Council & accountability · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina committee raises 4.9% First Nations workforce target question
Janet Chester asked whether the 2021 Census figure for First Nations people in Ballina Shire could guide Council employment, but the minutes record no adopted target or timetable.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
A question about using 4.9 per cent as a First Nations employment target for Ballina Shire Council was noted at the A Ward Committee meeting on 10 November, with no adoption of a target recorded.
Janet Chester, of St Vincent de Paul, referred to the percentage of First Nations people in Ballina Shire recorded in the 2021 Census and asked whether Council could use it as a target for First Nations employees.
Council director Caroline Klose responded by citing a May 2026 partnership with TAFE NSW. The program helped 15 female participants from diverse backgrounds complete a Certificate II in Civil Construction. The minutes describe the example as demonstrating Council’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
The record does not state whether Council will develop a formal employment target, how the 4.9 per cent figure would be applied, or when the issue might return for consideration. It also provides no current figure for First Nations employees at Council.
The information was recorded as noted. The meeting therefore documented a workforce-diversity question and Council’s training example, rather than a change to its employment policy.
What deserves a closer look
The minutes record a question and a training example, but no adoption of a First Nations employment target.
The record does not explain how the 4.9 per cent figure would be applied or provide current First Nations employee numbers.
Questions for follow-up reporting
Will Council consider a formal First Nations employment target or another workforce measure?
What is Council's current number or proportion of First Nations employees?
Would any future measure apply to recruitment, overall workforce representation or another basis?
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
Janet Chester referred to the 4.9 per cent 2021 Census figure for First Nations people in Ballina Shire and asked whether it could be used as a target for First Nations employees.
The information contained in the agenda was noted. 8.3 Business With Notice - St Vincent de Paul - Percentage of First Nations People Employed by Council Janet Chester raised the percentage of First Nations people in the Ballina Shire in the 2021 census was 4.9%. Could the Council use this as a target for First Nations employees? At the meeting Caroline Klose explained that Council partnered with TAFE NSW in May 2026 to successfully upskill 15 female participants from diverse backgrounds to complete Certificate II in Civil Construction.
Business With Notice item 8.3
Open original minutes ↗Caroline Klose explained that Council partnered with TAFE NSW in May 2026 to help 15 female participants from diverse backgrounds complete Certificate II in Civil Construction.
Could the Council use this as a target for First Nations employees? At the meeting Caroline Klose explained that Council partnered with TAFE NSW in May 2026 to successfully upskill 15 female participants from diverse backgrounds to complete Certificate II in Civil Construction.
Business With Notice item 8.3
Open original minutes ↗The item was recorded as noted after the training example was described as demonstrating Council's commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Could the Council use this as a target for First Nations employees? At the meeting Caroline Klose explained that Council partnered with TAFE NSW in May 2026 to successfully upskill 15 female participants from diverse backgrounds to complete Certificate II in Civil Construction. It was reiterated that this practical example demonstrates Council's commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. The information contained in the agenda was noted. MINUTES OF THE A WARD COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET, BALLINA, ON 10/11/26 AT 4:00 PM Ballina Shire Council A Ward Committee Minutes 10/11/26 Page 3 of 7 8.4 Business With Notice - St Vincent de Paul - Request for copy of the Jali Partnership Agreement Janet Chester requested a copy of the Jali Partnership Agreement and would like to know if it includes anything like the six key themes for Council's work as in the Byron Bay Council's
Business With Notice item 8.3
Open original minutes ↗The record identifies Caroline Klose as Director Corporate and Community Division.
– NSW Police Force/Ballina Police Station/Richmond Police District Len Gazzard – Ballina Environment Society (BES) Council Staff Caroline Klose - Director Corporate and Community Division Janelle Snellgrove - Executive Support Officer Observers Apologies Cr Phillip Meehan Lu Cooney – Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club Richard Hughes – Ballina Croquet Incorporated Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor) Murray McCall – U3A Ballina/Byron 3.
Attendance and Apologies — Council Staff
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the minutes of the Ballina Shire Council A Ward Committee meeting held on 10 November 2026. Their confirmation status is not established by the supplied record.
Key facts from the minutes
- Janet Chester asked whether the 4.9 per cent 2021 Census figure for First Nations people in Ballina Shire could be used as a Council employee target.
- Council staff cited a May 2026 partnership with TAFE NSW that helped 15 women from diverse backgrounds complete Certificate II in Civil Construction.
- The minutes record the information as noted, not as an adopted employment target.
- The minutes provide no current First Nations employee number or implementation timetable.
Why it matters
- The question could inform future workforce-diversity policy, but the minutes do not establish a target, implementation timetable or measure of Council’s current First Nations representation.