Northern Rivers
Ballina Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council decisions and meeting notes from public minutes. This page follows 20 recent meetings, including 19 with decisions or resident-facing discussion. 15 articles have been written from the source minutes. Recent records mention Roads, traffic and parking, Projects and capital works, Ballina, Alstonville.
- Meetings
- 20
- Substantive
- 19
- Articles
- 15
- Watch items
- 22
Latest
Ballina council advances Skennars Head rezoning and education-use bid
Ballina Shire Council backed finalisation of 305 The Coast Road, Skennars Head, and gave in-principle support to a separate education proposal at 450 North Creek Road.
Rates, waste charges, water-related charges and other fees for 2026/27 were set or updated.
North Creek Road widening and planning proposals may affect local development, land use and traffic conditions.
A new asbestos disposal fee will apply for eligible residential users.
Council chamber remediation works and new IT/asset systems were approved, affecting council operations and service delivery.
Articles
Ballina council advances Skennars Head rezoning and education-use bid
Ballina Shire Council backed finalisation of 305 The Coast Road, Skennars Head, and gave in-principle support to a separate education proposal at 450 North Creek Road.
Ballina Council adopts Spoonbill Reserve master plan after housing push fails
Ballina Shire Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan at its 28 May meeting after councillors defeated an amendment seeking more reporting on residential housing feasibility.
Ballina committee seeks more Raynor Lane safety education in Lennox Head
Ballina Shire Council’s B Ward Committee has asked staff to advise whether the Road Safety Officer can start education on the Raynor Lane shared zone, while Lennox Alive edges towards its first event in August.
Ballina forum backs River Street turn bans and bus zone changes
Ballina Shire Council’s Local Transport Forum supported turn restrictions, bus zone relocations and new line-marking plans for the River Street and Tamarind Drive lane duplication works on 13 May.
Ballina committee hears staged Daydream Avenue repairs and dust complaint update
Ballina Shire Council’s A Ward Committee met in Ballina on 12 May 2026 and heard riverbank repairs at Daydream Avenue, West Ballina, will be done in two stages. Staff also said dust complaints at Hilltop Park Estate in Cumbalum remain a compliance matter, with an update to be given when available.
Ballina committee rejects conditional pathway for Cumbalum rezoning
A proposed amendment that would have backed the CURA C rezoning reaching Gateway Determination if deficiencies were fixed was defeated 2-4, with the committee instead supporting a submission opposing the proposal progressing at this stage.
Decisions
Delivery Program, operational plan, budget, rates and charges adopted
Council adopted the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan, including the Long-Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Strategy, Fees and Charges and Strategic Asset Management Plan, together with revised waste charges, ordinary rates, interest on overdue rates, and councillor/mayoral fees.
Sets the council budget, rates and many service charges for the coming financial year.
Council facilities, technology and property decisions
Council approved works for chambers remediation and improvements, renewal of the Civica Altitude service agreement, a new enterprise asset management system, Microsoft licensing, leasing of 64 Crane Street, and a review of Wigmore Hall patronage.
Affects council buildings, digital systems, leasing income and the management of public facilities.
Community Property Leasing and Licensing policy rewritten and adopted
Council noted submissions on the revised policy, endorsed a rewrite of the existing policy and adopted the new policy titled "Property Leasing and Licensing – Not-for-Profit Groups". Council also agreed to notify submitters and affected lessees/licensees, and authorised further reporting if major anomalies arise.
Affects community groups and not-for-profit organisations that lease or license council property, including how rents and terms are set.
Issues
Roads, traffic and parking
Support for turn movement restrictions
Projects and capital works
Sewer pump station switchboard renewals contractors accepted
Funding and grants
Disaster recovery funding representations
Planning, development and housing
Planning proposal for council-owned land and reclassification changes
Budget, rates and governance
Delivery Program, operational plan, budget, rates and charges adopted
Waste, water and environment
Delivery Program, operational plan, budget, rates and charges adopted
Topics
Confirmation of previous minutes
Council confirmed the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 May 2026.
Routine administrative step with no direct service change.
Planning proposal for educational establishment at 450 North Creek Road, Skennars Head
Council gave in-principle support for a planning proposal to permit an educational establishment as an additional permitted use on part of Lot A DP 415993 and invited the proponent to submit a formal proposal.
Could lead to a new education use at this site if the proposal progresses.
Land acquisition for North Creek Road widening
Council noted the proposed acquisition of land to widen North Creek Road between Tamarind Drive and Southern Cross Drive, Ballina, and noted related developer contributions cash flows.
May affect road capacity, access and future construction impacts in Ballina.
Residential asbestos disposal fee set
Council approved exhibition and adoption of a new residential asbestos disposal fee of $618 per tonne for correctly packaged non-friable asbestos under the program.
Changes the cost for residents disposing of small quantities of asbestos.
Cemetery fees and charges updated
Council adopted updated cemetery fees and charges based on supplier and NSW Cemetery and Crematoria information.
Affects funeral and burial costs for families using local cemeteries.
Debt recovery and property sales
The committee dealt with both public and confidential debt recovery matters, including proposed winding-up action and sale of specific properties for unpaid rates and charges.
Highlights council enforcement action against significant overdue accounts.
Community property leasing standards
The policy review sharpened rules for leasing and licensing council-owned property to not-for-profit groups, following public submissions and a deputation opposing the changes.
Important for clubs, arts groups, and other tenants of council facilities.
Future infrastructure funding through developer contributions
Council signalled a stronger approach to developer contributions, including lobbying for a higher cap and exploring a new Section 7.12 plan for works outside the current essential works framework.
May influence future development costs and infrastructure delivery.
Places
Ballina
Included the North Creek Road widening proposal, lease of 64 Crane Street and chamber-related decisions.
Alstonville
Location of a property included in confidential debt recovery sale action.
Lennox Head
Mentioned in the lease/licence items and Pat Morton Lookout reserve use.
East Ballina
Location of a property included in confidential debt recovery sale action.
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport
Its draft long-term financial plan was included in the broader draft planning documents.
Pop Denison Car Park, Ballina
Identified as a priority sealed car park improvement area tied to existing and possible future funding.
Cumbalum
Community Circle project is to be considered in future Community Dividend allocation reporting.
River Street
Lane duplication project and proposed turn restrictions; bus zone relocation.
Projects
Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2046
Key long-term planning document adopted with amendments.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Council backed promotion of the campaign to finish the rail trail.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Approved for public exhibition.
Local Growth Management Strategy
To be repealed after publication of the revised LSPS.
Water Operations
Subject of endorsed annual charges and long-term financial plan.
Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council
Named in the donations policy amendment for Ballina Surf Club room hire support.
Civica Altitude
Council service agreement renewed for 2026/27.
IPART
Council intends to seek approval from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for higher contribution caps.
Next steps
Meetings