Police say an investigation is underway following a fire at a business in Ballina earlier this morning.

Ballina Shire Council has started preliminary investigation works at Fishery Creek Bridge, on River Street, and Canal Bridge, on Tamarind Drive, as part of their plan to duplicate both bridges.

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.

Ballina councillors will soon be making a decision about what's going to happen to the old Cedars Caravan Park on the corner of River Street and Barlows Road, with developers planning a mixed precinct.

The first meeting of the year was a very different affair to 2021, with David Wright no longer in the mayor's chair and a number of new councillors finding their way into their roles. A new deputy mayor and Rous County Council representatives were also elected.