environment · Ballina Shire Council
Ballina council backs waste, water and rates plans for exhibition
Ballina Shire Council’s Finance and Facilities Committee has endorsed draft utility charges, waste plans and a 6.0% Special Rate Variation scenario for 2026/27.
Ballina Shire Council’s Finance and Facilities Committee has endorsed draft waste, wastewater, water and rating settings for exhibition, with a 6.0% Special Rate Variation scenario flagged for 2026/27. The committee met on 9 March at Ballina Shire Council chambers, 40 Cherry Street, Ballina.
The committee backed the draft North East Weight of Loads Group budget for 2026/27 and its Long-Term Financial Plan. Cr Eva Ramsey voted against that recommendation.
It also approved a base rating structure for the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan. The minutes say the residential base amount would generate marginally less than 50% of residential rate income, while business, farmland and mining categories would carry the same base amount as residential.
The structure also sets 18.65% of rate yield from business properties, puts the farmland rate in the dollar at about 81% of the residential rate in the dollar, and sets the mining rate in the dollar at the same rate as business. The committee noted indicative figures based on a 6.0% Special Rate Variation. If IPART does not approve it, the 3.4% rate peg already set for 2026/27 will apply.
Waste operations were also endorsed for exhibition. The committee approved draft fees and charges, and long-term financial plans for landfill, resource management and domestic waste management, for inclusion in the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan.
Wastewater annual charges and the wastewater long-term financial plan were also endorsed for exhibition. The minutes list a residential availability charge rising from $1,106 to $1,128, a vacant land charge from $835 to $852, and a non-residential usage charge from $2.82 to $2.88. Non-residential access charges are variable based on meter size, while recycled water is set at 80% of potable water step 1.
Water annual charges and the water long-term financial plan were endorsed as well. The minutes list a 20mm access charge rising from $265 to $281, water consumption under 350 kilolitres from $2.99 to $3.17, water consumption over 350 kilolitres from $4.49 to $4.76, and the vacant land charge from $265 to $281.
The endorsed drafts will be placed on exhibition as part of the council’s 2026/27 to 2029/30 planning process. Final reports will follow before adoption of the 2026/27 operational planning documents. The committee closed at 4.47pm.
Reference minutes
Ballina Shire Council Finance and Facilities Committee minutes, 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.
- Cr Eva Ramsey voted against the endorsement of the draft NEWLOG budget for 2026/27 and its long-term financial plan.
- The committee approved a base rating structure for the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan.
- If IPART does not approve the proposed 6.0% Special Rate Variation, the 3.4% rate peg already set for 2026/27 will apply.
- Waste, landfill, resource management and domestic waste management fees and long-term financial plans were endorsed for exhibition.
- Wastewater annual charges were endorsed, including a residential availability charge rising from $1,106 to $1,128.
- Water annual charges were endorsed, including a 20mm access charge rising from $265 to $281.
Why it matters
- The endorsed drafts could alter what households, farms and businesses pay for rates, water, wastewater and waste services in 2026/27.