Ballina Council’s last meeting saw progress on Tuckean Swamp, while Mayor Cadwallader maintained her support for the stockyards at Alstonville Showground, despite residents’ objections.
After a minute’s silence for Anzac Day, Council deferred its decision on a planning proposal in relation to five Teven test properties, in order to obtain further information from the relevant department, and invite a briefing on the application of conservation zones.
All councillors voted to include consideration of a skate park at Alstonville in the preparation of a master plan for Geoff Watt Oval.
Ballina Bowling and Recreation Club was given another year’s licence to operate at peppercorn rent, noting the continued availability of the facility for community croquet.
Recission fails
A rescission motion on Council’s previous controversial approval of an illegally constructed stock holding yard close to residential properties near Alstonville Showground failed to move councillors, with the casting vote of Mayor Sharon Cadwallader breaking the deadlock in favour of the development.
Crs Therese Crollick, Simon Chate, Erin Karsten, Kiri Dicker and Phil Meehan took the opposite position.
Crs Kiri Dicker and Therese Crollick had more success with their next motion, to acknowledge the immense cultural, environmental, social and economic values brought to the people of Ballina Shire by Maamang/the Richmond River, and to do something about one of the principal causes of the recent mass fish kills, by improving flood management options in the Tuckean Swamp, if necessary by reacquiring floodprone land.
After some argy bargy about amendments, the original motion was passed with the support of all councillors.
An approval for an increase in management costs for the Ballina War Memorial Pool was approved.
Councillors also voted unanimously to commence a consultation process to seek an additional 11 per cent increase on top of an estimated 3.25 per cent rate peg increase, over a four year period from 2026.
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With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded. Want to connect with your local community groups? Ballina Council is inviting everyone to come along to the Ballina Shire Community Connections Expo on Saturday 29 August 2026, from 9am to 12pm at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.
At its last meeting, Ballina Council decided not to finalise its biodiversity and habitat management plans, instead resolving to send the draft Development Control Plan back for another round of public consultation.
Although the audio for this part of the... Marred by technical difficulties and conflict across the chamber, Ballina Shire Council's July meeting still managed to get through a large agenda. This month Ballina Shire Council is set to debate clearing of wildlife habitat on Ross Lane, near Lennox Head, and parking arrangements near Alstonville Pool, among other issues.
Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane
Connecting community in Ballina
Another setback for biodiversity in Ballina
Ballina Council wrap for July
Ballina Council meeting tomorrow
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