Ballina’s B Ward Councillor Eva Ramsey appears to be distancing herself from Sharon Cadwallader’s team with her latest statement in advance of local government elections, describing herself as a ‘true independent’.
Noting she was elected in 2021, Cr Ramsey says she’s resided in Ballina for 25 years and is passionate about her community, which she believes requires more services, public spaces and policing.
‘It is time we withdrew politics and block voting from our general everyday Council activities,’ said Cr Ramsey. ‘Politics have no place in local Council boardrooms, we are elected by our community to work for our electorate, nothing else. The community is who we are obligated to.’
New police station?
She says policing is a ‘major concern’ in Lennox and surrounding areas, and wants to see a new police station in Lennox Head built next to the new fire station on the corner of Hutley Drive and Byron Bay Road.
‘This is Council-held land and had been set aside for relocation of a pre-school,’ said Cr Ramsey. ‘They have now decided to discontinue with their redevelopment, as the new public-school facilities will cater for the requirements of a pre-school.
‘A local police station facilitates community policing, where officers can build strong relationships with residents. This approach fosters trust and cooperation between the police and the community, making it easier to address specific local issues.
‘Officers familiar with the area can better understand the unique challenges and needs of our community, providing more effective and personalized law enforcement. This collaboration can lead to proactive problem-solving, creating a safer and more cohesive community. With the growth of the area this is an important issue,’ she said.
Cr Ramsey says she understands the unique challenges of the local community and is passionate about finding solutions that benefit everyone.
‘We can build a stronger, more united community that thrives on mutual support and collaboration,’ she said. ‘As a dedicated advocate for our community, I have consistently prioritised the needs and concerns of our residents.’
Local council elections will be held across 126 NSW LGAs, including Ballina, on 14 September 2024.
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At its last meeting, as part of a long discussion about amendments to Ballina Council's delivery program and operational plan, there was a debate about whether Ballina Richmond Rotary Club should still be paid $8,000 to set up chairs for the RSL Lighthouse Day Club. 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.
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