Ballina community gardens, filming and ranger-fee rules changed

Ballina Shire Council has changed rules affecting community gardens, filming, fundraising, ranger fees and charges, with the revised policies to go on public exhibition for comment.

The package covers beach debris management, community gardens, filming on public land, financial assistance for ranger fees and charges, fundraising and street stalls, donations assistance, restricted access vehicles and private structures on public land and roads.

The four named policies on beach debris, community gardens, filming and ranger fees were adopted unanimously at the council’s 27 August ordinary meeting. Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Simon Chate, Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Kiri Dicker were absent and did not vote.

The revised rules apply to community groups, event organisers, filmmakers, property owners, heavy-vehicle operators and people seeking to use council-controlled land. They also cover restricted access vehicles using local roads and private structures affecting public land and roads.

Each of the policies will be placed on public exhibition. Submissions received will be reported back to council. If no submissions are received, no further action is required.

Council also adopted an amended Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy and Guidelines, which will be exhibited separately for public comment.

The policy decisions were among a broader set of resolutions at the meeting. Council endorsed public exhibition of planning amendments for the Ballina Heights Southern Precinct for at least 28 days, including a draft structure plan, landscaping amendments and additional Development Control Plan controls.

It also adopted the Ballina Shire Homelessness Strategy for exhibition and directed discussions with Mary’s Place and Orange Sky about infrastructure and in-kind support. Council will ask the NSW Government for increased ongoing funding for housing, health, frontline and community services.

Infrastructure contracts approved at the meeting included $685,350 excluding GST for the Wardell Boardwalk and Foreshore Upgrade, $897,294 for a solar PV system at the Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant, $844,923.51 for landslip works on Tamarind Drive and Marom Creek Road, and $3,191,291 for Ross Lane flood resilience works. Ross Lane is expected to close to through traffic for about nine weeks during those works.