Community Connect Issue 47 by Ballina Shire Council

ISSUE

47 JUNE 2022

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

O F

T H E

B A L L I N A

New chapter for gallery and visitor services Meet Imbi and Alanah. See page 17.

F E A T U R E

S T O R Y

Orange Sky is calling for volunteers, for details visit orangesky.org.au See page 13 for story.

S H I R E

C O U N C I L

from the mayor

From the Mayor For some people it may feel like months ago, for others, yesterday. Everyone is working through the events of the February/March floods at their own pace, and that is more than OK. What matters is that we continue to show patience and compassion as we help each other heal. The $40 million rates relief package announced by the NSW Government earlier this month is very welcome. This program will cover the residential, commercial and farm rates of eligible ratepayers for one year, helping them to get back on their feet. Importantly, there are opportunities for residents to raise concerns and share lessons learnt following the floods. There are currently two inquiries underway: a Parliamentary Inquiry run by the NSW Upper House, and the NSW Government's Independent Flood Inquiry. The select committee for the Parliamentary Inquiry travelled to our region earlier this month and interested stakeholders can complete an online questionnaire, which closes Thursday 30 June. Submissions to the NSW Government's Independent Flood Inquiry are open until Friday 24 June. You may wish to upload a photo, tell the story of how you were impacted, or recount your knowledge of weather patterns over the generations; every type of submission is welcome. Please make your voice heard! It’s wonderful to see our shire reopening to tourism and events after more than two years of cancellations. Library activities, gallery workshops and exhibitions, sporting, music and other key events are now back on our calendars. See pages 16 – 25 for more details. No doubt our new Coordinator Gallery and Ignite Studios, Imbi Davidson, and new Team Leader Visitor Information Services, Alanah Ward, will bring a fresh perspective to their roles as we look to the future. Speaking of new, we were overjoyed to welcome 21 new Aussie citizens to our shire in May, from countries including Sweden, Thailand, Philippines, Switzerland, Vietnam, Italy, South Africa and Brazil. Welcome and thank you for choosing Ballina Shire as your home! Our shire is a hive of activity with the Lennox Village Vision and Angels Beach Drive/Bangalow Road Roundabout projects underway and, with more people accessing essential services in our towns, we have all noticed an extra busyness on our roads.

contents prosperous economy Annual pool maintenance

Lennox Village Vision Project

4–5

Lennox Head Strategic Plan

Construction project updates

6 – 12

connected community Orange Sky looking for volunteers

Emergency Dashboard now live!

SES Community Preparedness Meeting

Wollongbar Housing Pods

Rates relief for flood affected residents

Community Events

16 – 25

Welcome to our newest citizens

New view for parklet

Blood donors needed

engaged leadership Have your say

28 – 32

Doing business with council

Steps to lodging DA applications

healthy environment Where to exercise your dog

Restoring healthy riparian corridors

Beaches and river water quality

Getting on top of weeds after flood

Waste Watch Biodiversity workshop Water Talk

36 – 38 39 40 – 41

Smoky chimneys and fire pits

Your Councillors

Council is working hard to minimise interruptions where possible, however a little kindness will go a long way as we navigate this busy period together and come out the other side with a refreshed Lennox village and improved roads for Ballina Shire.

Discover Ballina – Winter 2022

Sharon Cadwallader Mayor

Information, including dates and times, in the Community Connect is correct at time of printing.

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

44 – 48

ISSN: 2652-7243 (PRINT)

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s l oo P y t i n u m om C e into th ANNUAL POOL CLOSURES The Ballina War Memorial Pool is closed for the month of June and the Alstonville Aquatic Centre will close in July for essential annual maintenance. The Ballina War Memorial Pool will reopen Friday 1 July 2022. The Alstonville Aquatic Centre remains open whilst the Ballina pool is closed for maintenance. The Alstonville Aquatic Centre will close from Friday 1 July 2022 and reopen Monday 1 August 2022. The Ballina War Memorial Pool will be open during this period. Season pass and ten ticket pass holders can access both the Alstonville and Ballina pool facilities. The pools are heated making them ideal facilities for winter exercise. For the latest pool information, please visit ballina.nsw.gov. au/community-swimming-pools

Fitness Passport accepted.

Ballina War Memorial Pool & Waterslide

Alstonville Aquatic Centre

Lee and Vicki Fitzgerald | 02 6686 3771 Opening Hours*: Monday - Friday 5.30am - 7pm Saturday 7am - 6pm Find them on Facebook Sunday 8am - 5pm

Greg and Kelly Fettell | 02 6628 0826 Opening Hours*: Monday - Friday 5.30am - 7pm Saturday 7am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

*Reopening 1 July 2022

Find them on Facebook

*Closed from Friday 1 July and reopens Monday 1 August 2022

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

lennox VILLAGE vision PROJECT DELIVERY stage 2

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The vibrant village of Lennox Head remains open during the upgrade. Parking is available in Park Lane, Ballina Street, and at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre with easy pedestrian access to retailers and eateries. Look out for the tear drop banners in Park Lane indicating pedestrian access points to Ballina Street. So that road reconstruction can be completed as quickly as possible, Ballina Street, between Rayner Lane and Park Lane, is temporarily reduced to one-way traffic heading south. The one-way traffic arrangements will move north along Ballina Street as the upgrade works progress. The one-way arrangement is essential to provide council’s crews with sufficient width to reconstruct the road while maintaining traffic flow and access to businesses.

Ballina Street: Before powerpoles removed

AFTER

Construction has commenced at the southern end of Ballina Street on the eastern side and will progress from Park Lane to south of Rayner Lane. What to expect:

•

Traffic control and signage will direct motorists and pedestrians during the works.

•

Motorists should allow extra travel time. Please detour via Park Lane and The Coast Road where possible.

•

Every effort will be made to maintain business access although, at times, access may be altered. Council’s crews will communicate directly with impacted businesses and property owners during each stage of works.

•

Carparking on the western side of Ballina Street will be available but limited.

Ballina Street: After undergrounding electricity

•

Water filled barriers will be placed along Ballina Street to protect construction workers.

•

Large machinery, truck movements and construction noise will occur in close proximity to business and residential properties from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday and could occur on limited Saturdays from 7am to 5pm.

Stage 2, Ballina St from Park Lane to the Central Hub, is jointly funded by Ballina Shire Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment – Your High Street Program.

•

Night works may be required at times. Residents will be notified prior to any night works.

•

Council will do everything possible to minimise noise and dust impacts.

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BEFORE

Stage 2 of the Lennox Village Vision project is now underway, with works including road and footpath reconstruction, installation of street furniture and landscaping along Ballina Street.

Businesses and residents are encouraged to register for project updates and review the responses to frequently asked questions at ballina.nsw.gov.au/LennoxVillageVision

Ballina Shire Council thanks the community for their continued patience and understanding during these important upgrade works. For more information and to register for emailed project updates visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/LennoxVillageVision

Ballina Shire Council is developing a new Lennox Head Strategic Plan 2023-2043 which will cover Lennox Head and Skennars Head from Fig Tree Hill in the north to the southern edge of the Aureus Estate in the south.

Ross Park Upgrade The new-look Ross Park is taking shape with the installation of a timber fort, shade sails, picnic shelters, stepping poles and seating. Construction is underway on the boardwalk, concrete paths, paving and artwork. Residents and businesses should expect construction and machinery noise, which will follow EPA guidelines from 7am-6pm Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm Saturdays. Works have been delayed due to wet weather and completion is now expected at the end of June.

A Community Reference Group has been formed to help council shape this new strategic plan. Group members will brainstorm the implications of key planning choices for the area and map these issues with council staff.

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Community engagement underway for Lennox Head Strategic Plan

A callout for members was conducted throughout May, with people living or working in Lennox Head or Skennars Head invited to register their interest to be a part of the reference group. In the coming months council staff will also be out and about on the streets of Lennox Head gathering input from locals, with some fun interactive activities to get you thinking about the future of the area over the next 20 years. A new online engagement platform will also be trialled for this project, allowing the community to use more interactive and userfriendly tools to provide feedback about the future of the Lennox Head area. If you see council staff at a ‘Listening Stall’ in Lennox Head please stop to have a chat, or visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ LennoxHeadStrategicPlan for more information.

2043 2023-2043

For further information

Visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/LennoxVillageVision or phone council’s Project Manager, Kerry Condon on 1300 864 444.

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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ROAD AND STORMWATER PROJECTS

KERR/BENTINCK STREET UPGRADE Ballina Shire Council has received $807,000 in funding through the NSW Government’s Safer Roads program to upgrade the intersection of Kerr and Bentinck Streets in Ballina. The NSW Safer Roads Program targets sections of roads or intersections with a high casualty accident record.

COMPLETED PROJECTS TAMARIND DRIVE – TINTENBAR INTERSECTION RIVERBANK ROAD, PIMLICO SERPENTINE CARPARK, BALLINA RIVER DRIVE, EAST WARDELL NORTH CREEK ROAD BOAT RAMP, LENNOX HEAD STEWART STREET, LENNOX HEAD

With high traffic volumes on Kerr Street, it is difficult for road users at the intersection to find safe gaps in the traffic. This has resulted in a number of crashes and injuries to motorists. Traffic lights are considered the best option to improve safety for road users while minimising disruption to the traffic flows in Kerr Street. The upgrade will improve motorist and pedestrian safety through the following works:

Installation of protected right-turn lanes from Kerr Street into Bentinck Street Upgrade Kerr Street from two lanes to four, between Russell Street and Bentinck Street Installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Kerr and Bentinck Streets, including signalised pedestrian crossings. Works are expected to commence in the middle of the year and continue until December 2022. Residents are strongly encouraged to register for emailed project updates at ballina. nsw.gov.au/KerrBentinckStreetUpgrade

BALLINA

TEVEN ROAD, TEVEN LENNOX VILLAGE VISION – STAGE 1 – UNDERGROUNDING OF POWER, WATERMAIN RENEWAL

CURRENT PROJECTS ANGELS BEACH DRIVE AND BANGALOW ROAD ROUNDABOUT – LANE EXTENSIONS SAFER ROADS PROJECT BYRON BAY RD AND ROSS LANE ROCKY POINT RD CARPARK, SKENNARS HEAD

FUTURE PROJECTS PEARCES CREEK BRIDGE, PEARCES CREEK GIBBON STREET, LENNOX HEAD BURNET STREET, BALLINA LENNOX VILLAGE VISION – STAGE 2 – PARK LANE TO RAYNER LANE – ROAD, STORMWATER, FOOTPATH RENEWAL RIVER STREET DUPLICATION (STAGE 2)

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Funded by NSW Government - Safer Roads Program

THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

Angels Beach Drive and Bangalow Road widening progresses Bangalow Road, between Moon Street and the Angels Beach Drive/Bangalow Road roundabout, has reopened to two-way traffic. Dual lanes, in each direction, will open once line-marking has been completed, which is expected in late June. Road widening works on Angels Beach Drive and the new connection to the industrial estate via Sheather Street is also complete. Sheather Street has been extended to connect with Angels Beach Drive and once opened will be left turn in/left out only (no right turn permitted). The Sheather Street connection will open to traffic when line-marking and clean-up has been completed.

Works continuing Intersection widening works are continuing on Bangalow Road north, between Kerr Street and the roundabout, where two-way traffic is being maintained.

During the works residents should expect:

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EAST BALLINA

Speed limit reduced to 40kmph in construction zones. Temporary pedestrian and cyclist detours in place around work zones. To alleviate congestion and avoid travel delays please:

Allow extra travel time. Avoid non-essential travel during peak morning and afternoon periods.

Council thanks local businesses and residents for their ongoing patience as these works are carried out. The entire project is expected to be completed in July 2022 (weather and site conditions permitting). Businesses and residents are encouraged to register for emailed project updates at ballina.nsw.gov.au/ BangalowRoadRoundabout

Dual lanes will be constructed in this section with a new central concrete median. When these works are complete the Bangalow Road/Clark Street intersection will become left in/left out only (no right turn).

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Keep up to date with policies and documents on exhibition.

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JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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BALLINA

FERRY MAINTENANCE DATES FOR 2022 The Burns Point Ferry closes for scheduled maintenance on the second Tuesday of each month, from 9am to 12noon. This maintenance is important to ensure a reliable ferry service for visitors and locals. Scheduled maintenance for the second half of 2022 will occur on the following dates:

12 July 9 August 13 September 11 October 8 November 13 December Customers are requested to either postpone travel or use the Pacific Highway and River Drive, Wardell, at these times. For updates on the ferry status and road closure information visit livetraffic.com The Burns Point Ferry operates continuously from 5.30am to 12.30am daily. For ticket information visit ballina.nsw.gov.au

Regional NSW Business Survey now open

surv closinegy soon

Ballina Shire businesses are encouraged to complete the Regional NSW Business Survey to identify key priorities for supporting job creation and economic growth in our region. The survey is part of the 2022 Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) Update project, which is being undertaken by the Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW). REDS are important strategic documents that help to inform and guide the economic development activity of councils and business. The strategies may also be used to support grant applications to the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. The short 15-minute business survey will gather critical intel from the business community about key trends, business sentiment and business priorities. Complete the regional NSW Business Survey at ballina.nsw. gov.au/RegionalBusinessSurvey The survey will remain open until Thursday 30 June 2022. For more information about the Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) visit nsw.gov.au/regionalnsw/regional-economic-development-strategies For enquiries please contact the DRNSW REDS team at REDSproject@regional.nsw.gov.au

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport PROJECT UPDATE

Students fly high at Aviation Careers Expo

PROJECT UPDATE

Airport carpark almost complete! New shade sails and solar PV systems are now in installed. The boom gates and final landscaping is now receiving the finishing touches, which will complete the airport carpark project. In the coming weeks, the new parking system and rates will be finalised.

