C Ward Committee - 10 Sep 2026

Topics

• Council to inspect Wollongbar preschool vegetation, fence and problem tree
  A Council site assessment will determine what action can be taken after the preschool raised concerns about regrowth, a damaged or missing fence and a tree near its pathway.
  The issue affects access and safety around a community preschool, while Council says no further general vegetation clearing is planned in the area.
• Wardell walking-safety concerns enter active-transport planning
  Visitors from Sandalwood Caravan & Leisure Park say they fear being hit by traffic when walking into Wardell, prompting consideration through Council’s transport plans.
  The request could lead to future pedestrian infrastructure priorities on Pimlico Road and affect residents, tourists and local businesses.
• Solar-panel contract to require reuse or commercial recycling
  A Council solar project contract is to require functional panels to be stored for community use or sale, with others recycled commercially.
  The requirement creates a local reuse pathway and limits disposal of solar equipment in landfill or informal waste streams.

Decisions

• Solar-panel disposal requirements
  The solar project contract is to require functional panels to be stored for possible community use or sale, with remaining panels sent to a commercial solar-panel recycling facility. The project tender had already been awarded at the August Council meeting.
  Sets an environmental and reuse requirement for panels removed or replaced through the project.
• Hall Court vegetation assessment
  Council has no further planned vegetation clearance at the eastern side of Hall Court, Wollongbar. Council’s horticulturist and Manager Facilities and Services will inspect the site in the following weeks to assess remaining vegetation, the fence and the tree causing concern.
  Residents and the Wollongbar Community Preschool are awaiting advice on vegetation, fencing and tree-related safety issues.
• Gas-free development proposal referred to upcoming Council meeting
  The possibility of phasing out gas connections in new developments and renovations is being considered through the Development Control Plan review. A Notice of Motion on the matter is to be reported to the next Council meeting.
  Any future decision could affect building and renovation requirements across the Shire.

Discussion

• Solar power and emergency resilience
  The committee discussed solar panels over car parks at the Airport, Ballina Fair and Ballina Central as a possible renewable-energy opportunity. Malcolm Johnson also raised the need for reliable power for the Rural Fire Service during blackouts.
  The proposal could increase renewable generation and improve emergency-service resilience, but no working group or project was formally established in the extracted text.
• Pedestrian access between Sandalwood Caravan & Leisure Park and Wardell
  Wardell Progress Association raised safety concerns about visitors walking along Pimlico Road into Wardell township. Council is reviewing its Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and developing a new Active Transport Plan.
  The planning process may identify safer walking access for caravan-park visitors, residents and pedestrians.
• Wild-dog reporting
  Council advised that invasive-animal management is generally the responsibility of State Government agencies unless targeted funding applies. Landholders were advised to report wild dogs to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
  Landholders have a stated reporting pathway, while Council’s direct role remains limited.
• Infrastructure tree replacement and revegetation
  The committee discussed who is responsible when plantings fail and whether native planting palettes are required in infrastructure tenders. Staff said responsibility depends on contract arrangements; native species are typically specified, but non-native species may occur in some circumstances.
  The issue affects the quality, maintenance and accountability of tree replacement linked to Council infrastructure projects.
• Biodiversity Strategy timing
  The Biodiversity Strategy requires additional information and is likely to return to Council in November 2026 before being placed on public exhibition.
  Public consultation is not expected until after the revised strategy is considered.
• Homelessness policy and Mary’s Place
  Council’s Homelessness Policy is expected to go on public exhibition shortly. Discussion also covered possible grant support for Mary’s Place in connection with Orange Sky services.
  Community organisations and residents will have an opportunity to comment on the policy and may be affected by future homelessness-service arrangements.

Impacts

• A contract requirement will prioritise reuse or recycling of solar panels from the relevant project.
• Wollongbar Community Preschool and nearby residents will receive a site assessment concerning vegetation, a fence and a problem tree at Hall Court.
• Pedestrian-safety concerns between Sandalwood Caravan & Leisure Park and Wardell will be considered through Council’s transport-planning work.
• Landholders reporting wild dogs should contact the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
• Future gas-connection requirements may be considered through the Development Control Plan review and a forthcoming Notice of Motion.
• The Biodiversity Strategy and Homelessness Policy are expected to proceed to later Council or public-exhibition stages.

Places

• Hall Court, Wollongbar (road and preschool area)
  Vegetation, fencing and a tree near Wollongbar Community Preschool are to be assessed.
• Pimlico Road, Wardell (road)
  Residents and visitors raised concerns about safe walking access from Sandalwood Caravan & Leisure Park to Wardell township.
• Wardell (town)
  Potential pedestrian-access improvements are being considered through transport planning.
• Sandalwood Caravan & Leisure Park (facility)
  Visitors requested safer walking access into Wardell.
• Kingsford Smith Reserve (reserve)
  Mentioned as an example of rabbit removal on Council-managed land.
• Ballina Fair (shopping centre)
  Named as a possible location for solar panels over car-parking areas.
• Ballina Central (shopping centre)
  Named as a possible location for solar panels over car-parking areas.
• Ballina Shire (local government area)
  The gas-development, biodiversity, infrastructure-revegetation and homelessness-policy issues apply across the Shire.

Next

• Council horticulturist and Manager Facilities and Services to inspect the Hall Court area and determine possible action.
  In the weeks following the meeting.
• Continue reviewing the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and developing the Active Transport Plan.
  Ongoing.
• Report a Notice of Motion on phasing out gas connections in new developments and renovations to Council.
  At the next Council meeting.
• Further consider the Biodiversity Strategy and add required information before public exhibition.
  Likely November 2026 Council meeting, followed by public exhibition if progressed.
• Place the Homelessness Policy on public exhibition for submissions.
  Shortly; exact date was not stated.
• Include solar-panel reuse or commercial recycling requirements in the project contract.
  As part of the awarded solar project works.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE C WARD COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT CRAWFORD HOUSE 10 WARDELL ROAD ALSTONVILLE ON 10/09/26 AT 5.00PM Ballina Shire Council C Ward Committee Minutes 10/09/26 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 Simon Chate Cr Simon Kinny Bill Coulter - Alstonville/Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce Christine Grant – St Vincent De Paul Jeff Cush - Wardell and District Progress Association John Sim - Alstonville Plateau Historical Society and Heritage Advisory Ballina Malcolm Johnson - Ballina Environment Society and Tuckombil Landcare Russell Priddle...