Ballina Shire Council advances airport expansion and safety projects

Ballina Shire Council is pursuing two distinct initiatives aimed at regional development and public safety.

Regarding economic growth, the Council has unanimously backed Mayor Sharon Cadwallader to advocate for the industrial expansion of the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. The plan involves rezoning an 86-acre parcel of former farmland to create a Southern Cross industrial precinct. While the Council views the site as critical for economic development, the project faces opposition from environmental authorities due to the presence of endangered ecological communities and potential flooding conflicts. The Council intends to escalate the matter to the NSW Premier and Planning Minister.

In terms of community safety, the Council has secured $1 million in federal funding through the Strengthening Community Safety program. This investment will fund a new CCTV network across Ballina and Lennox Head. The project includes the installation of cameras and communications infrastructure at priority locations, with NSW Police granted access to the footage to assist in investigations and deter anti-social behavior. The network will be managed under specific privacy requirements.