Ballina committee hears staged Daydream Avenue repairs and dust complaint update

Ballina Shire Council’s A Ward Committee met at the council chambers in Cherry Street, Ballina, on 12 May 2026, with Cr Damian Loone in the chair. The 12 May meeting dealt with riverbank repairs at Daydream Avenue, West Ballina; dust complaints at Hilltop Park Estate, Cumbalum; and a string of other resident issues across the shire.

Maintenance teams will carry out the Daydream Avenue riverbank edge repairs in two stages. The crew plans to mobilise in June and first repair a critical section about 10 metres long, where the bank edge has deteriorated to within 400mm of the sealed road surface.

The full scope of work covers about 45 metres of riverbank stabilisation. It is scheduled for completion in the new financial year, with teams to keep monitoring the area in the meantime for safety and any further deterioration.

The Cumbalum Residents Association asked for an update on dust pollution complaints linked to Hilltop Park Estate. Caroline Klose, Ballina Shire Council’s director of corporate and community, told the meeting the issue is a compliance matter and that staff will provide the association with an update when available.

The committee also dealt with the long-running dispute over developer contribution fees at the Ballina Heights Shopping Precinct. Cr Loone said there is no date set for legal proceedings. Ms Klose confirmed there is a dispute over developer contributions.

Kevin Loughrey also asked how much S711 developer contribution fees raise and what would happen if they were abolished. Ms Klose said the figures are publicly available and are on public exhibition in the Long Term Financial Plan.

Richmond River dredging returned to the agenda too. Council said dredging is managed by Transport for NSW, but Ms Klose said council has lobbied for it for many years and will continue to do so. A post-meeting note from Transport for NSW said dredging program funding is allocated annually and this year’s funding has already been assigned.

Other items covered Reconciliation Week, racism, homelessness, ferry breakdown communication, heritage staffing, pedestrian safety and airport access. At the meeting, members raised working with Jagun Alliance for Reconciliation Week, and a booklet from Jagun Alliance and the Reconstruction Authority was forwarded to the Director Planning and Environmental Health after the meeting.

St Vincent de Paul also asked council to consider ideas to combat racism in the local community. Ms Klose said there is a partnership agreement between council and Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Ballina Heritage Advisory raised concern about the lack of a dedicated conservation or heritage expert on council staff, as well as the need to include a Heritage Officer in the Workforce Management Strategy. Jill McCann also raised the condition of Pioneer Cemetery, saying it is neglected and could be a tourist and educational attraction if maintained.