Crisis and support numbers

HNA LGA – Richmond Valley 2025

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

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.

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
Download Richmond Valley HNA Factsheet

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.

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


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:

  1. Bowel cancer
  2. Urogenital cancer
  3. 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.

Explore more: North Coast LGA Factsheets and information

Ballina - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Bellingen - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Byron - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Clarence Valley - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Coffs Harbour - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Kempsey - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Kyogle - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Lismore - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Nambucca Valley - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Port Macquarie-Hastings - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Richmond Valley - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

Tweed - LGA

View LGA Factsheet and key messages for the region.

HNA Homepage

View Health Needs Assessment Homepage

HNA LGAs Map

View Health Needs Assessment LGAs Map

HNA Priority Areas List

View Health Needs Assessment Priority Areas List

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Healthy North Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across our region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and on their journey. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to the land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Land’s First Peoples and honour the rich diversity of the oldest living cultures.

The PHN program is an Australian Government Initiative.
ACNC registered charity healthy north coast

Our regional partners

  • Local Health District partners in our footprint: Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) & Northern New South Wales Local Health District (NNSWLHD)
  • Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS)
  • The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
  • Rural Doctors Network (RDN)
  • Rural Clinical Schools & Regional Training Hubs
  • General Practitioners
  • Registrars and International Medical Graduates
  • North Coast Allied Health Association (NCAHA)
  • Local Councils
    Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
  • Universities including: Charles Sturt University (CSU), University of New South Wales (UNSW), Southern Cross University (SCU)

Aged Care Disaster Management Planning

Strategic Priority Area: One team

North Coast is identified as the region most likely to be impacted by climate change in Australia and also forecasted greatest growth in those 65+.

Healthy North Coast takes a lead role in ensuring the older population and the sector that supports them are prepared for, can respond to and recover from disasters and other emergencies.

We have led eight regional disaster management capacity building workshops, bringing together SES, community organisations and the aged care sector.

We have also developed disaster preparedness tip sheets for both residential and community aged care providers.

Read the media release: Aged Care Homes Prepare for Disasters

Voluntary Assisted Dying

Strategic Priority Area: One team

In May 2022, the NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. Effective from Tuesday, 28 November 2023, eligible people have the choice to access voluntary assisted dying. 

Healthy North Coast has developed a webpage for both health professionals and consumers, with links to available information and resources.

Visit the Voluntary Assisted Dying webpage

Living with Dementia resources

Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind

Healthy North Coast has worked with people living with dementia, their families and local service providers to develop an information booklet that will help them connect with local and national supports along their journey.

Highly regarded by a range of professional supporting those on or starting the dementia journey, the booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.

“It’s a fantastic resource and I give it to everyone on their first diagnosis. Its easy to read, so well planned and thought through and has lots of really useful information, tailored to the region.
I also find it very helpful when educating clinical staff.”

−Geropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Mid North Coast.

The resource is available in digital and printed copies, with more than 5,000 distributed across the region. An e-version is available to clinicians via the Dementia and Cognitive Impairment HealthPathway.

View the Living with Dementia booklet (PDF)

Deteriorating Resident Triage Tool Pilot

Strategic Priority Area: One team

The Deteriorating Resident Response Tool (DRRT) has been developed to guide RN’s in Residential Aged Care homes (RACHs) to better understand, anticipate and make clinical decisions responding to the deteriorating health of residents.

The objective of the DRRT is to give RACH staff clear information to triage and provide appropriate care for a range of residents’ health conditions, and, in turn, prevent unnecessary presentations to ED.

The tool has been designed together with a specialist geriatrician, consulting with stakeholders such as Residential Aged Care Managers, NSW Ambulance, GPs, and experts from Mid and North Coast LHDs.

The pilot commences in March with four participating RACHs. Evaluation measures will include effectiveness in building RN confidence and reported reduction in unnecessary hospitalisations. Findings will inform a future planned, region-wide implementation.

View the deteriorating resident response tool

North Coast Care Finders Program

Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind

The Care Finders program is a free region-wide service to support vulnerable older people who have no-one else to help them, to learn about, apply for and set up support services.

Care finders can help people understand what aged care services are available, set up an assessment, and find and choose services. They also help people with access to other supports in the community, both accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.

On the North Coast, Healthy North Coast has commissioned four organisations to provide this important service: EACH, Carexcell, Lifetime Connect and Footprints.

Download the 'Older people with a focus on priority target populations and access to services' Needs Assessment
Visit the commissioned services listings to find out more, including service contact information.
icon with person and hands

Psychological services in residential aged care homes

Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now

Healthy North Coast commissions two service providers to deliver psychological therapies and supports for older people with, or at risk of developing, a mental illness and who are living in residential aged care homes (RACHs).

The aim of the program is to both provide direct support to residents and their families and carers, as well as upskill the RACH workforce to respond to the needs of residents presenting with mental health concerns.

Visit the commissioned services listings to find out more, including service contact information.​

Healthy Towns. Healthy Communities.

Strategic Priority Area: Securing a Healthier Future

Connection and a sense of belonging are protective factors for both individual and community health and wellbeing. Evidence highlights that the social determinants of health play a critical role in addressing many of our regions health challenges.

