With the likelihood that the Wardell Recreation Grounds will be permanently used for ‘essential housing’, Ballina Council resolved last week to seek assurances from the NSW government that it would not occur ‘until a compensating area of open space is delivered to the community’.
According to the Council’s agenda minutes, the motion was moved by mayor Sharon Cadwallader, and seeks ‘a compensating area of open space is delivered to the community, with the inclusion of comparable clubhouse facilities, or alternatively, including provision for an evacuation centre’.
According to construction company https://bennettandbennett.com.au, ‘The NSW state govt selected the Wardell Recreation Ground as the temporary home of those residents of the Cabbage Tree Island community who were heavily flooded in the February/March Floods of 2022 and can’t return home because of the flood damage’.
Amendment voted down
An amendment moved by Cr Phil Meehan and seconded by Cr Kiri Dicker, sought to undertake ‘consultation with the relevant state government agencies, Jali LALC and the Wardell community in respect to the future use of the Wardell recreation grounds and clubhouse’.
That amendment was voted down with the casting vote of the mayor.
Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Simon Kinny, Cr Damian Loone, Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Simon Chate, Cr Eva Ramsey and Cr Erin Karsten voted for, while Cr Kiri Dicker and Cr Phil Meehan voted against.
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