Environmental and Sustainability Committee - 11 Mar 2026

Key decisions

• Local Strategic Planning Statement adopted with amendments
  Council adopted the Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2046 and Russellton Estate Expansion Area addendum, with changes covering Alstonville employment land mapping, Newrybar wording, a Ballina Hospital precinct plan, rural land use principles, consolidation of rural land use policy, removal of three SUGAs for further examination, and an action to identify additional employment land options.
  This shapes long-term land use, housing, employment land, village character, and rural planning across the shire.
• Older planning strategies to be repealed after LSPS publication
  Council resolved to repeal the Ballina Shire Growth Management Strategy 2012 and West Ballina Planning Study and Structure Plan 2010 once the revised LSPS is published on the NSW Planning Portal.
  Residents and developers will increasingly rely on the updated strategic planning framework instead of older documents.
• Alstonville Strategic Plan review scheduled
  Council will include a review of the Alstonville Strategic Plan in the 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and Operational Plan, identified for 2027/28.
  Alstonville residents may see future planning review and consultation on local growth and land use settings.
• CURA B planning proposal endorsed for exhibition
  Council endorsed Planning Proposal BSCPP 24/005 for public exhibition, to relocate E1 zoning and increase height of buildings, subject to Gateway determination, and urged the proponent to reconsider affordable housing terms in the proposed planning agreement.
  This could affect development scale and zoning outcomes for the CURA B site, with a public exhibition period for community feedback.
• Detached dual occupancies supported in 7(c) Water Catchment zone
  Council reaffirmed support for Planning Proposal BSC 25/009 and asked the state department to finalise LEP changes to permit detached dual occupancy with consent in the 7(c) Environmental Protection (Water Catchment) zone.
  This may expand housing options in affected catchment-zoned land, subject to final state planning action.

Important topics

• Rural land use principles added to LSPS
  The adopted amendments include principles to encourage agriculture, support on-farm diversification and rural tourism, minimise land use conflict, maintain village and hamlet character, and protect rural vistas.
  Important for rural landowners, villages, farming areas, and landscape protection.
• Three growth areas removed for further examination
  Council removed Precinct B North Kinvara, Precinct C Cumbalum, and West Lennox Palms, Lennox Head from the identified SUGAs and requested they be reported back for further examination.
  Potential urban growth in these areas is not proceeding as proposed and will return to Council later.
• State review and endorsement steps
  Council will seek endorsement from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for the LSPS addendum and submit the endorsed LSPS and addendum to the department.
  Final planning effect depends on state processes and publication.

Resident impacts

• Long-term planning rules for housing, employment land, villages, and rural areas were updated through the adopted LSPS.
• Some potential urban growth areas at North Kinvara, Cumbalum, and West Lennox Palms were pulled back for further review.
• A planning proposal affecting the CURA B site will go on public exhibition for at least 28 days if Gateway approval is granted.
• Council signalled support for more housing flexibility through detached dual occupancies in the 7(c) Water Catchment zone.
• Residents in Alstonville can expect a formal strategic plan review in 2027/28.

Places affected

• Alstonville (town)
  Employment expansion mapping was amended and the local strategic plan is scheduled for review.
• Newrybar (village)
  LSPS wording was changed from 'commercial land use' to 'commercial activities'.
• Ballina Hospital precinct (precinct)
  A precinct plan is to be prepared for land near Ballina Hospital including nearby facilities.
• North Kinvara (locality/precinct)
  Precinct B was removed from SUGAs for further examination.
• Cumbalum (suburb/locality)
  Precinct C was removed from SUGAs for further examination.
• Lennox Head (town)
  West Lennox Palms was removed from SUGAs for further examination.
• Russellton Estate Expansion Area (project area)
  Included in the LSPS addendum adopted by Council.
• 7(c) Environmental Protection (Water Catchment) zone (planning area)
  Council supported allowing detached dual occupancies with consent in this zone.

Next steps

• Submit the LSPS addendum to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for endorsement and submit the endorsed LSPS and addendum.
  After Council adoption
• Review the Alstonville Strategic Plan through the Delivery Program and Operational Plan process.
  Identified for 2027/28
• Repeal the Ballina Shire Growth Management Strategy 2012 and West Ballina Planning Study and Structure Plan 2010.
  After the revised LSPS is published on the NSW Planning Portal
• Send the CURA B planning proposal to DPHI for Gateway determination and seek delegation as local plan-making authority.
  Next statutory step
• Publicly exhibit the CURA B planning proposal and draft planning agreement, if Gateway determination is positive.
  Minimum 28 days after Gateway determination
• Report exhibition outcomes on the CURA B proposal and planning agreement back to Council.
  After public exhibition
• Advise the state department that Council does not wish to exercise local plan-making authority for BSC 25/009 and request departmental finalisation.
  After this meeting

Extracted minutes text

MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET, BALLINA ON 11/03/26 AT 4:15 PM Ballina Shire Council Environmental and Sustainability Committee Meeting Minutes 11/03/26 of 10 Attendance Crs Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor - in the chair), Michelle Bailey, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Therese Crollick, Simon Chate, Eva Ramsey and Kiri Dicker. 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 Glassop (Executive Assistant - G...