planning · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina council rejects Wollongbar housing tender after bids fail viability test
Ballina Shire Council declined all tenders for the Wollongbar Medium Density Housing project, cancelled the contract proposal and backed a future sale after the submissions were found not commercially viable.
Ballina Shire Council has rejected all tenders for the Wollongbar Medium Density Housing construction project after deciding the submissions were not commercially viable, and the committee backed a future sale pathway at its Finance and Facilities Committee meeting in Ballina on 11 February.
The recommendation passed 6-4. Councillors Sharon Cadwallader, Michelle Bailey, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Eva Ramsey and Phil Meehan voted in favour. Crs Therese Crollick, Simon Chate, Erin Karsten and Kiri Dicker voted against.
The minutes state the council would, under section 178(1)(b) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, decline to accept any tenders because they would not provide commercial viability for the project. Council also resolved to cancel the proposal under section 178(3)(a) because of the difficulty in securing competitive construction tenders, then adopt Option 1 to sell, subject to a further report to Council.
Before that vote, Cr Kiri Dicker and Cr Erin Karsten moved a motion of dissent after the Mayor ruled a proposed amendment would not be permitted and would instead be treated as a foreshadowed motion. The dissent was lost 6-4.
The Wollongbar item was one of several property decisions dealt with in the same meeting. Council also chose to retain and lease 89-91 Tamar Street, Ballina, after defeating a sale motion. It then called for expressions of interest to lease 26 Endeavour Close, Ballina, after approving a $60,000 ex GST exit payment to Unit Committee TS Lismore Inc.
That payment is to be funded from Council’s Property Development Reserve. The lease termination at 26 Endeavour Close was linked to the outgoing lessee leaving the site, and the minutes say the compensation recognises the structures on the site and helps the organisation with the cost of establishing a new facility in Lismore.
Council also agreed to assist with interim boat storage for Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club Inc at Cawarra Park, or another location, subject to the outcome of the leasing process for 26 Endeavour Close.
Elsewhere in the meeting, councillors confirmed the scope of the Ballina Community Safety Infrastructure Upgrade CCTV network so the project can proceed within Federal Government grant conditions and timelines. They also appointed Soizic Bellemere, Karen Williams and Cherie Watt to the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, subject to satisfactory background checks, and appointed Cr Simon Kinny as alternate councillor delegate.
Reference minutes
Based on Ballina Shire Council Finance and Facilities Committee minutes for 11 February 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ballina Shire Council’s Finance and Facilities Committee met on 11 February 2026 in Ballina.
- Council declined to accept any tenders for the Wollongbar Medium Density Housing construction project.
- The committee cited section 178(1)(b) and section 178(3)(a) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021.
- The recommendation to reject the tenders and cancel the contract proposal passed 6-4.
- Council adopted an option to sell the site, subject to a further report to Council.
- Cr Kiri Dicker and Cr Erin Karsten moved a dissent that was lost 6-4.
- The meeting also confirmed the CCTV network upgrade scope and appointed three Audit Risk and Improvement Committee members subject to background checks.
Why it matters
- A council-backed housing project in Wollongbar will not proceed under the current tender process, and the site is now headed towards a possible sale instead of construction.