funding · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina backs CURA B exhibition and revises long-term planning map
Ballina Shire Council has endorsed the CURA B planning proposal for public exhibition and adopted its 2025-2046 strategic planning statement with amendments covering Alstonville, Newrybar, Ballina Hospital and future growth areas.
Ballina Shire Council has endorsed Planning Proposal BSCPP 24/005 for public exhibition and adopted its long-term planning statement at the Environmental and Sustainability Committee meeting on 11 March, in a vote that also backed changes to rural policy and future growth areas across the shire.
The CURA B proposal seeks to relocate E1 zoning and increase building heights on the site, subject to Gateway determination from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Council also urged the proponent to reconsider the affordable housing terms in the proposed planning agreement.
Council adopted the Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2046 and the Russellton Estate Expansion Area addendum, with changes to the Alstonville Potential Employment Expansion Area map, wording for Newrybar and a precinct plan for land near Ballina Hospital.
The amendments also add five rural land use principles. They cover agriculture, on-farm diversification, land use conflict, village and hamlet character, and rural vistas.
Council removed three strategic growth areas from further examination: Precinct B North Kinvara, Precinct C Cumbalum and West Lennox Palms, Lennox Head. Those areas were taken out of the identified SUGAs and will be reported back to council for further examination.
The plan now includes an action to identify options for additional employment land to meet projected demand. It also changes the South Tamarind Drive growth area so about 4 hectares is identified for residential development potential, while the rest is described as constrained potential employment land with very little yield because of flooding and its proximity to residential development.
Council will seek endorsement from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for the LSPS addendum and submit the endorsed local strategic planning statement and addendum to the department.
It also resolved to repeal the Ballina Shire Growth Management Strategy 2012 and the West Ballina Planning Study and Structure Plan 2010 after the revised local strategic planning statement is published on the NSW Planning Portal. A review of the Alstonville Strategic Plan has been flagged for 2027/28.
Council also reaffirmed support for Planning Proposal BSC 25/009 and asked the state department to finalise LEP changes to permit detached dual occupancies with consent in the 7(c) Environmental Protection (Water Catchment) zone.
Reference minutes
Based on the Ballina Shire Council Environmental and Sustainability Committee meeting minutes of 11 March 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council endorsed Planning Proposal BSCPP 24/005 for public exhibition, subject to Gateway determination.
- The CURA B proposal seeks to relocate E1 zoning and increase building height.
- Council adopted the Ballina Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2046 and the Russellton Estate Expansion Area addendum, with amendments.
- Three areas were removed from SUGAs for further examination: North Kinvara, Cumbalum and West Lennox Palms, Lennox Head.
- Council scheduled an Alstonville Strategic Plan review for 2027/28.
- Council backed Planning Proposal BSC 25/009 to allow detached dual occupancies in the 7(c) Environmental Protection (Water Catchment) zone.
- The old Ballina Shire Growth Management Strategy 2012 and West Ballina Planning Study and Structure Plan 2010 are to be repealed after publication of the revised LSPS.
Why it matters
- The decisions will shape where Ballina Shire allows more housing, where it holds growth back and how much say the public has over the CURA B site.