Council - 24 Sep 2026

Topics

• Council halts proposed Skennars Head off-leash dog area
  Council has ruled out a proposed off-leash dog area near Headlands Drive and the overflow car park while sending a revised companion-animals plan to public exhibition.
  Dog owners, nearby residents and park users will be directly affected by the decision and upcoming consultation.
• Ballina Council opens flood-map consultation for Alstonville and Wardell
  Draft overland flood studies and mapping for Alstonville and Wardell are heading to public exhibition, with local information sessions and Aboriginal-community consultation planned.
  Flood mapping can influence property decisions, emergency planning and future floodplain management.
• Ballina flood-function mapping addendum to go on exhibition
  Council will seek public feedback on a flood-function mapping addendum to the 2023 Ballina Flood Study Update.
  The mapping may affect how development, flood risk and floodplain-management decisions are assessed.

Decisions

• Waste collection contract awarded
  Council awarded Eljo Pty Ltd and The Trustee for Rico Family Trust trading as Richmond Waste Services a five-year contract for waste collection and disposal at Council facilities worth $518,062.59 excluding GST. The General Manager was authorised to sign the contract.
  The decision secures waste services for Council facilities and commits Council to a substantial multi-year operational contract.
• Companion Animals Management Plan to go on exhibition
  Council endorsed an amended Companion Animals Management Plan for public exhibition. The exhibited plan will propose setting beach off-leash boundaries at the beach rather than the entrance track. No further action will be taken on the proposed off-leash dog area at Skennars Head beside Headlands Drive and the overflow car park.
  Residents can comment on future dog-management rules and the proposed beach boundary changes; the Skennars Head proposal will not proceed.
• New General Manager recruitment to begin
  Council resolved not to renew the current General Manager’s contract and to commence planning and recruitment for a replacement, with a proposed commencement date to be negotiated. The Mayor was authorised to seek proposals from Local Government NSW and other experienced recruitment consultants.
  The change may affect Council leadership, administration and future service priorities.
• Deputy Mayor reappointed until September 2028
  Council rejected a proposal for a one-year term and elected the Deputy Mayor for a two-year period to September 2028. Cr Damian Loone was reappointed after Cr Simon Chate withdrew his nomination.
  The Deputy Mayor will serve through the next two-year period, providing continuity in Council leadership.
• Alstonville and Wardell flood studies released for public comment
  Council endorsed public exhibition of draft overland flood studies and mapping for Alstonville and Wardell. The studies will return to Council after exhibition, with submissions summarised. Council also resolved to include flood-portal training and hold separate information sessions, including consultation with Jali LALC and Cabbage Tree Island residents.
  Residents may review proposed flood mapping and provide feedback that could influence future flood-management measures and information available to property owners.
• Ballina flood-study mapping addendum to be exhibited
  Council approved public exhibition of a draft addendum to the Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 covering flood-function mapping. The document will return to Council after submissions are considered.
  The mapping may affect how flood risk and floodplain functions are understood in Ballina.
• Strategic road contributions plan to be amended
  Council directed preparation of an amended Ballina Shire Roads Contributions Plan reflecting revised works schedules and cost estimates. Council will continue advocating for Bruxner Highway upgrades, including the Wollongbar–Goonellabah deviation, duplication towards the Pacific Highway, shared paths and south-facing ramps at the Cumbalum interchange.
  The plan and advocacy may influence future transport infrastructure, development contributions, travel reliability, cycling access and emergency routes.
• Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy placed on exhibition
  Council adopted an amended draft Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy for public exhibition. Submissions will return to Council; if none are received, no further report is required.
  The policy may affect how Council buys goods and services and the opportunities available to local and sustainable suppliers.
• Community funding and facility arrangements approved
  Council approved an $800 donation to Jan Saul for travel to the 2026 World Masters Hockey competition in Belgium, supported a maximum-policy annual donation to Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond for Richmond Room set-up and pack-down, and held a proposed $4,250 donation to Marine Rescue NSW until the Ballina Jet Boat BA21 is operational.
  The decisions provide targeted community support while linking Marine Rescue funding to the vessel’s operational status.
• Community and sporting facility leases progressed
  Council approved a new five-year market-rent lease of the King Street Lease Area to Ballina Bowling and Recreation Club, subject to public advertising, and progressed tenure arrangements for Alstonville Racquet Club subject to statutory notification. Council also supported discussions to optimise use of Wigmore Hall.
  The decisions affect access to community and sporting facilities and provide opportunities for public submissions on proposed land arrangements.

