Environmental Special Variation: Investing in environmental outcomes

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Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.

The proposed Environmental Special Variation (ESV) will not go ahead, following a decision at the November Council Meeting.

This means Council will not apply to IPART for a Special Variation.

Over six weeks of consultation, 278 community members shared their views. Overall, 78% were opposed to the ESV.

Council will now look to use any available internal funds for priority environmental projects and continue seeking state and federal grants.

View the November Council Meeting Minutes: https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/.../Minutes-and-agendas


How you got involved

From September to October, Council was out in the community talking about the proposed Environmental Special Variation.

Here’s how you got involved:

  • Attended one of our 5 drop-in sessions
  • Shared your thoughts through the online survey, closed Friday 31 October.
  • Provided feedback and questions to help inform the next steps
  • Brought your annual rate notice to our information sessions or customer service centres so we could calculate how much the variation would cost based on your current land valuation

History

At the June 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to investigate the possibility of a Special Variation (SV) to fund environmental projects previously endorsed in Council plans and strategies.

The Council has investigated three funding sources including internal reserves, State and Federal Government funding, and an Environmental Special Variation.

By introducing an average of $35.00 per rateable property to your general rates as an Environmental Special Variation, 75 environmental projects could be funded.

These include:

• Bush regeneration
• Environmental monitoring
• Biodiversity planning
• Pollution control
• Riverbank and waterway management
• Coastal protection
• Climate adaptation
• Community education

Why is the Environmental Special Variation being proposed?

Through feedback from surveys and consultations, our community has told us that protecting the natural environment is a top priority. A review of adopted Council plans identified 75 environmental projects the community expects to see delivered. Even though we have implemented a range of productivity improvements, including annual internal reviews, a 2021 staff restructure and rationalisation of assets across the Clarence Valley, there is still a funding shortfall. The Special Variation will reduce that funding gap.

View more Frequently Asked Questions here.


Proposed funding breakdown over the next 10 years

An Environmental Special Variation is a proposed increase to general rates, dedicated solely to environmental projects. As shown below, the Special Variation is one component of the total funding needed to deliver the identified projects.


If introduced, the Environmental Special Variation would contribute nearly half of the required funding, providing secure, long-term support for both current and emerging environmental projects over the next 10 years.

For a small fee, we can make a big impact.


Brochure - Environmental Special Variation: Investing in environmental outcomes


Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.

The proposed Environmental Special Variation (ESV) will not go ahead, following a decision at the November Council Meeting.

This means Council will not apply to IPART for a Special Variation.

Over six weeks of consultation, 278 community members shared their views. Overall, 78% were opposed to the ESV.

Council will now look to use any available internal funds for priority environmental projects and continue seeking state and federal grants.

View the November Council Meeting Minutes: https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/.../Minutes-and-agendas


How you got involved

From September to October, Council was out in the community talking about the proposed Environmental Special Variation.

Here’s how you got involved:

  • Attended one of our 5 drop-in sessions
  • Shared your thoughts through the online survey, closed Friday 31 October.
  • Provided feedback and questions to help inform the next steps
  • Brought your annual rate notice to our information sessions or customer service centres so we could calculate how much the variation would cost based on your current land valuation

History

At the June 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to investigate the possibility of a Special Variation (SV) to fund environmental projects previously endorsed in Council plans and strategies.

The Council has investigated three funding sources including internal reserves, State and Federal Government funding, and an Environmental Special Variation.

By introducing an average of $35.00 per rateable property to your general rates as an Environmental Special Variation, 75 environmental projects could be funded.

These include:

• Bush regeneration
• Environmental monitoring
• Biodiversity planning
• Pollution control
• Riverbank and waterway management
• Coastal protection
• Climate adaptation
• Community education

Why is the Environmental Special Variation being proposed?

Through feedback from surveys and consultations, our community has told us that protecting the natural environment is a top priority. A review of adopted Council plans identified 75 environmental projects the community expects to see delivered. Even though we have implemented a range of productivity improvements, including annual internal reviews, a 2021 staff restructure and rationalisation of assets across the Clarence Valley, there is still a funding shortfall. The Special Variation will reduce that funding gap.

View more Frequently Asked Questions here.


Proposed funding breakdown over the next 10 years

An Environmental Special Variation is a proposed increase to general rates, dedicated solely to environmental projects. As shown below, the Special Variation is one component of the total funding needed to deliver the identified projects.


If introduced, the Environmental Special Variation would contribute nearly half of the required funding, providing secure, long-term support for both current and emerging environmental projects over the next 10 years.

For a small fee, we can make a big impact.


Brochure - Environmental Special Variation: Investing in environmental outcomes


  • Media release: Funding a better environmental future for the Clarence Valley

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    Clarence Valley Council will look at the possibility of introducing an Environmental Special Variation in an effort to protect our environment and improve the quality of life for current and future generations.

    Through recent surveys and consultation feedback, our residents have told us they value access to a clean, healthy natural environment and is a top priority for making the region a great place to live.

    A review of Council’s plans identified 75 vital environmental projects the community expects to see delivered, but does not have the capacity to fund or resource.

    Clarence Valley Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Adam Cameron, explains the proposed Special Variation and where the funds will go.

    “It’s proposed that an Environmental Special Variation of an average of $35 will be added to the annual rates of each ratable property in the Clarence Valley from 1 July 2026. This money would go directly to environmental projects.

    “Some projects would be ongoing, while others are short-term and could be completed in less than a year.”

    These projects range from bush regeneration, environmental monitoring, biodiversity planning, pollution control, riverbank and waterway management, coastal protection, climate adaptation, and community education.

    Council’s Mayor Ray Smith encourages ratepayers to take the opportunity to be informed about the Environmental Special Levy before the final decision to apply for the is made by Council

    “Council staff will be engaging with ratepayers in the community to explain the Environmental Special Variation and seek their views before a report is brought back to Council and a decision is made whether to make the application to IPART for approval,” Mayor, Ray Smith said.

    Councillors voted to explore a Special Variation (SV) to help fund important environmental projects across the Clarence Valley at the June 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting.

  • Why is funding this program important?

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    Hear from some local environmental champions

    In this video, hear from Tracy Pateman, Aunty Lenore Parker and Aunty Elizabeth Smith from the Clarence River Guardians project on why caring for the environment is so important and how funding this environmental program will help.



    John from Angourie loves the environment
    In this video, John talks about how important it is to find funding for environmental projects.



    Peter from Gillett's Ridge talks about the Environmental Special Variation
    Peter, a local grazier, talks about why the environment is important to him and why a healthy environment is vital for our region’s economy.


Page last updated: 10 Dec 2025, 02:37 PM