In May high school students from across the region got first-hand experience of what a career in aviation looks like at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. The Aviation Expo was held over two days and was an initiative between the NSW Department of Education and Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.

The new parking area will include two tiers of parking, Premium and General. Once the boom gate system is installed paying for parking will become even easier, with customers able to pay on their phones via a QR code. For more information visit ballinabyronairport. com.au

The expo welcomed representatives from across the aviation industry including the Australian Navy, TAFE NSW, White Star Aviation, Black Swan Aviation, Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting, Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service and Avisure. Students from Maclean High School, Emmanuel Anglican College, Mullumbimby High School, Alstonville High School and Ballina Coast High School were able to get hands-on experience using virtual reality flight simulators supplied by the Australian Navy’s Naval Auxiliary Patrol.

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Aviation Rescue Fire Fighters also provided a demonstration of their specialist truck in action, followed by a tour of the Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service’s helicopter. “The expo gave local grade 10, 11 and 12 students an awareness about the diverse career opportunities and pathways in the aviation industry. It also allowed students to connect directly with aviation experts and hear about their first-hand experience,” said Julie Stewart, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Manager. “The aviation industry is growing, and airports across the country are busier than ever. Our aim was to give these students an understanding of what a career in aviation can be and what educational pathways are available. “Thank you to all the exhibitors and schools who attended, we look forward to growing this event each year.” For more information about careers opportunities at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/AirportBoulevard

PROJECT UPDATE

Terminal upgrade Works to extend the Airport Terminal are continuing and expect to be completed in August 2022. Funded by the Australian Government's Aviation Recovery Framework.

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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STOP AND GIVE WAY ON BALLINA ISLAND Many of the local streets on Ballina Island are cross streets managed with Stop and Give Way signs. For example, Martin and Norton Streets are continuing streets, while the cross streets along their length are controlled by Stop and Give Way signs. You should approach all intersections at a speed that allows you to stop and give way to vehicles in or approaching the intersection.

Stop Signs and Lines

Give Way Signs and Lines

Rules at Intersections without signs or lines

When you see a Stop sign or Stop line (single unbroken line), you must give way to vehicles driving in, entering or approaching the intersection, except for:

A Give Way sign or line (single broken line) means the driver must slow down and, if necessary, stop to give way to the driver travelling on the continuing road. You must give way to vehicles driving in, entering or approaching the intersection, except for:

Some intersections do not have signs or lines. At these intersections, when you turn across another vehicle’s path, you must give way to that vehicle.

An oncoming vehicle that’s also at a Stop sign or line and is turning right

Stopping, giving way and turning

You must also give way to pedestrians crossing the road that you’re turning into.

An oncoming vehicle that’s also at a Give Way sign or line and is turning right

Stop sign and line at intersections

An oncoming vehicle that’s at a ‘Give When you stop at a ‘Stop’ sign or ‘Stop’ line, you must give way Way’driving signin, or lineorand is turning right to vehicles entering approaching the intersection except for:

A vehicle turning left using a slip lane

• an oncoming vehicle that’s also at a ‘Stop’ sign or line and is turning right

An oncoming vehicle that’s at a Stop sign or line and is turning right When you’re at a ‘Give way’ sign or ‘Give way’ line, you must Give way sign and line at intersections

A vehicle making a U-turn

• an oncoming vehicle that’s at a ‘Give way’ sign or line and is turning right

give way to vehicles driving in, entering or approaching the intersection except for:

• a vehicle turning left using a slip lane

A vehicle turning left using a slip lane

When turning left or right at a Stop sign or • a vehicle making a U-turn. line, you must also give way to pedestrians When you’re turning left or right at a ‘Stop’ sign or line, you must also givethe way road to pedestrians crossingturning the road that you’re crossing that you’re into.

• an oncoming vehicle that’s also at a ‘Give way’ sign or line and is turning right

A vehicle making a U-turn

• an oncoming vehicle that’s at a ‘Stop’ sign or line and is turning right

turning into.

When you’re turning left or right at a Give • a vehicle turning left using a slip lane Way sign or line,a you must also give way to • a vehicle making U-turn. pedestrians crossing the thatsign you’re When you’re turning left or right at aroad ‘Give way’ or line, you must also give way to pedestrians crossing the road that you’re turning into. turning into.

Two cars are travelling in opposite directions. The car turning right (Car A) must give way to the car going straight ahead (Car B).

Two cars are travelling in opposite directions. The car turning right (Car A) must give way to the car turning left (Car B).

Two cars are at a ‘Stop’ sign at opposite sides of an intersection. The car turning right (Car A) must give way to the car going straight ahead (Car B).

Two cars are travelling in opposite directions. The car turning right (Car A) must give way to the car turning left (Car B).

Image credit: NSW Government

Two cars are at a ‘Give way’ sign at opposite sides of an intersection. The car turning right (Car B) must give way to the turning left (Car A).

Road User Handbook

Image credit: NSW Government

When two cars are at opposite sides of an intersection and are both turning right, they can pass in front of each other while turning. 102 Road User Handbook When two cars are at opposite sides of an intersection and are both turning right, they can pass in front of each other while turning. 102 Road User Handbook

100 Road User Handbook

When two cars are at opposite sides of an intersection and are both turning right, they can pass in front of each other while turning.

102 Road User Handbook

If you would like to test your knowledge of the road rules, why not try the online Driver Knowledge Test. This is the practice used by all people getting ready for their Learner driver permit. Visit service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/driver-knowledge-test

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

Image credit: NSW Government

Ballina Shire Council is planning to commence works on Stage 2 of the River Street Duplication project from Henry Philp Avenue to Tweed Street, Ballina in the middle of this year. This follows the completion of Stage 1 works from Burns Point Ferry Road to Barlows Road in December 2021. River Street Duplication project will be delivered across four stages using a mixture of private contractors and council crews. Once all stages are complete, this project will provide a four-lane road from West Ballina into Ballina Island, doubling the road’s capacity to comfortably cater for traffic into the future. This stage of the project will see:

Westbound and eastbound lane duplication Installation of traffic lights at the intersection of River Street and Brunswick Street Installation of protected right-hand turns into Brunswick Street Upgrade of stormwater services Modification of pedestrian footpaths and shared paths

Pop Denison Park The new junior playground at Pop Denison Park is really taking shape with the installation of new play equipment. Works have been significantly hampered by persistent wet weather since the start of the year, so it’s exciting to see the play equipment and softfall now in place. The new playground features swing sets, hammocks, a mound slide, monkey bars, 4x4 rocker, play forts, fairytale ship and a spinning orb. Adventure pathways, balance logs, and stepping stones were installed during earlier works, as well as a concrete loop path meandering around the outside of the playground, which is sure to be a hit with scooter riders! Final works to complete the project will include the installation of shade sails, picnic shelters, BBQ’s, seating, signage, and landscaping. For project information please visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/popdenison-park-master-plan

Works are expected to commence in the middle of the year and continue until December 2022. For more information and to register for emailed project updates please visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ RiverStreetDuplication

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RIVER STREET DUPLICATION – STAGE 2

EAST BALLINA

BALLINA ISL AND

Jointly funded by Ballina Shire Council and NSW Government - Stronger Country Communities Fund. Illustration only. JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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FOOTPATH PROJECTS

BALLINA

COMPLETED PROJECTS SUVLA STREET AND SHELLY BEACH ROAD, EAST BALLINA GRANDVIEW STREET, EAST BALLINA CANAL ROAD, BALLINA RIFLE RANGE ROAD, WOLLONGBAR (STAGE 1)

CURRENT PROJECTS BANKSIA AVENUE, LENNOX HEAD

FUTURE PROJECTS OLD PACIFIC HIGHWAY, NEWRYBAR SUNRISE CRESCENT AND GREENWOOD PLACE, LENNOX HEAD RIFLE RANGE ROAD, WOLLONGBAR (STAGE 2)

Upgraded public toilet facilities The original aged toilet block in Moon Street has been demolished and replaced with a sparkling modern facility. The Moon Street facilities also lock and unlock automatically with electronic strike plates. They open at open 6.00am and lock at 8.00pm. The new amenities include two ambulant toilets and one disability access toilet and include attractive timber features and external cladding. A range of other public facilities across the shire received some much-needed TLC in the first quarter of 2022. The Saunders Oval Sports Club received a full coat of exterior paint; timber deck repaired, cleaned and oiled; a new insulated Colourbond roof and gutter; upgraded disability access toilets; and repairs to the support brackets on the deck, a handrail, eaves, and timber bearers. The Richmond River Sailing Club has new external cladding on the front of the building, repaired eaves, five new roller doors to replace the old timber ones, an upgraded electrical meter box, and improved stormwater drainage. Works have also been carried out to the Fripp Oval AFL Storage Shed with the replacement of hardware, rekey to the council system, fresh paint, and minor electrical repairs.

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Council's trades section are currently replacing the facilities at Commemoration Park, site of the Ballina Farmers Markets, with new facilities similar to those in Moon Street. Ballina Shire Council received funding through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant to carry out these works. Council has an ongoing asset renewal program which is outlined in the Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2021 - 2025. For more information about how council plans visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ Planning-and-Delivery

Not-for-profit organisation Orange Sky supports people experiencing homelessness, or doing it tough, through free mobile laundry and shower services, but is also there in times of crisis. An Orange Sky laundry van has been based in Ballina since early January 2020 supporting those in need across Ballina, Lismore, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. When the floods hit the Northern Rivers, Orange Sky stepped up and extended their service providing several remote laundry vans and stationary laundry pods. Their service was vital and helped support flood-affected residents across Wardell, Broadwater, Woodburn, Coraki, Evans Head, Lismore and Murwillumbah. Their efforts were powered by dedicated volunteers who travelled from all over to help our community’s most vulnerable. Since launching their flood recovery support services, Orange Sky has operated more than 706 shifts and completed more than 9,500 loads of washing for flood-affected communities. Orange Sky is now calling for more local volunteers to help power this important community service. To register your interest or find out more visit orangesky.org.au Ballina Shire Council would also like to thank Orange Sky and their volunteers for supporting our community during the Northern Rivers flood recovery.

ou y k n a h T g n i Say TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

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Orange Sky looking for volunteers

Within our shire we have hundreds of dedicated volunteers who help make our community a great place to live and visit! Last month we thanked volunteers from the Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and Visitor Information Centre with a Volunteer Week morning tea. Ballina Shire Council is also supported by volunteers from the Access Reference Group, Maritime Museum, Ward Committee members and of course the many Landcare volunteers for their continued support. Thank you for your time and efforts supporting council and the fantastic community we live in.

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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cut out and keep!

where to get info...

extreme weather conditions ROAD CLOSURES livetraffic.com for Ballina Shire rural road info

TRAFFIC CONDITIONS Live Traffic NSW livetraffic.com

RADIO STATIONS Paradise FM 101.9 2LM 104.3

ABC North Coast 94.5 ZZZ FM 100.9

FIELD CLOSURES Contact your sporting club.

WEATHER CONDITIONS bom.gov.au Bureau of Meteorology

BALLINA BYRON GATEWAY AIRPORT Your local airline for flights to and from Ballina: Jetstar 13 15 38 jetstar.com Virgin Australia 13 67 89 virginaustralia.com.au Qantas 13 13 13 qantas.com FlyPelican 02 4965 0111 flypelican.com.au

KEY CONTACT NUMBERS SES 132 500 Ballina Shire Council 1300 864 444 or emergency after hours 02 6626 6954 Emergency Services Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade Triple zero 000

Emergency Dashboard now live Ballina Shire Council has launched a new emergency dashboard to help provide critical information to our local community during emergency events. Over the past few years our region has experienced the full force of mother nature. Together we have battled flooding, bushfires and storm events. The need for accurate and timely information during these emergency events is vital, which is why Ballina Shire Council has developed an online Emergency Dashboard. The online platform allows users to access important information from several agencies all in one place. It lists key updates such as road closures, ferry updates, river heights, power outages, weather radar, fire locations, beach conditions and airport status information. The dashboard also provides key emergency contact details all in one place, such as SES, Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, Live Traffic and local radio station channels. “The recent flood event has shown the need to get critical information to our community quickly, and our new online platform aims to do just that,” said Mr John Truman, Ballina Shire Council’s Director of Civil Services. “It draws from a range of key agencies who all provide important information to help keep our community safe and informed during emergency events." This platform has been modelled on other local governments emergency dashboards that have been successful in Byron Bay, Tweed Heads and Lismore. Users can access the dashboard via emergency.ballina.nsw.gov.au

INVITATION

BALLINA COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS MEETING NSW SES invites residents and businesses of the Ballina area to attend a community meeting to discuss preparing for future weather events. BALLINA RSL CLUB (Spinnaker Room) 1 Grant Street Ballina Wed 22nd June - 6:00pm start RSVP Essential: Phone Janet 0407 261 359

LIVE TRAFFIC NSW – your friend on the road Want a smooth journey? Live Traffic NSW provides regular updates about traffic conditions that may affect your journey across all New South Wales roads. Live Traffic NSW includes live road information about traffic flow, current hazards or major events such as floods, roadworks and traffic incidents. It can also help you plan your route and shows you estimated travel times, list hazards, rest areas and traffic cameras! For the latest traffic information download Live Traffic NSW for iOS and Android, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Distribution Hub The Distribution Hub located on Gallans Road, Ballina is open from 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday. If you have been flood-affected, you can drop into the Flood Recovery Distribution Hub for free goods and supplies (subject to availability) including:

Support with registering and applying for food vouchers through GIVIT Clothing and shoes Cleaning products Bedding and mattresses Toiletries Toys Small household goods

Donations The Distribution Hub is accepting donations of:

Cleaning products. Non-perishable food items. Toiletry products such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste. Floor rugs, towels, and pillows (new only). Pet food for cats and dogs. The hub is unable to accept clothing, furniture or large household items at this time due to storage and space restrictions. Larger items can be donated via GIVIT. To donate visit givit.org.au

First residents move in to Wollongbar housing pods

The first residents that were displaced due to the extensive flooding in Northern NSW have received keys to their temporary housing 'pods' at Wollongbar. “These keys means so much more than the physical structure they unlock," said Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke. "They are a safe, private and self-sufficient space to live for flood-affected community members while they undertake their own personal journey of deciding what’s next and beginning to rebuild." The Wollongbar site has the capacity to house up to 220 people and is one of 12 locations across the Northern Rivers region slated to host ‘pod’ villages. “This housing solution enables us to transition people out of emergency accommodation and into a more stable setting which we expect will be used for up to two years,” Ms Cooke said. North Coast Community Housing is managing each ‘pod’ village and ensuring people have everything they need, from access to support and engagement workers through to functioning facilities. Flood-affected community members seeking housing support are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88, visit nsw.gov.au/floods or speak to Recovery Centre staff.

