Ballina Shire Council says that due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, there will be temporary closures across several council facilities from today, Wednesday 5 March.
The following facility closures will be in place this week:
- Ballina Area Libraries are closed until further notice.
- Ballina Visitor Information Centre will close Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March.
- Ballina and Alstonville Memorial Swimming Pools are closed from 12pm Wednesday 5 March until further notice.
- Ballina Indoor Sports Centre will close Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March.
- Lennox Head Cultural Centre will close Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March.
- Northern Rivers Community Gallery is closed until further notice.
- Burns Point Ferry is closed until further notice.
- The 4WD access to Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head is now closed due to dangerous beach conditions. There are currently no lifeguard patrols on Ballina’s beaches and warnings are in place for abnormally high tides, hazardous surf and damaging swells.
What’s still open?
Ballina Shire Council Customer Service Centre at 40 Cherry Street is currently open. Telephone and online enquiries will continue as normal with operating hours 8.15am – 4.30pm.
Call 1300 864 444 or visit ballina.nsw.gov.au. After hours assistance is available 24/7 on (02) 6626 6954
The Ballina Resource and Recovery Centre will remain open today, Wednesday 5 March, from 8am to 4pm with bin collections services proceeding.
Ballina Shire Council is postponing kerbside bin services for Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March 2025. Council will collect missed bins as soon as practicably possible with further updates to be provided when weather conditions have eased.
The Ballina Byron Gateway Airport remains open and operating, however due to high winds, all flights to and from the airport are cancelled today and tomorrow, Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 March. Travellers should check directly with their airline for their flight status and to manage bookings.
Minimise water use
Residents are asked to please minimise their water use, through kitchen taps, showers, washing and toilet flushing. Wet weather events can place extra strain on the wastewater network.
If residents experience problems with sewerage on their property, please call Ballina Council on 1300 864 444.
Who to call?
- If a tree is blocking a local road, call Ballina Council on 1300 864 444 or after hours on 6626 6954.
- Tree impacting power lines? Call Essential Energy on 132 080.
- Tree blocking your access (front door/driveway), threatening to fall on your property or driveway, roof damaged or leaking? Call SES on 132 500.
- For emergency assistance, contact the NSW SES on 132 500.
- If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
To stay informed, visit the Ballina Emergency Dashboard at ballina.nsw.gov.au. You can also tune in to ABC North Coast (94.5 FM) for emergency broadcasts.
Follow NSW SES Ballina and Northern Rivers NSW SES on Facebook. For road status updates visit www.livetraffic.com.
It’s also a great idea to download the Hazards Near Me app for real-time alerts on your phone.
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
The Greens’ 3-way comp: Ballina Councillor vs Byron candidates for state...
Alstonville-Wollongbar biz encouraged to be informed on Council’s plans
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