funding · Ballina Shire Council
Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW funding held over by Ballina Shire councillors
Ballina Shire councillors approved 2026/27 community grants but held the Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW allocation back until a further report is brought to council.
Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW will not receive funding yet after Ballina Shire councillors approved the 2026/27 community grants round but made the rescue service’s allocation subject to a further report before any money is released.
The committee backed the Donations - Financial Assistance for Community Groups program for 2026/27, approving the recommended amounts in Table 1 under section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993. But the Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW allocation was left pending until it comes back to Council for another report.
Cr Therese Crollick declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in the grants item because she is a committee member of the Ballina Shire Concert Band. Mayor Sharon Cadwallader also declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest because her husband is a member of the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond. Both stayed in the room and voted.
The grants round gives local community groups certainty for 2026/27, but the marine rescue funding remains unresolved. The committee did not approve any funding for Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW at this stage.
The meeting also dealt with 26 Endeavour Close, Ballina. Councillors noted the background report on the expression of interest process before later rejecting the responses because they lacked commercial value to Council.
They then approved the sale of 26 Endeavour Close by public auction, authorised the General Manager to set a reserve price based on prevailing market conditions for industrial land, and allowed open or general agency agreements with real estate agents taking part in the auction campaign at a commission rate of 1.50 per cent plus GST. The General Manager was also authorised to execute the sale documents and affix the Council seal.
All councillors voted unanimously on the recommendations put before them.
Reference minutes
Ballina Shire Council Finance and Facilities Committee, 6 July 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council approved the Donations, Financial Assistance for Community Groups for 2026/27.
- The approved payments are the recommended amounts in Table 1.
- Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW funding was made subject to a further report to Council before being funded.
- Cr Therese Crollick declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in the grants item and voted.
- Mayor Sharon Cadwallader also declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in the grants item and voted.
- All councillors voted unanimously on the grants recommendation.
- The committee met on 6 July 2026.
Why it matters
- Local community groups now have their 2026/27 grants confirmed, but Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW is still waiting for Council to bring back a further report before any funding is released.