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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

$41million private family haven at Sth Ballina sparks concerns

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An artist's impression of a section of the proposal. (supplied)
An artist’s impression of a section of the proposal. (supplied)

Neighbours of a proposed $41 million private getaway in South Ballina are concerned that a proposed shooting range and go kart track at the facility will take away their peaceful amenity.

They are also concerned that a number of roads and tracks will be closed, and that increased traffic and a helicopter pad will transform the once quiet area.

The subject land, which covers 225 hectares,  is located on a coastal strip between Patches Beach and South Ballina. To the east is Crown land, and beyond it, the beach. To the west is agricultural land which is currently used for growing sugar cane.

The plans, which are currently on display at Ballina Shire Council, have been lodged on behalf of the Menegazzo family of beef barons, who founded the Stanbroke Group cattle empire in Queensland.

Heads of the family, Peter and Angela Menegazzo, left their estimated $499 million fortune to their four children when they were killed in a horror light plane crash in December 2005.

Before they died, they had purchased several parcels of land at South Ballina, four kilometres of it with beach frontage, with a dream of establishing it as a family retreat.

The private haven is described as a ‘family eco-recreational village and equine facility’ which would be ‘for private use only, with no commercial operation’.

It would include a go-kart track and workshop, motocross track, polo training field and exercise lawns, stables and a veterinary facility.

There would be three homes, as well as a 10-site ‘caravan park’ for family and friends, along with sporting facilities including swimming pools, a tennis court, a basketball court and a putting green.

The development proposal has already attracted a range of objections from nearby residents and interested parties such as the Jali Aboriginal Land Council and the Ballina Environment Centre.

The plans will be on public exhibition until May 10.


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3 COMMENTS

    • … I agree Lynn – Eveyrone should have a few houses for when visitors come, but I have never needed more than half a dozen caravan sites at a time for them. I did wonder too whether the shooting range and go cart track were a combined facility to be used at the same time!

  1. Such conspicuous consumption is a sickness of the soul. I wonder if this family ever contribute to our society’s poor and downtrodden or to the desperate need of refugees in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen.

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