Council - 25 Jun 2026

Topics

• Ballina Council adopts 2026/27 budget, rates and fees
  Annual budget package sets rates, waste charges, fees and a range of spending priorities for the next financial year.
  Directly affects household bills, council services and local project funding.
• North Creek Road widening advances in Ballina
  Council noted land acquisition work to widen North Creek Road between Tamarind Drive and Southern Cross Drive.
  Road widening can affect traffic flow, access, nearby land use and future construction impacts.
• Skennars Head planning proposal moves to finalisation
  Council endorsed rezoning work for 305 The Coast Road and supported a separate education-use proposal at 450 North Creek Road.
  These planning decisions can shape future development, land values and local amenity.

Decisions

• Disaster recovery funding representations
  Council will make representations to the Prime Minister, NSW Premier, relevant Federal and State Ministers, and LGNSW opposing any formula changes that would shift more disaster management costs onto local government or dilute funding.
  Aims to protect local disaster funding and reduce the risk of councils passing unfunded costs on to residents.
• Planning proposal for council-owned land and reclassification changes
  Council endorsed Planning Proposal BSCPP 26/002 for Gateway determination to integrate council-owned land into Ballina LEP 2012, with public exhibition and further council consideration after consultation.
  May affect future use, zoning and classification of council land in the shire.
• 305 The Coast Road, Skennars Head rezoning finalised
  Council endorsed Planning Proposal BSCPP 25/002 for finalisation and authorised the General Manager to execute the associated planning agreement.
  Advances a rezoning outcome that may affect future development at Skennars Head.
• Delivery Program, operational plan, budget, rates and charges adopted
  Council adopted the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan, including the Long-Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Strategy, Fees and Charges and Strategic Asset Management Plan, together with revised waste charges, ordinary rates, interest on overdue rates, and councillor/mayoral fees.
  Sets the council budget, rates and many service charges for the coming financial year.
• Councillor working party for community donations
  Council approved a working party of all councillors to review community donation submissions, with recommendations to be reported to the 23 July 2026 meeting.
  Could influence distribution of community funding to local groups and projects.
• Policies amended and placed on exhibition
  Council adopted amended policies for conflicts of interest in council-related development applications and social media, and placed both on public exhibition for submissions.
  May change how development applications are handled and how council communicates online.
• Sewer pump station switchboard renewals contractors accepted
  Council accepted a panel of recognised contractors for sewer pump station switchboard renewals for four years.
  Supports ongoing sewer infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
• Council facilities, technology and property decisions
  Council approved works for chambers remediation and improvements, renewal of the Civica Altitude service agreement, a new enterprise asset management system, Microsoft licensing, leasing of 64 Crane Street, and a review of Wigmore Hall patronage.
  Affects council buildings, digital systems, leasing income and the management of public facilities.

Discussion

• Confirmation of previous minutes
  Council confirmed the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 May 2026.
  Routine administrative step with no direct service change.
• Planning proposal for educational establishment at 450 North Creek Road, Skennars Head
  Council gave in-principle support for a planning proposal to permit an educational establishment as an additional permitted use on part of Lot A DP 415993 and invited the proponent to submit a formal proposal.
  Could lead to a new education use at this site if the proposal progresses.
• Land acquisition for North Creek Road widening
  Council noted the proposed acquisition of land to widen North Creek Road between Tamarind Drive and Southern Cross Drive, Ballina, and noted related developer contributions cash flows.
  May affect road capacity, access and future construction impacts in Ballina.
• Residential asbestos disposal fee set
  Council approved exhibition and adoption of a new residential asbestos disposal fee of $618 per tonne for correctly packaged non-friable asbestos under the program.
  Changes the cost for residents disposing of small quantities of asbestos.
• Cemetery fees and charges updated
  Council adopted updated cemetery fees and charges based on supplier and NSW Cemetery and Crematoria information.
  Affects funeral and burial costs for families using local cemeteries.

Impacts

• Rates, waste charges, water-related charges and other fees for 2026/27 were set or updated.
• North Creek Road widening and planning proposals may affect local development, land use and traffic conditions.
• A new asbestos disposal fee will apply for eligible residential users.
• Council chamber remediation works and new IT/asset systems were approved, affecting council operations and service delivery.
• Some council policies affecting development applications and social media use were updated and will go on exhibition for public comment.

Places

• Ballina Shire (local government area)
  The overall area affected by the budget, rates, planning and policy decisions.
• Ballina (town/suburb)
  Included the North Creek Road widening proposal, lease of 64 Crane Street and chamber-related decisions.
• Skennars Head (locality)
  Affected by planning proposals at 305 The Coast Road and 450 North Creek Road.
• Lennox Head (locality)
  Mentioned in the lease/licence items and Pat Morton Lookout reserve use.
• Pat Morton Lookout (facility/locality)
  Site of a statutory minimum rent licence for hang gliding and paragliding club use.
• North Creek Road (road)
  Referenced in the road widening proposal and a planning proposal at 450 North Creek Road.
• Wigmore Arcade (centre/precinct)
  Location of a commercial lease to J. McGrath.
• Ballina Surf Club (facility)
  Referenced in the donations policy amendment allowing room hire support for Jali LALC.

Next

• Submit Planning Proposal BSCPP 26/002 to the Department for Gateway Determination
  After the 25 Jun 2026 meeting
• Undertake consultation and public exhibition for the planning proposal and land reclassification changes
  Following an affirmative Gateway Determination
• Return planning proposal BSCPP 25/002 for finalisation and execute the associated planning agreement
  As required under the Gateway Determination and EPA Act
• Report the Community Donations Working Party recommendations to the 23 Jul 2026 Ordinary meeting
  By 23 Jul 2026
• Place amended conflicts of interest and social media policies on public exhibition and resubmit any submissions to Council
  Public exhibition period to follow adoption
• Provide a response to all submissions on the Delivery Program and Operational Plan
  After meeting and during implementation
• Review the Wigmore Hall building to examine options to increase patronage
  Post-meeting, no fixed date given

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA ON 25/06/26 AT 9:00 AM of 23 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 25/06/26 ................................................. MAYOR Attendance Crs Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor - in the chair), Michelle Bailey, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Therese Crollick, 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), Caroline Klose (Director - Corporate and Community Division), Nikki Glassop (Executive...