Clunes Master Plan

About the Project

Lismore City Council is working with the community to create a plan for the future of Clunes. As the village continues to grow, we want to make sure that any changes reflect the needs and shared community vision of the people who live here. The Clunes Master Plan will focus on preserving the unique character of the village while addressing important issues like infrastructure, housing, traffic, and sustainability.

We are partnering with urban design experts to ensure the Clunes community is at the heart of the decision-making process. Together, we’ll create a plan that balances growth with protecting the things that make Clunes unique.

What is a Master Plan?

A master plan is a document that creates a long-term plan and place-based vision for the future. It is not a detailed development application for future development. Rather it sets the parameters or the framework for how future development will be considered.

The outcomes of the master plan process will:

• identify a vision and a set of guiding principles for the long-term development of Clunes,
• identify challenges and opportunities,
• provide detailed mapping such as a structure plan to visually identify and locate any future works and preferred land uses,
• provide a detailed action plan that links to the strategic principles and identifies work that needs to be done to facilitate the delivery of the master plan, including resource requirements.

Phase 1 Engagement Highlights

Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1 of the Clunes Master Plan engagement activities. Your contributions, through our drop-in sessions, Online Survey, and Virtual Ideas Board, have provided valuable insights into the values, priorities and aspirations of the Clunes community.

Key Feedback from Phase 1

• What People Love: Clunes’ peaceful, charming village character, strong community spirit, and rural charm.
• Concerns: Traffic congestion, limited infrastructure (footpaths, parking and public toilets), and the potential for overdevelopment.
• Vision for the Future: A connected, sustainable, and vibrant village that balances thoughtful growth with preserving Clunes' unique character.
• Top Priorities: Improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, recreational spaces, better amenities and protecting agricultural land and biodiversity.

Phase 1 Community Engagement Reports

We are excited to share the results of this initial engagement phase with the community. Two reports are now available:

• Short Summary Report: A concise overview of the key insights and themes from the community feedback.
• Detailed Report: A comprehensive analysis of all feedback, including summaries of survey responses, ideas board contributions and insights from drop-in sessions.

Both reports are available for review in the Documents Section of this page. These resources will inform the next steps in developing the vision for the draft Master Plan.

How You Can Get Involved

We want to hear from you. There are several ways you can get involved and have a say in shaping the future of Clunes:

Attend the next Drop-In/Workshop Table Sessions

Join us for one of our drop-in sessions to share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with the project team. These sessions are an opportunity for in-depth discussions and feedback on the future of Clunes.

Second Drop-In/Workshop Table Sessions:

• Evening: Friday 6 December - 3:30pm-6:30pm - Clunes Coronation Hall
• Morning: Saturday 7 December - 9:00am-11:00am - Clunes Coronation Hall

Complete the Second Community Survey

The Phase 2 Community Survey is now open and will run until 18 December 2024. This survey builds on feedback from Phase 1 and focuses on key themes and actions identified so far. Share your priorities and help guide the next steps for the Clunes Master Plan.

Exhibition of Draft Masterplan

• March to April 2025: Attend the exhibition of the Draft plan and provide any final feedback. Further details to come.

Background

The Clunes Master Plan project was initiated in response to growing community concerns and feedback gathered during previous consultations, particularly following the 2022 Growth and Realignment Strategy.

This strategy identified a need for more detailed, place-based planning for Clunes to ensure that any future development aligns with the community's values and needs.

Clunes Master Planning Area

The Analysis of Existing Site Conditions document is now available on the project page. This resource provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, infrastructure, and environmental factors influencing the Clunes Master Plan. By examining these existing conditions, we can better understand the foundation on which future planning will build, ensuring that proposed developments align with Clunes’ unique character and community needs.

Community Reference Group for Clunes Master Plan

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the Community Reference Group has been completed and the project team is now ready to collaborate with a group of 10 residents. This group represents a diverse cross-section of the Clunes community.

The selection of the group was carried out with careful consideration based on Selection Criteria, ensuring balanced representation. These included:

• Diversity in age and gender
• A mix of long-term and newer residents
• Representation from business owners and those active in community organisations, such as Clunes Old School Hall, Clunes Clues, and the Clunes Rural Fire Brigade
• Diversity of ideas and aspirations on key issues like housing, agriculture, and the environment
• Ability to represent community values and interests
• Inclusion of Widjabal Wia-bal leaders/representatives (Bundjalung Nation)

Please see the full Selection Criteria which can be downloaded in the Documents section.

Group Responsibilities

The Community Reference Group will:

• Help shape engagement activities, such as workshops and drop-in sessions, to make them accessible and inclusive for all.
  
• Collaborate with the project team to ensure that community ideas and concerns are reflected in the Master Plan by providing draft insights to be tested with the wider community.
• Assist in synthesising community feedback and helping to guide the development of the Master Plan.
• Have the opportunity to endorse the draft Master Plan and draft recommendations to Council after exhibition of the draft Master Plan to the public and any amendments as a result of feedback from the community at both the community drop-in sessions and exhibition stage.

As part of this process, we have developed a Clunes Community Engagement Plan, which outlines the approach and steps to ensure inclusive and meaningful engagement. You can access the plan on the project page, along with other key documents.

Meet the Project Consultants

Lismore City Council has partnered with experienced consultants to help develop the Clunes Master Plan. These consultants bring expertise in urban planning, sustainability, and community engagement:

• Ethos Urban: Specialising in urban solutions, Ethos Urban blends design, engagement, and social strategy to create sustainable, community-focused developments.

• Living Lab Northern Rivers: is a space where research and community come together to create the solutions that will allow our region to thrive in uncertainty. A collaboration between University of Technology, Sydney, Southern Cross University and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, their strength comes from the diversity of groups they bring to the table.

• Barker Ryan Stewart: Experts in infrastructure and property development, Barker Ryan Stewart is committed to integrating sustainable practices and balancing community needs with environmental considerations.

These consultants are working hand-in-hand with Council and community to create a plan that reflects the community vision for Clunes.

Stay Updated

We’ll be sharing regular updates in the Clunes Clues community newsletter, on the Lismore City Council Facebook page and on noticeboards around the village. Make sure to keep an eye out for ways to stay involved and help shape the future of Clunes.

For any further questions, please refer to our FAQs for more information about the project.