Northern Rivers
Ballina Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council decisions and meeting notes from public minutes. This page follows 30 recent meetings, including 28 with decisions or resident-facing discussion. 14 articles have been written from the source minutes. Recent records mention Projects and capital works, Roads, traffic and parking, Ballina, Alstonville.
- Meetings
- 30
- Substantive
- 28
- Articles
- 14
- Watch items
- 22
Latest
Local suppliers invited to shape Ballina Council buying rules
Ballina Shire Council has approved public exhibition of its amended Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy, giving businesses and contractors an opportunity to comment before any further action is taken.
Residents can comment on the amended Companion Animals Management Plan and draft flood studies during public exhibition periods.
The proposed Skennars Head off-leash dog area beside Headlands Drive and the overflow car park will not proceed.
Flood mapping and future management planning will affect Alstonville, Wardell, Ballina and nearby communities.
Council has committed to a five-year waste-services contract worth $518,062.59 excluding GST.
Articles
Local suppliers invited to shape Ballina Council buying rules
Ballina Shire Council has approved public exhibition of its amended Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy, giving businesses and contractors an opportunity to comment before any further action is taken.
Marine Rescue donation held until Ballina jet boat is operational
Ballina Shire Council approved $800 for Jan Saul’s trip to the 2026 World Masters Hockey competition in Belgium and backed an annual Rotary payment for Richmond Room operations.
Richmond Waste Services wins $518,062 Ballina Shire contract
Ballina Shire Council has awarded a five-year contract to Richmond Waste Services for waste collection and disposal at council facilities.
Bruxner Highway upgrades remain on Ballina Council advocacy list
Council will keep pressing for the Wollongbar to Goonellabah deviation, duplication towards the Pacific Highway, shared paths and south-facing Cumbalum interchange ramps.
Ballina solar project contract puts working-panel reuse ahead of recycling
Functional panels removed from the Waste Water Management Plant project are to be stored for possible discounted community sale, with the rest sent to a commercial recycling facility.
Ballina community gardens, filming and ranger-fee rules changed
Updated policies covering public land, beach debris, fundraising, donations, heavy vehicles and private structures will go on exhibition for public comment.
Ballina businesses invited to shape five-year economic strategy
Businesses, tourism operators, developers and residents will be able to comment on Ballina’s draft 2026 - 2031 strategy, while the mayor pursues representations about council land north of Airport Boulevard.
Ross Lane to close for nine weeks as Ballina council approves $5.6m works package
Contracts for Ross Lane, Tamarind Drive, Marom Creek Road, Wardell’s foreshore and the wastewater treatment plant have been awarded, with $450,000 still to be sought for the flood project.
Alstonville football club lease at Crawford Park faces public notification
A proposed four-year lease for the club’s sports buildings and storage shed would cost $634 a year plus GST, with further council consideration required if a substantive objection is received.
Wollongbar sports fields get $324,000 automated irrigation funding
Ballina Shire Council has allocated $324,000 from the Wollongbar Sports Fields Reserve for an automated irrigation system to support field remediation and improve playing conditions.
$274,050 grant delay holds up Lennox Head streetscape designs
A delayed $274,050 Transport for NSW grant is holding up studies and detailed designs needed to approve and tender Lennox Head streetscape upgrades.
Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW funding held over by Ballina Shire councillors
Ballina Shire councillors approved 2026/27 community grants but held the Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW allocation back until a further report is brought to council.
Decisions
Companion Animals Management Plan to go on exhibition
Council endorsed an amended Companion Animals Management Plan for public exhibition. The exhibited plan will propose setting beach off-leash boundaries at the beach rather than the entrance track. No further action will be taken on the proposed off-leash dog area at Skennars Head beside Headlands Drive and the overflow car park.
Residents can comment on future dog-management rules and the proposed beach boundary changes; the Skennars Head proposal will not proceed.
