Northern Rivers
Ballina Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council decisions and meeting notes from public minutes. This page follows 35 recent meetings, including 33 with decisions or resident-facing discussion. 25 articles have been written from the source minutes. Recent records mention Projects and capital works, Roads, traffic and parking, Ballina, Alstonville.
- Meetings
- 35
- Substantive
- 33
- Articles
- 25
- Watch items
- 22
Latest
Ballina councillors split 7-2 over interim general manager plan
Unconfirmed minutes record Kelly Brown’s appointment as acting general manager from Paul Hickey’s resignation on 20 November, after councillors rejected a proposal to delay the appointment and rotate directors through the role.
Potential community event funding is available through the Festival and Event Funding Program for 2027/28.
Flood-related embankment reconstruction on Tamarind Drive is anticipated in late 2026.
The M1 Cumbalum interchange has no confirmed NSW Government priority or construction commitment; Council advocacy will continue.
A report on the southern precinct structure plan and public exhibition submissions is expected at a November or December 2026 ordinary meeting.
Articles
Ballina councillors split 7-2 over interim general manager plan
Unconfirmed minutes record Kelly Brown’s appointment as acting general manager from Paul Hickey’s resignation on 20 November, after councillors rejected a proposal to delay the appointment and rotate directors through the role.
Kelly Brown to lead Ballina council administration after Paul Hickey’s departure
Unconfirmed minutes record a 7-2 vote to adopt an Acting General Manager arrangement beginning on 20 November, rejecting a proposal to rotate directors through the role.
Cumbalum residents told Tamarind Drive embankment works are expected late 2026
Ballina Shire Council has described planned Tamarind Drive remediation as embankment reconstruction. The committee minutes also record $17 million in funding for flood-prone roads across the shire.
Cumbalum ramps: $40m-$50m estimate dates to 2020, with no delivery date recorded
Ballina Shire Council says it will keep pressing for south-facing M1 ramps, while the minutes record that the NSW Government does not regard the interchange as a priority.
Cumbalum residents await report on southern precinct plan and Summerhill Crescent concerns
Ballina Shire Council is considering submissions on a structure plan for the southern precinct after residents raised concerns about drainage, privacy, noise and road design near Summerhill Crescent.
Ballina committee raises 4.9% First Nations workforce target question
Janet Chester asked whether the 2021 Census figure for First Nations people in Ballina Shire could guide Council employment, but the minutes record no adopted target or timetable.
Ballina homelessness strategy exhibited, with no adoption recorded
Council told the A Ward Committee its local strategy had recently been exhibited and broadly aligned with a NSW Government homelessness strategy.
Wollongbar’s 20-place child care centre can continue after 8-2 council vote
Ballina Shire Council approved DA 2026/279 for the centre at 1 Smiths Lane to operate alongside the approved centre at 3 Smiths Lane, subject to conditions in Attachment 8.
Tuckombil Quarry talks backed in principle as Ballina Council records preference not to sell
Council gave in-principle support to further negotiations over the Alstonville quarry and required a report on likely lease terms, rental information and an indicative sale value.
Ballina’s grazing, signage and bin policies head to public comment
Council adopted four service policies on 22 October, including amended policies for backflow prevention and kerbside bin services, but the minutes do not show what practical changes residents should expect.
Ballina backs Green Seat bench and festival proposal, seeks further work on park projects
Councillors unanimously supported a suitable bench for Sally Leydon’s Green Seat Project and gave in-principle backing to a Ballina Music Festival, while turf and playground proposals remain subject to further work.
Ballina council authorises public exhibition of 2025/26 financial statements
Councillors unanimously authorised an exhibition of the annual statements and auditor’s reports, but the minutes do not say when or how residents can respond.
Decisions
Acting General Manager arrangements approved
Council adopted recommendations from the confidential session concerning the General Manager’s departure and Acting General Manager arrangements. The adopted arrangements include appointing Ms Brown as Acting General Manager, with provision for a director to serve temporarily if she is on leave before a permanent or different Acting General Manager is appointed.
An Acting General Manager will oversee council operations during the transition to a permanent appointment.
Acting General Manager remuneration and contract support approved
Ms Brown’s remuneration as Acting General Manager is to be based on the total remuneration previously payable to the General Manager, calculated pro rata. The Mayor may seek assistance from Local Government NSW to prepare her temporary employment contract.
The decision sets the basis for the interim executive salary and contract arrangements.
Proposal to defer appointment rejected
An amendment proposed deferring the decision on an Interim General Manager until a recruiter was appointed in February 2027 and rotating directors through the Acting General Manager role in the meantime. The amendment was lost, with Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Kiri Dicker voting for it and the other listed councillors voting against it.
Council chose to proceed with the approved interim arrangement rather than rotate directors or wait until February 2027.
Wollongbar child care centre approved
Development Application 2026/279 was approved, allowing the continued use of the 20-place child care centre at 1 Smiths Lane in conjunction with the existing approved centre at 3 Smiths Lane, subject to conditions and consent modifications.
The decision allows the child care use to continue, subject to planning conditions.
Lennox Head flood study exhibited
Council endorsed public exhibition of the Draft Lennox Head Overland Flood Study and associated flood mapping.
Residents will have an opportunity to review and comment on proposed flood information affecting Lennox Head.
Smiths Lane planning application approved
Council approved the amending development application by eight votes to two, with conditions set out in the meeting attachments.
The approval affects nearby residents and the operation of child care services in Wollongbar.
Issues
Projects and capital works
Southern precinct structure plan follow-up
Roads, traffic and parking
Tamarind Drive road remediation
Funding and grants
Richmond River bicentenary naming
Waste, water and environment
Tamarind Drive road remediation
Budget, rates and governance
Arts Northern Rivers contribution not reinstated
Planning, development and housing
Wollongbar child care centre approved
Topics
Dementia-friendly community
The Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance was named the Northern Rivers Volunteer Team for 2026. The item concerned maintaining a dementia-friendly community.
The recognition highlights local community support for residents living with dementia and their carers.
First Nations employment
The committee discussed whether 4.9%, the percentage of First Nations people in Ballina Shire recorded in the 2021 Census, could be used as a target for Council employment. Council highlighted a May 2026 partnership with TAFE NSW that helped 15 women from diverse backgrounds complete Certificate II in Civil Construction.
The discussion may inform future workforce diversity and employment initiatives, but no target was adopted in the supplied extract.
Jali Partnership Agreement
A request was made for a copy of the Jali Partnership Agreement and clarification about whether it includes themes similar to Council's work as reported to Council.
Access to the agreement could improve public understanding of Council's partnership commitments.
Homelessness support
The committee discussed homelessness in the community. Council advised that the Ballina Shire Homelessness Support Strategy had recently been placed on public exhibition and broadly aligns with the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2023-2028.
Residents and service providers may be able to comment on the exhibited strategy and its future support priorities.
Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum vessel fencing
A resident's gratitude for fencing installed around a vessel at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum was forwarded to relevant Council staff.
The fencing addresses a safety or access concern at a local public facility.
Council documents on exhibition
The current list of Council documents available for public comment was noted.
Residents should check Council's exhibition list for matters affecting their area and make submissions before relevant deadlines.
Council leadership transition
The meeting was called specifically to address the General Manager’s resignation and arrangements for executive leadership from 20 November 2026.
The transition may affect the administration of council services, projects and future recruitment of a permanent General Manager.
Confidential personnel decision
Council considered the employment and Acting General Manager arrangements in confidential session under Section 10A(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 1993, before reporting the adopted outcome in open council.
The public received the key decision and reasons for confidentiality, although detailed personnel discussion was not public.
Places
Ballina
The meeting acknowledged the outgoing General Manager’s contribution to the Ballina community.
Alstonville
Alston Avenue and Alstonville Pool parking, Freeborn Park plaques and Tuckombil Quarry.
Lennox Head
Overland flood study, Lennox Point Car Park, Byron Bay Road preschool proposal and commercial public land arrangements.
Cumbalum
Southern precinct planning, Tamarind Drive works, Campbell's Pond and the M1 interchange.
Tamarind Drive
Planned embankment reconstruction and resident concerns about nearby drainage.
Wollongbar
Smiths Lane child care centre development application.
Ballina wastewater treatment plant
Site of proposed or discussed solar energy panel upgrades.
East Ballina
Location of a property included in confidential debt recovery sale action.
Projects
Ballina Environment Society
Raised wastewater solar upgrades and invasive animals.
Ballina Shire Council
The council making the reported decisions.
Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2046
Key long-term planning document adopted with amendments.
Cumbalum Residents Association
Raised matters concerning the southern precinct, Tamarind Drive, Campbell's Pond and the M1 interchange.
Alstonville Plateau Historical Society
Potential recipient of the Alstonville Tidy Towns plaques.
Wollongbar Community Preschool
Raised the Hall Court vegetation, fencing and tree concerns.
Orange Sky
Discussed in relation to possible services at Mary’s Place.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Council backed promotion of the campaign to finish the rail trail.