Council - 23 Apr 2026

Article-worthy topics

• Childcare and community facility upgrade approved at 10 Hayman Street
  Council granted development consent for alterations and additions to the Bunjum Aboriginal Child and Family Centre at 10 Hayman Street, Ballina, including an extended driveway, new crossover, and bus drop-off/pick-up area, subject to conditions.
  This supports improvements to a local childcare and community facility and may change local site access and traffic movements.

Key decisions

• Support for Northern Rivers Rail Trail campaign
  Council supported the current campaign by Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters to finish the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, including promotion through Council’s Community Connect magazine and social media platforms.
  Residents may see Council communications promoting completion of the rail trail and related regional advocacy.
• Council opposes Crown Land Management Amendment Bill 2026
  Council formally opposed the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026, citing concerns about shifting legal and financial liabilities to councils, expanded ministerial powers, and lack of consultation. Council will write to key NSW Government and local government bodies seeking withdrawal and revision of the Bill.
  This relates to potential future risks to council finances, liabilities and decision-making that could affect ratepayers and local services.
• Quarterly delivery plan review and new investigations funded
  Council noted the quarterly review and added actions including investigating a dance/activity area in Ballina, considering Fawcett Park, updating Ward Committee membership rules to allow multiple memberships, including an NBN connection at Lennox Park in the CCTV project scope, and allocating $20,000 in 2026/27 from the Community Infrastructure Reserve for detailed investigation of the Cumbalum Circle Project.
  This may influence future community facilities, committee participation, park technology upgrades and planning for local infrastructure projects.
• Strategic urban growth areas retained in planning statement
  Council retained North Kinvara (CURA B), CURA C and West Lennox Palms as strategic urban growth areas in the Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement. For North Kinvara and CURA C, future urban proposals must demonstrate that essential services can be provided economically and practically before gateway determination.
  This affects long-term housing growth planning in key expansion areas and adds service-delivery tests before planning proposals can progress.
• Childcare and community facility upgrade approved at 10 Hayman Street
  Council granted development consent for alterations and additions to the Bunjum Aboriginal Child and Family Centre at 10 Hayman Street, Ballina, including an extended driveway, new crossover, and bus drop-off/pick-up area, subject to conditions.
  This supports improvements to a local childcare and community facility and may change local site access and traffic movements.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan released for public exhibition
  Council approved the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 for public exhibition for at least 28 days and also resolved to hold an annual event for the International Day of People with Disability.
  Residents will have a chance to comment on Council’s accessibility and inclusion priorities.
• Public Forum Rules updated
  Council adopted updated Public Forum Rules, including allowing the Chair to permit councillor questions to speakers when time remains and allowing an unregistered speaker to speak if time remains.
  This changes how residents may participate in public forums before meetings.
• Public art fabrication contract awarded for Ballina Bridges Duplication
  Council accepted a tender from Main Arm Makers for public art fabrication associated with the Ballina Bridges Duplication project for $397,550 excluding GST.
  This will shape the look of a major local infrastructure project and involves significant project spending.
• Wollongbar residential lots approved for sale
  Council approved the sale of Lots 13 to 30 in the Wollongbar Urban Expansion Area by private treaty, with the General Manager authorised to set asking prices based on recent local sales. Proposed amendments to retain one lot for community housing options were lost.
  This affects future housing supply and Council land disposal in Wollongbar.
• Confidential road sale price position confirmed for 6 Waverley Place
  After a confidential session, Council confirmed it would not accept a lower price than the already resolved $50,000 excluding GST for the closed road sale at 6 Waverley Place, Ballina.
  This finalises Council’s position in a local land sale matter affecting the adjoining property area.

Important topics

• Environmental and Sustainability Committee recommendations adopted
  Council adopted the minutes and recommendations from the Environmental and Sustainability Committee meeting of 9 April 2026. Two councillors did not vote due to declared non-pecuniary interests linked to the Northern Regional Planning Panel and the CURA C planning proposal.
  This indicates committee recommendations were endorsed and highlights governance steps taken for planning-related conflicts of interest.
• Development applications update noted
  Council noted the status of outstanding development applications as at 31 March 2026 and noted that no variations to development standards of 10% or less were approved for older applications in the relevant period.
  This gives residents a snapshot of development application processing and compliance trends.
• Related Party Disclosures policy adopted and exhibited
  Council adopted the Related Party Disclosures policy and placed it on public exhibition, with any submissions to return to Council.
  This concerns governance and transparency in Council-related financial disclosures.
• Community land lease actions progressed under Council seal
  Council authorised lease-related documents for community land, including Kentwell Community Centre in Ballina and a variation to a sublease for the Old Tintenbar Council Chambers in Alstonville, subject to required public notification and potential further reporting if objections are received.
  This affects use of community facilities and tenancy arrangements at local public sites.

Resident impacts

• Future planning for North Kinvara, CURA C and West Lennox Palms will continue as part of Council’s strategic growth framework.
• Residents can comment on the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan during the public exhibition period.
• People using public forums may see more flexible speaking arrangements and possible councillor questions.
• The Bunjum Aboriginal Child and Family Centre in Ballina can proceed with approved building and access improvements.
• Council funding and investigation work will continue for projects including Cumbalum Circle, Lennox Park CCTV/NBN works, and a possible dance/activity area in Ballina.
• Lots 13 to 30 in the Wollongbar Urban Expansion Area will be prepared for sale by private treaty.

Places affected

• Ballina (town)
  Planning, facility upgrades, public art, road sale, community land and public forum decisions affected sites in Ballina.
• 10 Hayman Street, Ballina (site)
  Approved alterations and additions to the Bunjum Aboriginal Child and Family Centre and associated access changes.
• Wollongbar Urban Expansion Area (project area)
  Council approved private treaty sale of Lots 13 to 30.
• North Kinvara (CURA B) (growth area)
  Retained as a strategic urban growth area in the Local Strategic Planning Statement.
• CURA C (growth area)
  Retained as a strategic urban growth area with added serviceability requirements for future proposals.
• West Lennox Palms (growth area)
  Retained as a strategic urban growth area.
• Lennox Park (park)
  NBN connection to be included in CCTV project scope.
• 6 Waverley Place, Ballina (site)
  Council considered the sale price of a closed road adjoining this property.

Next steps

• Promote the Northern Rivers Rail Trail completion campaign through Council communication channels
  Ongoing following the meeting
• Send Council’s opposition motion on the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill to the Premier, Minister, local MP, LGNSW, CMA and opposition representatives
  As soon as practicable
• Include a dance/activity area investigation in the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan
  During preparation of the 2026/27 plan
• Exhibit the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 for public comment
  Minimum 28 days
• Proceed with contract execution for Ballina Bridges Duplication public art fabrication
  Following tender acceptance
• Progress private treaty sales for Lots 13 to 30 in the Wollongbar Urban Expansion Area
  Following the resolution and pricing process
• Undertake statutory public notification for proposed community land lease actions
  Before leases are finalised
• Maintain the previously resolved $50,000 ex GST position in negotiations for the closed road sale at 6 Waverley Place
  Following adoption of the confidential session recommendation

Extracted minutes text

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA, ON 23/04/26 AT 9:30 AM of 14 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 23/04/26 ................................................. 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), Matthew Wood (Director - Planning and Environmental Health Division), Caroline Klose (Director - Corporate and Community Division), Nikki Glassop (Executive Assistant - General Manager and Mayor...