Nambucca Valley - LGA

Health Needs Assessment 2025 - 2028

Nambucca Valley Local Government Area (LGA)

An overview of the health needs identified by the Nambucca Valley Local Government Area (LGA) community 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

Nambucca 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 Nambucca Valley LGA

Located in the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Nambucca Valley Local Government Area (LGA) is on the Traditional Lands of the Gumbaynggirr Nation. The LGA spans an area of 2,110 square kilometres, stretching from the beautiful coastline along the Pacific Ocean to the lush hinterland and the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Nambucca Valley neighbours Bellingen, Clarence Valley, and Macleay Valley LGAs.
Although the region faces challenges with recruitment and retention of its healthcare workforce, there is an opportunity to strengthen promotion of healthy ageing strategies and chronic disease prevention and management.

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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

Demographics

Population 20,403, 4% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 4% by 2031 (5% increase North Coast).
Population density: 14 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
8% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
30% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 15% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).

Children and younger people

Nearly 1 in 3 children were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.

3 in 5 survey participants found it difficult to access a GP 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:

92% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
89% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
91% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia).

Opportunity: Understand reasons for low immunisation rates and work with community and healthcare providers on improvement strategies.

Older people

61% of people aged 65 or over have at least one long-term health condition.
3% live with dementia. Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
56% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges included a lack of services and difficulty in organising them.

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

Opportunity: Increase support and education regarding available services for people as they age and for ageing relatives or people in their care.

Aboriginal health and wellbeing

Healthy North Coast works in partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Darrimba Maarra Aboriginal Health Clinic (Durri ACMS) in Nambucca Heads and Bawrunga Medical Services in Nambucca Heads and Macksville provide services to the Aboriginal communities across the LGA and to neighbouring communities.

28% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Kempsey – Nambucca SA3. (Highest in the North Coast).

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
Health screening services
Women’s health
Training programs
Yarning circles

Social determinants

93 per 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW). Second highest in North Coast.
6 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000 people)
Median total weekly personal income $525 weekly ($652 North Coast, NSW $813).
Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score of 920, indicating greater disadvantage compared to the Australian average (1,000).

Opportunity: Strengthen local support services for vulnerable people in partnerships with community services and healthcare providers.

Housing and homelessness

2 in 1000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1000 in Australia).
5 in 1000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1000 in Australia).

There is limited availability of affordable housing. Of the 34 rental properties available:

0 were affordable to singles or couples on Jobseeker or Youth Allowance, single person on minimum wage, single or couple on Age Pension
5 were affordable by a couple with 2 children on minimum wage and receiving family tax benefits (FTB) A and B
1 was affordable by a single with 2 children on minimum wage and receiving family tax benefits (FTB) A and B and Parenting Payment
1 was affordable by a couple with 2 children on minimum wage and receiving Parenting Partnered Family Tax Benefits (FTB) A and B.

Adequate access to affordable housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

33% single or lone households (25% NSW) and 3% group homes (4% NSW). Social isolation can increase health risks.

Social isolation can increase health risks.

Key messages

PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA

Preventative health and chronic disease

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
Support with daily living / personal care
Women’s health
Community health education events

Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?

Ageing population
Mental health issues
Lack of access to health care
Drug and alcohol use
Cancer

Nearly 1 in 4 people have 2 or more chronic conditions.
The most common chronic conditions are anxiety and osteoarthritis.

Opportunity: Strengthen and enhance preventative health programs to reduce the prevalence and impact of chronic conditions.

Cancer screening participation and diagnosis

Cancer screening participation:

41% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
57% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
41% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).

The most diagnosed cancers:

Urogenital cancer
Skin cancer
Respiratory cancer.

The cancer with the highest mortality rate is upper gastrointestinal cancer (39 per 100,000 people)

Mental Health

Shared experiences with mental health:

2 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
6 in 10 found it difficult to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
The top challenges to access mental health services:
- cost
- lack of services
- difficult to organise
- long distance from home.
In Kempsey-Nambucca SA3, rate of suicide deaths 19 per 100,000 population (11 per 100,000 population NSW).

Opportunities: Explore and implement innovative approaches to strengthen prevention, treatment and mental health support programs suited to a rural/regional area. This should include increased education and support for community members and healthcare providers, and access to digital based 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.

Healthcare in Nambucca Valley LGA

Macksville District Hospital has a 28-bed acute inpatient unit and a 24-hour Emergency Department with medical coverage and telehealth capabilities to connect into Coffs Harbour Health Campus’ Emergency Department.
Community health centres in Nambucca Heads, Bowraville, and Macksville provide various primary and allied health services and education programs.
- 7 general practices
- 22 General Practitioners
- For every full time GP there are 1,111 patients
- 4 pharmacies
- 6 dentists.

Opportunity: Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.

Access to primary and community health services

55% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW).
After-hours GP service attendance rate for Kempsey – Nambucca SA3 is 4% (Australia 17%). Access to after-hours GP services remains a challenge and may contribute to higher ED admissions.

Barriers to accessing primary care include: