Richmond Valley – LGA
Health Needs Assessment 2025 – 2028
Richmond Valley local government area (LGA)
An overview of the Richmond 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
- Richmond 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 Richmond Valley LGA
Richmond Valley Local Government Area (LGA) is on the Traditional Lands of the Bundjalung Nation in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The LGA extends from the coastline at Evans Head, along the floodplains of the Richmond River beyond Casino, and spreads across to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. It neighbours Kyogle, Lismore, Ballina and Clarence Valley LGAs. Richmond Valley LGA is part of the Northern NSW Local Health District and is part of the Richmond Valley-Hinterland SA3 however has some overlap with Richmond Valley-Coastal SA3.
Agriculture and manufacturing are Richmond Valley LGA’s major industries and employers. In 2025, Richmond Valley LGA continues to rebuild physically and emotionally following the severe flooding events of 2022. Many people lost their homes and or livelihoods – $250 million in production, mostly in agriculture and manufacturing, was lost over the following 2 years.
The area’s demographic structure and geographic location presents specific health challenges, particularly in the areas of service access, healthy aging and chronic disease prevention and management.
Download Richmond 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 of 23,542. Projected to increase by 2% by 2031 (5% increase North Coast).
- Population density: 8 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
- Median age 46 years (47 North Coast, 39 NSW).
- 7% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
- 24% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 12% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).
- Language other than English most spoken at home is Bandjalang (0.3%).
Nearly 1 in 3 children were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
More than 1 in 2 found it difficult to access a local GP for a child in their care.
Nearly 1 in 2 found it difficult to access a specialist doctor for a child in their care.
Opportunity: Work in partnership to improve education, support, community and peer-based services for children and families.
Fully immunised children rates:
- 94% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
- 94% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
- 98% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia)
- 61% of people aged 65 or over have at least one long-term health condition.
- 2% population live with dementia (2% NSW and Australia). Nearly 1 in 2 found it difficult to access a specialist doctor for a child in their care.
- 56% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges included a lack of services and difficulty in organising them.em.
Opportunity: Increase support and education regarding available services for people as they age and for ageing relatives or people in their care.
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. Learn more about Care Finders
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 Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Kyogle and Tweed Heads LGAs. The Richmond Valley Clinic is based in Casino and includes outreach to Box Ridge, Muli Muli, Tabulam and Kyogle.
- 28% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Richmond Valley – Hinterland SA3. Highest in the region.
- 23% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Richmond Valley- Coastal SA3 Exercise and fitness
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
- Family planning
- Women’s health
- Men’s health
- 79 per 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW).
- 8 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000 people). Decreased 14% from 2021.
- Median total weekly personal income $578 weekly ($652 North Coast, NSW $813).
- Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score of 924 indicates a greater disadvantage compared to the Australian average (1,000).
These social determinants influence health outcomes for the communities living in Richmond Valley.
- 29% single or lone households (25% NSW, 26% Australia) and 3% group homes (4% NSW and Australia).
Social isolation can increase health risks.
- 2 in 1000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1000 in Australia).
- 3 in 1000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1000 in Australia).
The 2022 floods impacted 3000 properties and left 450+ homes uninhabitable and 1000+ people displaced. Many continue with insecure housing and in temporary accommodation.
Opportunity: Partner with community organisations and government departments to successfully plan for, respond to and recover from environmental disasters.
Key messages
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA
Risks
- Current smoking
- Richmond Valley LGA – 18%
- 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).
- Richmond Valley LGA – 23%
- NSW – 18%
- Physical activity (aged 15 years and over, who did not meet 2014 physical activity guidelines).
- Richmond Valley LGA – 80%
- NSW – 77%
- Inadequate fruit intake
- Richmond Valley LGA – 51%
- NSW – 55%
- Overweight (not obese)
- Richmond Valley LGA – 33%
- NSW – 34%
- Obese
- Richmond Valley LGA – 41%
- NSW – 31%
When you were asked….
What kind of programs would you like more of, to keep you and your community healthy and strong?
- Health screening services
- Exercise and fitness
- Women’s health
- Training programs (for example: first aid, mental health first aid)
Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?
- Ageing population
- Lack of access to health care
- Mental health issues
- Drug and alcohol use
- Cancer
- 2 in 7 people have 2 or more chronic conditions. The highest presence of 8 different chronic conditions (asthma, chronic kidney disease, renal failure, CHD, stroke, type II diabetes, depression and osteoporosis) in the North Coast region by a substantial amount and is the LGA with the highest presence of chronic conditions.
- The most common chronic conditions are:
- anxiety
- osteoarthritis
- asthma
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:
- 38% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
- 61% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
- 43% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%)
The most diagnosed cancers:
- Bowel cancer
- Urogenital cancer
- Breast cancer
The cancer with the highest death rate is respiratory cancer (35 per 100,000).
Opportunity: Promote cancer screening activities, partnered with local health promotion units and screening services to educate community on the importance of participating in cancer screening activities.
Shared experiences with mental health:
- 2 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
- 5 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
- 6 in 10 found it difficult to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
- The top challenges to access mental health services:
- cost
- long distance from home
- lack of services
- The rate of suicide deaths (17 per 100,000 population) in Richmond Valley-Coastal (19 per 100,000 population) and in Richmond Valley-Hinterland are higher than NSW (11 per 100,000 population).
Opportunities: Explore and implement innovative approaches to strengthen prevention, treatment and mental health support programs suited to a rural/regional area.
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.
- 21 general practices
- 5 General Practitioners
- For every full time GP there are 1,000 patients
- 18 pharmacies
- 7 pharmacies
- 6 dentists
- Casino and District Memorial Hospital is a rural community hospital providing 24-hour emergency care, some inpatient and surgical services including palliative care and some outreach allied health and nursing services.
- Community health centres Casino Community Health, Coraki Campbell HealthOne, and Evans Head HealthOne provide various primary and allied health services.
Opportunity: Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.
The distribution of GPs is unequal in the North Coast region, with the rate of GP full-time equivalents (FTE) in Richmond Valley LGA among the lowest in the North Coast region (1 FTE per 1,000 people).
- 62% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW).
- After-hours GP use in Richmond Valley – Hinterland SA3 (which includes Richmond Valley LGA) is 11% (Australia 17%).
Barriers to accessing primary care include:
- Long wait time for an appointment
- Difficulty getting an appointment
- Cost
- Lack of services
Opportunity: Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.
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 Richmond 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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