Clarence Valley projects recognised for tackling housing challenges

Key points

• Two Clarence Valley Council projects have been named finalists in the 2026 Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Planning Excellence. The Accelerated Development Application Service has cut approval times for eligible applications to eight to nine days, below the council's 20-day target.
• The Clarenza Urban Release Area Structure Plan provides a framework for about 1,000 new homes and a future community of around 3,000 residents on flood-free land near Grafton.
• Council says the projects will support housing growth across the Clarence Valley.