A Ward Committee - 14 Jul 2026

Topics

• Residents seek answers on Burval walkway maintenance after fatal incident
  Residents sought answers about the current maintenance and safety plan for the Burval Cycle and Walkway after a fatal incident, but the extracted minutes do not record a completed improvement decision.
  Users of the cycle and walking route need clarity about maintenance responsibilities and any safety improvements.
• Weed-infested Campbell's Common pond awaits Council update
  A weed-infested Campbell's Common pond remains without remediation works, with Council's Manager Engineering Works due to provide an update in September.
  The condition of a public waterbody has prompted repeated resident requests and a scheduled accountability update.
• Council clarifies Hilltop Park playground update and upgrade cycle
  Residents questioned the delivery of a sports playground update, while Council said shadecloth replacement was the relevant update and explained that playgrounds are upgraded on a lifecycle basis.
  Families and residents are seeking clarity about what playground works were promised and when upgrades occur.

Decisions

• Previous meeting minutes confirmed
  The minutes of the A Ward Committee meeting held on 12 May 2026 were confirmed.
  This was a procedural confirmation with no new resident-facing decision.

Discussion

• Burval Cycle and Walkway maintenance
  The committee discussed the maintenance status and possible safety improvements for the Burval Cycle and Walkway following a fatal incident.
  Cyclists and pedestrians need information about the route's condition, maintenance and safety arrangements.
• Campbell's Common Pond remediation
  The Cumbalum Residents Association raised ongoing weed problems at Campbell's Common Pond. The Manager Engineering Works is scheduled to attend the September meeting with an update.
  Residents are awaiting action on the condition of a local public waterbody.
• Development notification and public submissions
  The committee discussed development tracking through Council's Have Your Say website and fortnightly e-newsletter, including the ability of the Ballina Environment Society to receive advance notice for submissions.
  Residents and community groups can use these channels to monitor development proposals and participate in consultation.
• Sports playground and Hilltop Park update
  Council clarified that shadecloth replacement was the sports playground update referred to in the Development Program and said playgrounds are upgraded through a lifecycle process.
  Playground users received clarification about the reported upgrade and the broader timing approach.

Impacts

• Residents raised unresolved maintenance and safety questions about the Burval Cycle and Walkway.
• Campbell's Common Pond remains subject to weed concerns, with a Council engineering update scheduled for September.
• Residents and environmental groups were directed to Council's Have Your Say website and e-newsletter to track development proposals.
• Council clarified that shadecloth replacement was the sports playground update and that playground upgrades follow a lifecycle approach.

Places

• Burval Cycle and Walkway (active transport infrastructure)
  Cycle and walkway maintenance and post-incident safety discussion
• Campbell's Common Pond (waterbody)
  Weed-infested pond subject to requested remediation and September update
• Hilltop Park (park and playground)
  Playground development and shadecloth replacement discussion
• A Ward (council ward)
  Development applications and community notification tracking
• Ballina Shire (local government area)
  Council-wide development tracking, public exhibition and community notifications

Next

• Manager Engineering Works to attend the committee meeting and provide an update on Campbell's Common Pond.
  September 2026 meeting
• Residents and community groups can monitor development proposals through Council's Have Your Say website and fortnightly e-newsletter.
  Ongoing
• Next A Ward Committee meeting to be held.
  15 September 2026 at 4pm

Extract

MINUTES OF THE A WARD COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COMMITTEE ROOM 40 CHERRY STREET, BALLINA, ON 14/07/26 AT 4:00 PM Ballina Shire Council A Ward Committee Minutes 14/07/26 of 8 1. Acknowledgment of Country In opening the meeting, the Chair provided an Acknowledgement of Country. 2. Attendance and Apologies (including updates/changes in membership) Members Cr Damian Loone (Chair) Cr Erin Karsten Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor) Scott Heselwood – Ballina Rotary of Ballina-on-Richmond (on-line) Meg Pickup – Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Ros Felsch – The Ballina Peninsular Residents Association Carolyn Reay-Young – Ballina Croquet Incorporated Janet Chester – St Vincent de Pau...