Discussion

• Financial Assistance Grant methodology
  Council supported a proposed review of the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grant allocation methodology, requesting that grants and expenditure associated with declared natural disasters be excluded because they do not represent recurrent costs.
  Changes to the methodology could affect future funding received by councils, including Ballina Shire.
• Emission reduction strategy motion defeated
  A motion seeking a report on aligning Council’s emissions strategy with government requirements, setting annual targets, stakeholder engagement and review arrangements was lost. A separate proposed 2030 target for Council to generate most of its energy from solar was disallowed.
  No new emissions-reporting framework or solar target was approved at this meeting.
• Community Connections Expo recognised
  Council recognised the success of the 2026 Ballina Shire Community Connections Expo at Lennox Head Cultural Centre and its value in supporting volunteering, resilience and links between Council and community organisations.
  The recognition supports continuation of a community-development event for residents, volunteers and local organisations.
• Property and procurement policies reviewed
  Council adopted an amended Property Investment and Development Policy and placed the amended Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy on exhibition. A separate local-procurement policy item was also considered in the meeting records.
  The policies guide Council property decisions and purchasing practices, including potential impacts on local businesses and suppliers.

Impacts

• Residents can comment on the amended Companion Animals Management Plan and draft flood studies during public exhibition periods.
• The proposed Skennars Head off-leash dog area beside Headlands Drive and the overflow car park will not proceed.
• Flood mapping and future management planning will affect Alstonville, Wardell, Ballina and nearby communities.
• Council has committed to a five-year waste-services contract worth $518,062.59 excluding GST.
• Local businesses and sustainable suppliers may be affected by proposed changes to Council procurement rules.
• Public advertising and submissions are required for proposed community-land and road-reserve lease arrangements.

Places

• Ballina Shire (local government area)
  Council services, procurement, roads, funding and community programs.
• Skennars Head (suburb)
  Proposed off-leash dog area adjacent to Headlands Drive and the overflow car park will not proceed.
• Headlands Drive (road)
  Location of the discontinued proposed off-leash dog area.
• Alstonville (town)
  Draft overland flood study and community consultation.
• Wardell (town)
  Draft overland flood study and community consultation.
• Ballina (town)
  Flood-study mapping, roads, facilities and community funding decisions.
• Wollongbar–Goonellabah deviation of the Bruxner Highway (transport project)
  Council advocacy for planning, design and construction.
• Lennox Head Cultural Centre (facility)
  Venue for the 2026 Community Connections Expo.

Next

• Exhibit the amended Companion Animals Management Plan and invite public submissions.
  After the 24 September 2026 meeting; exact exhibition dates were not stated.
• Exhibit the amended Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy and report submissions back to Council if received.
  Following preparation of the exhibition documents.
• Commence recruitment planning for a new General Manager and seek recruitment-consultant proposals.
  To begin following the meeting.
• Exhibit the draft Alstonville and Wardell Overland Flood Studies, hold information sessions and consult Jali LALC and Cabbage Tree Island residents.
  Before the studies return to Council for consideration after exhibition.
• Exhibit the Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 mapping addendum and report submissions back to Council.
  Following preparation of the exhibition material.
• Prepare an amended Ballina Shire Roads Contributions Plan and continue advocacy for identified State road projects.
  Future planning and advocacy program; no specific deadline stated.
• Complete public notification or advertising for proposed Alstonville Racquet Club and King Street Lease Area arrangements.
  Before the leases or licences are finalised.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA ON 24/09/26 AT 9:00 AM of 16 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 24/09/26 ................................................. MAYOR Attendance Crs Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor - in the chair), Michelle Bailey, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, 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), Tracy Lister (Acting Director - Corporate and Community Division), Nikki Glassop (Executive...