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.
Councllors voted unanimously to support Cr Cadwallader’s mayoral minute calling for increased Commonwealth financial assistance to local governments, under the banner ‘Invest in Us’. This campaign is being pushed statewide by the Country Mayors Association of NSW.
A skirmish about whether the Spoonbill Reserve should be sold to property developers was decided in the negative, with pro-development counsellors being outnumbered in the end, and the original Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan being confirmed.
Councillors voted unanimously to support the new climate change policy, the latest investment summary and the addition of Newrybar Community Hall to Council’s B Ward Committee.
Tenders were accepted for Surf Lifesaving Services going through to 2030, and for the restoration of Alstonville Creek.
Breakwall tragedy
A notice of motion from Crs Erin Karsten and Simon Chate found unanimous support, following a minute’s silence for the victims at the opening of the meeting.
The wording of the motion said Ballina Council acknowledged ‘the tragic loss of life on 4 May 2026 of William “Bill” Ewen and Frank Petsch of Marine Rescue NSW and Matthew Clayton and extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.
‘That we recognise and thank the members of the local Ballina Marine Rescue team who responded on the evening of 4 May 2026 and acknowledge their bravery, professionalism and commitment to the safety of our community and beyond, along with the SES, NSW Police and all first responders who supported both on the night and into the morning of the 5 May 2026.’
The motion also called for a letter to all relevant ministers and authorities requesting a coordinated inter-agency response to address the safety and infrastructure issues of South Ballina, including medium to long term works.
Big Scrub
A motion from Cr Chate followed, calling for the protection and enhancement of what’s left of the Big Scrub in Ballina Shire, designed to bring Ballina into line with neighbouring councils on former Big Scrub territory.
This motion asked that Council actively seek opportunities to:
- Promote the protection, enhancement and expansion of Big Scrub rainforest remnants within the shire.
- Raise dedicated funds through grant applications to relevant state, federal and corporate bodies for increased levels of rainforest restoration and expansion within the shire.
- Communicate with, incentivise and work with amenable private landholders with the goal of locating additional land on which to extend some of these local Big Scrub rainforest pockets.
Debate
Using a map, Cr Simon drew his fellow councillors’ attention to the tiny remnants of the Big Scrub remaining in 2026.
‘The Big Scrub once covered approximately 75,000 hectares of hinterland surrounding Byron Bay, and was the largest area of lowland subtropical rainforest in Australia,’ he said.
‘It was our rich basalt-derived soils that gave this extraordinary ecosystem life… as far as the eye could see, a vast green canopy topped by stately figs and cedars, enlivened by thousands of brilliant birds wheeling up and descending back into the rainforest amongst the branches festooned with orchids and ferns. It was just beautiful.
‘Sadly, as we know, around 99 per cent of the Big Scrub was cleared between 1840 and the 1900s. In the 1930s, people began to recognise what had been lost and the immense value of the remaining rain forest remnants. Conservation efforts emerged through initiatives such as the establishment of the Booyong Flora Reserve, and Ambrose Crawford’s regenerative work at Lumley Park in Alstonville’.
Modern times
Cr Chate went on to say, ‘By the 1990s organisations such as Big Scrub Land Care had formed, and in 2011 the federal government listed the Big Scrub as a critically endangered ecological community. The NSW government also recognised it as endangered. These remaining remnants are the last living fragments of our former subtropical rainforest ecosystems.
‘They provide an invaluable glimpse into what this region wants to look like prior clearing, while also serving an important ecological role through seed dispersal, habitat connectivity, and biodiversity protection.
‘Today, many of these remnants face ongoing pressure from invasive weeds and encroachment by non-native species. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service manages six protected big scrub areas. Two of these are located within Ballina Shire,’ said Cr Chate.
‘There are also a number of lesser-known remnants throughout the shire, including Uralba Nature Reserve on the Blackwall Range and the Dalwood Scrub Remnant north of Dalwood, which contains a high concentration of threatened native flora species.
‘Council is already doing excellent work in rainforest restoration through programs such as the Healthy Waterways program and through our biodiversity strategy. What I’m asking today is that we also recognise the protection and enhancement of actual Big Scrub remnants as a specific ongoing priority through strong grant-seeking processes, and potentially with support from our biodiversity strategy funding.’
Opportunities
‘I’d like to explore opportunities to incentivise adjoining landholders to help expand these remnants through appropriate rainforest regeneration along their boundaries and surrounding areas,’ said Cr Chate.
‘For example, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has identified an opportunity near Victoria Park at Alstonville, where an additional remnant nearby could potentially be linked through regenerated rainforest corridor with the cooperation of local landholders.
‘Importantly, this proposal does not require enormous expense or significant additional strain on staff resources. It’s about recognising big scrub restoration protection as an additional environmental priority that can be incorporated into the valuable restoration work Council is already undertaking. I really hope, my fellow councillors, you might consider supporting this notice of motion.’
Nup
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader then spoke against Cr Chate’s motion, suggesting that it would negatively affect Council’s bottom line. ‘We shouldn’t have to be doing the heavy lifting as a local council,’ she said.
An amendment to the original motion, brought by Crs Phil Meehan and Eva Ramsey, suggested that no additional action was needed to protect Big Scrub remnants, beyond what was in existing Ballina Council programs.
This amendment was ultimately carried on the casting vote of Mayor Cadwallader, with Crs Kinny, Crollick, Chate, Karsten and Dicker voting against.
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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.
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