38 meetings · 164 extracts
Council budget, rates and governance decisions
Budget, rates, fees, audit, operational plan, governance, confidential session, and procurement decisions from council minutes. Latest: Indoor Multisport Stadium feasibility work progressed
What residents may care about
- This advances planning for a potential indoor sports facility that could affect future recreation infrastructure and budget priorities.
- This could shape how affordable housing contributions are collected in future developments across the council area and makes supporting feasibility information public.
- Updates governance and transparency rules for councillors and related-party disclosures.
- Shows internal oversight, risk and audit matters are being formally tracked.
- Updates the governance rules for how the forum considers local traffic and transport matters, including questions raised about bus zone restriction changes.
- Families and library users should be aware of the new supervision age requirement for children.
Decisions and actions
Indoor Multisport Stadium feasibility work progressed
The committee recommended noting the existing $120,000 allocation in the 2025/26 budget for an Indoor Multisport Stadium feasibility study, jointly funded with Basketball NSW, and endorsed Stage 1 Strategic Business Case with additional funding to be reallocated from existing operational projects.
This advances planning for a potential indoor sports facility that could affect future recreation infrastructure and budget priorities.
Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme planning proposal advanced
Council resolved to send Planning Proposal PP2026/0003 for Gateway Determination, publicly exhibit it after gateway approval, publish the previously confidential feasibility assessment attachment on Council’s website, and provide a further report after submissions. The motion carried 14 votes to 1.
This could shape how affordable housing contributions are collected in future developments across the council area and makes supporting feasibility information public.
Revised Related Party Disclosure Policy recommended for adoption
The committee recommended that Council adopt the revised Related Party Disclosure Policy attached to the report.
Updates governance and transparency rules for councillors and related-party disclosures.
Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee minutes received and noted
The committee recommended that Council receive and note the confirmed minutes of 27 November 2025 and the unconfirmed minutes of 5 March 2026 from the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.
Shows internal oversight, risk and audit matters are being formally tracked.
Local Transport Forum Terms of Reference v3.0 adopted
The forum adopted Terms of Reference v3.0, replacing v2.0, to align with the TfNSW 2025 Instrument.
Updates the governance rules for how the forum considers local traffic and transport matters, including questions raised about bus zone restriction changes.
Children and young people policy adopted
Council adopted the revised Interactions with Children and Young People Policy and approved a Library Use and Membership Policy change raising the unattended library age from 10 to 12 years.
Families and library users should be aware of the new supervision age requirement for children.
AI governance framework report requested
Council requested a report on the feasibility and scope of developing an Artificial Intelligence policy or governance framework for Georges River Council.
This may shape how Council uses AI in service delivery, decision-making and public-facing operations.
Updated committee terms and community representative changes noted
The committee noted updated Terms of Reference for the Floodplain Risk Management Committee, the recent appointment of community representatives, and the resignation of former community representative Erin Seller.
This affects how the committee operates and how community input is represented in floodplain risk management discussions.
State department flood-related update received
The committee received and noted a verbal update from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Residents may be indirectly affected by future state policy, funding, or guidance changes on floodplain management.
Local Strategic Planning Statement adopted with amendments
Council adopted the Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2046 and Russellton Estate Expansion Area addendum, with changes covering Alstonville employment land mapping, Newrybar wording, a Ballina Hospital precinct plan, rural land use principles, consolidation of rural land use policy, removal of three SUGAs for further examination, and an action to identify additional employment land options.
This shapes long-term land use, housing, employment land, village character, and rural planning across the shire.
Alstonville Strategic Plan review scheduled
Council will include a review of the Alstonville Strategic Plan in the 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and Operational Plan, identified for 2027/28.
Alstonville residents may see future planning review and consultation on local growth and land use settings.
NEWLOG draft budget endorsed
Council endorsed the draft North East Weight of Loads Group (NEWLOG) budget for 2026/27 and its Long-Term Financial Plan.
May influence regional heavy vehicle load management and related council budget planning.
Draft 2026/27 rating structure approved for operational plan
Council approved a base rating structure for the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan, including under-50% residential base revenue, aligned base amounts across residential, business, farmland and mining categories, 18.65% of rate yield from business properties, farmland set at about 81% of the residential rate in the dollar, and mining set equal to business.
Directly affects how general rates are shared across property categories in 2026/27.
Waste financial plans endorsed for exhibition
Council endorsed draft fees and charges plus long-term financial plans for Landfill and Resource Management and Domestic Waste Management for exhibition in the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan.
Could affect future waste charges and service funding.
Wastewater annual charges and financial plan endorsed for exhibition
Council endorsed wastewater annual charges and the Wastewater Operations long-term financial plan for exhibition in the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan.
May affect sewer charges for connected properties.
