planning · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina Council adopts Spoonbill Reserve master plan after housing push fails
Ballina Shire Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan at its 28 May meeting after councillors defeated an amendment seeking more reporting on residential housing feasibility.
Ballina Shire Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan at its 28 May ordinary meeting in Ballina after defeating a bid to defer the item for more reporting on housing west of the proposed Youth Activity Area and Pathway.
Cr Phil Meehan and Cr Eva Ramsey moved an amendment asking councillors to receive a report on the process and financial feasibility of developing that part of the site for residential housing before adopting the plan. The amendment was lost.
The minutes record six councillors against the amendment and four in favour. Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Damian Loone, Cr Eva Ramsey and Cr Phil Meehan voted against it, while Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Simon Kinny, Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Simon Chate, Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Kiri Dicker voted for the adoption motion.
Council then adopted the revised master plan as set out in Attachment 3 to the report. The record does not detail the full design, but it confirms the revised plan will proceed without another housing feasibility report at this stage.
The Spoonbill Reserve vote was one of several planning and property decisions handled at the same meeting. Councillors also approved Lot 8 DP1313438 at North Creek, Ballina as operational land with immediate effect, and adopted an amended Climate Change Policy.
Later in the meeting, council adopted a revised Councillor Training and Development Policy and placed it on public exhibition for comment. Any submissions received will be brought back to council; if none are received, no further action is required.
The meeting also delivered a run of contract awards. Council accepted a tender for Riverside Drive stormwater recovery and awarded the contract to Somerville Excavator Hire for $335,636 excluding GST.
It awarded the 2026-2030 surf lifesaving services contract to Surf Life Saving Services Pty Ltd trading as Australian Lifeguard Service for $2,193,002.89 excluding GST.
A separate tender for Alstonville Creek Restoration went to Land & Civil Pty Ltd for $1,312,706 excluding GST. Council also approved a $280,000 reallocation from the Open Spaces capital works program in 2026/27 to cover the shortfall between grant funding and the accepted tender amount.
That work package was tied to a further report on the Open Spaces Playground Renewal Program, which is due back to the 25 June 2026 ordinary meeting as part of the 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program.
Reference minutes
This story is based on Ballina Shire Council’s ordinary meeting minutes of 28 May 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan on 28 May 2026.
- An amendment seeking a report on residential housing feasibility west of the proposed Youth Activity Area and Pathway was lost.
- The amendment vote split 6-4 against, before the final adoption motion passed unanimously.
- Council approved Lot 8 DP1313438 at North Creek, Ballina as operational land immediately.
- Council awarded the Riverside Drive stormwater recovery tender to Somerville Excavator Hire for $335,636 excluding GST.
- Council awarded surf lifesaving services for 2026-2030 to Surf Life Saving Services Pty Ltd trading as Australian Lifeguard Service for $2,193,002.89 excluding GST.
- Council awarded the Alstonville Creek Restoration tender to Land & Civil Pty Ltd for $1,312,706 excluding GST and shifted $280,000 from the Open Spaces capital works program.
Why it matters
- The Spoonbill Reserve vote locks in the next step for a public reserve that will shape local open space and recreation planning, while the meeting also approved contracts and budget changes affecting roads, beaches, creek restoration and council spending.