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.
Regarding the extensive clearing of native vegetation by a new private landowner on Ross Lane, Cr Kiri Dicker will move that Council write to the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator and express its concerns, ‘requesting a full and thorough review into the permissibility of this clearing’.
Cr Dicker notes that Ballina Council has received numerous complaints this month about the extensive clearing of native vegetation on Lot 1 DP749166 Ross Lane, which has led to the destruction of a substantial number of hollow bearing trees.
‘Volunteers from Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers attended the site and found two female sugar gliders with babies in the hollows of felled trees, which have been taken to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital for rehabilitation,’ says Cr Dicker.
‘The Lot is zoned RU2 Rural Landscape. Management of native vegetation and ecological matters in this instance is the responsibility of state government agencies, being Local Land Services and the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW). DCCEEW is currently reviewing the matter.’
In her motion, Cr Dicker adds that, ‘The subject land is mapped as secondary koala habitat under Council’s Koala Plan of Management (KPOM) and there have been recent sightings of koalas at this property which have been recorded on the iNaturalist website.’
Alstonville Pool precinct
Also on the agenda at tomorrow’s Ballina Council meeting is a motion from Cr Therese Crollick, investigating the possibility of converting nose in parking to parallel parking between the EDGE gym and the Alstonville pool, in the area between the start of the concrete path and where the pool fence meets the gutter.
This motion also seeks to explore options for providing extra car parking on the eastern side of the pool.
Cr Crollick says that with the current parking arrangements there is a safety issue for people walking between the pool and the gym.
More stories about Ballina Shire Council:
The Ballina Salvage Shed is once again running its Recycled Art Competition, offering a fun and inclusive way for community members to redesign and repurpose materials that may otherwise be sent to landfill or left hidden in a shed. 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.
Recycled Art Competition open for entries
Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane
Connecting community in Ballina
Another setback for biodiversity in Ballina
Ballina Council wrap for July
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