Alstonville and Wardell flood studies released for public comment
Council endorsed public exhibition of draft overland flood studies and mapping for Alstonville and Wardell. The studies will return to Council after exhibition, with submissions summarised. Council also resolved to include flood-portal training and hold separate information sessions, including consultation with Jali LALC and Cabbage Tree Island residents.
Residents may review proposed flood mapping and provide feedback that could influence future flood-management measures and information available to property owners.
Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy placed on exhibition
Council adopted an amended draft Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy for public exhibition. Submissions will return to Council; if none are received, no further report is required.
The policy may affect how Council buys goods and services and the opportunities available to local and sustainable suppliers.
Issues
Projects and capital works
Waste collection contract awarded
Roads, traffic and parking
Strategic road contributions plan to be amended
Funding and grants
Community funding and facility arrangements approved
Waste, water and environment
Waste collection contract awarded
Budget, rates and governance
Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy placed on exhibition
Planning, development and housing
State homelessness support requested
Topics
Financial Assistance Grant methodology
Council supported a proposed review of the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grant allocation methodology, requesting that grants and expenditure associated with declared natural disasters be excluded because they do not represent recurrent costs.
Changes to the methodology could affect future funding received by councils, including Ballina Shire.
Emission reduction strategy motion defeated
A motion seeking a report on aligning Council’s emissions strategy with government requirements, setting annual targets, stakeholder engagement and review arrangements was lost. A separate proposed 2030 target for Council to generate most of its energy from solar was disallowed.
No new emissions-reporting framework or solar target was approved at this meeting.
Community Connections Expo recognised
Council recognised the success of the 2026 Ballina Shire Community Connections Expo at Lennox Head Cultural Centre and its value in supporting volunteering, resilience and links between Council and community organisations.
The recognition supports continuation of a community-development event for residents, volunteers and local organisations.
Property and procurement policies reviewed
Council adopted an amended Property Investment and Development Policy and placed the amended Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy on exhibition. A separate local-procurement policy item was also considered in the meeting records.
The policies guide Council property decisions and purchasing practices, including potential impacts on local businesses and suppliers.
Solar power and emergency resilience
The committee discussed solar panels over car parks at the Airport, Ballina Fair and Ballina Central as a possible renewable-energy opportunity. Malcolm Johnson also raised the need for reliable power for the Rural Fire Service during blackouts.
The proposal could increase renewable generation and improve emergency-service resilience, but no working group or project was formally established in the extracted text.
Pedestrian access between Sandalwood Caravan & Leisure Park and Wardell
Wardell Progress Association raised safety concerns about visitors walking along Pimlico Road into Wardell township. Council is reviewing its Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and developing a new Active Transport Plan.
The planning process may identify safer walking access for caravan-park visitors, residents and pedestrians.
Wild-dog reporting
Council advised that invasive-animal management is generally the responsibility of State Government agencies unless targeted funding applies. Landholders were advised to report wild dogs to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Landholders have a stated reporting pathway, while Council’s direct role remains limited.
Infrastructure tree replacement and revegetation
The committee discussed who is responsible when plantings fail and whether native planting palettes are required in infrastructure tenders. Staff said responsibility depends on contract arrangements; native species are typically specified, but non-native species may occur in some circumstances.
The issue affects the quality, maintenance and accountability of tree replacement linked to Council infrastructure projects.
Places
Ballina
Flood-study mapping, roads, facilities and community funding decisions.
Alstonville
Draft overland flood study and community consultation.
Lennox Head
Potential future relocation discussion for the Rural Fire Service
Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant
Site of the approved solar PV and upgraded panels project.
East Ballina
Location of a property included in confidential debt recovery sale action.
Wardell
Draft overland flood study and community consultation.
Lennox Head Cultural Centre
Venue for the 2026 Community Connections Expo.
Tamarind Drive
Included in landslip remediation works with Marom Creek Road.
Projects
Ballina Environment Society
Raised questions about gas connections, environmental offsets and infrastructure revegetation.
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.
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.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Approved for public exhibition.
Local Growth Management Strategy
To be repealed after publication of the revised LSPS.