Tomorrow’s meeting of Ballina Shire Council will debate issues including local strategic planning, biodiversity, CCTV, bridge duplication and single use plastic elimination.
With development drastically transforming sections of the shire, particularly the area around Lennox Head and Cumbalum, a series of planning proposals are up for discussion, with implications for koalas and other species.
Shire-wide, public consultation has recently been completed for the Ballina Shire Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032. Half of the respondents noted that the best thing about living in the area is the beautiful environment, the relaxed lifestyle and access to open spaces and recreation.
With biodiversity and habitat management being central to all this, a proposed new chapter of Ballina’s Development Control Plan with a focus on these issues is now being prepared, and will be discussed tomorrow. This is an area where national, state and local laws and responsibilities intersect, adding extra complexity.
Other issues
A ‘seagull’ (three way) roundabout intersection is proposed for Gallans Road and Tamarind Drive, near Richmond Christian College.
Ballina Council’s $132m of cash and investments will be discussed, including a slight improvement in fossil-free and green investments.
New Australia Day design concepts will be discussed, included proposed signs, flags and banners across Ballina, Lennox Day and Alstonville, with thousands of dollars likely to be spent to promote this event.
Dash Group Australia’s tender for CCTV installation across Ballina Shire is set to be approved, following a tender process which resulted in ten applications from various companies. The Commonwealth government has pledged $1m to install the infrastructure, with maintenance costs likely to be covered by Council.
With work progressing on duplication plans for the roads leading from Ballina Island, a new report seeks Council approval to change the shared path alignment for the Tamarind Drive/Canal Drive project, for what is claimed to be an improved drainage, aesethetic and environmental outcome.
It’s suggested that the new proposal will retain more existing trees, allow maintenance and improve pedestrian access.
Following Council’s earlier determination to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and materials, a motion from Council’s Resource Recovery division seeks to clarify how this will work in practice.
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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
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Ballina Council meeting tomorrow
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