Following multiple community requests, Cr Phillip Meehan brought a motion to the last Ballina Council meeting calling for additional ramps to be built at the Cumbalum-Pacific Motorway interchange.
Cr Meehan said it was ‘only a matter of time’ until there would be a bad accident at the interchange, with numerous people heading north doing illegal U turns through vegetation in the median strip in order to exit at the interchange.
People who can’t enter the motorway heading south are forced to drive through built-up areas of Ballina, adding to growing congestion and travel times.
Councillors and staff said there had always been a plan to complete the interchange when the motorway was finished, but nothing had ever been done, despite numerous requests. ‘We know the community wants it,’ said Cr Meehan. ‘The time is right to talk with levels of government about this matter.’
Give pollies a chance to help, says mayor
Mayor David Wright suggested that Ballina Council write to local member Tamara Smith and MLC Ben Franklin asking them to invite the Minister for Transport and Roads NSW Andrew Constance to see the Ballina situation in person.
He noted the success of this strategy when money was needed from the previous minister at Alstonville. ‘You get much more bang for buck if they come here,’ said Mayor Wright.
John Truman, Group Manager Civil Services at Ballina Council, agreed that it was all about lobbying, and an invitation was worth a try.
Crs Ben Smith and Keith Williams agreed. Cr Smith said after being fobbed off last time, ‘the time has come – hopefully we can get something done sooner rather than later.’
Cr Sharon Cadwallader supported this, saying ‘it’s not a case of what the community want out there, it’s what they need.
‘Now that the dual carriageway is finished, it’s time to look at things that could have been and should have been done better. If the decision makers don’t come up here, we’ll go to them,’ she said.
The motion was carried unanimously.
More stories about Ballina Shire Council:
Overland flood studies open for community feedback
Ballina Shire Council says it now has three new overland flood studies on public exhibition for community feedback. The studies cover Alstonville, Wardell and Lennox Head.
Ballina debates regional arts funding, missing people and live music
Ballina Council's October meeting opened with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader acknowledging the attack on Dr Helen Haynes and calling for respectful public service. She said, 'Democracy depends on people being able to participate freely, respectfully, and without fear'.
Big meeting for Ballina Council this week
The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding.
Ross Lane flood-resilience works begin ahead of nine-week closure
Construction on a $4.35 million flood-resilience upgrade of Ross Lane at Lennox Head is due to begin today, ahead of a nine-week closure of the busy road later this month.
Ballina Council will be getting a new general manager
With Ballina Shire Council General Manager Paul Hickey deciding to retire after almost twenty years in the role, and even longer as a staff member, the task of finding a replacement has begun. Cr Damien Loone was also returned as Deputy Mayor after Cr Simon Chate withdrew his nomination.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
