Ballina forum backs River Street turn bans and bus zone changes

Ballina Shire Council’s Local Transport Forum backed a package of traffic changes for the River Street and Tamarind Drive lane duplication project at its 13 May meeting in Ballina, including turn restrictions, bus zone relocations and new signage and line-marking arrangements.

The forum advised the delegate to support public road turn movement restrictions at River Street and Fishery Creek Road, and at River Street and Norlyn Avenue.

It also noted the proposed raised centre median at the Henry Philp Avenue intersection in River Street, which is intended to reinforce the current right-turn restriction signage.

Bus arrangements are changing as part of the project. The forum supported relocating the River Street westbound bus zone, west of Henry Philp Avenue, and creating a new Tamarind Drive westbound bus zone, east of North Creek Road. It also supported the regulatory signs, markings and other traffic control devices shown in the attached signage and linemarking plans.

The meeting also noted advice on prescribed traffic control authorisations dated 2026-01-02, 2026-02-01, 2026-03-01 and 2026-04-01. An amendment to alter time restrictions for item 2026-04-01 was proposed, with any changes to be determined under delegation.

The forum also noted a schedule of outstanding resolutions. Repainting of piano key shared zone entry linemarkings has been completed, high visibility board and signage has been ordered, and double-sided signage is yet to commence.

Other items tracked in the minutes include refuge works that could not secure funding and were added to the PAMP, with the works team to slot them into next financial year’s schedule. Costings for street lighting work have been completed and the work is scheduled for next quarter.

The minutes also say Helen Carpenter will liaise with the operational team and provide bus companies with a timeframe so they can apply to TfNSW for a variation to use Cherry Street instead of Bentinck and Fox Streets. The notes say current infrastructure is on the wrong side of the street and has no kerb access for wheelchairs.

A separate item, 12/23-6.1, was noted as forming part of the hospital upgrade project.

The forum’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 10:00 am.