Environmental and Sustainability Committee - 9 Apr 2026

Key decisions

• Council submission to oppose CURA C rezoning progressing
  The committee supported making a submission to the Department of Planning, Housing and Industry and the Northern Regional Planning Panel outlining technical and merit issues with the CURA C planning proposal and advising that Council does not support the proposed rezoning progressing to Gateway Determination.
  This affects how a major rezoning proposal in Cumbalum may proceed and signals Council's concerns about the proposal's adequacy.
• Council seeks Planning Proposal Authority role if proposal advances
  The committee supported advising DPHI that Council wishes to be nominated as the Planning Proposal Authority if the Regional Planning Panel decides to progress the planning proposal to Gateway Determination.
  This would give Council a stronger formal role in managing the planning process if the rezoning moves forward.
• Conditional-support amendment was defeated
  An amendment that would have supported the rezoning progressing to Gateway Determination only if deficiencies were addressed to Council's satisfaction was lost 2 votes to 4.
  Residents should note the committee did not endorse a conditional pathway forward and instead supported a clearer objection to the rezoning proceeding at this stage.

Important topics

• Cumbalum Urban Release Area C rezoning review
  The only substantive business identified was consideration of the CURA C planning proposal and Council's response to state planning bodies.
  Rezoning decisions can affect future housing, land use, infrastructure demand, and environmental outcomes in the area.
• Declared interests on Northern Regional Planning Panel connection
  Two councillors declared an interest before the meeting because they are Council representatives on the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
  This is relevant to transparency around decision-making on the planning proposal.

Resident impacts

• Council's position is to oppose the proposed CURA C rezoning progressing to Gateway Determination based on identified deficiencies.
• Residents in and around Cumbalum may see continued scrutiny of technical, planning, and merit issues before any rezoning advances.
• If the proposal proceeds despite Council's opposition, Council wants a direct formal role as Planning Proposal Authority.

Places affected

• Cumbalum Urban Release Area C (project area)
  Subject of the rezoning review and Council submission.
• Cumbalum (locality)
  Local area affected by the proposed rezoning.
• Ballina (town)
  Council area and meeting location.
• 40 Cherry Street, Ballina (council facility)
  Meeting venue.

Next steps

• Prepare and lodge Council's submission setting out technical and merit issues with the CURA C planning proposal.
  Following the committee decision
• Advise DPHI and the Northern Regional Planning Panel that Council does not support the rezoning progressing to Gateway Determination.
  Following the committee decision
• Notify DPHI that Council wishes to be nominated as Planning Proposal Authority if the proposal proceeds.
  If the Regional Planning Panel progresses the proposal to Gateway Determination

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 9/04/26 AT 4:15 PM Ballina Shire Council Environmental and Sustainability Committee Meeting Minutes 09/04/26 of 3 Attendance Phil Meehan (Chair), Michelle Bailey, Simon Kinny, Therese Crollick, Simon Chate and Eva Ramsey 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), Penny Van Den Hoek and Janelle Snellgrove (Acting Executive Assistant - General Manager and Mayo...