The North Coast Region is on the lands of the Bundjalung, Githabul, Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl, Dunghutti, Thunggutti and Birpai nations.
It includes the local government areas (LGAs) of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
The region extends from Port Macquarie to the Queensland border, and west to the Great Dividing Range and hinterland.
The North Coast has a rich and diverse environment and sub-tropical climate. It offers an enviable lifestyle between the economic powerhouses of Sydney, Newcastle and South East Queensland.
The region has 2 distinct subregions: the Northern Rivers and the Mid North Coast.
Most people live in the regional cities of Tweed, Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. Other places like Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, Ballina, Kyogle, Casino, Grafton, Bellingen, Macksville and Kempsey continue to grow and are great places to live and work.
Many communities in the North Coast are still reeling from devastating bushfires and floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. The regional plan aims to protect the region’s main streets, beaches, parks, bushland, rivers, and leafy open spaces. These places are key to public life.
The North Coast supports a strong and growing economy. We expect to see continued economic growth in the fields of health and social assistance, education and training, and the construction, tourism, creative, retail and agriculture sectors.
Expected population growth requires us to plan for a minimum of 41,300 new homes in the next 20 years. Additional homes will also be needed for other uses like tourism and temporary accommodation. We will do so in the context of a changing climate and the need to retain the area’s much loved lifestyle.
Download the North Coast Regional Plan 2041 (PDF, 15.4 MB).
