Council - 26 Feb 2026

Key decisions

• Call for national coastal hazards strategy
  Council resolved to call on the Australian Government to establish a National Coastal Hazards Adaptation Strategy and funding program to help local governments respond to sea level rise and more intense and frequent extreme weather.
  Signals advocacy for future coastal risk planning and potential funding support for vulnerable coastal communities.
• Paving investigation near The Wharf Bar and Restaurant
  Council will investigate cost-effective paving suitable for dancing in front of the leased area of The Wharf Bar and Restaurant and liaise with the dance operator about required permits.
  May affect public space use and event activity in the waterfront area.
• Contributions waived for DA 2025/403 squash court facility
  Council agreed to waive levied contributions for development approved under DA 2025/403, citing the sports opportunity and facility to be provided to the North Coast community.
  Supports delivery of a sports facility by reducing development costs.
• Development approved at 23 Compton Drive, East Ballina
  Council approved DA 2025/126 for demolition of an existing restaurant and construction of a two-storey dwelling house with associated earthworks, retaining walls, vegetation removal and revegetation, subject to conditions.
  Enables redevelopment of the East Ballina site with environmental and engineering conditions.
• Draft Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan to go on public exhibition
  Council endorsed public exhibition of the Draft Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan for at least 28 days.
  Residents will have an opportunity to review and comment on future plans for Spoonbill Reserve.
• Deferred Matter and Conservation Zone planning proposal advanced
  Council amended Planning Proposal BSCPP 25/010 for 54 Beacon Road, Teven, added adjoining part of Beacon Road as RU1 Primary Production, endorsed the amended proposal for finalisation, and will notify affected landowners of a 28-day independent review option with DPHI.
  Affects zoning outcomes for landowners and future land use in Teven.
• Climate Change Policy adopted for exhibition
  Council adopted the amended Climate Change Policy and will place it on public exhibition; any submissions will return to Council.
  Sets the direction for council climate-related planning and operations, with a chance for public input.
• Community Property Leasing and Licensing Policy updated
  Council adopted an amended policy for leasing and licensing community property and will exhibit it publicly. Changes include rent categories for small not-for-profits and community organisations with commercial trading.
  May affect rents, access and lease conditions for local community groups using council property.
• Roof replacement contract awarded
  Council awarded the Ballina and Alstonville roof replacements contract to Barden Constructions Aust Pty Ltd for $400,884.25 excluding GST.
  Commits spending to council building maintenance works in Ballina and Alstonville.
• Expressions of interest to be sought for 89 Tamar Street, Ballina
  Council resolved to begin an expressions of interest process for both sale and lease opportunities for 89 Tamar Street, with results to be reported back to Council.
  Could lead to a future sale or lease of a council property in central Ballina.

Important topics

• Delivery Program and Operational Plan quarterly review
  Council noted the quarterly review, including risk that the Hutley Drive basketball court may need partial removal in future if sewer infrastructure requires work, and approved proceeding with Lennox Point Car Park works subject to further reporting on footpath composition and colour.
  Affects delivery of local projects and identifies constraints on planned recreation infrastructure.
• Biodiversity policy review
  Council adopted the amended Biodiversity – Compensatory Habitats and Offsets Policy.
  Influences how biodiversity impacts and offsets are managed in council decisions.
• State strategic planning reforms submission
  Council endorsed its submission to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on the 'New Approach to Strategic Planning' discussion paper.
  Allows council to influence NSW planning reforms that may affect future development rules.
• Australia Day 2027 planning
  Council kept award categories unchanged, confirmed 26 January 2027 at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre for the awards and citizenship ceremony, and requested reports on themed banners and 2026 event costs.
  Sets early plans for a major civic event and future town-centre decorations.
• Financial and capital reviews
  Council noted investment records, approved December 2025 quarterly budget changes, and approved capital expenditure budget variations for the period ending 31 December 2025.
  Confirms updates to council finances and capital works spending.
• Asset Management Policy review
  Council adopted the amended Asset Management Policy and will place it on public exhibition.
  Guides how council manages roads, buildings and other public assets over time.
• Rural land use planning priority
  Council added an action to the Local Strategic Planning Statement to consolidate rural land use policy into a single reference document including key rural planning principles for Ballina Shire.
  May improve clarity for farmers, landowners and rural development applicants.

Resident impacts

• Residents will be able to comment on the Draft Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan and several reviewed policies during public exhibition periods.
• Planning and zoning decisions affect East Ballina redevelopment, conservation zoning in Teven and future rural land use policy settings across Ballina Shire.
• Council approved works and spending affecting local facilities, including roof replacements in Ballina and Alstonville and planned works at Lennox Point Car Park.
• Community organisations using council property may be affected by updated leasing and licensing categories and rent settings.
• Council is advocating for stronger national coastal hazard funding and strategy support relevant to coastal communities in the shire.

Places affected

• East Ballina (suburb)
  DA 2025/126 approved for 23 Compton Drive redevelopment.
• 23 Compton Drive, East Ballina (address)
  Approved demolition of restaurant and construction of a two-storey dwelling house.
• Spoonbill Reserve (reserve)
  Draft master plan to be publicly exhibited.
• 54 Beacon Road, Teven (address)
  Planning proposal amended as part of deferred matter and conservation zone review.
• Beacon Road, Teven (road)
  Part of the road to be included in planning proposal and zoned RU1 Primary Production.
• Lennox Point Car Park (project area)
  Council confirmed approval to proceed with planned works subject to further footpath reporting.
• Hutley Drive (road/project area)
  Basketball court noted as being over sewer lines with future infrastructure risk.
• 89 Tamar Street, Ballina (property)
  Expressions of interest process to be commenced for sale and lease opportunities.

Next steps

• Investigate paving options near The Wharf Bar and Restaurant and report findings to Council
  Future council report
• Publicly exhibit the Draft Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan
  Minimum 28 days
• Forward amended Planning Proposal BSCPP 25/010 to DPHI for LEP finalisation and notify affected landowners of review rights
  Following council resolution; landowners have 28 days to seek independent review
• Place the amended Climate Change Policy on public exhibition and return submissions to Council if received
  After adoption
• Place the amended Community Property Leasing and Licensing Policy on public exhibition and return submissions to Council if received
  After adoption
• Place the amended Asset Management Policy on public exhibition and return submissions to Council if received
  After adoption
• Report back on opportunities from the expressions of interest process for 89 Tamar Street, Ballina
  Future council report
• Prepare reports on Australia Day banners and 2026 event cost breakdown
  In planning for 2027 Australia Day

Extracted minutes text

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA, ON 26/02/26 AT 9:30 AM of 16 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 26/02/26 ................................................. 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. Matthew Wood (Acting General Manager; Director - Planning and Environmental Health Division), Troy Anderson (Director - Civil Services Division), Caroline Klose (Director - Corporate and Community Division) and Nikki Glassop...