Finance and Facilities Committee - 11 Feb 2026

Key decisions

• CCTV network upgrade scope confirmed
  Council confirmed the scope of the Ballina Community Safety Infrastructure Upgrade - CCTV Network in line with Matryx Pty Ltd recommendations so implementation can proceed within Federal Government grant conditions and timelines.
  Supports public safety infrastructure and keeps the grant-funded upgrade on schedule.
• Audit Risk and Improvement Committee members appointed
  Council approved the appointment of Soizic Bellemere, Karen Williams and Cherie Watt to the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, subject to satisfactory background checks, and appointed Cr Simon Kinny as alternate councillor delegate.
  Affects council oversight, risk management and governance.
• 26 Endeavour Close to remain available for lease interest rather than immediate sale
  Council approved a $60,000 ex GST exit payment to Unit Committee TS Lismore Inc after lease termination at 26 Endeavour Close, Ballina, funded from the Property Development Reserve, and resolved to call for expressions of interest to lease the site on an as-is or purpose-built basis. Council will also assist with interim boat storage for Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club Inc at Cawarra Park or another location, subject to the leasing outcome.
  Affects future use of the site, support for a relocating community organisation, and interim arrangements for local boat storage.
• 89-91 Tamar Street to be retained and leased
  A proposal to sell 89-91 Tamar Street, Ballina was defeated. Council instead adopted the retain-and-lease option, subject to further reporting to Council.
  Keeps the property in council control for now and may affect future tenancy or service use in central Ballina.
• Wollongbar housing construction tender rejected and project tender cancelled
  Council declined to accept any tenders for the Wollongbar Medium Density Housing construction project because submitted tenders were not commercially viable, cancelled the contract proposal under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, and adopted the option to sell, subject to a further report to Council.
  A planned housing project will not proceed as tendered, and the site’s future may shift toward sale instead of development.

Important topics

• Property strategy for council-owned sites
  Council debated sale versus lease options for 26 Endeavour Close and 89-91 Tamar Street, with final decisions favouring leasing pathways and further reporting rather than immediate sale in Ballina.
  May influence local land use, availability of community or commercial space, and council asset management.
• Non-viable housing delivery costs
  The Wollongbar Medium Density Housing tender was found not commercially viable, leading Council to cancel the tender process and consider sale through a future report.
  Signals cost pressures affecting council-led housing delivery.
• Governance and procedural dispute during tender item
  A motion of dissent about the Mayor’s ruling on an amendment during the Wollongbar item was lost, and the substantive motion then passed.
  Did not change the final outcome but indicates contested handling of the housing item.

Resident impacts

• CCTV upgrades in Ballina can now move ahead under grant deadlines.
• Council-owned properties at 26 Endeavour Close and 89-91 Tamar Street are not being immediately sold and will return through leasing or further reporting processes.
• Unit Committee TS Lismore Inc will receive a $60,000 ex GST exit payment after leaving 26 Endeavour Close.
• Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club Inc may receive interim boat storage support at Cawarra Park or another site.
• The Wollongbar medium density housing build will not proceed under the current tender process.

Places affected

• Ballina (town)
  Location of the CCTV upgrade project and the council properties at 26 Endeavour Close and 89-91 Tamar Street.
• 26 Endeavour Close, Ballina (property)
  Council resolved to pay exit compensation to the outgoing lessee and seek expressions of interest for leasing the site.
• 89-91 Tamar Street, Ballina (property)
  Council chose to retain and lease the property, subject to further reporting.
• Wollongbar (locality)
  Location of the medium density housing project whose construction tender was rejected and cancelled.
• Cawarra Park (facility/park)
  Possible interim boat storage location for Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club Inc.
• Lismore (town)
  Location where Unit Committee TS Lismore Inc is establishing a new facility.

Next steps

• Progress implementation of the Ballina CCTV network upgrade in line with the confirmed scope and grant timelines.
  As soon as practicable
• Complete background checks for the newly appointed Audit Risk and Improvement Committee members.
  Before appointments are finalised
• Seek expressions of interest for leasing 26 Endeavour Close on an as-is or purpose-built basis.
  Next stage of property process
• Provide interim boat storage assistance for Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club Inc if needed, depending on the 26 Endeavour Close outcome.
  Subject to leasing outcome
• Report back to Council on the future of 89-91 Tamar Street under the retain-and-lease option.
  Future council report
• Bring a further report to Council on the proposed sale option for the Wollongbar housing site following cancellation of the construction tender.
  Future council report

Extracted minutes text

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 11/02/26 AT 4:15 PM Ballina Shire Council Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes 11/02/26 of 4 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 Glassop (Executive Assi...