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BALLINA

For info raising rmation on h and ouse ballina flood repairs v .n isit sw.gov flood .a advice -recovery-bu u/ -a il our buil nd-repairs o dingr conta ding se ct rvic 1300 8 64 444 es team on o r email: dutyb ballina.n uilding@ sw.gov .au

RATES RELIEF TO SUPPORT FLOOD AFFECTED RESIDENTS Ballina Shire residents whose properties were damaged in this year's floods will receive rates relief, thanks to a $40 million NSW Government funding package. Ratepayers in any of the seven Northern Rivers Local Government Areas (LGAs) who made a successful claim through Service NSW, or whose property has been assessed as damaged, will have their 2022/23 rates waived.

This includes the impacted LGAs of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

The NSW Government has advised that operations at the Ballina Recovery Centre will conclude at the end of June 2022 with Wardell Recovery Assistance Point closing from Friday 24 June 2022. For information on flood support available in Ballina Shire please visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/floodrecovery

The program will cover the residential, commercial and farm rates of eligible ratepayers for one year, helping them as they get back on their feet, and easing pressure on councils. “The NSW Government will contact eligible ratepayers in the affected LGAs to inform them it will be paying their rates for next year on their behalf,” said Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke. "The funding will be provided through Service NSW and the payments will be made directly to councils to ensure eligible ratepayers receive the relief automatically, without having to worry about red tape.” For further information visit nsw.gov.au/floods

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Passport to our historical past Looking for a nifty gift or an activity for the school holidays? The Museum Passport provides entry to six local museums:

Ballina District Museum & Historical Society Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum Evans Head Living Museum Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum Crawford House Museum Coraki Museum The passport is just $25. You can also purchase a passport using a NSW Discover Voucher (Note: vouchers must be used by 30 June 2022). Purchase your passport at the Ballina District Museum (Pimlico Hall – 580 Pimlico Road, Pimlico) Friday and Sunday 10am - 2pm, or phone 0416 187 429 anytime to pay over the phone and have your passport mailed out. For more information visit ballinahistoricasociety.org.au

NSW Discov Vouch er e expire rs 30 Jun e 2022

JUBILEE EXHIBITION

t a e r t l a roya

The latest exhibition at Crawford House Museum celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. It features a collection of royal memorabilia, including a rare 1953 coronation periscope.

You can also find out which locals received the Queen’s coronation medal and who presented the Queen with flowers and fruit when she visited our region in 1954. The exhibition is on now and runs until Sunday 24 July. Crawford House Museum is at 10 Wardell Road, Alstonville and is open Fridays 10am-4pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm or at other times by appointment for groups. Enquiries phone 6628 1829, email aphs2477@ yahoo.com.au or visit aphsmuseum.org.au

Summer & Saltwater Launch

LENNOX 2022 CENTENARY PHOTO TOUR BOOK 23 JULY 2022 Beach Pavilion, Lennox Park, Ballina Street, Lennox Head lennoxheadheritage.com

Summer & Saltwater is the newest book compiled by Lennox Head Heritage Committee. It marks the centenary of the naming of Lennox Head at the 1922 Lennox Head Estate Auction when eager buyers snapped up 95 of the 185 lots. The maximum price was 68 pounds and 15 shillings for Lot 1 (now Lennox Park). Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, will launch the self-guided tour and photo book which shares the story of the last 100 years. Members of the community are invited to attend and enjoy brunch or lunch cooked by Lennox Head Lions Club.

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After more than two years of postponements and cancellations, it’s thrilling to see our shire reopening to tourism and events. Library activities, gallery workshops and exhibitions, sporting, music and other key events are coming back better than ever. We’re pumped for two premier surfing events in July – the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open and the all-female series, Surfing NSW Challenge Her Teams Classic. There’s a flurry of activity in Alstonville with preparations for the Quota Craft and Garden Fair now in full swing following a two-year hiatus for the much-loved event. We’re also looking forward to celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture throughout NAIDOC Week in early July.

Both outgoing Gallery Coordinator Lee Mathers, and outgoing Team Leader Visitor Services Alicia Wallace leave a legacy of incredible leadership, vision and growth. After eight years with Ballina Shire Council Lee has moved out west to pursue a role as Manager of Arts, Culture and Library Services at Tenterfield Shire Council, and after nine years with Ballina Shire Council Alicia has taken up a role with Transport for NSW. We commend Lee and Alicia’s contribution to the Ballina Shire community and warmly welcome Imbi and Alanah into their new roles for this exciting new chapter.

Over at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) there’s thoughtprovoking exhibitions and a special Young Explorers workshop coming up at Ignite studios. Council’s Visitor Services team is also busy with visitors returning to the shire for the start of the much-anticipated whale watching season. See pages 16 – 25 for event details and gallery news, and checkout the flipside of this edition for our Top 7 Active and Free Things to do in Ballina Coast and Hinterland. We have two new leaders at the helm of arts and tourism with the appointments of Imbi Davidson as our Coordinator Gallery and Ignite Studios, and Alanah Ward as our Team Leader Visitor Services. Imbi holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in visual arts and has extensive experience working as an arts administrator across the creative industries. She most recently worked as Project Manager for Arts Northern Rivers and was previously a team member at NRCG. She is also a qualified visual arts teacher and has been a professional practicing artist for more than 15 years, exhibiting widely across Australia.

L-R: Imbi Davidson, Coordinator Northern Rivers Community Gallery, and Alanah Ward, Team Leader Visitor Services.

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Imbi and Alanah welcome back visitors

Alanah holds a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) and has worked on international volunteering projects in India, China, and Tanzania. She has been a member of the Visitor Service Team with Ballina Shire Council for the past 18 months and is currently the recipient of a study scholarship awarded by the NSW Government and industry body Meeting and Events Australia.

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What s’ on? COMMUNITY EVENTS

NAIDOC Week 3 – 10 JULY 2022

Surfing NSW – Challenge Her Teams Classic

Various Locations

3 JULY 2022

discoverballina.com.au

Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head

This year's theme Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! can take many forms.

surfingnsw.com.au

We need to move beyond just acknowledgement, good intentions, empty words and promises, and hollow commitments. Enough is enough. The relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non‑Indigenous Australians needs to be based on justice, equity, and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights. Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! with us to amplify our voices and narrow the gap between aspiration and reality, good intent and outcome. Get involved in this year's events! For information on all NAIDOC Week events visit discoverballina.com.au

Annual Celebration Walk MONDAY 4 JULY FROM 10AM Starts at Ballina RSL Club Walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future in the annual Celebration Walk. Starting at the Ballina RSL Club and proceeding along River Street then Cherry Street to the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre (BiSC) for the official ceremony. Refreshments, BBQ, stalls and games at the BISC. For more information on activities planned for NAIDOC Week in Ballina Shire visit council’s website ballina.nsw.gov.au/naidoc-week-2022 or discoverballina.com.au

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The Challenge Her Teams Classic is an unprecedented three-event all-female series staged across three locations in NSW with the event coming to Lennox Head in July. The series is supported by the NSW Office of Sport’s Her Sport Her Way initiative that aims to build a sport where women and girls are valued, recognised and have equal choices and opportunities to lead and participate. Through Her Sport Her Way, Surfing NSW hope to create innovative and inspirational programs and opportunities that will shape a bright future for women in surfing. The Challenge Her Teams Classic (North – Lennox) event is a unique one-day all women’s surf event and will stage on Sunday 3 July 2022. It will engage recreational female surfers as well as female Boardrider club members. The main event will involve teams divisions where surfers can ride shortboard or longboards. The event format emphasises fun, collaborative surfing over individual competition and will be streamed live on Kayo Sports. Additionally, Surfing NSW will host a range of exciting workshops and technical skills sessions that collaborates with local service providers and will engage females from the local community and friends and family of the main event participants. The North – Lennox Head event is expected to draw 100 participants in the main event, 150 additional friends and family who will also be involved in the workshops and skill-based activities, and 30 staff along with local spectators throughout the day.

Skullcandy Oz Grom Open

Quota Craft & Garden Fair

7 – 12 JULY 2022

23 – 24 JULY 2022

Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head

Alstonville Apex Pavilion, Alstonville Showgrounds

skullcandyozgromopen.com.au

quotaalstonville.com

Skullcandy Oz Grom Open is one of the most highly anticipated junior surfing events in Australia.

The Quota Craft & Garden Fair is back this year, bigger and better at the Alstonville Cultural Centre.

The event founded by LE-BA Boardriders in 2012 offers an exciting and innovative contest of the highest standards never seen before in junior surfing.

After a two-year hiatus, crafters and gardeners are (st)itching to get back to sharing their wares and knowledge.

Lennox Head, which is famous for its world-class point break also offers exceptional beach breaks. The best Groms and Juniors in Australia and beyond come to Lennox to put on a world-class show of high-performance surfing. A live webcast of the event streams to more than 14 countries. With the assistance of the WSL a new boys and girls sanctioned Pro Junior was introduced in 2018. The event now has boys and girls divisions from 12yrs to 18yrs. Come along and watch premier junior surfing in our own backyard.

Regular stallholders are also back with lots of new exciting products. You will be spoilt for choice with a wide variety of handcrafted homewares, clothing, jewellery, gifts and toys. Catch free demonstrations on some of the latest craft products and listen to the guest speakers in the garden section. The fair is the primary fundraiser for Quota, with all funds raised donated to local groups and projects to help community members in need. Light refreshments and BBQ will be available. Entry is $5 per person.

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Events liste correct at time d are of p Visit discoverb ublication. a or telephone 1 llina.com 800 777 666 for event deta ils.

Sandy welcomes back events! Someone else who’s wrapped to see events coming back to our region is council’s Events Support Officer, Sandy Jackson. Sandy assists event organisers with approvals to stage events on public land, such as parks, open spaces or streets. Sandy also handles filming requests, assisting production companies to achieve their vision while at the same time safeguarding the day-to-day activities of our community and protecting the environment. Even if you haven’t met Sandy in person through social circles or community events (she also hosts our Australia Day awards), you will likely know her voice! She has been on our local airwaves as a radio announcer with 101.9 Paradise FM for more than 20 years.

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current exhibitions Exhibition Dates: 4 May – 26 June 2022 | Launch Event: 12 May 2022

Earthly Delights | Kade Valja J UN E

Kade Valja continues to explore the human experience from the inside-out with this collection of work inspired by the simple and oftentimes overlooked depth and wisdom encrypted on the surfaces of earthly forms as well as the decay of man-made materials. Image: Kade Valja, Wyrd, 2022

Souvenirs for the Present | Julia Champtaloup Reflecting gratitude in a moment’s observation, Julia Champtaloup's images encourage a way of seeing that offers comfort within today’s living world. Seeing beauty in the present moment within dark times is also a metaphor for connecting deeper with our environment, ourselves and those close to us, within the confines of a more limited world. Image: Julia Champtaloup, Emergence, 2021

Threads | Penny Bennett The artist creates a tempting tactile quality in this series of works by combining layered and textured pen, paper, and textiles. Utilizing diverse techniques such as stippling, sewing, and felting to explore abstraction, the artist reflects on their relationship with time, movement, and nature. Image: Penny Bennett, Blue Circle 1, 2020

Beyond The Bucket List | Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger Antarctica, the iconic landscape on many a travellers ‘Bucket List’ is the focus of this exhibition. Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger using a range of mediums explores how our consumer culture through tourism is impacting this remote location. Lea’s interdisciplinary vision examines the juxtaposition of wanting to preserve an environmentally critical ecosystem and the travellers desire to explore sensitive areas. Image: Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger, Dissipation, 2019

44 cherry street, ballina nsw 2478 | ph 02 6681 0530 open wed – fri 10am – 4pm | weekends 9.30am – 1pm (closed public holidays)

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Exhibition Dates: 29 June – 21 August 2022 | Launch Event: 7 July 2022

SCU 2021 Graduate Award | Max Taylor J U LY

Presented in partnership with Southern Cross University (SCU), this exhibition showcases the work of a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Art and Design (BAD) Undergraduate program. Image: Max Taylor, (I am) the Red under the bed, 2021

Noumenal Imaginary | Michael Chapus Noumenon is set in contrast with or concerning the term phenomenon, which refers to anything that can be apprehended by or is an object of the senses. Image: Michael Chapus, Reminiscence, 2019

Renew | Mary Dorahy Along open tracks by the sea and through the forests of the Northern Rivers, Dorahy observes landscapes where destruction is followed by resilience, defiance and regeneration. The idea of renewal is reflected in her practice of reviving discarded prints with new ideas and new images. Image: Mary Dorahy, Goonengerry, 2021

Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition | BACCI Presented by the members of the Ballina Arts & Crafts Centre Incorporated (BACCI), this exhibition is a tribute to Grace Cruice and her vision showcasing the best works created by BACCI members.