That’s why Healthy North Coast has long been committed to supporting communities to strengthen and to build social health. Our initiatives, including contemporary ‘Social Prescribing’, help people to connect to activities, supports and each other, and assist communities to integrate services and bridge gaps.

Visit the Healthy Me Healthy Community service page
icon with person and hands

Telehealth in Residential Aged Care

Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified several critical areas affecting aged care residents and our health system. Key challenges include:

  • Limited access to general practitioners (GPs) and allied health professionals in aged care facilities.
  • Difficulties accessing out-of-hours services

Telehealth offers valuable opportunities to enhance support for residents living in aged care homes. Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, this initiative provides telehealth equipment and staff training as part of the response to the Royal Commission’s findings.

By improving access to primary care clinicians, specialist services, and other service providers through telehealth, we can significantly enhance health outcomes for residents, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and emergency department visits.

The selection of telehealth equipment was guided by our Healthy Ageing Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive digital discovery questionnaire, and consultation workshops with various stakeholders. These efforts included interviews with residents to understand their attitudes toward telehealth, ensuring the initiative meets their needs and preferences.

For more information, visit the Telehealth in Residential Aged Care​ webpage
icon with person and hands

Greater Choice at Home Palliative Care Program

Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now

Aims to provide people who have life limiting conditions the opportunity to exercise choice and receive high quality care at home, harnessing improved and better coordinated supports and services that meet their individual needs.

Program objectives:

  • Improve access to palliative care at home and support end-of-life care systems and services (in primary health care and community care)
  • To enable the right care at the right time and in the right place (to reduce unnecessary hospitalisation)
  • Generate and use data to support continuous improvement of services across sectors
  • Use available technologies to support flexible and responsive palliative care at home, including in the after-hours.

These objectives will contribute to achieving the following intended overarching outcomes of:

  • Improved capacity and responsiveness of services to meet local needs and priorities
  • Improved patient access to quality palliative care services in the home
  • Improved coordination of care for patients across health care providers and integration of palliative care services in their region.
Read more about the Greater Choice at Home Palliative Care Program
Download the 2023 Palliative and End-of-life Care Needs Assessment (PDF)

Education & training funding elibility

Funding is open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.

References

  1. Healthy North Coast Health Needs Assessment, 2022-2025
  2. Northern Rivers Community Foundation (2023). Northern Rivers Vital Signs, 2023
  3. Northern Rivers Community Foundation Flood Impact Report, May 2023
  4. Ang, C., Abdo, M., Rose, V., Lim, R., and Taylor, J. (2023). Participatory Grantmaking: Building the Evidence. Centre for Evidence and Innovation. 
  5. Lee, G., Vine, K., Atkinson, A-R., Tong, M., Longman, J., Barratt, A., Bailie, R., Vardoulakis, S., Matthews, V., & Mizanur Rahman, K. (2023). Impacts of Climate Change on Health and Health Services in Northern New South Wales, Australia: A Rapid Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, 6285. 
  6. Sewell, T., Stephens, R., Dominey-Howes, D., Bruce, E., & Perkins-Kirkpatrick, S. (2016), Disaster declarations associated with bushfires, floods and storms in New South Wales, Australia between 2004 and 2014. Scientific Reports (6). 
  7. Dominey-Howes, D., Bruce, E., Stephens, R., Perkins-Kirkpatrick, S., & Sewell, T. (2016). Natural disasters are affecting some of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities. The Conversation. 

Workforce Locum support and R&R funding criteria

  • Available to primary care services in disaster impacted communities within the Healthy North Coast footprint.
  • Available to support short-term workforce coverage, allowing clinicians to rest and recover.
  • Workforce-support funding in total is capped for each site, over a 12-month period:
    • $10k for GPs and/or
    • $5K for nursing and/or
    • $5k administration support and/or
    • $5K allied/pharmacy and other.
  • Funding is not to be used to fill gaps in staffing that have not been able to recruit to and not to replace existing staff.
  • Healthy North Coast will assess requirements and approve available funding directly with the service requesting support.
  • Priority will be given to sites that have immediate, short-term workforce support needs.
  • Requests will be reviewed and supported on a case-by-case basis.
  • Program funding administered via RCTI Agreement (Recipient Created Tax Invoice) to be paid monthly, or on completion of the placement (whichever comes first).
  • Practices will be required to complete a request for payment form monthly, or on completion of the placement (whichever occurs first).

Wellbeing Flexible Funding Criteria & Eligibility

  • Open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.
  • Activity must be purposeful, with the aim of increasing the wellbeing of your team.
  • Requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with funding allocated based on team size.*
  • Following approval by Healthy North Coast, funding will be administered via RCTI Agreement (Recipient Created Tax Invoice) upon providing proof of expenses.
  • Funding cannot be used for the purchase of alcohol, or any other goods or services where the vendor cannot quote their Australian Business Number.
  • Planned activities must occur prior to 30th June 2024.
  • Funding will not be available for retrospective activities.
*Team Size
(Total staff and contractors)		Funding Available
Small (1-5)$500-$1500
Medium (6-20)$1500-$4000
Large (>20)$4000-$5000

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