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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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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