Rates & spending · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina backs $1,000 Rotary contribution and further work on local projects
Council supported a suitable bench for Sally Leydon’s Green Seat Project, gave in-principle backing to a proposed music festival and sought further work on turf and playground projects.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
A $1,000 contribution from the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond will support Sally Leydon’s Green Seat Project after Ballina Shire Council backed the installation or identification of a suitable bench for the project. The resolution was carried unanimously at Council’s 22 October meeting.
The minutes do not identify a location for the bench, its total cost or a completion date. Council’s support allows a suitable existing bench to be identified or installed and adapted for the project, but does not approve a completed installation or a full project budget.
Councillors also gave in-principle support to the Ballina Music Festival concept and its grant application. The resolution welcomes the Ballina Chamber of Commerce’s role in championing the proposal and encourages the creation of a business-led event committee. Council staff may assist with approval processes once that committee is formed, while any future Council event funding would need to be considered through the established event funding application process.
Other resolutions kept two local recreation projects at an earlier stage. Staff are to report on the costs and constraints of installing turf at Pop Denison Park for informal use by the Ballina Croquet Club. Council also directed staff to work towards redeploying playground equipment from Meldrum Park to Commemoration Park in Ballina. Neither resolution sets a construction date or allocates a project budget.
What deserves a closer look
The supported projects remain at different stages: the bench still requires a suitable site or item to be identified, the festival requires further committee and approval work, and the turf proposal requires a cost and constraints report.
The minutes record a specific $1,000 Rotary contribution but do not record a total cost or Council funding allocation for the bench, festival, turf installation or playground relocation.
Questions for follow-up reporting
Where will the Green Seat bench be located, and what total cost and funding arrangements will apply?
Which grant is being sought for the Ballina Music Festival, and what further approval steps would be required before it could proceed?
When will the Pop Denison Park turf report return to Council?
What costs, condition assessment and timing will apply to redeploying the Meldrum Park playground equipment?
What happens next
A business-led event committee is to be developed for the Ballina Music Festival proposal, after which Council staff may assist with approval processes.
Any future Council event funding for the festival is to be considered through the established event funding application process.
Staff are to report on the costs and associated constraints of installing turf at Pop Denison Park.
Council staff are to work towards redeploying playground equipment from Meldrum Park to Commemoration Park.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
Council supported the installation or identification of a suitable bench for Sally Leydon's Green Seat Project and noted a $1,000 Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond contribution.
Support the installation or identification of a suitable bench seat that could be adapted to Sally Leydon's Green Seat Project. 2. Notes that Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond have committed to supporting Sally Leydon's project and will contribute $1,000 towards the cost.
Resolution 221026/4
Open original minutes ↗Council gave in-principle support to the Ballina Music Festival concept and the proponent's grant application, encouraged a business-led event committee and linked any future Council event funding to the established application process.
MAYOR 11.6 Notice of Motion - Ballina Music Event 221026/5 RESOLVED (Cr Erin Karsten/Cr Eva Ramsey) 1. That Council provides in principle support to the Ballina Music Festival concept and supports the proponent's grant application.
Resolution 221026/5, points 1 to 3
Open original minutes ↗Council directed staff to report on the costs and constraints of installing turf at Pop Denison Park for informal use by the Ballina Croquet Club.
MAYOR 11.3 Notice of Motion - Pop Denison Turf 221026/31 RESOLVED (Cr Kiri Dicker/Cr Erin Karsten) That Council receive a report into the costs of installing turf at Pop Denison Park and associated constraints to enable informal use by the Ballina Croquet Club.
Resolution 221026/31
Open original minutes ↗Council directed staff to work towards redeploying playground equipment from Meldrum Park to Commemoration Park, Ballina.
2. That Council approves the budget variations, as per Table 1 of this report. 3. That Council staff works towards redeploying the playground equipment from Meldrum Park to Commemoration Park, Ballina.
Resolution 221026/22, point 3
Open original minutes ↗The Ballina Music Festival resolution was carried unanimously, and Cr Michelle Bailey's declared interest and participation were recorded.
FOR VOTE - All Councillors voted unanimously. 8.2 Lennox Point Car Park and Mobile Vending on Public Land 221026/6 RESOLVED (Cr Michelle Bailey/Cr Erin Karsten) That Council notes the contents of this report regarding the renewal of the Lennox Point Car Park and the potential for mobile vending on the site.
Vote following Resolution 221026/5; related declaration recorded at P10
Open original minutes ↗Source record
This article reports from the confirmed public minutes of Ballina Shire Council’s ordinary meeting held on 22 October 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council unanimously supported identifying or installing a suitable bench for the Green Seat Project and noted a $1,000 Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond contribution.
- Council unanimously gave in-principle support to the Ballina Music Festival concept and its grant application.
- Future Council event funding for the festival would remain subject to the established event funding application process.
- Staff must report on the cost and constraints of turf at Pop Denison Park for informal croquet use.
- Council directed staff to work towards relocating playground equipment from Meldrum Park to Commemoration Park.
Why it matters
- The resolutions provide limited backing for a memorial project and a proposed cultural event, while turf and playground changes still require further work before their cost, timing and feasibility are clear.