Northern Rivers
Ballina Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council decisions and meeting notes from public minutes. This page follows 25 recent meetings, including 24 with decisions or resident-facing discussion. 18 articles have been written from the source minutes. Recent records mention Roads, traffic and parking, Projects and capital works, Ballina, Alstonville.
- Meetings
- 25
- Substantive
- 24
- Articles
- 18
- Watch items
- 22
Latest
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.
Biodiversity DCP rules will undergo further public consultation rather than being finalised.
A preferred route has been selected for the Alstonville–West Ballina shared path, subject to grant funding.
Wollongbar Sports Fields will receive a $324,000 automated irrigation allocation.
Soil remediation will proceed at Canal Road, including Council-authorised work on private land.
Articles
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.
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.
Ballina council backs no action on croquet club access dispute after tied vote
A proposal for Ballina Shire Council to intervene over Ballina Croquet Club’s access to the Cherry Street lawns was defeated, leaving the matter unresolved at council level.
Ballina adopts new long-term planning statement, with more work flagged on growth areas
Ballina Shire Council has adopted its Local Strategic Planning Statement for 2025 to 2046, adding changes on employment land, rural planning and several growth areas that will return for another report in April.
Lennox Head council land housing proposal backed for LEP change
Ballina Shire Council’s finance and facilities committee endorsed preparing a planning proposal for medium-density housing concepts on council land at Lennox Head, while a push for a report on affordable housing for key workers was defeated.
Decisions
Tidy Towns plaque reinstatement deferred
Council deferred a decision on reinstating the Tidy Towns plaques in Alstonville while further financial options are investigated. The issue is to be examined during the remainder of 2026, with no dedicated funding allocated.
The plaque project remains unfunded and residents should not expect immediate reinstatement.
2026/27 community grants approved
Council approved the Donations – Financial Assistance for Community Groups for 2026/27 in line with the recommended amounts in Table 1 under section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993.
Community groups across the shire will receive funding support for the 2026/27 year.
Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW funding held over
The allocation for Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW was made subject to a further report to Council before any funding is provided.
A key marine rescue funding decision was deferred, so final support is not yet locked in.
Issues
Roads, traffic and parking
Shared-path route selected
Projects and capital works
Soil-remediation contract awarded
Funding and grants
Soil-remediation contract awarded
Budget, rates and governance
Waste-centre tender process redirected
Planning, development and housing
Planning proposal for council-owned land and reclassification changes
Waste, water and environment
Waste-centre tender process redirected
Topics
2026/27 rates and charges donations
The 2026/27 rates and charges donation report was noted, including estimated water-consumption and wastewater-usage charges, but no specific charge amounts or percentage changes were provided in the extract.
Residents should consult the full rates and charges report for exact amounts and eligibility details.
Sporting-group capital works assistance
The amended Community Sporting Groups Capital Works Assistance Policy was adopted and will be exhibited for public comment.
Local sporting groups may have an opportunity to comment on assistance arrangements.
Audit and risk governance
Council approved the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee strategic and annual work plans and noted updated internal-audit documents.
The decision supports Council oversight, risk management and internal auditing.
Community event insurance timing
Council noted that high-risk community events now require at least four weeks' notice to confirm public-liability coverage.
Late applications may be declined if insurance conditions cannot be met.
Ballina Bridge Duplication cost review
Council noted updated cost forecasts for the Ballina Bridge Duplication will follow completion of soft-soil design and pricing.
The project remains subject to further cost and contingency information.
Additional Lennox Head Town Centre bike racks
The Committee requested additional bike racks for Lennox Head Town Centre. The matter was referred to Engineering Works for consideration and added to the works program, with an aim for completion in the first quarter of the financial year.
Could improve cycling access and amenity in the town centre, although delivery is not yet complete.
Delayed public streetscape grant-funded design work
Council discussed the delayed Get NSW Active grant application for $274,050 to fund background studies and detailed designs for public streetscape works. The designs are needed for planning approvals and future tendering.
Delays may push back future streetscape improvements in Lennox Head.
Homelessness response in Ballina Shire
Council staff said homelessness responses involve multiple organisations and that the Health and Environment team works with support agencies to assist people experiencing homelessness in Ballina Shire.
Provides an update on the local service response, but no new funding or specific service change was announced.
Places
Ballina
Location of 26 Endeavour Close and the main asset sale decision.
Alstonville
Community and historical area represented at the meeting
Lennox Head
Potential future relocation discussion for the Rural Fire Service
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.
Canal Road, Ballina
Soil remediation contract and integrated remediation program
Main Street, Alstonville
Main Street disabled parking access request
Wollongbar
Community and development area represented at the meeting
Projects
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.
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.
Synergy Resource Management
Contractor awarded the Canal Road soil-remediation works.
Ballina Resource Recovery Centre
Facility affected by the over-budget main-entry tender process.