A war of words has erupted between Ballina councillors over an unauthorised development at Alstonville Showgrounds, consisting of a series of steel cattle pens close to neighbouring houses.
Cr Rod Bruem claimed on Facebook and elsewhere that the future of the Alstonville show was ‘under threat as Ballina’s extreme Greens try to shut it down for woke spurious reasons, including the fact they think it exploits animals and livestock cause pollution.’
As has since been pointed out by Ballina Greens councillors Kiri Dicker and Simon Chate, no such opinions have been expressed, and at the time of Cr Bruem’s initial comments, the relevant development application had never even come before Ballina Council.
The issue began with a series of complaints from neighbours after the pens appeared with no DA.
Last year, Ballina Council wrote to the Alstonville Agricultural Society requesting the removal of the pens. The Society responded by taking Council to the Land and Environment Court, costing ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars.
The show society have belatedly lodged a retrospective DA for the existing cattle pens, plus six more, and a roof covering the whole area as part of their new Camp Draft facility. They say the facility will be used six times a year.
This DA is yet to be assessed by Ballina Council’s planning team.
Politically motivated
In reaction to Cr Bruem’s public comments, Cr Simon Chate (who lives in Alstonville), said the posts are preposterous. ‘They are a politically motivated attempt to create panic within the community and are the result of an overactive imagination,’ he said.
‘To be clear, the Alstonville Show is not under any scrutiny whatsoever. The Alstonville Ag Society does a fantastic job in our community. There are no issues with running any events.’
He said the issue is solely with the current development not going through the correct channels, or giving neighbours the opportunity to respond.
The Greens feel that a wider concern here is the Trumpification of Ballina politics, with facts taking a back seat to confected culture wars as local elections approach later this year.
Cr Dicker said, ‘Sadly Cr Bruem continues to spread these lies with impunity, despite receiving multiple complaints about his appalling behaviour.’
Interested parties and the general public have until 22 March to respond to the relevant DA, 2023/504, via Ballina Council.
Twelve Northern Rivers residents are celebrating the completion of a groundbreaking program designed to build essential skills and unlock employment pathways for women in civil construction. With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion. Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Ballina Shire Council's application to increase its general income through a permanent special variation (SV) of 26.25% [in rates] over four years, from 2026-27 to 2029-30. Byron Greens members could expect to be asked to take the future of the Richmond River further south into account when choosing a candidate for next year’s state election. Local business owners in the Alstonville and Wollongbar townships are being encouraged to take the time to read through Ballina Shire Council’s draft plans, which are currently on exhibition.
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