funding · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina committee backs draft rates, water and waste charges for exhibition
Ballina Shire Council’s Finance and Facilities Committee endorsed draft 2026/27 rating settings and utility charges for public exhibition on 9 March, including a proposed 6.0% Special Rate Variation and water charges rising to $281.
Ballina Shire Council’s Finance and Facilities Committee has backed draft rates, water, wastewater and waste charges at its meeting on 9 March at 40 Cherry Street, Ballina. The plans are part of the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program, which will go on public exhibition.
The committee endorsed the draft North East Weight of Loads Group budget for 2026/27 and its Long-Term Financial Plan. The vote was unanimous, with Cr Eva Ramsey voting against and Cr Phil Meehan absent.
Councillors also approved a base rating structure for the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan. It keeps marginally less than 50% of residential rate income coming from the base amount, sets the same base amount for residential, business, farmland and mining categories, and sources 18.65% of rate yield from business properties.
Under the structure, farmland is set at about 81% of the residential rate in the dollar. Mining is set at the same rate as business, although the minutes note there are currently no mining-category properties in the shire.
The rating figures considered by councillors are based on a proposed 6.0% Special Rate Variation. If the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal does not approve that variation, the 3.4% rate peg already set by IPART for 2026/27 will apply instead.
The committee also endorsed draft fees and charges, plus long-term financial plans for Landfill and Resource Management and Domestic Waste Management, for exhibition in the draft delivery program and operational plan.
Wastewater annual charges and the Wastewater Operations long-term financial plan were endorsed for exhibition as well. The charges listed in the minutes include a residential availability charge rising from $1,106 in 2025/26 to $1,128 in 2026/27, a vacant land charge rising from $835 to $852, and a non-residential usage charge rising from $2.82 to $2.88. The non-residential access charge varies by meter size, and recycled water is set at 80% of potable water step 1.
Water charges were also endorsed for exhibition. The minutes list a 20mm water access charge rising from $265 to $281, water consumption under 350 kilolitres rising from $2.99 to $3.17, water consumption over 350 kilolitres rising from $4.49 to $4.76, and a vacant land charge rising from $265 to $281.
The draft plans now go to public exhibition before final adoption.
Reference minutes
Based on Ballina Shire Council Finance and Facilities Committee minutes of 9 March 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ballina Shire Council’s Finance and Facilities Committee met on 9 March 2026 at 40 Cherry Street, Ballina.
- The committee endorsed the draft NEWLOG budget for 2026/27 and its long-term financial plan.
- Councillors approved a base rating structure for the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan.
- The indicative rating figures assume a 6.0% Special Rate Variation; if IPART does not approve it, a 3.4% rate peg applies.
- Water charges endorsed for exhibition include a 20mm access charge rising from $265 to $281.
- Wastewater and waste financial plans were endorsed for exhibition as part of the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program.
Why it matters
- Ballina Shire residents, businesses and property owners will be able to examine and comment on draft rates and utility charges before final adoption, but the final rate rise still depends on IPART’s ruling on the proposed Special Rate Variation.