Fresh from winning pre-selection as the Nationals candidate for the state seat of Ballina, the ‘independent’ first term Ballina councilor Michelle Bailey has put forward a notice of motion asking Council to scrap its fixed 2030 net-zero target in favour of what she describes as a ‘flexible sustainability strategy’.
Ballina Council’s Climate Change policy recently went through a comprehensive review process, being adopted in May this year after public exhibition, with no opposition from councillors.
In her latest motion, Cr Bailey says, ‘By removing the fixed 2030 net-zero emissions target and adopting a flexible, objective-oriented approach, Council can effectively respond to changing circumstances in sustainability. This motion recognises the current budget constraints while allowing for continuous improvement and better access to grant opportunities.
‘The examples set by Coffs Harbour City Council and Byron Shire Council illustrate that a flexible strategy can successfully achieve climate goals while adapting to evolving conditions.’
Staff response
Ballina Council staff have responded to this suggestion with pages of objections and clarifications of the existing policy, noting that:
‘Council’s approach under the Climate Change Policy has delivered measurable progress with corporate emissions reducing from 11,201 tonnes in 2012/13 to 9,561 tonnes in 2025/26. This is a 14 per cent reduction during a period where there has also been organisational growth (e.g. new assets constructed). When including renewable energy and offsets, net emissions have reduced by 68 per cent.’
Regarding the climate change responses of the Byron and Coffs Harbour LGAs, Ballina Council staff said,
‘Byron Shire Council has recently updated its net-zero pathway in May 2026 to include scope 3 emissions. Byron’s pathway applies different levels and timing with respect to emissions abatement across sources to 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2050.
‘Coffs Harbour City Council has recently concluded an exhibition of a revised plan also incorporating scope 3 emissions. Coffs Harbour identified a net-zero target of 2040, with interim targets in 2027, 2030 and 2031.
‘An important distinction to make between the Ballina plan at present and the Byron and Coffs Harbour models is that Ballina Shire’s current targets and pathway does not incorporate scope 3 emissions.’
Scope 1 and 2 emissions relate to the direct use of fossil fuels by Council (e.g. operating vehicles) and electricity consumption. Scope 3 emissions include indirect emissions such as those generated by contractors, or goods and services purchased.
The staff response concludes by saying, ‘For Ballina Shire, the initial focus, and in turn the setting of principles, targets and an implementation program, has been based on emissions more directly within Council’s field of control, with an intent to progress to address scope 3 emissions over time.’
Lowering the bar?
Fellow Ballina councillor, the Greens’ Kiri Dicker said, ‘Cr Bailey’s suggested alternative will be costly and ineffective as it will require specialised external consultants to measure Council’s emissions annually.
‘The proposed “flexible” targets will just become drift, with no fixed point to measure progress against. It’s hard to see how that improves outcomes rather than simply lowering the bar,’ she said.
‘So why now? Cr Bailey was recently endorsed as the National Party candidate for the Ballina State seat. I’ll leave others to draw their own conclusions about the timing, but it’s a fair question to ask.’
Cr Dicker says she will be opposing Cr Bailey’s motion and suggesting an amendment to ramp up Ballina’s climate ambition.
The issue will be debated at Ballina’s next council meeting, this Thursday. The Echo will be covering.
More stories about Ballina Shire Council:
Fresh from winning pre-selection as the Nationals candidate for the state seat of Ballina, the 'independent' first term Ballina councilor Michelle Bailey has put forward a notice of motion asking Council to scrap its fixed 2030 net-zero target in favour of what she describes as a 'flexible sustainability strategy'.
Lennox locals and visitors have reacted with dismay to the announcement that Ross Lane will be completely closed from 19 October to 18 December 2026, while the road is upgraded to better deal with future flooding.
Ballina Shire Council says... Ballina Council has moved to draw a clearer distinction between homelessness and anti-social behaviour, declaring that rough sleeping is not an offence as it puts a new homelessness strategy out for public comment. 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.
Michelle Bailey targets net zero in Ballina
Ross Lane to be closed for at least two months
Ballina draws line between homelessness and anti-social behaviour
Recycled Art Competition open for entries
Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane
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