Fresh on the heels of the Belongil debate in Byron shire, Ballina’s councillors now find themselves also stuck between a rock wall and a hard place.
A small group of residents with houses fronting North Creek have applied to build a rock wall to protect their homes from erosion.
But other residents nearby who enjoy the waterfront exactly the way it is are opposing the application.
They have gathered a petition of more than 60 signatures urging councillors to reject the application.
But Ballina solicitor Peter Carmont Snr, one of the Camden Lane residents pushing for the rock wall, maintains the threat of erosion is real, and that the coastal protection works had been approved by the New South Wales Department of Planning.
Concerned residents have told APN media that a rock wall would reduce access to the sandy stretch of beach along North Creek.
A group of the opposing residents met last week, meeting with Mr Carmont Snr., who told them the application had been amended in an effort to address their concerns.
The proposed rock wall would now be built further within the boundaries of the four properties seeking protection.
He also gave an assurance that the property owners would not restrict access to people wanting to walk behind the proposed wall at high tide.
The application to build the rock wall will be considered by the Ballina Shire Council at its meeting later this month.
Their decision will be closely watched, especially as the council recently decided that levee banks and other measures would be used to mitigate future flooding in the shire as part of its flood management strategy.
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