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 meeting was garbled by technical problems, the change of heart appeared to be sparked by a deputation from local landowner Paul Reilly, who was concerned about conservation zoning, with the proposed DCP amendment applying to land over 2500 square metres.
Cr Simon Kinny said his issues with the DCP amendment boiled down to a farmer’s right to farm. ‘I’m not happy with the draft agenda that went out for public exhibition,’ he said. ‘I would suggest that we need to look at this again.’
Cr Kiri Dicker pointed out that councillors had already been briefed on the changes, which had been out to public consultation and had ‘good engagement with the community’.
90 football fields a day
She reminded her fellow councillors that the latest statistics showed that 90 football fields of woody vegetation were still being cleared in NSW every single day, with 80 per cent of that for agriculture.
‘These are the reasons why we have these policies in place,’ said Cr Dicker. ‘They’re designed to address the increase in vegetation clearing. Ballina Shire has the lowest percentage of native vegetation of any shire in the Northern Rivers, and it’s because of political choices like this why that is the case.’
Cr Eva Ramsey questioned this, saying food producers need to be respected. Cr Phil Meehan accused those opposite of trying to ‘shut down public consultation’, given the ongoing uncertainty around the effects of the DCP changes.
Cr Erin Karsten said, ‘I absolutely support our farm community and the importance of food production…
‘As a former farm owner myself, I know there is a huge challenge to maintain profitability of operations. It’s increasingly difficult, but I also know all too well that we have a huge responsibility to the custodianship of the land that we look after, and we’re reviewing another item in this agenda that relates to concerns on the impacts of biodiversity.
‘We live in an area of significant environmental sensitivity. We’ve already lost much of the original Big Scrub. We see significant flooding as a result of the changes that we’ve made to the natural environment around us, and I think that we clearly need to strengthen and provide clarity to our farmers around what is good biodiversity and habitat management.’
In the end, the vote to send the biodiversity and habitat management provisions of the DCP back to the drawing board was supported by Crs Sharon Cadwallader, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Therese Crollick, Eva Ramsey and Phil Meehan.
Dicker furious
On social media, Cr Kiri Dicker said, ‘What will it take for this Council to protect Ballina’s biodiversity? The recent decision to refuse to adopt the new Biodiversity and Habitat DCP amendment was largely lost amongst community concerns over tree clearing on rural land.
‘Chapter 2C had already been through public exhibition and councillors had been extensively briefed. It was a real chance to align our DCP with the state’s own biodiversity laws, which have emphasised the need for a nature positive approach to native vegetation.
‘It would have required more detailed assessment for certain “red flags” such as clearing vegetation within 100 metres of a Richmond River tributary or a grey header flying fox camp. Instead, Council’s Nats-disguised-as-Independents voted against it.
‘Meanwhile land clearing across NSW jumped 16 per cent in the last year. Koala habitat is being bulldozed shire by shire. Ross Lane is what that looks like up close: gliders losing their homes, a community demanding answers, and now this.
‘Cr Karsten and I voted against the delay. Cr Chate was absent.’
More stories about Ballina Shire Council:
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
Connecting community in Ballina
Another setback for biodiversity in Ballina
Ballina Council wrap for July
Ballina Council meeting tomorrow
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
