transport · Ballina Shire Council
Ross Lane to close for nine weeks as Ballina council approves $5.6m works package
Contracts for Ross Lane, Tamarind Drive, Marom Creek Road, Wardell’s foreshore and the wastewater treatment plant have been awarded, with $450,000 still to be sought for the flood project.
Ross Lane will close to through traffic for about nine weeks after Ballina Shire Council awarded a $3.19 million flood-resilience contract as part of more than $5.6 million in infrastructure works.
Hazell Bros (QLD) Pty Ltd will carry out the Ross Lane Flood Resilience Betterment project for $3,191,291 excluding GST. Council selected Option 2, which is expected to save more than $500,000 in total construction costs while causing a significant temporary disruption for motorists and nearby residents.
Councillors increased the project’s total budget to $4.351 million. An additional $450,000 will first be sought from the NSW Reconstruction Authority. If that funding is not secured, council will use a combination of the Section 7.11 Heavy Haulage Developer Contributions Plan and the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Highway Bypass Reserve.
The contract package also covers landslip works on Tamarind Drive and Marom Creek Road. Civlec Pty Ltd trading as GRC Civil was appointed for $844,923.51 excluding GST.
At Wardell, Hunter Wharf & Barge Pty Ltd was awarded the $685,350 excluding GST contract for the Wardell Boardwalk and Foreshore Upgrade. Energus Pty Ltd will install a solar PV system and upgraded panels at the Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant under a $897,294 excluding GST contract.
Council also awarded Smiths Detection (Australia) Pty Limited a $670,580 excluding GST contract for a checked baggage-screening X-ray system at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. Spending above the allocated airport budget will come from the Airport Reserve.
The airport car park expansion consultancy will not proceed to a fresh tender. Council declined all tenders and authorised the General Manager to negotiate with interested parties, citing sufficient market interest and the opportunity to refine the project requirements.
A separate fire protection equipment and reporting services contract was awarded to Douse Fire Protection Pty Ltd at the rates tendered. The approved rates were not included in the decision details provided.
The reported contract resolutions were carried unanimously by councillors present at the 27 August meeting.
Reference minutes
Ballina Shire Council made the decisions at its Council meeting on 27 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Hazell Bros (QLD) Pty Ltd was awarded the $3,191,291 excluding GST Ross Lane Flood Resilience Betterment contract.
- Ross Lane is expected to close to through traffic for approximately nine weeks.
- The Ross Lane project budget was increased to $4.351 million, with $450,000 in additional funding to be sought.
- Civlec Pty Ltd trading as GRC Civil was awarded $844,923.51 excluding GST for Tamarind Drive and Marom Creek Road landslip works.
- Hunter Wharf & Barge Pty Ltd was awarded the $685,350 excluding GST Wardell Boardwalk and Foreshore Upgrade contract.
- Energus Pty Ltd was awarded the $897,294 excluding GST wastewater treatment plant solar contract.
- Smiths Detection (Australia) Pty Limited was awarded the $670,580 excluding GST airport baggage-screening X-ray contract.
Why it matters
- The contracts fund flood-resilience work on Ross Lane, landslip repairs on Tamarind Drive and Marom Creek Road, a Wardell foreshore upgrade, wastewater energy infrastructure and airport security equipment. Ross Lane users face an approximately nine-week closure, while the project still requires $450,000 in additional funding.