With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

Ballina Crs Kiri Dicker and Simon Chate have defended Ballina Council's proposed rate rises, which have been championed by Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and others, in the face of recent criticism from former B Ward Cr Jeff Johnson.

There were some positive outcomes from Ballina Shire Council's latest meeting, with a new partnership endorsed with the Jali Aboriginal Land Council, majority approval of a motion to oppose the NSW government's environmental planning and assessment reforms, support for a new community preschool next to the fire station in Lennox Head, and new impetus towards phasing out 4WDs on Seven Mile Beach, with a 50 per cent increase in vehicles on the beach in the last three years.

Ballina Shire Council's conservative majority got its way with several contentious issues at its last meeting.

Ballina Shire Council has a busy agenda for its June meeting, including a number of notices of motion brought by councillors.

Ballina's Council's last meeting saw a motion from Cr Simon Chate to review swimming pool admission prices, particularly for families, in the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Ballina Cr Kiri Dicker is bringing a number of motions to the next meeting of Ballina Council intended to address some of the effects of the cost of living crisis, particularly the growing number of rough sleepers.

Council elections are rapidly approaching, but many of those seeking election in Ballina are still a mystery to potential voters. The Echo has been trying to find out what makes the latest batch of candidates tick, beyond the statements in their PR material.

After an hour's debate, Ballina Shire Council voted to adopt its own Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan at its last meeting.

Aiming to build on their two existing councillors, the Ballina Greens have announced their team of candidates for the upcoming Ballina Shire Council elections, set for 14 September this year.