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.
The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding. 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. 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. September's meeting opened with a minute's silence for much-loved community member and Lennox Head restaurant owner Blake Rogers, who lost his life last week. Fresh from winning pre-selection as the Nationals candidate for the state seat of Ballina, the 'independent' first-term Ballina councillor Michelle Bailey has put forward a notice of motion asking Council to scrap its fixed 2030 net-zero target in favour of what she describes as a 'flexible sustainability strategy'.
Big meeting for Ballina Council this week
Ross Lane flood-resilience works begin ahead of nine-week closure
Ballina Council will be getting a new general manager
Ballina debates dog parks and net zero
Michelle Bailey targets net zero in Ballina
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