely with the NSW Government to ensure our community benefits from these programs. Our focus will be on securing funding for critical infrastructure, including local roads, flood resilience and projects the community has identified as important in our Community Strategic Plan,” Mayor Smith said.
