Clarence Valley – LGA
Health Needs Assessment 2025 – 2028
Clarence Valley local government area (LGA)
An overview of the Clarence Valley local government area (LGA) health needs is provided. The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) process utilised a comprehensive, mixed-methods approach to collect and analyse data on the health and service needs of the North Coast region.
Key Information
- Clarence Valley LGA – Factsheet
- Key messages – Demographics and Social Determinants
- Key messages – Primary Healthcare in the region
- Explore more LGAs in the North Coast, NSW – View menu
Health Needs Assessment Clarence Valley LGA
The Clarence Valley local government area (LGA), located on the Traditional Lands of the Bundjalung, Gumbaingirr, and Yaegl Nations, spans 10,441 km², making it the largest LGA on the North Coast. Clarence Valley LGA is part of the Mid North Coast Local Health District and is part of the Clarence Valley SA3 however has some overlap with Coffs Harbour SA3. It encompasses a mix of coastal, hinterland, and mountain regions, along with rural towns and communities.
Grafton serves as the main regional centre, followed by the towns of Yamba and Maclean. Agriculture and the fishing industry are key sectors in the area’s economy. The Clarence Valley LGA maintains strong connections with neighbouring LGAs, including Coffs Harbour and Ballina.
The area’s demographic structure, geographic location and size presents specific health challenges, particularly in the areas of service access, healthy aging and chronic disease prevention and management.
Download Clarence Valley HNA Factsheet
Footnote: throughout this document ‘survey’ refers to the 2024 Better Health Community survey undertaken as part of the Health Needs Assessment 2025-28 consultation process
Key messages
DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
- Population 54,212 people, 10% of the North Coast population. Population projected to increase by 2% by 2031 (compared to 5% increase North Coast).
- 27% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 11% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% increase NSW).
- Population density: 5 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
- Median age 49 years (47 North Coast, 39 NSW).
- 8% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
- Nearly 1 in 5 children assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
- 1 in 2 found it difficult to access a local GP for a child in their care.
- Clarence Valley LGA has the second highest presence of post-natal depression in the North Coast. Double the North Coast average.
Opportunity: Work in partnership to improve education, support, community and peer-based services for children and families.
Fully immunised children rates:
- 95% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
- 93% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
- 97% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia).
- 62% of people aged 65 years and over have at least one long-term health condition. Highest in the North Coast.
• 3% population live with dementia (2% NSW and Australia). Higher than NSW and Australian rates and is expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
• 66% of survey respondents reported the ageing population is one of the most serious health concerns in the community.
• 50% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges were lack of awareness of services and difficulty in organising services.
Did you know: Care Finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people – who have no one else who can support them – to learn about, apply for and set up support services.
Opportunity: Increase support and education regarding available services for people as they age and for ageing relatives or people in their care.
Healthy North Coast works in partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation provides services to the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl people of Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Tweed Heads LGAs. Clarence Valley clinics are based in Grafton, South Grafton, and Maclean and include outreach to Baryulgil, Malabugilmah, and Yamba.
- 18% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Clarence Valley SA3
Connection to country and culture is key for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples social and emotional wellbeing.
Programs that Aboriginal peoples identified to help keep Aboriginal communities healthy and strong:
- Exercise and fitness
- Support with daily living / personal care
- Training programs
- 85 in every 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast and 58 per 1,000 NSW).
- Median total personal income $578 per week ($652 North Coast, $813 NSW).
- 7 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence. Increased 82% from 2021 and is higher than North Coast and NSW rates (4 per 1,000).
- Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score 940, indicating greater disadvantage compared to the Australian average (1,000).
Opportunity: Assist partnerships including community and social services to increase health and wellbeing supports. Targeted outreach programs and stronger partnerships with domestic violence services could help address the health needs of vulnerable populations in the region.
- 3 in 1000 people experiencing homelessness (4 in 1,000 North Coast and NSW, and 9 in 1,000 Australia)
- 4 in 1000 are at risk of homelessness (4 in 1,000 in North Coast and NSW and 7 in 1,000 Australia).
- 29% single or lone households (25% NSW, 26% Australia) and 3% group homes (4% NSW and Australia).
Social isolation can increase health risks.