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upcoming exhibitions

Image: Rosie Kaplan, Over There, 2021

thanks to our sponsors The Ballina Shire Council and Northern Rivers Community Gallery gratefully acknowledge our exhibition sponsors: Stone & Wood Brewing and The Cellar.

stay up to date THE

Be sure to sign-up to our E-News or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be kept in the loop! For more Information go to nrcgballina.com.au

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S C H O O L S

STUDIOS | WORKSHOP SPACE | RESIDENCY Ignite Studios @ NRCG is Ballina Shire's newest creative space offering subsidised studios and event spaces. Located in the heart of the Ballina CBD, adjacent to the NRCG and housed in the historic former Ballina Fire Station, Ignite Studios provides a dynamic shared access space supporting the development and participation of creative pursuits. Facilities include three studio spaces, a visiting artist-inresidence (AiR) studio and two access spaces for workshops, creative events, pop-up exhibitions, meetings and special projects.

Visit nrcgballina.com.au

Spanning art and science, visiting artist Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger will guide young explorers on how to observe and represent the local river environment. Participants will use images of the local area to create drawings that explore not just nature, but how humans have impacted and continue to impact on it. Lea will also present an artist talk about her exhibition concurrently showing in the Gallery. Wednesday Time: Where: Ages: Cost:

22 June 2022 10am - 12pm Ignite Studios @ NRCG 60 Crane Street, Ballina 13 - 17 years $5

Book Online @ nrcgballina.com.au Bookings essential to secure a place.

Image: Monkey Monkey - Shake Shake performing at Ignite Studios, 2018

Image: Image courtesy of Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger.

The Gallery Shop The NRCG Gallery Shop features locally handcrafted jewellery, giftware and greeting cards. If you are a local designer, artist or craftsperson and would like to apply to sell product in the Gallery Shop please contact the Gallery Services Officer via email at nrcg@ballina.nsw.gov.au

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P R O G R A M

Young Explorers – Special Schools Program Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger | June Public Program

Be sure to sign-up to our E-News, follow us on Facebook or like us on Instagram to be kept in the loop on ‘what’s On’ in Ignite Studios.

S P E C I A L

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workshops

Ukulele Jam Sessions THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH 10.30AM TO 12PM

Alstonville Library is excited to host the monthly jam session of the Duck Creek Wailers. Everyone is welcome to come and join in for a sing-song, no matter your level of musical ability! If you have a ukulele, bring that along too.

Join a local craft group Refugee Week 19 – 25 JUNE

The Ballina Region for Refugees group is presenting a display at Ballina Library. Refugee Week aims to celebrate the contributions refugees have made to Australian society and help create a culture of welcome throughout the country. Join us this week to learn about what you can do to provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees in our community.

Social Circle – Over 55 Years EVERY MONDAY 10AM TO 12NOON

Ballina Library has launched a social club for seniors called the Social Circle. The group enjoys activities including trivia, bingo, name that tune, board games, technology classes, art and craft, and guest speakers, with free refreshments provided. Social Circle aims to help seniors meet new people, make friends, and connect with others. Social Circle is free and open to everyone over 55 years of age. Bookings are not required; just turn up on the day and join in the fun! Social Circle has been made possible through funding from the State Government’s Department of Communities and Justice as part of its Ageing Well in NSW initiative.

Are you a crafter, knitter or crocheter? Are you looking for a social setting to share, learn and practice your skill? We have several craft groups that meet weekly and we’d love you to take part! The Lennox Head Library Makerspace Textile group meets every Thursday afternoon at 2pm. Ballina Library hosts the Sew Can I group every Wednesday at 10am and the Sew What group every Thursday at 10am. Come along and see how you can be involved. All ages and skill levels are welcome to this free program.

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CONNECT, DISCOVER, AND ESCAPE AT YOUR LIBRARY

Our Tech Savvy Seniors It’s never too late to brush up on your online skills or learn new ways to stay connected with your loved ones. Our Tech Savvy Seniors program helps you build the skills and confidence to use computers, tablets and smartphones. We have free 20-minute one-on-one appointments available at Lennox Head Library every Tuesday and Ballina Library every Wednesday. Bookings are essential. Alstonville 6628 5527 Ballina on 6686 2831 Lennox Head 6687 6398.

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WELLNESS SERVICES AT COUNCIL VENUES Ballina Shire Council’s Community Spaces team is helping local businesses get back up and running after the floods by providing temporary premises at council venues. The Ballina Wellness Centre run by Integrated Living Australia was shut down by the floods, leaving clients feeling isolated and unable to keep up with their regular fitness classes. “We offered online activity and exercise classes, giving our clients the opportunity to keep fit and healthy. This was an ideal solution for some clients, but others really missed attending their regular classes at the centre,” said Integrated Living Wellness Coordinator Shelley Walker. The business is now operating out of the Northlakes Community Centre in Ballina and has also set up a Wellness Centre gym at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre, with state-of-the art seated equipment for improving overall strength, cardio fitness, and mobility. “We expect to be operating from the council venues at Lennox Head and Northlakes for the next few months or so, depending on building works at our premises in Ballina,” said Ms Walker. “We now have clients visiting us at our new ‘temporary’ premises and they are so excited to be back.” Integrated Living at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre operates Monday to Friday with wellness gym classes from 8am to 4pm daily. Integrated Living at the Northlakes Community Centre operates Monday’s from 8am to 2pm, offering circuit, stretch and balance classes, and social conversation meetings. To join the programs or find out more phone 1300 782 896 or visit integratedliving.org.au

Image: Kia Trainer, a client of integratedliving enjoying one of her weekly exercise classes now available at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.

NOW VISITING LENNOX HEAD CULTURAL CENTRE 1 Mackney Ln, Lennox Head

Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri - 9.00am - 4.00pm To book an appointment call 02 6686 0844 bloomTM hearing Ballina

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on s ' t a s Wh S pace ity

un m om C at

Want to play sport, try a new activity, attend a show or volunteer with a community group?

COMMUNITY EVENT –

a free seminar

To see What’s On, visit communityspaces.com.au or follow @BISC2478 and @LennoxCulturalCentre on facebook and Instagram.

Strategies and tools to improve the wellbeing of young people

When: Time: Where: Who:

Monday 27 June 2022 6pm to 8pm Lennox Head Cultural Centre Parents, Teachers, Coaches, Community Leaders – anyone that wants to achieve better outcomes for the wellbeing of children and young adults.

Dr Justin Coulson, Australia’s leading parental expert, will speak at a free seminar at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Monday 27 June 2022, providing practical solutions to help support kids through challenges and achieve better outcomes for their wellbeing.

What's On? visit communityspaces.com.au

“This free event is for all members of our community that either work with, mentor, raise or parent children,” said Sam Stewart, CEO Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association The Lennox Head father-of-three is working together with like-minded individuals, charities and health organisations such as The Healthy Minds Club, The Boaty Boys, Le-Ba and The Ball and All to create awareness and bring the community together to provide better outcomes for our youth.

About Justin Coulson Keynote Speaker, Best Selling Author, Parenting Expert

Number 1 Rated Parenting Speaker

Team Sports Ballina Indoor Sports Centre

PhD in Psychology from the University of Wollongong Writer of 6 Parenting Books Co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance Host of the Number 1 Parenting Podcast in Australia Proud Father, with his wife Kylie, of 6 Children

To register: Space is limited, so please reserve your place at communityspaces.com.au/tickets.

Live Events Lennox Head Cultural Centre

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Citizenship ceremony There were smiles from ear to ear at the Citizenship Ceremony last month as we warmly welcomed 17 new Aussies to our nation and shire. We said G'day to our newest Aussie citizens who now call Australia home. They come from many nations including Sweden, USA, Thailand, Philippines, New Zealand, Switzerland, Vietnam, UK, Italy and Finland!

find a defib near you These small machines can make all the difference in a critical situation. Here’s the local council facilities that permanently house defibrillators: Ballina War Memorial Pool Alstonville Aquatic Centre Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Ballina Shire Council Customer Service Centre Ballina Indoor Sports Centre Flat Rock Tent Park (on verandah) Wigmore Arcade *Please note: this list is correct at the time of printing.

care for our community

report abandoned trolleys

Did you know you could be fined for dumping a shopping trolley in a public place? Help keep our Shire beautiful, please return your trolley and report abandoned trolleys. Woolworths, Big W, Dan Murphy’s ph 1800 641 497 or visit trolleytracker.com.au Coles, Kmart ph 1800 876 553, download the Coles app or visit coles.com.au/customer-care/abandoned-trolleys Bunnings ph 1300 554 777 or visit bunnings.com.au/ contact-us Spar visit spar.com.au/contact Supa Value IGA ph 6686 4999 or visit supavalu.com.au/ contact-us All other abandoned trolleys, please call your local store or contact council’s Public and Environmental Health Section on 1300 864 444.

Reopening 1 July 2022

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The parklet that has been in Park Lane, Lennox Head as part of the Streets as Shared Spaces project is enjoying a change of scene. It was previously installed in front of the Lennox Head skate park and is now located on Cherry Street in Ballina. Businesses in Cherry Street adjacent to the new location were consulted late last year when staff were considering potential relocation options. The parklet is a sidewalk extension that provides more space and amenities for people using the street and it’s for the whole community to enjoy. The parklet provides seating in an area that currently lacks public seating and adds a splash of colour to Cherry Street. Its location is close to council’s Customer Service Centre, enabling its use and condition to be easily monitored. The parklet will remain in its new location for the next 6-9 months. Council will then invite public nominations for new public land sites (where adjacent businesses owners are in agreement) to decide where the parklet will travel to next!

Blood donors needed in Ballina Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling on the Ballina Shire community businesses, community groups, family and friends - to come on down to the mobile ‘pop-up' donor centre in Ballina. Each day there are approximately 30 appointments to fill and right now the Red Cross really need your help! The Ballina ‘pop-up’ is located in the Richmond Room at 5 Regatta Avenue

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NEW VIEW FOR PARKLET

Session times are: Monday – 12pm to 7pm Tuesday – 8am to 2.30pm Wednesday – 12pm to 7pm Thursday – 12pm to 7pm Friday – 8am to 2.30pm Saturday – 8am to 2.30pm If you want to make a real difference in someone’s life by giving blood please call 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au

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Documents on exhibition Code of Meeting Practice (Review) Ballina Shire Council resolved at its 26 May 2022 Meeting to exhibit the draft Code of Meeting Practice for public comment. B a lli n a S h ir e Ope Communn Space and it y Fa Contribu tions Pla cilities n 2022 DR AF T

plan comm ence

ment date: X XXXX 2022

A new code of meeting practice must be adopted no later than 12 months after a council election.

View and provide online feedback at ballina.nsw.gov.au/ ExhibitionDocuments

New plan to help fund future parks and open spaces Ballina Shire is expected to have over 10,000 new residents by 2045. To meet this growth Ballina Shire Council has developed an open space, recreation and community facilities infrastructure developer contributions plan. As new developments are built the demand for parks, recreation areas and community facilities provided by council will increase. To help fund this infrastructure council has drafted a new Open Space and Community Facilities Contributions Plan 2022.

Submissions close: Friday 3 June to Friday 15 July 2022. Enquiries: Kelly Brown, Director Corporate and Community, Ph 1300 864 444.

Strategic Urban Growth Area Review (draft) Ballina Shire Council resolved at its 26 May 2022 Meeting to exhibit the draft Strategic Urban Growth Area Review. As part of council’s planning for the future, a number of areas have been identified as having potential for future urban development.

The plan outlines requirements for future developments to pay a contribution towards the cost of local infrastructure that will be used by new residents.

These areas are collectively known as Strategic Urban Growth Areas and their identification support long term planning for population growth across the Ballina Shire.

It also describes what infrastructure council will provide using contributions, and how the contribution rates have been determined.

Council's current planning indicates there is enough land zoned for urban development to cater for approximately 20 years of growth, so there is no intention to rezone all of these Strategic Urban Growth Areas for urban development in the short term.

The plan includes a schedule of community facilities and open space and recreation infrastructure works valued at approximately $80 million, to be delivered between 2022 and 2036. Approximately $25 million of the demand and cost is apportioned to development and will be funded from developer contributions under this plan. These works include new and upgraded parks, playing fields, skating facilities, playgrounds, foreshore areas, outdoor courts, library and cultural facilities, community spaces and halls. The schedule of works identified in the plan has been compiled on the basis of an Open Spaces and Community Facilities Needs Study, which accompanies the plan exhibition. It is proposed that the new contributions plan will apply to all new development approved within Ballina Shire following the adoption of the plan.

View and provide online feedback at ballina.nsw.gov.au/ ExhibitionDocuments Submissions close: Friday 8 July 2022 Enquiries: Simon Scott, Strategic Planner, Ph: 1300 864 444.

This document includes mandatory provisions included in the local government regulations. This code outlines how council meetings are conducted and aims to support effective meeting procedures.

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Most of the Strategic Urban Growth Areas were identified a long time ago, under different planning environments, and the potential suitability of some areas has been impacted by other projects and major civil works, notably the Pacific Highway upgrade. Therefore it is important we continue to review each of the areas to ensure their realistic long-term potential.

