On 14 September the people of Ballina will elect nine councillors plus a mayor. Unlike some parts of NSW, where there are more councillor positions than candidates, a large field of applicants are vying for the chance to represent their diverse communities across Ballina Shire, from Newrybar in the north to Cabbage Tree Island in the south, and from Wollongbar in the west to fast-growing Lennox Head in the east.
The Ballina local government area is divided into three wards, with the boundaries between them having been redrawn in controversial circumstances during the last term. There are three councillor positions up for grabs in each geographic ward. Whichever district provides the mayor effectively gains an extra councillor.
Sharon Cadwallader is likely to be returned as mayor, having been elected for the term just ended and taking over from David Wright, who retired.
B Ward’s Cr Cadwallader has been a fairly steady hand on the helm as mayor, having left much of the dirty work on the council floor to be done by other members of her elected team, notably Cr Rod Bruem in A Ward, who is not standing this time after clashing repeatedly with staff and fellow councillors in his first and only term.
Fellow first-timer and Cadwallader team-member Nigel Buchanan, of Wardell pie shop fame, has apparently decided that the rough and tumble of council meetings is not for him, creating a vacancy in C Ward.
Two other long term Ballina councillors have also bowed out, namely B Ward’s Jeff Johnson (elected in 2008, originally as a Green) and C Ward’s representative and deputy mayor Eoin Johnston, who served two terms. Council-followers will miss the passionate speeches of these two, if not the confusion over their similar names.
After strong performances in their first terms, and plenty of community engagement, the sitting Greens councillors Kiri Dicker (B Ward) and Simon Chate (C Ward) look likely to be returned.
Long term councillors and conservatives Phil Meehan and Steve McCarthy may have a bit more of a struggle on their hands in A Ward (which includes Ballina itself), but seem fairly likely to get over the line.
B Ward’s Eva Ramsey has been putting up a determined effort to be seen as her own woman since splitting from Sharon Cadwallader’s team, putting up a number of policies late in the last term. Whether she’s done enough to be reelected in her own right is yet to be seen.
The final makeup of Ballina Council is likely to be determined by the success of Labor, wiped out at the last local government election with the departure of Keith Williams, but making a determined effort to return to the fray this time round, with candidates in all wards.
This team is led by teacher Andrew Broadley (B Ward), who is also standing for mayor after tilting for a state seat in 2023.
As usual, many of the candidates without political parties listed next to their names are claiming to be completely independent, and saying there’s no place for political parties in local government, although at least one of these people is an active member of the National Party, and others have been members in the past.
Genuine political outsiders include Nyangbul woman Lois Cook in C Ward and Kevin Loughrey (candidate for A Ward and mayor), although it should be noted Mr Loughrey has previously stood for the United Australia Party.
With the last Ballina Council having been dominated by members of Sharon Cadwallader’s team, and Mayor Cadwallader holding the deciding vote, this situation will either become entrenched for the next term or challenged by a more balanced council which better reflects the changing face of Ballina.
In practice, this would likely mean three Greens, two Labor and two non-Cadwallader independents, plus two members of the Cadwallader team and Sharon as mayor.
Also entirely possible is a Ballina Council made up of two Greens, one Labor and one non-Cadwallader independent versus the rest, in which case the Cadwallader team would be able to vote as a bloc, as has been seen in the most recent Lismore Council – hardly a beacon of participatory democracy.
With crucial decisions affecting the entire Northern Rivers waiting in the wings, including Dunoon Dam, it’s important to remember that Ballina voters will also have a hand in the makeup of the future Rous County Council and the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation, as well as other important organisations to be drawn from local councillors.
A number of Ballina candidates have failed to respond to the Echo’s earlier policy Q&A, but the responses of those who have are here.
Whoever is elected in 2024 will have to deal with a number of significant challenges facing the region, including increased flooding risk, population pressures, the housing crisis and a lack of crucial workers across multiple sectors.
What kind of Ballina would you like to see? If you can, vote for a council candidate who reflects your values.
More stories about Ballina Shire 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.
Tradie ladies graduate civil construction TAFE program
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Ballina Shire Council’s special rate variation approved
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Alstonville-Wollongbar biz encouraged to be informed on Council’s plans
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