RRA Clarence Valley

Offical opening of the Grafton Reviva Reuse Shop by Clarence Valley Mayor Ray Smith

Clarence Valley: Eight Waste Transfer Stations and the Region’s First Reviva Reuse Shop

In FY26, RRA delivered a landmark expansion across the Clarence Valley, assuming operations of eight waste transfer stations and establishing Reviva Grafton – the region's first reuse shop. It brought 22 local people into our team, many of whom already knew the sites and had deep roots in their communities.

One of those people is Terrence Robinson, a Bundjalung man who has lived in the Clarence Valley since childhood. Terrence lives with his partner in Malabugilmah, where they have raised their children and grandchildren. He was already working at the waste facility and joined RRA when management of the site transitioned from the previous operator.

“I’m a local boy – I’ve lived in the area all my life,” he says. Terrence is active in Aboriginal community leadership and is currently a Director for the Northern Region on the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited Board.

Terrence Robinson - RRA Clarence Valley Team Leader

Grafton Reviva Reuse Shop

Now a RRA Team Leader at one of our waste transfer stations, Terrence helps customers use the facility safely and make sure materials go to the right place.

He says, “I enjoy meeting new people and having positive conversations about recycling and general everyday things.” He is particularly proud of “being able to make it a safe space for everyone to come and use the facility in a comfortable environment.”

For Terrence, joining RRA has meant being able to continue work he already values. At the same time, he says there have already been positive changes on site, including the ability to cater for larger loads.

That continuity reflects RRA’s place-based approach across our sites: valuing local knowledge, existing relationships and cultural connections, and building on what is already strong in a community.

Reviva Grafton has also made a strong start, welcoming 3,169 customers through the doors and diverting 19.2 tonnes of material from landfill in its first months of operation.

Furniture, books, décor, tools, collectables, kitchenware and other household goods are recovered for reuse and sold at affordable prices, giving residents the chance to take home something that still has plenty of life left while keeping valuable items in use for longer.

While there are more big things to come in the Clarence Valley – with a second reuse shop on the horizon – for Terrence, the purpose of the work is simple and closely connected to the place he has called home all his life.