View and provide online feedback at ballina.nsw.gov.au/ ExhibitionDocuments Submissions close: Wednesday 6 July 2022 Enquiries: Rob van Iersel, Strategic Planner, Ph 1300 864 444

View and provide online feedback on council Documents at ballina.nsw.gov.au/ExhibitionDocuments

KINGSFORD SMITH RESERVE MASTER PLAN

Cawarra Park Draft Master Plan on Public Exhibition

The Kingsford Smith Reserve Master Plan was adopted on 28 October 2021 and Ballina Shire Council is now working on detailed design plans and obtaining approvals required to implement the first stage of works.

Council has been engaging with the community to prepare a Draft Master Plan for Cawarra Park in Ballina.

Council has received $3.6 million as part of an election commitment from The Hon. Ben Franklin and the NSW Office of Sport, to fund the first stage of works. This first stage is specifically to improve and upgrade sporting facilities. These works include:

Lighting improvements Change room/amenity improvements Grandstand improvements Netball facility upgrades Surface improvements Carparking upgrades All future stages of work identified in the Master Plan are currently unfunded. However the adopted Master Principles Master Plan will support council to work with community groups and Government to attract additional funding for other projects identified in the plan. Community Focused The

Master Plan

Locally Environmentally Experiential Connected Responsible Spaces adopted master plan can be viewed on

The park currently contains baseball/softball sports fields and amenities, practice nets and a storage facility for non-powered watercraft including dragon boats and outriggers. During community consultation earlier this year, the community told us that Cawarra Park is a highly valued public reserve which not only supports active field sports and water sports but also provides a place for passive recreation and leisure for nearby residents. Some of the preferred outcomes expressed in community feedback to date include:

A new or renovated sports amenity building Public toilet, shower and change facilities A secure area to store water-based recreation equipment Shade trees Formalised roadside parking Landscaping and gardens Improved accessibility The engagement also highlighted aspirations for ongoing and future use of Cawarra Park for formalised sport. Some people in the community would like to see the parkland continue to accommodate baseball/softball and others have indicated a preference for Cawarra Park to incorporate new croquet facilities.

engagedleadership

BALLINA

This has resulted in two scenarios being presented in the draft master plan. Most of the works under both options currently are unfunded.

council’s website at ballina.nsw.gov.au/ KingsfordSmithreserveMasterPlan

BALLINA

Have your say Council is now seeking community feedback on the Cawarra Park Draft Master Plan. Have we got the priorities right? Does the long term vision meet the needs of our community? Have your say at ballina.nsw.gov.au/CawarraParkMasterPlan Submissions close Wednesday 13 July 2022.

Jointly funded by Ballina Shire Council and NSW Office of Sport.

Feedback from the public exhibition process will be considered and used to inform a final master plan, which will act as a strategic tool to support future grant funding and planning for implementation of improvement works.

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Doing Business with Ballina Shire Council Ballina Shire Council regularly calls tenders for works and services and would like to engage with more local providers. Council has a policy on local procurement and the objective is to provide support to the local economy through council’s procurement practices.

DAS ONLINE KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW

All local providers are encouraged to register with the Ballina Shire Council eTendering Portal and set up a subscription service to ensure you don’t miss an opportunity to provide goods and services to council. Further information is available on the Ballina Shire Council website ballina.nsw.gov.au/tenders-andquotations

Want to keep up to date with Development Applications in your area? The DAs Online section on council’s homepage of the website is your portal to keeping up to date.

STEP 1

Go to da.ballina.nsw.gov.au

STEP 2

Read and agree to the Terms and Conditions for use

STEP 3

Click on the ‘Applications on Exhibition’ on the applications menu on the left side of the page. Specific applications can also be found via the ‘search’ function on this page. You can search by applications submitted this week or this month. You can also go into the search function and fill in the fields to find a particular street, application type or application number.

rates & charges notice payments 1300 276 468 40 cherry street, po box 450, ballina nsw 2478 general enquiries 1300 864 444 rating team 02 6686 1299 rates@ballina.nsw.gov.au abn 53 929 887 369 waterbilling@ballina.nsw.gov.au ballina.nsw.gov.au

assessment number

rating category

property details

valuation amount

area

billing details

ﬁrst

second

third

fourth

notice total: due this quarter:

messages

date due: Instalments 2, 3 & 4 do NOT include future water billing based charges

your payment options Call 1300 276 468 to make payments using Visa, Mastercard only.

Australia. Cash, cheque and EFTPOS only.

Biller Code: 20404 Ref:

*Service fee applies

Telephone & Internet Banking – B PAY® Contact your bank or financial institution to make this payment from your cheque, savings, debit, credit card or transaction account. More info: www.bpay.com.au

Biller Code: 20404 Reference No:

www.ballina.nsw.gov.au Make payments online using Visa, Mastercard only. *Service fee applies

Detach slip at the perforation and post your cheque payable to Ballina Shire Council to the PO Box above, or pay at our Customer Service Centre.

An authority form is available by phoning 1300 864 444, or by visiting www.ballina.nsw.gov.au

*credit card payments will incur a surcharge of approximately 0.5%. BPAY credit card payments are surcharge free.

receive your notice by email ballina.nsw.gov.au/erates

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check your

THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

name:

assessment: total amount: ﬁrst instalment: If paying by mail, please tick if receipt is required.

balance online

ballina.nsw.gov.au/paymyrates

All planning applications lodged with Ballina Shire Council must be lodged online through the NSW Planning Portal. Hardcopy applications and documents emailed to council are no longer being accepted. Requests for the following applications and certificates must be lodged through the NSW Planning Portal: DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATES COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES OCCUPATION CERTIFICATES SECTION 68 APPLICATIONS SECTION 138 APPLICATIONS SUBDIVISION CERTIFICATE APPLICATIONS SUBDIVISION WORKS CERTIFICATES Customers are kept informed during the assessment process through to determination via the NSW Planning Portal. Information about development proposals and their assessment also remains available to the community through council’s DAs online portal da.ballina.nsw.gov.au For more information contact Ballina Shire Council or visit planningportal.nsw.gov.au

BUILDING AND PLANNING ADVICE Council provides development advice to assist with general town planning and building enquiries. If you would like advice on a site-specific proposal that requires a comprehensive response, you may need to lodge a Pre-DA meeting request form or submit a written enquiry. Duty officers will be able to suggest the best option for your specific proposal. Council's Duty Planning and Building Officers are available to provide general advice face-to-face as follows:

steps to lodge a planning application 1

engagedleadership

Lodging development applications

UPLOAD REQUIRED INFORMATION FINANCE ACCRUES THE TO SUPPORT THE APPLICATION RETENTION IN WIP 3

20-MINUTE COUNTER APPOINTMENTS must be booked 24 hours in advance by telephoning council on 1300 864 444 PLANNING RELATED APPOINTMENTS are available between 8.30am – 11.30am on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 1pm – 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays BUILDING RELATED APPOINTMENTS are available between 8.30am 11.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1pm - 4pm on Fridays. Visit Council's Customer Service Centre at 40 Cherry Street or ph 1300 864 444.

MAKE PAYMENT WHEN ADVISED

APPLICATION ASSESSED BY COUNCIL (ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE REQUESTED)

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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HAVE YOUR SAY ON CHANGES TO BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES The Department of Planning and Environment is exhibiting the translation of existing Business and Industrial zones into new Employment zones.

Public exhibition is now open until 12 July 2022. This is the implementation stage of a reform that replaces Business and Industrial zones with new employment zones within individual local environmental plans across NSW. A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the primary legal planning document for guiding land use and planning decisions made by council, and each zone outlined in the plan contains distinct planning objectives and lists the specific land uses that can be undertaken.

What does this mean for Ballina Shire? The employment zone changes are generally minor for Ballina Shire and will not significantly change council’s focus within the shire’s existing retail, commercial and industrial areas. The State’s proposed zones will not be applied to any areas outside of those already zoned.

we’re here to

help

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

Have your say Communities can identify local changes and make a specific submission on the proposed translation and associated detail relevant to their local areas through the department’s Planning Portal. To make a submission visit planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ employment-zones For general information on the reform process visit planning.nsw.gov.au/employment-zones-reform. Following the exhibition period, the Department of Planning and Environment will work with councils to finalise implementation ahead of the new zones coming into force on 1 December 2022. For enquiries contact the Department of Planning and Environment on 1300 420 596 or email employment.zones@ planning.nsw.gov.au

rates and charges relief and recovery resources for flood-affected residents ballina.nsw.gov.au/floodrecovery

on its L

Ballina

CBD to

ERCISE your DOG

Get out and abou t with the who le family and enjo walking y your fourlegge friend in Ballina Shire d . Dogs must be public place on a lead at all time s in s, unless in one of off-leash our seve areas. n

DOG FRI

ENDLY BEA CHES

Angels Beac h, East Ballin a (on leash Sharpes Beach, Sken ) nars Head excluding

beach patro l area (on Seven Mile leash) Beach, Lenn north of ox Head surf club (off leash The Spit, ) Ballina (off leash)

Sharpes Beac

OFF LEA SH AREAS

RIDI on the RONG AD

Bicenten nial Gard ens, Balli Compton na Drive, East Ballina Gap Road , Alstonville Seven Mile Beach north Lennox of surf club Head , Ballina Heights Eastern Reserve Headland s Drive Drain Skennars age Rese Head rve, The Spit, Ballina Please be considera te of othe these area r users of s. Your dog under effec must alwa ys be tive cont rol. Take note of onsite signage rules. about dog

Always obey the road helmet laws rules, inclu ding Ride in a predictab le manner You are permitted to ride two but not more than abreast, 1.5 metr Give hand es apart signals whe lanes, turni n changing ng left, right or stopping Plan your route using cycleways quieter stree or share ts, d paths.

Visit www .gotogeth er.transpo gov.au for rt.nsw. more infor mation roads and on shar cycleways ing .

KEEP BAL

LINA

BEAUTI Rememb FUL er there ’s no such dog poo thing as fairy! Bag the the poo, it with you. bin it or take Visit balli na.nsw.g ov.au/ Exercisin gYourDog for more informati on

Angels Beac

Shared path s are for both pedestria ns and bike riders.

BIKE RID Give way

DISMOU AREAS NT

Bike rider s must dism ount and walk their bikes: on footp aths to use pede strian cross ings at the end of share d paths.

LOCK IT

UP!

Avoid theft and secu re your bike when unat tended. Carry a good bicycle lock and secu re the wheels and frame.

BIKE RI SAFETY DING

Dogs are allowed on Angels Beach, Sharpes Beach, Flat Rock and the coastal pathway but they must be on a lead. Lennox Head to Pat Mort on Look out

North Wall

Ballina

When ridin g, you are required law to wear by an helmet fitted approved bike and faste your head ned on Bike rider s must have brake a working

It’s a good idea to check the signs in public places to see if dogs are allowed in that location as a penalty infringement notice can exceed $330.

Council recognises the importance of exercising your dog and provides seven off-leash areas: Bicentennial Gardens, Ballina Compton Drive, East Ballina + dog agility equipment Gap Road, Alstonville Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head north of surf club Ballina Heights Estate, Cumbalum eastern reserve Headlands Drive, Skennars Head drainage reserve The Spit, Ballina These areas are not for the exclusive use of dogs and their owners. Please be considerate of all other users by bagging your dog poo, then bin it or take it with you. Ensure your dog is always under your effective control, responds to your command and remains close to you. Immediately remove your dog if it shows any sign of anti-social behaviour or aggression.

ERS SHO

PEDEST

RIA

NS (includin walking, g jogging, skating, mobility scooters and moto wheelchai rized rs) SHO ULD: Keep to the left Travel in a predictab le manner Listen for the soun d of a bell and avoid moving into the path of a bike Supervise young child times ren at all Keep dogs on short leashes Move off the path if stopped.

MOBILITY SHOULD SCOOTERS :

WA KNOWNT MORE?

Ballina Visit or Informati on Cent Ph: 1800 re 777 666 discoverb allina.com .au ballinacoa standhin terland

ULD:

to pede strians Keep left unless over taking Ride at low speeds in busy areas when approach corners ing and crest s Ring your bell and slow dow when appr n oaching other path users Where poss ible, allow metre spac onee for pede strians Move off the path if stopped.

to Dog ‘No-Go' Areas:

Ensure you have a fully bell, horn functioni or other ng warning Lights and device reflectors increase visibility. your By law, you must have lights on between your sunset and sunrise, and in bad weather You shou ld also have visible from a red refle ctor the rear.

EXPERIENC E the BALLIN A COAST and HINTER LAND by BIKE, SCO OTER, ON FOO T and WIT H YOUR PET

E PATH is TH ERE to

Follow the same rules apply to that pedestria ns Ride on the footp ath or share path, not d the road Not exce ed 10km /h Ride at walk ing spee d (2-3 km/h ) in busy pedestria areas n Use bask ets or racks : overload ing may affect balance and cont rol Health and medicatio affect your ns may ability to use your scooter: check with your doctor or pharmaci st.

