Council - 23 Jul 2026

Topics

• CURA A planning proposal moves forward with outer area removed
  Council backed finalisation of the CURA A extension planning proposal but removed the identified outer area, retaining a 40-hectare minimum lot size there.
  The decision changes the land covered by the proposal and preserves larger minimum lot sizes for the excluded area.
• Ballina LEP amendments proceed to state assessment
  Council will send proposed general amendments to the Ballina Local Environmental Plan 2012 for Gateway assessment before public exhibition.
  Future zoning and development controls may change, subject to state assessment, consultation and any further Council decision.
• Biodiversity planning rules sent back for consultation as Ross Lane review continues
  Council rejected the proposed biodiversity and habitat management DCP chapter for now and will hold another public consultation, while noting a state review of land management at Ross Lane.
  The decision delays finalisation of new habitat-management controls and keeps a locally contested vegetation-clearing issue under review.

Decisions

• Further consultation ordered on biodiversity DCP
  Council declined to adopt DCP Chapter 2C and ordered another public consultation process.
  Biodiversity and habitat-management controls are not yet finalised.
• Soil-remediation contract awarded
  Council awarded Synergy Resource Management the Canal Road soil-remediation contract for $604,113.25 excluding GST and authorised related work on private land.
  The project commits public funding to remediation in Ballina.
• Shared-path route selected
  Council selected a preferred additional route for the Alstonville–West Ballina shared path and authorised grant and planning work for Stage 1, subject to funding.
  The project advances a future walking and cycling connection.
• Wollongbar irrigation funding approved
  Council approved $324,000 for automated irrigation at Wollongbar Sports Fields.
  The allocation aims to improve the condition and usability of the sports fields.
• Waste-centre tender process redirected
  Council rejected all tenders for the Ballina Resource Recovery Centre main entry works and authorised negotiations because bids exceeded the current budget.
  The entry project may face changed timing or costs.
• Lennox Head reservoir mural deferred
  Council approved reservoir maintenance at North Creek Road, Lennox Head, but deferred the mural until Public Art Fund money is available.
  Maintenance proceeds while the mural has no immediate water-fund allocation.

Discussion

• 2026/27 rates and charges donations
  The 2026/27 rates and charges donation report was noted, including estimated water-consumption and wastewater-usage charges, but no specific charge amounts or percentage changes were provided in the extract.
  Residents should consult the full rates and charges report for exact amounts and eligibility details.
• Sporting-group capital works assistance
  The amended Community Sporting Groups Capital Works Assistance Policy was adopted and will be exhibited for public comment.
  Local sporting groups may have an opportunity to comment on assistance arrangements.
• Audit and risk governance
  Council approved the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee strategic and annual work plans and noted updated internal-audit documents.
  The decision supports Council oversight, risk management and internal auditing.
• Community event insurance timing
  Council noted that high-risk community events now require at least four weeks' notice to confirm public-liability coverage.
  Late applications may be declined if insurance conditions cannot be met.
• Ballina Bridge Duplication cost review
  Council noted updated cost forecasts for the Ballina Bridge Duplication will follow completion of soft-soil design and pricing.
  The project remains subject to further cost and contingency information.

Impacts

• Biodiversity DCP rules will undergo further public consultation rather than being finalised.
• A preferred route has been selected for the Alstonville–West Ballina shared path, subject to grant funding.
• Wollongbar Sports Fields will receive a $324,000 automated irrigation allocation.
• Soil remediation will proceed at Canal Road, including Council-authorised work on private land.
• The Lennox Head reservoir mural is deferred until Public Art Fund money is available.
• High-risk community events now need at least four weeks' notice for public-liability confirmation.
• Alstonville Pool parking changes will be investigated and reported to a future meeting.

Places

• CURA A extension (planning area)
  Planning proposal and draft development control plan amendments
• Ross Lane, Lennox Head (road and project area)
  Native vegetation land-management review
• North Creek Road, Lennox Head (facility)
  Water reservoir maintenance and future mural
• Canal Road, Ballina (road and project area)
  Soil remediation contract and integrated remediation program
• Ballina Resource Recovery Centre (facility)
  Resource recovery centre entry works tender
• Wollongbar Sports Fields (sports facility)
  Automated irrigation funding
• Alstonville to West Ballina (transport corridor)
  Preferred route for Stage 1 of a shared path
• Alstonville Pool and Alston Avenue (facility and road)
  Parking investigation

Next

• Conduct further public consultation on draft DCP Chapter 2C.
  Before any future finalisation decision
• Submit the CURA A planning proposal to the state planning department after amendments.
  Following removal of the identified outer area
• Submit the general LEP amendments for Gateway determination and then exhibit them if approved.
  After state Gateway assessment
• Negotiate for the Ballina Resource Recovery Centre main-entry works.
  Following rejection of all tenders
• Apply for grants and undertake planning and design for Stage 1 of the shared path if funding is secured.
  Future project stages
• Investigate Alstonville Pool parking changes and report to Council.
  At a future Council meeting
• Return updated Ballina Bridge Duplication cost forecasts after soft-soil design and pricing.
  After design and pricing are completed

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE ROUS COUNTY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 57 GALLANS ROAD, BALLINA ON 23/07/26 AT 9:00 AM of 15 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 23/07/26 ................................................. MAYOR Attendance Crs Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor - in the chair), Michelle Bailey (arrived at 10.52am), Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Therese Crollick, Eva Ramsey, Erin Karsten, Kiri Dicker and Phil Meehan (Online). Paul Hickey (General Manager), Troy Anderson (Director - Civil Services Division), Matthew Wood (Director - Planning and Environmental Health Division), Caroline Klose (Director - Corporate and Community Divisio...