Council - 22 Oct 2026

Topics

• Wollongbar child care centre wins approval to continue operating
  Council approved the continued use of the 20-place centre at 1 Smiths Lane alongside the existing centre at 3 Smiths Lane.
  The decision affects nearby residents, families and local child care capacity.
• Lennox Head flood mapping set for public scrutiny
  Council will publicly exhibit a new overland flood study and associated mapping for Lennox Head.
  Flood information can affect property owners, planning decisions, insurance and emergency preparedness.
• Council opens new licensing round for surf schools and coaching businesses
  Fourteen public-land sub-licences will be tendered for surf schools, elite surf coaching and stand-up paddle board coaching from May 2027.
  The policy will shape commercial access to public land and competition between operators.

Decisions

• Wollongbar child care centre approved
  Development Application 2026/279 was approved, allowing the continued use of the 20-place child care centre at 1 Smiths Lane in conjunction with the existing approved centre at 3 Smiths Lane, subject to conditions and consent modifications.
  The decision allows the child care use to continue, subject to planning conditions.
• Lennox Head flood study exhibited
  Council endorsed public exhibition of the Draft Lennox Head Overland Flood Study and associated flood mapping.
  Residents will have an opportunity to review and comment on proposed flood information affecting Lennox Head.
• Commercial activities on public land regulated
  Council adopted amended Commercial Activities on Public Land policies and specifications, will publicly exhibit the policy with feedback sought on nature-based play groups, and will tender 14 three-year sub-licences from 1 May 2027: five surf schools, six elite surf coaching operations and three stand-up paddle board coaching operations.
  The decision sets future access and licensing arrangements for commercial activities on public land and creates a public comment opportunity.
• Lennox Point mobile vending supported
  After confidential consideration, Council approved an amendment to the Mobile Vending on Public Land Policy to provide for a fixed mobile vending location at Lennox Point Car Park, subject to specified conditions.
  A fixed vending opportunity may be established at Lennox Point, subject to the policy conditions.
• Smiths Lane planning application approved
  Council approved the amending development application by eight votes to two, with conditions set out in the meeting attachments.
  The approval affects nearby residents and the operation of child care services in Wollongbar.
• Arts Northern Rivers contribution not reinstated
  Council did not approve rejoining Arts Northern Rivers. Instead, it requested a copy of the Create NSW Service Agreement and options to ensure Ballina Shire artists are treated fairly. Any future contribution must proceed through established budget processes and depend on a value-for-money service agreement.
  Local artists and arts organisations will not receive a renewed Council contribution at this stage.
• Tenders and contracts awarded
  Council awarded the Uralba Cutting Road EPAR landslip remediation contract to Ground Stabilisation Systems Pty Limited for $496,610 excluding GST, and the Community Connect printing and delivery contract to Lismore City Printery for $53,770.92 per year excluding GST.
  The decisions progress landslip remediation and secure production and delivery of Council's Community Connect publication.
• Pensioner concessions policy amended
  Council adopted the amended Pensioner Concessions – Rates and Charges Policy.
  Eligible pensioners may be affected by the updated arrangements for rates and charges concessions.
• Annual financial statements to public exhibition
  Council authorised public exhibition of the 2025/26 Annual Financial Statements and Auditor's Reports and approved the required signing arrangements.
  Residents will be able to inspect and comment on the Council's annual financial reporting.
• Northern Rivers Preschool proposal advanced
  Council approved the 9 Byron Bay Road, Lennox Head proposal by Northern Rivers Preschool to proceed to development assessment and authorised lease negotiations, subject to future reporting.
  The decision advances a potential preschool project on Council-owned land in Lennox Head.
• Tuckombil Quarry negotiations to continue
  Council gave in-principle support to further negotiations for Tuckombil Quarry, requested future reporting on lease terms, rental and indicative sale value, and expressed a preference not to sell. It rejected an option inconsistent with the quarry master plan while remaining open to further proposals.
  The quarry's long-term use and ownership remain undecided, with further reports required.
• Community and local projects supported
  Council supported a suitable bench for the Green Seat Project, noted a $1,000 Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond contribution, supported the Ballina Music Festival concept and grant application, requested a report on turf at Pop Denison Park, and endorsed a report on relocating playground equipment from Meldrum Park to Commemoration Park.
  These decisions progress community facilities, cultural activity, recreation and memorial initiatives.