DOG

friendly AREAS

CYCLEWA PATHS of YS and SHARED BALLINA SHIRE

The Shared Cycleways an d P dog frie aths map inc ludes ndly are as the w family c hole an enjo y. Dow Shaws Bay

nload a au/exe t ballina.nsw.g or collec rcisingyourdo ov. t g the Visit from Council o or Inform r a ti on Centr Knockrow

e Shelly Beach, East Ballina Lighthouse Beach, East Ballina The Serpentine, East Ballina Shaws Bay, East Ballina Chickiba Lake, East Ballina, north/eastern corner surrounding migratory and shorebirds roosting area Flat Rock reef, Skennars Head Sharpes Beach, Skennars Head, northern end during surf patrols Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head (south of beach access track located just north of Surf Club) Lake Ainsworth and surrounding foreshore/reserve

Shaws Bay

Loop Walk

Ballina Shire Council 40 Cher ry Street, Ballina Ph: 1300 864 444 ballina.ns w.gov.au ballinashir ecouncil

engaged leadership healthy environment healthyenvironment

g o d r u o y p e e K ead

CYCLEW AYS and SHARED PATHS of BALLINA SHIRE

Lennox

Tintenbar

Head

Wollongba

Alstonville

Ballina

South Ballin

.nsw.gov.au

Wardell

Fire Trail at the end of Camp Drewe Road, Lennox Head The ‘no-go’ areas are in place because of the popularity of some beaches and the presence of migratory and shorebirds. Don’t risk a penalty infringement notice of $330 by taking your dog to a ‘nogo’ area.

Further information ballina.nsw.gov.au/exercising-your-dog

The three steps to register your pet Koala Speed Zones Microchipping and lifetime registration of your cat or dog is a requirement under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998. If your pet is not registered by six months of age, you may be issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) which may exceed $305.

ballina.nsw.gov.au/register-your-pet | THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA communityconnect

SHIRE COUNCIL

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

Site 1 – 2019 Prior to weeding and revegation

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RESTORING HEALTHY RIPARIAN CORRIDORS Six hectares of nationally threatened Big Scrub Lowland Subtropical Rainforest have recently been restored along Marom Creek and Chilcotts Creek. Ballina Shire Council worked in partnership with Bushland Restoration Services, five local landholders, and with funding from the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust, to complete the three-year rehabilitation project between 2019 – 2022. Project activities included: •

• • •

Development of site plans for 6 hectares of creek front land at five privately owned properties. Targeted weed control. Planting 37 species of native plants with over 7,500 individual plants. Stock exclusion fencing to protect new plantings and riparian areas.

Private landholders contributed enormously to this project with support from their friends and family. Landholders undertook weed control, watering, and maintenance of fencing, contributing more than 1,270 combined volunteer hours over the life of the project.

Site 2 – 2019 Prior to weeding revegetation

This voluntary work has greatly assisted in the high survival rate of plantings at 95% and weed cover being reduced by 90% over the five sites. The successful outcome of this project will enable positive ongoing environmental effects such as bank stabilisation, improved water quality throughout the catchment, increased habitat for two threatened species (the koala and Alberts’ Lyrebird), and enhanced connectivity of native vegetation corridors. For more information visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ HealthyWaterways

Site 1 - 2021 After weeding and revegetation

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

Site 2 – 2021 After weeding and revegetation

Floods can bring about rapid changes to landscapes. Disturbance can result in the elimination of native or pasture species, lighting the way for opportunistic weed species to move in in their place. Weeds can travel through flood water via seed or vegetatively and may travel huge distances from the original parent plant. For this reason, we are encouraging all landholders who have been flood-affected, and those on high-risk pathways such as roads and watercourses, to be vigilant in checking their property for new weeds.

BEACHES AND RIVER WATER QUALITY Ballina Shire Council is continuing to regularly monitor the water quality of our waterways. Results from May showed a slight improvement in water quality, however several sites in Shaws Bay and the Richmond River were still showing poor results with swimming not recommended. Further rainfall is likely to have an ongoing impact on water quality. Poor or bad water quality represents bacteria levels that indicate a substantially increased risk of illness to swimmers. The worst water quality has been occurring within rivers, Shaws Bay, and Lake Ainsworth. The ocean beaches continue to show signs of recovery and visible pollution is less prominent, however, various factors such as tide, wind, swell and ocean currents may influence conditions over a relatively short timeframe.

Weeds may take up to 12 months or even longer in some cases to become re-established so it is important to maintain regular weed checks on your property over the coming months.

NOW IS THE TIME TO WATCH OUT FOR NEW WEEDS With the extensive flooding our region has recently experienced, waters can carry and introduce new weed species onto paddocks, banks, and along roadsides. Areas inundated by floodwaters will need to be monitored for weeds for at least the next 12 months. Some weeds may not be visible until a year or two after the flood. If you do find new weeds that you can’t identify, get in touch with Rous County Council or Local Land Services for help with early identification before they spread further. Weed propagules (seed or vegetative parts) can be readily dispersed in flood waters. For example, Job’s tears, Monkey’s comb and Frogbit all grow along creeklines and may have been dispersed by the recent floods. Weed seeds can easily attach to vehicles and equipment in the muddy conditions after a flood. Ensure that vehicles and equipment, including those of contractors and advisors, are clean and free of weeds before entering or leaving your property. Consider providing a designated wash down area for this purpose.

engaged leadership healthy environment healthyenvironment

Getting on top of weeds after floods

Pastures or crops may be left disturbed after the flood and the reduction of ground cover can allow weeds to grow more readily and become established. If you have moved stock to higher ground or to different properties during the flood, be careful not to spread weeds from these holding areas when you return stock to the flood impacted areas. Keep an eye out for weeds in fodder. Many agricultural weeds present in QLD threaten our biosecurity in the Northern Rivers. Parthenium and Black knapweed are two to be on the look out for. Information on the identification and control of weeds in your region can be found at weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au, by contacting Rous County Council to speak to a weeds professional on (02) 66 233 800 or by scanning the QR code to download our Priority Weeds handbook.

Council will continue to monitor the situation, remove debris where possible and monitor the water quality. For water quality sample results visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/beach-health

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

WASTE

WATCH

communityconnect

Ban s ic t s a l P e us e l g in NSW S On 1 June 2022, New South Wales commenced phasing out singleuse plastic items with the banning of lightweight shopping bags. Key points are: The ban is for lightweight single-use shopping bags only. Compostable bin liners and regular plastic bin liners are not part of the ban. Barrier bags (for example, bags used as a barrier for delicatessen products or fruit and vegetables) are also exempt, as well as thick and durable plastic bags often seen in branded stores. Remember reusable bag when shopping or be prepared to pay for an alternative. Please consider that some businesses may still be trying to find alternatives, particularly after the floods - so being kind and patient whilst they phase them out will go a long way. The ban is state government legislated, however the National Retail Association is the designated body to help businesses in this transition. The next phase of the ban is from 1 November 2022 and includes single-use plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery; plates and bowls; expanded polystyrene foodware; plastic cotton buds; and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. The responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of this legislation lies with the NSW Government. For further information, head to dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban. The link also provides resources to help businesses and community groups adapt such as a business guide, counter cards and posters.

Rural Food and Garden Waste Survey We want to know how we can assist and support our rural communities and villages to better manage their food and garden waste. If you live in a rural or village area of the shire and don’t have access to a kerbside organics bin, we would love your input in a short 5-minute online survey where you will have the chance to win a $50 voucher to a local store of your choice! The survey closes Thursday 30 June. To complete visit www. surveymonkey.com/r/compost_1 or scan QR code.

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

2022/23

3-bin urban residential WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE Southern Cross Drive, Ballina ph 02 6686 1287 OPEN 8AM-4PM 7 DAYS A WEEK (excluding public holidays)

ut cut oeep! k and

PLASTIC FREE JULY Plastic Free July is on again soon - are you ready to take the challenge? It can be as easy as picking one singleuse item to avoid or swap it for a reusable alternative. Thankfully, the NSW single-use plastics ban is helping support less plastic in our environment however there is still so many actions we can take. For example, replacing takeaway coffee cups for a reusable cup or remembering to bring your own water bottle. Here’s how to get involved (for free!) in 5 easy steps:

Register for the challenge at plasticfreejuly.org Take their online Pesky Plastics quiz Ask us for posters for your workplace, school or local business Practice avoiding single use plastics! Spread the word with family and friends This year, we're collaborating with the libraries to run beeswax wrapper workshops and launch a reusable party kit for loan! Workshops must be booked directly with the library and will be on the following dates:

Lennox Library - 13 July 10am - 12 noon Ballina Library - 15 July 10am - 12 noon Alstonville Library - 15 July 2pm - 4pm There will also be online workshops to enjoy from the comfort of your home. Stay up to date with our Plastic Free July activities and links at ballina. nsw.gov.au/PlasticFreeJuly

waste collection

urban

weekly

fortnightly

collection of organics (food scraps, garden & lawn clippings)

collection of recyclables (cardboard, paper, glass, cans & recyclable plastic)

collection of landfill waste (non-recyclable)

JULY 2022

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

OCTOBER 2022

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

2 9 16 23 30

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

1 8 15 22 29

6 13 20 27

1 2 3 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 28

4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

MARCH 2023 5 12 19 26

MAY 2023

7 14 21 28

5 12 19 26

DECEMBER 2022

FEBRUARY 2023

APRIL 2023

3 10 17 24

1 8 15 22 29

NOVEMBER 2022

JANUARY 2023

2 9 16 23 30

SEPTEMBER 2022

AUGUST 2022

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

JUNE 2023 5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

For more information visit ballina.nsw.gov.au

Your 2022/23 waste calendar FREE EVENT Lennox Head Library 13 July 10am-12pm

comes to Ballina Shire

Ballina Library 15 July 10am-12pm Alstonville Library 15 July 2pm - 4pm

DIY Beeswax wrapper workshop Learn how to go cling wrap free with a DIY beeswax wrapper

Learn all about plastic free options, recycling and composting

As the shire grows, so does our range of waste calendars! We now have four available: urban, rural area 1, rural area 2 and commercial services. Here’s how to access yours: In this issue, we’ve provided a cut out and keep copy of our most widely used calendar for urban residential properties. All four calendars are available on our website – simply click on ‘bin collection days’ from our homepage at ballina.nsw.gov.au A small batch of printed calendars are reserved for those without access to the internet and can be collected at the customer service centre or waste management centre weighbridge. JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

what goes in each bin? NO PLASTIC BAGS!

Continue to use your blue base bin with yellow lid. All new and replacement bin bases will now be dark green.

Continue to use your bin with the dark green lid. All new and replacement landfill waste bins will now have red lids.

organics

recycling

landfill

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Glass bottles and jars

Disposable nappies

Plastic bottles and tubs

Personal hygiene and medical waste (no sharps)

All organics bins have lime green lids.

Meat, fish and bones Bread, cereal, pasta and grains

Paper including newspaper, envelopes, magazines, phone books and junk mail

Leftover food

communityconnect

Grass clippings, sticks and twigs

Pet droppings in a plastic bag Scrap metal appliances*

Cardboard including boxes and egg cartons

Weeds, leaves and flowers

Rope, string and electrical cable

Steel cans

Paper towels and tissues

Other items that cannot be recycled, reused or composted

Aluminium cans, clean foil and trays

Wrap in newspaper or use compostable bags only.

Aerosol cans (empty)

Foil lined packets eg: rice crackers, chips

Milk and juice cartons

Food stained cardboard eg: pizza, hot chip boxes

Face masks

Tetrapaks

• Be presented before 5am or on the night before collection day as collection times can vary. • Be a maximum of 1m from the edge of the road seal with front to the road and 1m apart. • Not be overfilled – lids must close fully. • Not be obstructed by any vehicles, trees or other objects. • Bins must be removed from kerbside on the same day of service. • Bins heavier than 60kg may not be lifted. * Scrap metal accepted free of charge at the waste management centre.

contact information For waste, resource recovery or bin enquiries: Council Waste Management Centre Southern Cross Drive, Ballina Phone 02 6686 1287

ballina.nsw.gov.au

3-bin co mmerci al

wastteion o c llec 202 2

3 1 2 10 8 9 6 7 17 4 5 15 16 13 14 24 11 12 22 23 20 21 30 31 18 19 28 29 27 25 26

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NOVEMBER 2022

DECEMBER 20221 3 4 2 5 6 7 8 10 11 9 12 13 14 15 17 16 3 4 22 11 23 10 29 17 30 18

18 19 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 20 21 24 25 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 267 8 9 28 3112 13 14 27 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 15 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 JA NU AR28 28 29 30 26 27 29 30 Y 202

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9 7 7 8 18 5 6 5 6 16 17 3 4 For 14 more information 14 15visit 24 25 1 2 12 13 12 13 23 10 11 21 22 20 21 8 9 19ballina.nsw.gov.au 19 20 30 17 18 28 28 29 15 16 26 27 26 27 24 25 22 23 31 29 30

tion visi re informa au For mo ov. .nsw.g ballina

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1 2 3 4 7 8 5 6 9 10 11 12 14 15 13 16 17 18 19 21 22 20 23 24 25 26 28 29 27 30

5 MAY 202 AR Y 202 3 4 3 APRIL 2023 1 2 12 MAY 2023 JUNE 2023 10 11 5 8 9 3 4 19 1 2 3 4 6 7 5 6 17 18 1 2 12 15 16 7 8 26 10 1 2 10 11 13 14 9 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 711 12 13 3 4 23 2 8 9 19 22 1 14 151 2 3 48 5 6 17 6 7 17 18 3 4 520 621 7 830 931 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1418 19 520 621 7 8 169 10 11 9 10 11 12 15 16 15 16 24 25 25 26 28 29 13 14 13 14 22 24 27 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 26 12 152316 17 22 18 22 23 27 13 19 20 28 14 20 21 29 22 21 3023 24 25 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 28 26 27 29 30 27 28 24 25 26 27NE 28 202 29 330 31 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30

3 MAY 202

For mo re ballina.n information visit sw.gov.a u

collect ion of landfill (non-re waste cyclabl e)

