The March Ballina Council meeting saw the mayor controversially use his casting vote to see Council sell strategic community land at Lennox Head to the state government-owned Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park. This was despite being told that the B Ward community groups were united in a recent resolution in support of the rescission motion to stop the sale.
The blocks concerned are at 2–4 Ross St, Lennox Head, directly opposite the surf club car park. The rescission motion sought to defer any decision on a sale until the Lake Ainsworth Management Plan has been reviewed. It is widely acknowledged that after 10 years this plan needs to be revisited to determine the future needs of the precinct.
Anyone who visits Lennox Head on the weekend, particularly the surf club/Lake Ainsworth area, would know how popular and congested this precinct is. Despite this, these two community-owned blocks have been fenced off and allowed to be used by the caravan park free of charge.
The population of Lennox Head is predicted to double in the next 10–20 years, and further development has been proposed within five minutes’ drive (Cumbalum B planning proposal). Given the large population increase and popularity of the area, it’s shortsighted to sell these blocks of land to allow the caravan park to expand. It’s even worse to sell them against the wishes of the local community.
Ballina Councillor Jeff Johnson, Lennox Head
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