Council - 28 May 2026

Topics

• Council backs Spoonbill Reserve master plan after housing amendment defeated
  Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan despite a failed push to delay it for housing feasibility reporting.
  The decision affects future use of a public reserve and signals how the site will be planned.
• Ballina Council awards major works and service contracts worth millions
  Council locked in contracts for stormwater recovery, surf lifesaving services and creek restoration, including a budget reallocation to cover a funding shortfall.
  These are direct spending decisions affecting local works, beach safety and environmental rehabilitation.
• Council escalates Ballina Bar safety and access concerns to State Government
  Following the Ballina Bar tragedy, Council resolved to seek State Government support for emergency access road, break wall and bar remediation works.
  The motion highlights public safety, emergency access and coastal infrastructure risks.

Decisions

• Adopted revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan
  Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan after defeating an amendment that sought further reporting on residential housing feasibility for land west of the proposed Youth Activity Area and Pathway.
  Shapes future open space and recreation planning at Spoonbill Reserve and rules out further delay at this stage.
• Changed Council meeting practice code
  Following urgency motions, Council rescinded its current Code of Meeting Practice and adopted the previous Council Code of Meeting Practice from 28 August 2025.
  Affects how Council meetings are run and may influence transparency and meeting procedures.
• Supported 'Invest in Us' local government funding campaign
  Council endorsed the Country Mayors Association of NSW campaign seeking higher Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants and agreed to promote the campaign and lobby Federal representatives.
  Could influence future funding available for local services and infrastructure.
• Approved operational land classification for North Creek site
  Council approved Lot 8 DP1313438 at North Creek, Ballina as operational land with immediate effect.
  Changes the legal status of the land and may affect how it can be used or managed.
• Adopted amended Climate Change Policy
  Council adopted the amended Climate Change Policy as exhibited.
  Sets the policy direction for climate-related planning and council operations.
• Awarded major tenders for drainage, lifeguards and creek restoration
  Council awarded contracts for Riverside Drive stormwater recovery, Surf Lifesaving Services 2026-2030, and Alstonville Creek Restoration, including a $280,000 funding reallocation to cover the creek restoration shortfall.
  Directly affects local works, beach safety services, creek rehabilitation and council spending.

Discussion

• Leave of absence approvals
  Council granted leave of absence requests for Cr Simon Chate and Cr Therese Crollick for specified periods later in 2026.
  Administrative only, with no direct service impact.
• Ballina Bar safety and access motion
  Council acknowledged the Ballina Bar tragedy and resolved to write to State Government ministers about the deteriorating emergency access road, bar condition and public safety concerns, seeking support for immediate and longer-term works.
  Important for coastal safety, emergency access and infrastructure around the bar and break wall.
• Big Scrub rainforest protection motion
  Council resolved to note that the proposal to protect and expand Big Scrub rainforest remnants is broadly covered by existing programs.
  Signals no new standalone program, but the issue remains on Council's radar for environmental restoration.
• Councillor training policy placed on exhibition
  Council adopted a revised Councillor Training and Development Policy and placed it on public exhibition for comment.
  Residents can make submissions on governance standards and councillor development.
• Ward Committee membership changes
  Council approved Newrybar Community Hall for the B Ward Committee and Our Lady of Rosary Conference, St Vincent de Paul Society for the C Ward Committee.
  Changes local community representation on ward committees.
• Quarterly budget review and financial changes
  Council noted the 31 March 2026 quarterly financial review and approved the associated budget changes and QBRS templates.
  Affects council budgeting and future delivery of services and projects.

Impacts

• Beach safety and emergency access issues at Ballina Bar and South Ballina were escalated to the State Government.
• Open space and recreation planning at Spoonbill Reserve has been advanced.
• Stormwater recovery works on Riverside Drive, Ballina will proceed under a new contract.
• Surf lifesaving services for 2026-2030 will continue under a new contract.
• Alstonville Creek Restoration will proceed, with $280,000 shifted from the Open Spaces capital works program to cover the funding gap.
• Council's policy direction on climate change and councillor training has been updated.
• Local government advocacy may seek more funding for future community services and infrastructure.

Places

• Spoonbill Reserve (reserve)
  Master plan adopted for the reserve and surrounding project area.
• North Creek, Ballina (locality)
  Operational land classification approved for Lot 8 DP1313438.
• Ballina (town)
  Location for multiple decisions including stormwater recovery and finance matters.
• Riverside Drive, Ballina (road)
  Stormwater recovery tender awarded for works on this road.
• Alstonville Creek (waterway)
  Restoration tender awarded and funding shortfall addressed.
• South Ballina break wall (infrastructure area)
  Included in the safety and access concerns raised to State Government.
• Ballina Richmond River bar (river bar)
  Subject of public safety and emergency access concerns.
• Kingsford Smith Reserve (reserve)
  Associated with a community land licence/tenure matter under Council seal documents.

Next

• Mayor to write to the Prime Minister, Treasurer, federal ministers and local federal representatives supporting the 'Invest in Us' campaign
  After the meeting
• Seek statutory public notification for proposed lease of community land at Kingsford Smith Reserve and report back if substantive objections are received
  Before lease is finalised
• Present revised Open Spaces playground renewal program in the 25 June 2026 ordinary meeting
  25 June 2026
• Report on councillor training policy submissions if any are received during exhibition
  After exhibition period
• Bring forward work and funding responses on Ballina Bar safety, access road and break wall issues to State Government
  Following the meeting
• Proceed with contracted works for Riverside Drive stormwater recovery, surf lifesaving services and Alstonville Creek restoration
  2026-2030 / 2026-27 as applicable

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA ON 28/05/26 AT 9:30 AM of 11 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 28/05/26 ................................................. 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), Troy Anderson (Director - Civil Services Division), Matthew Wood (Director - Planning and Environmental Health Division), Caroline Klose (Director - Corporate and Community Division) and Nikki Gl...