ST 202 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 7 10 11 12 13 15 16 14 17 18 19 20 22 23 21 24 25 26 27 29 30 28 31

FE BR UA RY 3 4 202 3 1 2 JANUARY 2023 MARCH 2023 11 FEBRUARY 2023 2 3 9 10 1 4 5 7 8 18 5 6 6 7 9 10 16 17 8 11 12 1 2 14 15 25 12 13 3 4 1 23 24 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 16 17 1 132 14 3 15 4 5 5 21 22 18 8 9 19 10 11 3 20 4 5 29 6 30 7 31 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 1223 24 6 7 198 209 21 10 11 12 13 14 12 28 22 15 16 25 27 12 26 11 10 13 14 15 17 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 1930 31 13 14261527162817 18 19 20 21 19 29 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 26 AP RIL 27 28 29 30 31 202 24 25RC 26H 27 283 29 27 28 202 3 31MA

weekly

collect ion recycla of bles (cardbo ard glass, , paper, recycla cans & ble plas tic) AU GU

1 2 4 5 SEPTEMBER 3 6 2022 7 8 11 12 9 10 13 14 15 16 18 19 17 20 25 26 1 221 322 423 24 5 6 7 27 8 28 9 10 29 11 30 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 31 19 20TO 21 22 23 24 25 OC BE 202 26 27 28 29R30 2

FEB RU

1 8 6 7 4 5 15 2 3 13 14 11 12 22 9 10 20 21 18 19 29 16 17 27 28 25 26 23 24 30 31

202 2

3 4 1 22022 11 OCTOBER 9 10 7 8 18 5 6 16 17 14 15 25 12 13 23 241 2 21 22 193 204 5 29 6 30 7 8 9 28 26 10 27 11 12 13 14 15 16

collection of recyclables (cardboard, paper, glass, cans & JU LY 202 2 recyclable plastics)

AUGUST 2022

fortnight ly

collect garden ion of (food scr /organics aps, gar & lawn den clippin gs)

5 6 3 4 13 1 2 11 12 9 10 20 7 8 18 19 2 16 17 27 14 15 25 26 9 23 24 21 22 16 30 28 29 23 30 3

3 RY 202

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Food that ends up in landfill creates methane, which is a greenhouse gas more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. With the impacts of climate change being felt so strongly in our region, every little scrap that goes into our kerbside organics bins instead of the landfill bin is helping our environment.

Line your kitchen food scrap bin with newspaper or a compostable liner and ensure it's in a handy easy-to-access place whilst preparing food. Dairy (including cheese and yoghurt), meat, bread, pasta, rice, seafood, coffee grinds as well as fruit and vegetable peelings can all go into your kerbside organics bin. Empty out the contents of hard plastic, steel or glass containers with food in them into your kitchen scraps bin, before washing out and placing the container in the recycling. Food-soiled paper and cardboard, like pizza boxes, serviettes, paper towel and cardboard food containers can all go into the kerbside green bin. Even wooden cutlery and chopsticks are accepted!

If you'd like us to visit your community group to talk about Scrap Together please reach out.

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The compost is then used by farmers to grow the food that ends up in our farmers markets, food shops and then on our plates. This food-cycle can keep coming around as long as we use our organics bins properly, and make sure we don't put food and garden waste into our landfill bins.

Our region has secured a $52,000 grant from the NSW EPA, which will be a boon for food waste recycling and help our community become even better recyclers with the NSW Government's "Let's Get our Scrap Together" campaign, which aims to reduce the amount of food waste going into kerbside landfill bins.

Salvage Shed tip shop: Phone 0429 934 557

area 1

Did you know that last year, the Northern Rivers region recycled more than 42,000 tonnes of food and garden scraps into compost through our kerbside organics bins?

Tips to get your scrap together:

bins should:

ral 2-bin ru

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For further information about your kerbside organics bin service, contact the resource recovery hotline on 6686 1287 or check our website.

engaged leadership healthy environment healthyenvironment

Biodiversity Workshop a win for our environment Last month Council's Environmental Scientist, Jack Hastings, met with local rural landholders at the Biodiversity Workshop at Tintenbar. The community field day gave local landholders an opportunity to hear from a range of experts to help them manage biodiversity on their properties. Topics included koala habitat restoration, nest box installation, property planning, biodiversity management and weed control. Jack was able to give this passionate group the first look at Ballina Shire Council’s new Koala Friendly Farms guide. This new booklet has been developed to help rural property owners create long-term positive changes, for the benefit of the landowner and the land, as well as koalas and other wildlife. For more information, or to access the new Koala Friendly Farms Guide, visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/Koalas

HOW CAN YOU HELP KOALAS?

KOALA FRIEND FARMS LY

IN BA LLI NA

SHIRE

Every koala is precious. The survival of koalas depends on us. There are lots of ways you can help to recover our nationally significant koala population in Ballina. We can all make a difference, here are some tips:

• • • • •

Report sick or injured koalas to Friends of the Koala on 02 6622 1233 Drive with care at night, especially in koala zones Be a responsible dog owner - keep your dog away from koalas Plant koala trees on your property or join your local Landcare group Get involved – join a local group working to help koalas For more information visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ koalas

JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

communityconnect

Water meter replacement program update As part of Ballina Shire Council’s proactive water meter replacement program, council has engaged Want Gas Plumbing to replace 4,000 residential meters over the next two years.

Do you know where to go for water outage information? Both planned and unplanned water interruptions are published on our website at ballina.nsw.gov.au/WaterOutage So if you’re ever experiencing low water pressure, or a water interruption, please check online to see if there’s an outage near you. You’ll also find information on how to report a water leak and helpful water outage tips.

This renewal program started in April 2021 and will cost approximately $680,000. So far more than 1,950 meters have been replaced in Alstonville, Wollongbar, West Ballina, Wardell, East Ballina and Lennox Head.

Why are we replacing the old meters? Council has approximately 14,000 water meters servicing customers, with 4,000 of these more than 15 years old. Old meters can under read or stop working. Council is replacing these ageing meters to ensure they continue to read accurately.

Will I know when you are coming to replace my water meter? You will receive a knock on the door to inform you before work starts and your water is turned off, however if no one is home an information card will be left to inform you that your meter has been replaced. Keeping in mind that water meter replacements have a very limited impact on residences, with outages usually less than 30 minutes. Our two-year water meter replacement program is shirewide. Meters will be replaced based on age however other circumstances, such as stopped meters, can take priority. This means that council will be working to a flexible schedule and will not be setting rigid dates for works to be completed in specific suburbs or streets. For more information about this program visit ballinawater. com.au/council-water-services/water-meter/ replacement-program

Check online for water outage updates

communityconnect |

THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

Trees planted following Water Night The recent wet weather has not dampened the spirits of Rous County Council staff who recently planted more than 1,700 native rainforest and riparian trees at Fosters Spur, Rocky Creek Dam. This planting follows Water Night in October last year, where Rous committed to planting 10 trees for every Water Night registration. This work will enhance nearly 40 years of rainforest regeneration at Rocky Creek Dam, our main drinking water source, which is surrounded by the ancient Gondwana Rainforests of Nightcap National Park. Thank you to the participants of Water Night - and great work Rous County Council bush regeneration team!

This information has been provided by the NSW Health Department.

LANDFIL

Antibacterial wipes might be hard to find on supermarket shelves, but unfortunately there’s an abundance in our community’s wastewater network. These products often claim they are ‘flushable’, but we are here to tell you that is not the case. Cleaning, makeup and baby wipes are all made with reinforced material that does not break down like toilet paper. This causes a lot of problems and blockages within our wastewater network, and on average council is fixing three wet wipe blockages a week. These often happen overnight and ultimately the staffing and material costs are worn by the ratepayer. You are more than welcome to use wipes to keep your surfaces sanitised, we just don’t welcome them down the toilet. Instead, keep your toilet to the three Ps – poo, paper and pee!

Lennox Head new water mains complete The Lennox Head town centre has been a hive of activity lately with upgrade works in full swing. A lot of this work has been happening underground with the installation of two new water mains. “Our Water Construction Team have now replaced two new water mains that run along Ballina Street in the Lennox Head town centre. These water mains have been servicing the Lennox community since the 1960s and were due for renewal,” said Ballina Shire Council’s Treatment Plants and Capital Works Engineer, Mr Thomas Lees. The larger of the two mains serves as the town’s trunk main which supplies drinking water to the entire Lennox Head community. The smaller main supplies water to commercial and residential properties along Ballina Street. “The nearly 1,000 metres of pipeline is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is a much more robust material that will likely service the community for the next 100 years,” added Mr Lees. Our Water Team was able to trial a new system of switching from the old water main to the new main, which reduces the need for water outages. “Traditionally, we would need to turn off the water to add a new water service, but HDPE pipe gives you more options, including the live tapping system we are trialling, "said Mr Lees. "Essentially, we now clamp a specialist tapping valve onto the pipework and cut the service over to the new water main in about 15 minutes. This process would previously take 45 minutes.” Council is committed to upgrading our water assets to improve the reliability of our water network.

Water and Wastewater Projects COMPLETED PROJECTS Jarrett Street, Ballina Water Main Replacement Camburt Street, Ballina Water Main Replacement Sewer Pump Stations − Electrical Conductivity Instrumentation Installation

CURRENT PROJECTS: Montwood Drive Sewer Pump Station Wet Well Relining Lennox Head Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Ocean Outfall Switchboard and Pumps Replacement Moon St, Ballina Water Main Replacement Sewer Pump Stations Switchboard Replacement Program Alstonville and Wardell WWTP – Solar Farm Installation Ballina WWTP – Septage Receival Station West Ballina Recycled Water Main Alstonville WWTP – Inlet Works Upgrade Ballina WWTP – Fitter’s Shed Refurbishment

engaged leadership healthy environment healthyenvironment

Wipes go in the waste

Lennox Head WWTP – Aeration Optimisation Lennox Head WWTP − Chlorination Renewal

FUTURE PROJECTS Sewer Rising Main from the Seamist Pump Station Angels Beach Drive Recycled Water Main Replacement Race Course Road Sewer Rising Main Replacement Upgrade To Marom Creek Water Treatment Plant Ballina WWTP – Rectification Works and Gantry Crane Installation Raising of Sewer Pump Station Switchboards above flood level Pacific Pines (Stoneyhurst Dr) Drinking Water Reservoir

JUNE 2022 1 ISSUE 47 3

communityconnect

Do you have a smoky chimney?

Preventing air pollution & unwanted smoke

Help keep your neighbourhood friendly by using your wood heater correctly to minimise smoke. Your heater should only smoke for a few minutes when you first light it and when you add extra timber. Some tips to make sure your wood heater is working efficiently and generating minimal smoke is to:

Only burn small logs of aged, dry hardwood (unseasoned wood has more moisture, which makes more smoke). Use plenty of dry kindling to establish a good fire quickly. Store wood under cover in a dry and well-ventilated area. Never burn rubbish, driftwood, treated or painted wood as they pollute the air and can be poisonous. Keep the flame lively and bright. Don’t let your heater smoulder overnight, keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame. Check and clean your chimney each year before winter. Check your chimney regularly for smoke, if there is smoke coming from the chimney increase the air supply to your fire. Smoke from wood heaters can contain carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other nasties so it is important they are installed and operated correctly. Check your heater has a compliance plate stating it conforms to Australian Standard (AS/NZS 4013:2014) and (AS/NZS 4012:2014). For more information please contact council’s Public and Environmental Health Section on 1300 864 444 or visit ballina.nsw.gov.au.

CAN YOU USE A FIRE PIT THIS WINTER? Everyone enjoys watching the ‘bush telly’ during the cooler months, and council often gets asked – can I have a fire pit in the backyard? The short answer is yes, but it’s useful to take a look at council’s Backyard Burning Policy. The policy aims to prevent air pollution and unwanted smoke generated by backyard fires. Under the policy, residents in our towns and villages can enjoy a backyard fire for cooking or recreational purposes, but not to burn vegetation or other waste. Instead, you need to dispose of garden waste in your green organics bin, compost or reuse it in the garden. If you do have a backyard fire you need to make sure you only burn dry seasoned timber and manage the fire to minimise smoke and impacts on your neighbours. It is also important to check with NSW Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service as a fire permit may be required. Fire and Rescue Ballina suggest that backyard fires must be:

In a purpose built area/device. Have a minimum cleared area of 2 metres. For more information contact council’s Planning and Environmental Health Division on 1300 864 444 or visit ballina.nsw.gov.au For permits, bushfire danger periods and total fire bans visit fire.nsw.gov.au or rfs.nsw.gov.au

MAYOR

Cr Sharon Cadwallader p 0428 339 023 e sharon.cadwallader@ballina.nsw. gov.au

Cr Phillip Meehan p 0408 349 833 e phil.meehan@ballina.nsw.gov.au

what ward are you in?

WARD A

Cr Rod Bruem

NEWRYBAR

p 0419 508 753 e rod.bruem@ballina.nsw.gov.au

KNOCKROW

WARD B TINTENBAR

Cr Stephen McCarthy p 0435 759 987 e stephen.mccarthy@ballina.nsw. gov.au

Cr Jeff Johnson p 0428 970 112 e jeff.johnson@ballina.nsw.gov.au

LENNOX HEAD WOLLONGBAR

CUMBALUM

ALSTONVILLE

BALLINA

WARD C

WARD B

Cr Eva Ramsey p 0419 542 905 e eva.ramsey@ballina.nsw.gov.au

MEERSCHAUM VALE

WARD A PIMLICO

Cr Kiri Dicker

DEPUTY MAYOR

KEITH HALL

EMPIRE VALE

WARDELL

p 0419 493 898 e kiri.dicker@ballina.nsw.gov.au

SKENNARS HEAD EAST BALLINA

DALWOOD

WARD C

meet your councillors

Read co un profiles a cillor t ballina. nsw.gov .au/your councillo rs

EAST WARDELL

Don’t dispose of me yet

Use this issue of Community Connect to wrap kitchen waste and dispose in the green organics bin.