Discussion

• Flat Rock Tent Park fees
  Council authorised public exhibition of draft Flat Rock Tent Park fees and charges for 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2028. The matter will return after exhibition.
  Campers and other users will be able to comment before the fees are finalised.
• Alstonville public realm and parking
  Council decided not to reinstate the Alstonville Tidy Towns plaques in Freeborn Park and will offer them to the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society or other heritage groups. It also considered parallel parking on Alston Avenue and additional parking near Alstonville Pool, subject to future Delivery Program budgets or grant funding.
  The plaques' future and possible parking changes around Alstonville Pool remain subject to follow-up work and funding.
• Waste and resource recovery assistance
  Council adopted amended policies for donations of waste disposal fees to not-for-profit groups and donations supporting community resource recovery initiatives.
  Eligible community groups may benefit from updated assistance arrangements.
• Service and infrastructure policies
  Council adopted or amended policies covering grazing on road reserves, containment backflow prevention, local directional signage, and kerbside bin entitlement and service. The backflow prevention policy will be exhibited for public comment.
  These policies affect roadside land use, signage, water protection and household bin services.
• Neighbourhood centre funding advocacy
  Council agreed to write to relevant State and Federal Ministers supporting the Local Community Services Association campaign for core operational funding for NSW neighbourhood and community centres.
  Council is advocating for more stable funding for local community centres.
• Volunteer recognition
  Council congratulated Joel Orchard and Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance on their 2026 Northern Rivers Volunteer Awards.
  The resolution recognises local volunteer contributions.

Impacts

• Public exhibition and comment opportunities will occur for the Lennox Head flood study, Flat Rock Tent Park fees, commercial activities on public land, annual financial statements and containment backflow prevention policy.
• The 20-place child care centre at 1 and 3 Smiths Lane, Wollongbar may continue operating subject to approval conditions.
• A fixed mobile vending location may be established at Lennox Point Car Park under amended policy conditions.
• Uralba Cutting Road landslip remediation will proceed under a $496,610 excluding GST contract.
• Pensioner rates and charges concessions, kerbside bin services and waste assistance policies have been updated.
• Potential preschool development at 9 Byron Bay Road, Lennox Head has advanced to development assessment.
• The future of Tuckombil Quarry remains under negotiation, with Council preferring not to sell the site.

Places

• Wollongbar (suburb)
  Smiths Lane child care centre development application.
• Lennox Head (town)
  Overland flood study, Lennox Point Car Park, Byron Bay Road preschool proposal and commercial public land arrangements.
• Lennox Point Car Park (facility)
  Potential fixed mobile vending location.
• Alstonville (town)
  Alston Avenue and Alstonville Pool parking, Freeborn Park plaques and Tuckombil Quarry.
• Uralba Cutting Road (road)
  EPAR landslip remediation contract.
• Ballina (town)
  Commemoration Park playground proposal, Community Connect publication and local community initiatives.
• Pop Denison Park (park)
  Requested report on turf installation for informal use by Ballina Croquet Club.
• Flat Rock Tent Park (facility)
  Draft 2027/28 fees and charges exhibition.

Next

• Exhibit the Draft Lennox Head Overland Flood Study and flood mapping for public comment.
  Following the meeting; return after the exhibition process as required.
• Exhibit draft Flat Rock Tent Park fees and charges.
  For the period covering 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2028; report back after exhibition.
• Exhibit amended Commercial Activities on Public Land policy and specifications, including feedback on nature-based play groups.
  Upcoming public exhibition.
• Conduct tenders for public-land sub-licences.
  Three-year licences commencing 1 May 2027.
• Obtain the Create NSW Service Agreement with Arts Northern Rivers and develop options for fair treatment of Ballina Shire artists.
  Staff follow-up; any future contribution to proceed through budget processes.
• Progress Northern Rivers Preschool's proposal through development assessment and negotiate possible lease terms.
  Future development assessment and Council reporting.
• Return with Tuckombil Quarry lease, rental and indicative sale information after independent valuation.
  Future Council report.
• Progress Uralba Cutting Road landslip remediation and Community Connect contract arrangements.
  Following contract awards.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA ON 22/10/26 AT 9:00 AM of 21 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 22/10/26 ................................................. MAYOR Attendance Crs Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor - in the chair), Michelle Bailey, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Therese Crollick, Simon Chate, Eva Ramsey, Erin Karsten, Kiri Dicker and Phil Meehan. Paul Hickey (General Manager), Troy Anderson (Director - Civil Services Division), Matthew Wood (Director - Planning and Environmental Health Division), Fran Summerfield (Acting Director - Corporate and Community Division) and...