Roads & transport · Ballina Shire Council
Cumbalum ramps: $40m-$50m estimate dates to 2020, with no delivery date recorded
Ballina Shire Council says it will keep pressing for south-facing M1 ramps, while the minutes record that the NSW Government does not regard the interchange as a priority.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
Cumbalum residents are still waiting for a south-facing M1 connection after Ballina Shire Council said it would continue advocating for ramps estimated by Transport for NSW at $40 million to $50 million in 2020.
The estimate was discussed after Susan Inglis, of the Cumbalum Residents Association, asked about the status of the south-facing ramp at the A Ward Committee meeting on 10 November. The supplied minutes record that the NSW Government does not see the interchange as a priority.
The association was preparing to ask its members to vote on a parliamentary e-petition aimed at raising the upgrade's priority. Its proposed campaign would also include media activity in Ballina and surrounding districts and lobbying candidates for next year's state election.
The minutes state that Council would continue advocating for the ramps. Councillor Damian Loone also encouraged residents to keep writing to ministers. The committee noted the information, but the minutes record no construction approval, funding commitment or delivery date.
The $40 million to $50 million figure is an earlier Transport for NSW estimate, not identified in the record as a current project cost. The record does not say whether the estimate has been updated or identify what would be required for the interchange to become a NSW Government priority.
What deserves a closer look
The source records ongoing Council advocacy alongside a stated NSW Government view that the interchange is not a priority.
The cost figure is from 2020, and the supplied record does not provide a newer estimate, funding commitment or delivery date.
The proposed member vote concerns establishing an e-petition; the supplied record does not give its outcome.
Questions for follow-up reporting
Has Transport for NSW updated the 2020 cost estimate for the south-facing ramps?
What assessment or funding would be required for the interchange to become a NSW Government priority?
What form will Council's continuing advocacy take, and is any funding allocated to it?
What happens next
The Cumbalum Residents Association said members would be asked at its next meeting to vote on establishing a parliamentary e-petition; the supplied record does not establish whether it proceeded.
The minutes state that Council will continue advocating for south-facing ramps.
Residents were encouraged to continue writing to ministers.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
The Cumbalum Residents Association said members would be asked at its next meeting to vote on establishing a parliamentary e-petition to raise the interchange upgrade's priority. The proposed campaign would include media activity and lobbying candidates for the following year's state election.
The information contained in the agenda was noted. 8.8 Business With Notice - Cumbalum Residents Association (CRA) - M1 Cumbalum Interchange for Ballina - Request for Campaign Assistance from Council At the next CRA meeting, members will be asked to vote on establishing a parliamentary e-petition to raise the priority for the interchange upgrade. This will include a media campaign for Ballina and surrounding districts together with lobbying candidates for the state election next year. The CRA would be grateful if Council can assist in this campaign to gain maximum benefit for our community and all residents in Ballina Shire.
8.8 Business With Notice
Open original minutes ↗Susan Inglis asked about the south-facing ramp, and Caroline Klose said Transport for NSW prepared cost estimates of about $40 million to $50 million for south-facing ramps in 2020.
At the meeting Susan Inglis enquired about the status of the south facing ramp. Caroline Klose explained that cost estimates for south facing ramps were done in 2020 by Transport for NSW and in the order of $40-$50 million.
8.8 Business With Notice
Open original minutes ↗The minutes record that the NSW Government does not see the interchange as a priority, that Council will continue advocating for ramps, and that Cr Loone encouraged residents to continue writing to ministers.
NSW Government has stated that they do not see the interchange as a priority. Council will continue to advocate for ramps. Cr Loone encouraged residents to continue to write to ministers as well.
8.8 Business With Notice
Open original minutes ↗The information contained in the agenda was noted.
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 5 of 7 9.
Conclusion of item 8.8, before item 9
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the supplied minutes of Ballina Shire Council's A Ward Committee meeting held on 10 November 2026. The supplied record does not establish whether these minutes have been confirmed.
Key facts from the minutes
- Caroline Klose said Transport for NSW prepared cost estimates of about $40 million to $50 million for south-facing ramps in 2020.
- The minutes record that the NSW Government does not see the interchange as a priority.
- The minutes state that Ballina Shire Council will continue advocating for the ramps.
- The Cumbalum Residents Association planned to ask members to vote on establishing a parliamentary e-petition, with a proposed campaign also including media activity and lobbying.
- The A Ward Committee noted the information; the minutes do not record approval of construction funding or a delivery date.
Why it matters
- The minutes record continued council advocacy for a south-facing M1 connection at Cumbalum, but no funding commitment or construction date, and say the NSW Government does not regard the interchange as a priority.