Cr Eoin Johnston p 0407 416 149 e eoin.johnston@ballina.nsw.gov. au

Cr Simon Chate p 0419 593 233 e simon.chate@ballina.nsw.gov.au

Cr Nigel Buchanan p 0419 590 661 e nigel.buchanan@ballina.nsw. gov.au Councillors are here to represent your views. Councillors are elected in Wards, however each councillor represents the entire community and can be contacted on any matter. You can contact councillors in person, by phone or email.

council contact information Ph: 1300 864 444 Email: council@ballina.nsw.gov.au Web: ballina.nsw.gov.au Street Address: 40 Cherry Street, Ballina Postal Address: PO Box 450, Ballina 2478 Office Hours: 8.15am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri (excluding public holidays) Like us on Facebook After hours contact: 02 6626 6954 Meeting agendas and documents on exhibition can be viewed at council’s website ballina.nsw.gov.au

All councillors can be emailed at councillors@ballina.nsw.gov.au JUNE 2022 ISSUE 47

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communityconnect |

THE MAGAZINE OF THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL

discover Ballina A B A L L I N A S H I R E C O U N C I L C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T F E AT U R E

Our Top 7

active and free! things to do in the Ballina Coast and Hinterland

turn o

for late ver st of com issue mun connec ity t BALLINA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE 6 River Street Ballina NSW 2478 Freecall: 1800 777 666 E: discover@ballina.nsw.gov.au @discoverballina

@ballinacoastandhinterland

F E AT U R E S T O RY

Top 7 active and free! things to do in the Ballina Coast and Hinterland

You don’t need to blow the budget to make the most of your winter days in the Ballina Coast and Hinterland. Our friendly team at the Ballina Visitor Information Centre share their top tips on how to enjoy the great outdoors, with or without the kids!

1 Experience the best the coast has to offer along the Coastal Recreation Path The Coastal Recreation Path connects Ballina’s CBD with the coastal township of Lennox Head. The path follows the stunning coastline through East Ballina, to the subtropical rainforests that hug the coastline, before taking you to the spectacular cliff tops of Lennox Head. Learn about the region’s cultural heritage through the Aboriginal Cultural Ways signage between Angels and Sharpes Beach in East Ballina. The well-maintained and accessible paths are perfect for walking and cycling; you will even see a few roller skaters! Kids will also enjoy taking their skateboard or scooters as there are two great skate parks en route: one in Ballina at Missingham Park and the other in Lennox Head next to the Lennox Head Cultural Centre. Opt for a short section of the path or tackle the full 12km journey. The Coastal Recreation Path is perfect for all ages and fitness levels and is a popular way to experience Ballina’s diverse coastline and marine life. To find out more collect a Cycleways and Shared Paths brochure from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre or visit the destination website at discoverballina.com.au/visit/shared-paths-and-cycleways

2 Get in touch with your competitive side with a game of disc golf Ballina is home to one of the region’s first disc golf courses and best of all it is free for everyone to use! Located at the Bicentennial Gardens in Ballina, the nine-hole, 28-par disc golf course is a great day out with family and friends. If you don’t have your own frisbees you can hire them from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre. Download a score card from the destination website at discoverballina.com.au/visit/ disc-golf

3 Be amazed by the breathtaking Killen Falls Killen Falls is one of the region’s most loved falls and once you visit you will easily understand why. A short drive from the township of Tintenbar, Killen Falls feels like a hidden paradise. Graded at level one, the easy walk through some of the last remaining big scrub rainforest in the area reveals a stunning bird’s-eye view of the falls from the viewing platform. It is possible to walk to the base of the falls, though the track can be slippery and it is graded at level 3, so some hiking experience is recommended. To find out more search Killen Falls on the destination website at discoverballina.com.au

4 Experience the Northern Rivers’ unique underwater world Ballina’s coastline is blessed with diverse coastal marine life and crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect location to grab your snorkel and explore rich underwater ecosystems. With sheltered bays, unique estuaries and stunning rockpools there is so much to discover. Ballina’s waterways are home to many different species of fish, turtles, dolphins, whales, grey nurse sharks, manta rays and more! The Boat Channel in Lennox Head, and Shaws Bay in East Ballina, are both great places to get your flippers wet.

5 Take a stroll back in time at Victoria Park Nature Reserve Victoria Park Nature Reserve is a protected park that contains some of the last surviving remnants of the original rainforest that extended across the upper Northern Rivers region. Known as the Big Scrub, this beautiful subtropical rainforest is teeming with native flora and fauna,

6 Watch as Ballina’s coastline comes to life with the spectacular humpback whales on their yearly migration Every year between May and November Ballina’s coastline is treated to a show of acrobatics by magnificent humpback whales. Among the largest animals on earth, humpback whales can be up to 16 metres long and weigh a massive 2 tons! During the winter months, these amazing animals migrate north to subtropical waters where they mate and give birth. Watch in awe as the mothers cruise the coast with their calves, preparing them for the long swim back to the artic. With 32kms of coastline the Ballina Shire has no shortage of places to spot these magnificent creatures. Some of our favourite spots include Ballina Lighthouse Lookout, Pat Morton Lookout and the viewing platforms at Angels Beach and Flat Rock.

7 Walk along Ballina’s North Wall and spot playful dolphins, diverse sea creatures and rare birds Starting at Brighton Street in East Ballina, this cruisy 3km return walk is one of the best ways to experience some of Ballina’s most loved natural assets. With sweeping views of Shaws Bay, Lighthouse Beach and the Richmond River this accessible coastal path is well loved by visitors and locals alike. Pods of playful dolphins, along with other coastal marine life are frequently spotted along the wall, so make sure you keep an eye out! Although the North Wall walk is exceptionally scenic at any time of day, we think it’s one of the best spots to experience our beautiful winter sunsets.

Meet Tourism Ambassador Leonie Howard

What inspired you to become a volunteer at the Ballina Gateway Airport and the Ballina Information Centre? When I retired 10

years ago, I was looking for something that I could do to put back into our community. I feel proud of our community so I was keen to share what we have here with visitors. As a keen traveller I know how important it is to talk to a local and find out all the inside information and at times receive help with directions or transport. It can really make your visit!

What do you love about living in the Ballina Coast & Hinterland? We are so fortunate to live near a stunning coastline as well as rejuvenating hinterland, with all its waterfalls and rainforest, but at the same time have a world class dining out and cultural scene.

What is one of the most recommended things to do in Ballina and surrounds?

Our Maritime Museum is wonderful as it gives visitors an insight into place. Ballina is essentially a place of water, and its history has revolved around it. Even though it has evolved, still today the beauty of the river and beaches, our wonderful seafood and the variety of water activities all centre on the water.

Where do you take your friends and family when they are visiting? My visitors

love the walking paths along the beaches and out on the wall, a sunset river cruise with Out of The Blue, maybe a drive and walk to Protestors Falls with shopping and food at the Channon Markets, visiting the Northern Rivers Community Gallery to check out the local artists, as well as the Tweed Gallery to see the Margaret Olley Art Centre. For dining out, Shelly Beach Café and Lola’s in Ballina or Shelter in Lennox Head.

Funniest thing you have ever been asked? I always have a chuckle when visitors ask what time the whales or dolphins will be off the wall.

When not volunteering what do you enjoy doing? I love walking, yoga, travelling, the theatre, music, cooking, dining out and enjoying the company of good friends and family.

If you would like to find out how to become a volunteer tourism ambassador visit discoverballina.com.au/visit/corporate/ volunteering

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including ancient fig trees and the shy red-legged pademelon. Educational displays explain how the Widjabul people relied on the local plants and animals for food, medicine and ceremonies. The short boardwalk immerses you in the rainforest as you instantly feel the cool tranquility of this ancient wonderland. Remember to bring a picnic as the Victoria Park picnic area is well equipped with BBQs, toilets and picnic tables.

communityconnect

What's on?

The unique and culturally diverse communities of the Northern Rivers NSW are celebrated through their festivals and events. Events across the region celebrate everything from our natural landscapes, local food producers, live music, talented artisans, sports, culture and so much more! This winter, get involved in some of the many exciting events happening around the region.

QUOTA CRAFT & GARDEN FAIR 23-24 July 2022 Alstonville Showground Pavilion A two day event showcasing the best Craft artisans of the Far North Coast and SE Queensland. Combined with a garden fair of quality plants and garden products from local growers, this fair has over 80 stalls brimming with colour. Hear from guest gardening speakers and meet some of our talented stallholders. Visit facebook.com/quotacraftfair

LISMORE LANTERN PARADE

HARVEST FOOD TRAIL

Saturday 25 June 2022

30-31 July 2022

Lismore CBD The annual Lismore Lantern Parade is an annual community event held on or around the longest night of the year, being the Winter Solstice. This year it will be a smaller, simpler event honouring the brave people who took to the raging flood waters and saved so many lives, thanking all the good people who have helped in the clean up and bring our community together to begin healing our broken hearts. This is a family friendly, wonderful event that has been a signature event for Lismore for nearly 30 years. lismorelanternparade.com.au

SKULLCANDY OZ GROM OPEN 7-12 July 2022 Lennox Head The Skullcandy Oz Grom Open returns to Lennox Head for it's 11th year on the junior calendar! The competition is renowned for the strongest line ups across the age groups of 12s to Pro Junior Age. It is rated as the best Junior Competition in the world and well worth heading to spectate some of the amazing talent. skullcandyozgromopen.com.au

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 22-24 July 2022 North Byron Parklands Music lovers! It's time to request your annual leave! Splendour In The Grass 2022 is an annual music and arts festival and each year it gets better and better! Huge line up of artists that goes over three days – book just one day or all three! splendourinthegrass.com

Various locations throughout the Northern Rivers Part of enjoying food is knowing the story. The 2022 Harvest Food Trail aims to connect people with authentic food and beverage experiences where they can meet the maker. northernriversfood.org/harvest-food-trail

BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL 26-28 August 2022 North Byron Parklands The annual Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas. The Festival line-up includes amazing authors, writers and thinkers who together challenge, entertain and share their stories, inspirations and insights. byronwritersfestival.com

SAMPLE FOOD FESTIVAL Saturday 3 September 2022 Bangalow Showground Sample Food Festival is a food lovers paradise that celebrates the beginning of spring by showcasing incredible food and artistic innovation. Bring the family along to sample the very best from the Northern Rivers with tasting plates from some of the regions finest restaurants, breweries and distilleries plus a huge selection of market stalls featuring local producers and artisans. samplefoodevents.com

For more information about what's on in the region, visit discoverballina.com.au/visit/whats-on/events-calendar

Friends of the library

Did you know that the Ballina Visitor Information Centre is home to a Friends of the Library Bookshelf selling very affordable books and magazines at 50 cents and 20 cents respectively? It’s great for picking up a holiday read before relaxing somewhere scenic to soak up the holiday vibes.

There’s a craft market, a carboot market or a farmers market, somewhere in the Northern Rivers, every weekend.

st y n sw andap a r vouch ent ers

Use your Stay NSW and Parents vouchers in Ballina Coast and Hinterland Eligible accommodation providers across the state can register to take part in two new NSW Government voucher programs – Parents NSW and Stay NSW. Eligible customers will be able to redeem their $250 worth of Parents NSW vouchers and $50 Stay NSW voucher with registered Stay NSW businesses. Customers can pool multiple Stay NSW vouchers with friends or family for the same booking at registered accommodation providers, big or small. Parents NSW vouchers can be combined and used to redeem $250 off accommodation accounts. Bookings made through third party providers such as online booking platforms and travel agents are not included in the program. Customers will be able to redeem vouchers seven days a week, including public holidays. Customers will be able to search for participating accommodation providers on the easy-to-use hotel finder at mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/ business-finder/stay-and-rediscover

Discover original artworks, handicrafts, fashion, jewellery, secondhand goods, as well as fresh local produce…or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of your local market. BALLINA FARMERS MARKET (Weekly) Every Sunday morning 7am – 11am Commemoration Park, Bentinck Street, Ballina

NEWRYBAR FARMERS MARKET (Weekly) Every Wednesday 4pm – 7pm Newrybar Hall 15 Old Pacific Highway

BYRON BAY COMMNUNITY MARKET (Monthly) First Sunday of the month 8am – 3pm Denning Park, Lawson Street, Byron Bay

LENNOX COMMUNITY MARKET

School holiday activity sheet For ideas on how to keep the kids entertained this holidays, download the school holiday activity sheet at discoverballina.com.au or collect from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre at 6 River Street, Ballina Shire Council.

need fun ? ideas

discoverballina

n, t ke io u ar reg .a r m he isit om Fo in t e v a.c ils eas lin pl bal er

Market Calendar

Second and fifth Sunday every month 8am – 3pm Williams Reserve, adjacent to Lennox Head Cultural Centre, Park Lane Lennox Head

BANGALOW FLEA MARKET (Monthly) Second Saturday of the month 8am – 2pm Bangalow Public School, 45-71 Byron Street, Bangalow View the Northern Rivers Market Guide at discoverballina.com to see where the markets are this week!

communityconnect J U N E

2022 ISSUE 47

Community Connect Issue 47

Articles inside