A proposal to assess the viability of a third village on the Alstonville Plateau was discussed at Ballina Shire Council's last meeting.

Ballina Shire Council opened yesterday's meeting with a proposal from Cr Kiri Dicker that welcome packs be offered to local international refugee families. These would include a three month family pool pass, a Richmond Tweed library card, and temporary memberships to Ballina Indoor Sports Centre and Northern Rivers Community Gallery.

Near the end of Ballina Shire Council's last epic meeting, Cr Eoin Johnston put forward a motion to pursue the idea of tax deductible donations from the public to fund essential local council services. He wanted support from his fellow councillors to take his motion to the Australian Local Government Association.

A proposal to amend the Local Environmental Plan for a site at 34 Racecourse Road was blocked by Ballina Council at their last meeting, preventing the redevelopment of the site for a proposed gym school and dance studio.

Despite the objections of a large number of neighbours, including Ballina Toyota, Ballina Shire Council has given the green light to a new 24 hour Mobil service station on 485 River Street, West Ballina.

The last Ballina Shire Council meeting contained all the tension Ballina-watchers have come to expect between humans and the natural environment, aspiration and the bottom line in this beautiful, fragile part of the world.

Ballina's beloved Jetboat Rescue Service was given temporary permission to return to the water on the weekend, with conditions. The future of the service was also one of the main items of discussion at the last Ballina Shire Council meeting, following a motion put forward by Cr Eoin Johnston.

Ballina Shire Councillor Eoin Johnston wants council to lobby on behalf of Ballina Jetboat Surf Rescue, which is currently facing closure by 2024.

Greater efforts at reconciliation with First Nations people in the Ballina Shire when it comes to place-names is to happen after furious agreement at June’s council meeting.

The Ballina Shire Council has voted unanimously to seek transparency and details from the NSW planning department about changes to planning approval regulations. Independent Deputy...