$800 hockey grant approved as Marine Rescue payment waits on BA21 Ballina Shire Council approved support for Jan Saul’s trip to Belgium and added an annual Rotary payment for Richmond Room operations, while holding a $4,250 Marine Rescue allocation until its jet boat is operational. Council: Ballina Shire Council Meeting: 24 Sep 2026 Recorded status: mixed BRIEF Ballina Shire Council approved an $800 donation to Jan Saul for travel to the 2026 World Masters Hockey competition in Belgium and added an annual, maximum-policy donation to Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond for Richmond Room operations. A $4,250 Marine Rescue NSW allocation remains on hold until the Ballina Jet Boat BA21 is operational. KEY FACTS - Council approved $800 for Jan Saul’s travel to the 2026 World Masters Hockey competition in Belgium. - A $4,250 Marine Rescue NSW allocation for 2026/27 was held until the Ballina Jet Boat BA21 is operational. - Council added an annual Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond donation for Richmond Room set-up and pack-down. - The Rotary donation is to be set at the maximum permitted under council policy, but the minutes do not state the amount. - The not-for-profit groups resolution passed unanimously among councillors present; Cr Therese Crollick was absent. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The confirmed $800 donation and the Rotary policy amendment were resolved, while the Marine Rescue allocation remains conditional on a future operational status that is not dated in the minutes. - The Rotary donation is to be set at the policy maximum, but the dollar value cannot be reported from the minutes. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - What is the maximum dollar amount allowed under the Financial Assistance for Community Groups policy for the Rotary donation? - When is the Ballina Jet Boat BA21 expected to become operational? - When will the initial Rotary donation agreement be signed? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Formalise the Rotary donation through a signed agreement, renewed within nine months of the start of each council term. - Hold the $4,250 Marine Rescue allocation for 2026/27 until the Ballina Jet Boat BA21 is operational. - Continue discussions with the Girl Guides Association of NSW and the Ballina Shire Concert Band about Wigmore Hall use. SOURCE PASSAGES Council approved an $800 donation to Jan Saul towards travel to the 2026 World Masters Hockey competition in Belgium. "FOR VOTE - All Councillors voted unanimously. ABSENT. DID NOT VOTE - Cr Therese Crollick 9.5 Donations - Australian Representation 240926/12 RESOLVED (Cr Damian Loone/Cr Simon Chate) That Council approves the donation of $800 for Jan Saul towards travel expenses to compete at the 2026 World Masters Hockey held in Belgium as per Council's Donations – Australian Representation Policy." (Item 9.5, resolution 240926/12) Council resolved to amend the Financial Assistance for Community Groups policy to include an annual donation to the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond for weekly Richmond Room set-up and pack-down for the Ballina Lighthouse Day Club. The donation is to be set at the policy maximum and formalised through a signed agreement, renewed within nine months of the start of each Council term. "MAYOR 9.6 Not for Profit Groups - Reviews 240926/13 RESOLVED (Cr Phil Meehan/Cr Erin Karsten) 1. That Council notes the contents of this report in respect to the use of the Wigmore Hall by the lessees and supports continuing discussions with the Girl Guides Association of NSW and the Ballina Shire Concert Band to optimise use of the Wigmore Hall. 2. The Council amend the Financial Assistance for Community Groups policy, to include an annual community donation to the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond, for the weekly set up and pack down of the Richmond Room for the Ballina Lighthouse Day Club. The annual donation is to be set at the maximum figure allowed in the policy. That Council also formalise this donation through a signed agreement, renewed, within nine months of the start of each Council term." (Item 9.6, resolution 240926/13, points 1–2) Council supported continuing discussions with the Girl Guides Association of NSW and the Ballina Shire Concert Band about optimising use of Wigmore Hall. "MAYOR 9.6 Not for Profit Groups - Reviews 240926/13 RESOLVED (Cr Phil Meehan/Cr Erin Karsten) 1. That Council notes the contents of this report in respect to the use of the Wigmore Hall by the lessees and supports continuing discussions with the Girl Guides Association of NSW and the Ballina Shire Concert Band to optimise use of the Wigmore Hall." (Item 9.6, resolution 240926/13, point 1) The recorded vote was unanimous, with Cr Therese Crollick absent and not voting. "FOR VOTE - All Councillors voted unanimously. ABSENT. DID NOT VOTE - Cr Therese Crollick 9.7 Club Lennox Sports - Lease 240926/14 RESOLVED (Cr Phil Meehan/Cr Simon Chate) 1. That Council grants a new five year lease of the King Street Lease Area (road reserve) to Ballina Bowling and Recreation Club Limited at a market rent for the first year of the term, and then subsequent annual CPI adjustments." (Voting record following item 9.6, before the item 9.7 heading) Cr Sharon Cadwallader and Cr Erin Karsten declared non-significant, non-pecuniary interests in item 9.6, with their declarations stating they would remain in the room and vote. "MAYOR 5. Declarations of Interest and Reportable Political Donations • Cr Sharon Cadwallader - declared an interest in Item 9.6 Not for Profit Groups - Reviews (Nature of Interest: non-significant, non pecuniary). Cr Cadwallader's husband is a member of Rotary. Cr Cadwallader will remain in the room and vote on this item. • Cr Erin Karsten - declared an interest in Item 9.6 Not for Profit Groups - Reviews (Nature of Interest: non-significant, non pecuniary). Cr Karsten is friends with a member of the Ballina Shire Concert Band. Cr Karsten will remain in the room and vote on this item. • Cr Michelle Bailey - declared an interest in Item 10.1 Ballina Shire Strategic Road Network - Traffic Modelling to 2046 (Nature of Interest: non- significant, non pecuniary)." (Declarations of Interest and Reportable Political Donations) SOURCES https://ballina.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/09/OC_24092026_MIN.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/ballina-infocouncil-council-24-sep-2026-24-sep-2026-minutes-marine-rescue-donation-held-until-ballina-jet-boat-is-operational/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.