Ballina Shire’s mayoral race this September looks to be a competition between two women, one progressive, the other conservative, after both candidates announced campaigns last week.

The state’s planning department has approved Ballina’s first conservation zone, although it’s unclear how the land will stay protected given the council’s recent vote for an ‘opt-in’ policy.

The Mayor of Ballina, Sharon Cadwallader, has responded to her fellow councillor Jeff Johnson's comments in The Echo this morning, using some equally piquant language.

Ballina Shire Councillor Jeff Johnson has strongly criticised Mayor Sharon Cadwallader's use of her casting vote on the issues of conservation zones and electoral boundaries.

Yesterday's Ballina Shire Council meeting saw accusations and insults hurled across the chamber as councillors split down the middle on the contentious issue of conservation zones.

Greens state member for Ballina Tamara Smith says she has written to planning minister Paul Scully seeking advice and counsel over controversial opt-in conservation zones in the Ballina Shire. 

Ballina Environment Society (BES) has come out strongly against conservative independent Ballina Councillor Eva Ramsey’s proposal to have private property owners ‘opt in’ to conservation zones.

The future of conservation zones in the Ballina Shire could be left to private landowners in a council vote expected this week.

Officially recognised environment conservation zones in the Ballina Shire are to be voted on in November, eleven years after they were first suggested.

On Monday at 4pm there will be a briefing from Ballina Council staff to councillors about proposed Conservation Zones for Ballina Shire. The briefing is also open to the public, but there will be no opportunities for two way debate with councillors, as this is an educational opportunity about what is on the table and potential routes forward.