Key messages
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA
Risks
- Current smoking
- Clarence Valley LGA – 16%
- NSW – 12%
- Alcohol consumption (estimated number of persons aged 15 years and over who consumed 5 or more standard alcoholic drinks on any day in the last 12 months at least monthly).
- Clarence Valley LGA – 28%
- NSW – 18%
- Physical activity (aged 15 years and over, who did not meet 2014 physical activity guidelines).
- Clarence Valley LGA – 81%
- NSW – 77%
- Inadequate fruit intake
- Clarence Valley LGA – 59%
- NSW – 55%
- Overweight (not obese)
- Clarence Valley LGA – 34%
- NSW – 34%
- Obese
- Clarence Valley LGA – 40%
- NSW – 31%
When you were asked….
What kind of programs would you like more of, to keep you and your community healthy and strong?
- Exercise and fitness
- Health screening services
- Women’s health
Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?
- Mental health issues
- Ageing population
- Lack of access to healthcare services
Nearly 1 in 5 people have 2 or more chronic conditions. The most common chronic conditions are:
o Osteoarthritis
o Anxiety
o Depression
Highest presence of Type I Diabetes in the north coast. More than 1 in 2 diagnosed are 65 years or older.
Opportunity: Strengthen and enhance preventative health programs, strategies, and care teams through partnerships, helping reduce the prevalence and impact of chronic conditions.
Cancer screening participation:
- 42% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
- 64% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
- 46% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).
The most diagnosed cancers:
- Urogenital cancer
- Skin cancer
- Bowel cancer
The cancer with the highest death rate is respiratory cancer.
Shared experiences with mental health:
- 1 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
- 4 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
- 2 in 3 found it hard to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
- 7 in 10 found it difficult to access a GP and psychiatry services. Higher than the North Coast average.
- The top challenges to access mental health services included:
- lack of services
- difficult to organise appointments
- Long way from home.
- Clarence Valley SA3 rate of suicide deaths 22 per 100,000 population. This is double the rate of NSW.
Opportunity: In partnership, explore and implement innovative ways to strengthen treatment, prevention and mental health support programs suited to a rural area. This could include increased education, support and access for digital based services and community and peer support services.
Did you know: Medicare Mental Health Centres can help you access the local mental health services and supports that are right for you. No referral needed, access by phoning 1800 595 212 or visit the website.
Grafton Base Hospital and Maclean District Hospital service the Clarence Valley region they are both rural community hospitals open all hours and providing emergency care and a range of medical, nursing and surgical services.
Community health centres Grafton Ambulatory Care, Community and Allied Health, Iluka Community Health, Maclean Community Health, and Yamba Community Health, provide a range of primary and allied health services.
- 46 general practices
- 14 general practitioners
- For every full time GP there are 1,429 people
- 44 pharmacists
- 13 pharmacies
- 30 dentists
The distribution of GPs is unequal in the North Coast region, with the rate of GP FTE in Clarence Valley LGA among the lowest in the North Coast region.
Opportunity: Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.
- 75% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52% North Coast, 48% NSW).
- After-hours GP use in Clarence Valley SA3 is 3% (Australia 17%). Access to after-hours GP services remains a challenge and may contribute to higher ED admissions.
Barriers to accessing primary care include:
- Long wait times for appointments
- Difficulty getting an appointment
- Lack of practitioners/services
- Long distance from home
- Cost
- Difficult to organise appointments
Did you know: If you need medical advice and care, call Healthdirect for free, 24/7 on 1800 022 222 and speak to a registered nurse.
HNC commissions a range of community-based services to address local health needs. These include:
- Aboriginal health
- Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Mental Health
- Youth specific
- Integrated Team Care
View more information about the services available in Clarence Valley LGA.
About the North Coast Health Needs Assessment Map
The North Coast Local Government Area (LGA) Health Needs Assessment map identifies our 12 LGAs. The map can be used to navigate to specific LGA findings within our region.
The health needs assessment helps the Primary Health Network (PHN):
• Understand the health status and needs of local communities
• Identify existing services and where gaps may exist
Engage with community members and service providers
• The 2024 assessment informs decisions for the 2025–2028 planning cycle, guiding how HNC and partners commission services that respond to local needs.
To explore data findings, LGA factsheets, and key messages for a specific LGA, you can either click on the region in the hotspot map or scroll down to select your preferred LGA from the list.
Explore more: North Coast LGA Factsheets and information
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