At its last meeting, Ballina Shire Council resolved to prioritise CCTV security cameras while allowing alcohol-free zones to lapse.
A motion from former police detective and now Cr Damian Loone pushed to make CCTV a priority across Ballina Shire, following a scoping study from Matryx Consulting, seeking state and federal support for more cameras to be installed, to aid law enforcement efforts and prevent crime across the region.
An increased CCTV presence has previously been supported by both federal MP Justine Elliot and state member Tamara Smith.
Cr Loone received unanimous support for his motion.
Alcohol-free zones
Another law and order-related motion went the other way, with a majority of councillors voting not to maintain alcohol-free zones and the associated signage in Lennox Head, Alstonville, Ballina and Wardell when the existing zones expire on 31 January 2025.
Mayor Cadwallader said she would like to see the zones reinstated because ‘it gives police the power to to act if, if necessary, in certain situations.’
Cr Kiri Dicker suggested that ‘huge issues with public drinking and alcohol-related violence’ which had plagued Lennox Head in particular in the past were no longer an issue, and that the amount of signage around the area was excessive.
‘I think it’s important to note the police already have powers to address drinking in public,’ she said. ‘When these signs are gone, they still have perfectly reasonable powers to address public drinking. So this is not leaving a legislative gap. ‘
Cr Loone said he didn’t want his grandson to see the kind of alcohol-related public violence he had previously encountered in Sydney. Cr Phil Meehan suggested Ballina parks did not present the same issues as those in inner city Sydney.
He noted that local police had not made any deputation on the issue, although they had the opportunity to do so.
The motion to remove the alcohol-free zones and signs was successful, with only Crs Cadwallader and Loone voting for the renewal of the signs.
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