B Ward Committee - 21 Sep 2026

Topics

• Newrybar streetscape projects could be explored before master plan is finalised
  Grant-funded detailed design may allow potential projects such as village entry signage to be assessed before the Newrybar Streetscape Master Plan is complete.
  Residents may want to know whether visible village improvements can proceed sooner and who will decide project order and funding.
• Lennox Head overland flood studies put on ward committee agenda
  Overland flood studies were identified as a general-business issue for Lennox Head, but the minutes provide no timetable or funding commitment.
  Flood studies can influence future planning, risk information and property decisions.
• Community halls raise concern over escalating electricity costs
  Rising electricity costs were raised as a business-with-notice issue affecting community halls.
  Higher operating costs could affect hall sustainability, hire fees or community programming, although no response is recorded.

Decisions

• Newrybar streetscape planning to continue under grant funding
  Council staff said detailed design under an existing grant will help assess potential projects, funding and sequencing before the Master Plan is finalised. Newrybar Community Hall may independently pursue grants, subject to discussing applications with Council before submission.
  Potential village improvements, including entry signage, may be assessed before the Master Plan is complete, but no project was approved in the extracted minutes.

Discussion

• Lennox Head overland flood studies
  The committee listed Lennox Head overland flood studies as general business, but the extract does not record a decision, funding commitment or timetable.
  Flood-risk information may affect residents, property owners and future planning in Lennox Head.
• Community hall electricity costs
  The committee considered business with notice about community halls and escalating electricity costs, with no specific response or relief measure recorded.
  Higher electricity costs may place additional pressure on community halls and their users.
• Newrybar Streetscape Master Plan grant update
  The committee discussed whether projects such as new village entry signage could begin before the Master Plan is finalised. Council is progressing detailed design under grant funding.
  Residents may see future streetscape works, but project selection and sequencing remain under consideration.
• Solar upgrades at Ballina wastewater treatment plant
  The Ballina Environment Society raised solar energy panel upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. Discussion included recent media reports about solar panel recycling; no decision is recorded.
  The issue relates to renewable energy infrastructure and future waste or recycling considerations at a key wastewater facility.
• Invasive animals
  The Ballina Environment Society also raised invasive animals as business with notice. The extract contains no recorded action or policy outcome.
  Invasive animals can affect local landholders, biodiversity and community-managed areas.

Impacts

• No new charge, service change, planning approval or expenditure commitment is recorded in the extracted material.
• Potential Newrybar streetscape projects will require further design, funding and sequencing consideration.
• Lennox Head flood-study work may inform future flood-risk planning, but no timetable is stated.
• Community halls may face pressure from escalating electricity costs.

Places

• Newrybar (village)
  Location of the Streetscape Master Plan, potential entry signage and Newrybar Community Hall.
• Lennox Head (town)
  Area identified for overland flood studies and represented by local community groups.
• Ballina wastewater treatment plant (facility)
  Site of proposed or discussed solar energy panel upgrades.
• B Ward (ward)
  Ward committee area for the meeting.

Next

• Progress detailed design under the grant supporting the Newrybar Streetscape Master Plan.
  Timing not stated.
• Assess potential Newrybar streetscape projects, funding and sequencing as design work progresses.
  Before or during finalisation of the Master Plan; no firm date stated.
• Newrybar Community Hall to discuss any independently pursued grant applications with Council before submission.
  Before any grant application is submitted.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE B WARD COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET, BALLINA, ON 21/09/26 AT 4:30 PM Ballina Shire Council B Ward Committee Minutes 21/09/26 of 5 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 Michelle Bailey (Chair) Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor) Kurt Rettenmaier – Newrybar Community Hall Narissa Phelps – Lennox Head Residents’ Association Council Staff Matthew Wood - Director Planning and Environmental Health Division Nikki Cheney - Executive Support Officer Observers Nil. Apologies Cr Kiri Dicker Colin Rich...