Water charges and financial plan endorsed for exhibition
Council endorsed 2026/27 water charges and the Water Operations long-term financial plan for exhibition, including a 20mm water access charge rising from $265 to $281, water consumption under 350kl rising from $2.99 to $3.17, water consumption over 350kl rising from $4.49 to $4.76, and vacant land charge rising from $265 to $281.
Directly affects household and property water bills if adopted after exhibition.
Interactions with Children and Young People Policy adopted
The committee recommended adopting the revised Interactions with Children and Young People Policy after community consultation.
Affects standards for how Council services and staff interact with children and young people.
Library unattended age raised from 10 to 12
The committee recommended a minor amendment to the Library Use and Membership Policy so children must be at least 12 years old to use the library unattended.
Changes library access rules for families and young library users.
Asbestos Management Policy 2026 adopted
Council recommended adopting the draft Asbestos Management Policy 2026 following public exhibition.
This sets council's policy approach to asbestos management, affecting compliance, safety, and handling expectations.
Wildlife Protection Area Policy 2025 endorsed
Council recommended endorsing the Georges River Wildlife Protection Area Policy 2025 and allowing minor administrative amendments, with future review reporting to include data on documented breaches.
This shapes protections in wildlife protection areas and signals future monitoring of compliance.
Important topics
Sports infrastructure planning and budget reallocation
The Indoor Multisport Stadium project moved into a strategic business case stage, supported by existing funding and additional reallocated operational funding.
The project could shape future indoor sport options, facility planning and council spending.
Publication of planning evidence
Council resolved to remove confidentiality from the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme feasibility assessment attachment and publish it on Council’s website.
This improves public access to evidence behind the affordable housing proposal.
Governance policy update
A revised Related Party Disclosure Policy was put forward for adoption.
Affects council accountability and public confidence in decision-making.
Council investments
The committee reviewed the investment position as at 28 February 2026.
Relates to financial stewardship of public funds.
Updated transport forum governance
The new Terms of Reference were adopted to align with current TfNSW requirements. A question was raised about whether managers could change bus zone timings under the updated rules, but no answer is recorded in the extracted text.
May influence how future local transport matters, including bus zone changes, are handled.
Asbestos Management Policy adopted
Council adopted the draft Asbestos Management Policy 2026 after public exhibition.
This guides Council's approach to asbestos-related management and public health risks.
Wildlife Protection Area Policy endorsed
Council endorsed the Georges River Wildlife Protection Area Policy 2025 and requested future review reporting include data on documented breaches.
Residents in or near wildlife protection areas may be affected by how environmental protections are applied and monitored.
Tree canopy target progress noted
Council noted progress toward the 40% tree canopy target by 2038, backed consideration of a future $120,000 budget bid for an LGA-wide planting strategy, and will continue advocating for stronger state tree protections.
This may influence future tree planting, urban greening and vegetation protection across the area.
Additional lighting at Megan Crescent Sportsground
A request was raised for extra lighting at Megan Crescent Sportsground. Council staff advised a submission would be needed for consideration through the Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Long Term Financial Plan.
Could affect sportsground usability and safety, but no approval was made at this meeting.
Special Rate Variation uncertainty
The draft rating structure is based on a proposed 6.0% Special Rate Variation, but the fallback is the 3.4% IPART rate peg if approval is not granted.
Final rates are not yet locked in and depend on a regulator’s decision.
Draft plans moving to exhibition
Multiple financial plans and charges were endorsed for exhibition as part of the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program.
Residents may have an opportunity to review and comment before final adoption.
Tree canopy target progress
Council noted progress toward the adopted target of 40% tree canopy by 2038 and endorsed consideration of a future $120,000 budget bid from the Tree Preservation Reserve for an LGA-wide tree planting strategy and costing schedule.
This may influence future planting programs, greening priorities, and budget decisions across the Georges River area.
Delivery Program and Operational Plan quarterly review
Council noted the quarterly review, including risk that the Hutley Drive basketball court may need partial removal in future if sewer infrastructure requires work, and approved proceeding with Lennox Point Car Park works subject to further reporting on footpath composition and colour.
Affects delivery of local projects and identifies constraints on planned recreation infrastructure.
Biodiversity policy review
Council adopted the amended Biodiversity – Compensatory Habitats and Offsets Policy.
Influences how biodiversity impacts and offsets are managed in council decisions.
Financial and capital reviews
Council noted investment records, approved December 2025 quarterly budget changes, and approved capital expenditure budget variations for the period ending 31 December 2025.
Confirms updates to council finances and capital works spending.
Asset Management Policy review
Council adopted the amended Asset Management Policy and will place it on public exhibition.
Guides how council manages roads, buildings and other public assets over time.
Meetings behind this issue