A Ward Committee - 8 Sep 2026

Topics

• Cumbalum residents urged to lobby for interchange upgrade
  Community representatives and councillors are urging residents to lobby State Government candidates as Port Macquarie M1 upgrades move ahead in 2027.
  The timing of nearby motorway works has renewed concern about whether the Cumbalum Interchange will receive attention and investment.
• Ballina recreation-site remediation pushed into January 2027
  Remediation at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club and Fripp Oval is no longer expected to finish by Christmas 2026.
  The revised timeline affects sporting and community facility users planning for the summer period.
• Scooter crossing safety changes proposed at Ballina locations
  Council identified the Grant Street and River Street location as a safety problem and can raise a keep-left sign at a western refuge to improve visibility.
  The changes target hazards for motorised scooter users and other vulnerable road users.

Decisions

• Chair continuation
  It was agreed that Cr Damian Loone would continue as Chair for the next year.
  Provides continuity for the A Ward Committee and its community representation.
• Campbell’s Pond monitoring
  Council advised that Campbell’s Pond is now on an asset register and is being monitored more frequently.
  Residents may receive more regular oversight of local stormwater infrastructure and drainage conditions.
• Motorised scooter crossing safety
  Council agreed that the corner of Grant Street and River Street is a safety concern. At the western crossing site, staff can raise the keep-left sign to improve visibility at the refuge.
  May improve visibility and safety for motorised scooter users and other people crossing these roads.
• Ballina RSL Bowling Club and Fripp Oval remediation timing
  Remediation works are not expected to be completed by Christmas 2026. Council staff advised that completion is expected during January 2027.
  Users of the bowling club and oval will face a revised completion timeline.
• North Creek Road night works
  Council advised that night works and a temporary road closure were planned for North Creek Road on Sunday night.
  Drivers should expect temporary disruption and check Council’s traffic information before travelling.
• Burns Point Ferry maintenance
  Annual maintenance was underway, with the ferry scheduled to reopen on Sunday.
  Ferry users may experience a short-term service interruption followed by the planned reopening.

Discussion

• Cumbalum Interchange upgrade
  The Cumbalum Residents Association asked whether campaigning should resume for an upgrade, following the announcement that Port Macquarie M1 upgrades will commence in 2027. Council representatives encouraged residents to lobby State Government candidates and said Council regularly advocates on the issue.
  The interchange affects future travel, congestion and access for Cumbalum and surrounding communities.
• Cumbalum Circle project viability
  The Cumbalum Residents Association requested an update on when Council’s investigation into the viability of the Cumbalum Circle Project will be completed. No completion date was recorded.
  Residents are awaiting clarity on whether the proposed project is viable and what happens next.
• Hilltop District Park community gardens
  The Cumbalum Residents Association asked how the community garden at Hilltop District Park will be handed over to the community. The excerpt does not record a final handover arrangement.
  Future users need to know who will manage the garden and how residents can participate.
• Temporary pothole repairs
  The NSW Police Force raised complaints about temporary pothole repairs. Council is investigating ways to store hot-mix asphalt, but advised it does not have the resources to identify potholes by spray-painting them.
  Road repair methods and available maintenance resources may affect driving conditions and repair response times.
• Environmental offsets and revegetation
  The Ballina Environment Society acknowledged Council’s response on tree replacement and revegetation associated with infrastructure developments, while submitting further enquiries.
  The issue concerns how vegetation loss from infrastructure projects is addressed across the shire.
• Wastewater plant solar panels
  The Ballina Environment Society asked about Council’s plan for decommissioning solar panels at the Waste Water Management Plant when they reach the end of their operational life.
  Decommissioning arrangements may affect environmental management and future infrastructure costs.

Impacts

• North Creek Road users may face a temporary Sunday night closure for planned works.
• The Burns Point Ferry was temporarily unavailable during annual maintenance and was scheduled to reopen on Sunday.
• Remediation at Ballina RSL Bowling Club and Fripp Oval is expected in January 2027 rather than by Christmas 2026.
• Motorised scooter users and other pedestrians may benefit from improved visibility at identified crossing locations.
• Cumbalum residents are being encouraged to lobby State Government candidates about the Cumbalum Interchange upgrade.
• Residents are awaiting updates on the Cumbalum Circle Project and the Hilltop District Park community garden handover.

Places

• Cumbalum Interchange (transport project)
  Proposed upgrade discussed in relation to State Government advocacy.
• Port Macquarie M1 (motorway)
  Upgrades announced to commence in 2027 and cited in discussion about priorities.
• Campbell’s Pond (stormwater facility)
  Added to an asset register and subject to more frequent monitoring.
• Grant Street and River Street (road intersection)
  Identified as a safety concern for motorised scooters crossing roads.
• North Creek Road, Ballina (road)
  Night works and a temporary Sunday night closure were advised.
• Hilltop District Park (park and community facility)
  Community garden handover arrangements were queried.
• Ballina RSL Bowling Club / Fripp Oval (recreation facilities)
  Remediation works are expected to finish during January 2027.
• Burns Point Ferry (ferry service)
  Annual maintenance was underway, with reopening scheduled for Sunday.

Next

• Council to advise on the remediation completion timing for the Ballina RSL Bowling Club and Fripp Oval sites.
  Expected during January 2027.
• Residents and community advocates to lobby State Government candidates about the Cumbalum Interchange upgrade.
  Ongoing advocacy.
• Council to continue investigating options for storing hot-mix asphalt for pothole repairs.
  Not specified.
• Council to improve visibility at the western motorised scooter crossing by lifting the keep-left sign.
  Timing not specified.
• Council to clarify the handover arrangements for the Hilltop District Park community garden.
  Not specified.
• Council to respond to further Ballina Environment Society enquiries about environmental offsets, revegetation and solar-panel decommissioning.
  Not specified.
• Next A Ward Committee meeting to be held.
  Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 4pm.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE A WARD COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET, BALLINA, ON 8/09/26 AT 4:00 PM Ballina Shire Council A Ward Committee Minutes 08/09/26 of 6 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 (on-line) Cr Phillip Meehan Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor) Scott Heselwood – Ballina Rotary of Ballina-on-Richmond (on-line) Meg Pickup – Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Carolyn Reay-Young – Ballina Croquet Incorporated Janet Chester – St Vincent de Paul Andrew Playford – Northern...