Finance and Facilities Committee - 10 Jun 2026

Topics

• Council rewrites leasing policy for not-for-profit groups after submissions
  Policy change affecting community tenants and club groups using council-owned property.
  Could alter rents, licence conditions and support arrangements for local clubs and not-for-profit organisations.
• Higher developer contribution settings put on the table
  Council backed an IPART application and a review based on a much higher cap range for local contributions.
  May increase development costs but could help fund roads, open space, community facilities and car parking upgrades.
• Council escalates debt recovery with property sale action
  Council authorised winding-up proceedings and confidential sale action for overdue rates and charges.
  Shows tougher enforcement on unpaid council debts, with potential property sales in serious cases.

Decisions

• Community Property Leasing and Licensing policy rewritten and adopted
  Council noted submissions on the revised policy, endorsed a rewrite of the existing policy and adopted the new policy titled "Property Leasing and Licensing – Not-for-Profit Groups". Council also agreed to notify submitters and affected lessees/licensees, and authorised further reporting if major anomalies arise.
  Affects community groups and not-for-profit organisations that lease or license council property, including how rents and terms are set.
• Statutory minimum rent confirmed for liquor-licensed organisations
  Council resolved that statutory minimum rent applies for organisations with on-premises liquor licences, while noting Ballina Hockey Club is charged 50% market value rent due to its contribution to replacing the synthetic turf surface.
  Impacts some clubs and community tenants by confirming rent settings and special arrangements.
• Debt recovery action escalated against Shelly Beach Holdings Pty Ltd
  Council authorised the General Manager to take steps to issue a winding-up order to recover outstanding rates and charges owed to Council.
  Supports ratepayer equity and council revenue collection from overdue accounts.
• Land at Corner Snapper and Hutley Drive to remain under review
  Council noted the planning analysis for the Lennox Head site and agreed to keep monitoring development potential, with a recurring review to be included in the draft delivery and operational program every two years.
  Signals ongoing planning interest in future use of council land at Lennox Head.
• Developer contributions review advanced
  Council confirmed it would seek IPART approval to levy above the current State Government cap, review Roads and Open Spaces Contributions Plans using a proposed cap range of $35,000 to $40,000, consider phased implementation, and develop a Section 7.12 Contributions Plan including possible car park improvement funding.
  Could affect the cost of new housing and development, and the funding available for local infrastructure.
• Hardship rates and charges policy adopted for exhibition
  Council adopted the revised Financial Assistance (Hardship) Rates and Charges Policy and placed it on public exhibition, with any submissions to be reported back if received.
  May affect residents or property owners facing hardship and seeking rates relief.
• Confidential debt recovery sale process approved
  In confidential session, Council resolved to notify owners of several properties that it intends to proceed with sale under section 713(2) of the Local Government Act, and authorised public auction if debts are not settled.
  Affects specific overdue ratepayers and may lead to property sales to recover debts.

Discussion

• Debt recovery and property sales
  The committee dealt with both public and confidential debt recovery matters, including proposed winding-up action and sale of specific properties for unpaid rates and charges.
  Highlights council enforcement action against significant overdue accounts.
• Community property leasing standards
  The policy review sharpened rules for leasing and licensing council-owned property to not-for-profit groups, following public submissions and a deputation opposing the changes.
  Important for clubs, arts groups, and other tenants of council facilities.
• Future infrastructure funding through developer contributions
  Council signalled a stronger approach to developer contributions, including lobbying for a higher cap and exploring a new Section 7.12 plan for works outside the current essential works framework.
  May influence future development costs and infrastructure delivery.

Impacts

• Community groups leasing council property may face updated rent and licensing rules.
• Some organisations with on-premises liquor licences will be subject to statutory minimum rent.
• Developers may face higher contribution requirements if the proposed IPART application succeeds.
• Residents and ratepayers in hardship may have a revised pathway for financial assistance on rates and charges.
• Council is actively pursuing overdue rates, including possible property sale action in serious cases.

Places

• Lennox Head (locality)
  Council land at Corner Snapper and Hutley Drive will remain under long-term review for development potential.
• Corner Snapper and Hutley Drive (site/roads)
  Specific Lennox Head site under ongoing development monitoring.
• Ballina Hockey Club (community facility/club)
  Noted in relation to rent charged at 50% market value due to synthetic turf replacement funding.
• Alstonville (town/suburb)
  Location of a property included in confidential debt recovery sale action.
• East Ballina (suburb)
  Location of a property included in confidential debt recovery sale action.
• Ballina (town)
  Location of properties included in confidential debt recovery sale action and council administration.
• Shelly Beach Holdings Pty Ltd (company)
  Subject to proposed winding-up action for unpaid rates and charges.

Next

• Notify submitters and affected lessees/licensees of the new property leasing policy
  As soon as practicable
• Prepare further report if anomalies arise from correspondence on the leasing policy
  If issues are identified
• Proceed with debt recovery steps, including winding-up action for Shelly Beach Holdings Pty Ltd
  Immediately following resolution
• Include a recurring two-year review of Lennox Head site development potential in the draft delivery and operational program
  During preparation of the Draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 program
• Complete review of Roads and Open Spaces Contributions Plans and examine phased cap options
  During the current review cycle
• Develop a Section 7.12 Contributions Plan, including car parking improvement options
  During the current review cycle
• Place the revised hardship rates and charges policy on public exhibition and report back on submissions if received
  Following adoption
• Issue notices and proceed to auction for confidential debt recovery properties if debts are not settled
  After statutory notice periods and if payment is not made

Extract

MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING` OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET, BALLINA ON 10/06/26 AT 4:00 PM Ballina Shire Council Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes 10/06/26 of 6 Attendance Crs Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor - in the chair), Michelle Bailey, 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 Glassop (Executive Assistant - Genera...