planning · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina council adopts Spoonbill Reserve plan after housing bid fails
Ballina Shire Council backed the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan on 28 May after rejecting an amendment that would have required another report on housing feasibility for land west of the proposed youth area.
Ballina Shire Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan at its ordinary meeting on 28 May, after councillors rejected a bid to force a further report on whether land west of the proposed Youth Activity Area and Pathway could be developed for housing.
Cr Phil Meehan and Cr Eva Ramsey moved the amendment seeking a report on the “process and financial feasibility” of residential housing on that part of the reserve. It was lost by six votes to four.
The minutes record Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Damian Loone, Cr Eva Ramsey and Cr Phil Meehan voting against the amendment, with Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Simon Kinny, Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Simon Chate, Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Kiri Dicker voting for the final motion to adopt the revised plan.
The adopted resolution confirms the master plan attached to the report now stands as council’s endorsed plan for Spoonbill Reserve in Ballina. The extra housing feasibility step was not included.
The Spoonbill Reserve vote sat alongside a broader agenda that also saw council rescind the current Code of Meeting Practice after the NSW Legislative Council disallowed the model code. Councillors then adopted the previous Council Code of Meeting Practice, as adopted at the 28 August 2025 ordinary meeting.
Council also approved Lot 8 DP1313438 at North Creek as operational land under the Local Government Act 1993, with the classification taking effect immediately.
Other planning business included adoption of the amended Climate Change Policy, as exhibited.
The meeting opened at Ballina Shire Council chambers, 40 Cherry Street, Ballina, with no one in the gallery. The minutes also note that councillors observed a minute’s silence for William “Bill” Ewen and Frank Petsch of Marine Rescue NSW and yachtsman Matthew Clayton, who died in the Ballina Bar tragedy of 4 May 2026.
Reference minutes
Ballina Shire Council ordinary meeting minutes, 28 May 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ballina Shire Council adopted the revised Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan on 28 May 2026.
- An amendment seeking a report on the housing feasibility of land west of the proposed Youth Activity Area and Pathway was lost.
- The amendment was defeated 6-4, then the final motion was carried unanimously.
- The plan relates to Spoonbill Reserve in Ballina.
- The same meeting also rescinded the current Code of Meeting Practice after the NSW Legislative Council disallowed the model code.
- Council approved Lot 8 DP1313438 at North Creek as operational land under the Local Government Act 1993.
Why it matters
- Council has endorsed the Spoonbill Reserve layout without ordering another look at housing feasibility for part of the site.