Council Committees

Standing committees

Council has two Standing Committees:

  • Commercial Services Committee introduces, evaluates and reviews commercial dealings and operations of Council, with the aim of any commercial activity providing supplementary revenue to assist Council in its service delivery to the community.
  • Environmental and Sustainability Committee considers matters of a strategic planning nature, including, but not limited to, master plans, local environmental plan and planning control changes and policy development.
  • Finance and Facilities Committee considers financial matters of a strategic nature including Council's annual budget deliberations and to provide strategic input into the facilitation and construction of major community facilities.

The above Committees have no delegated authority and minutes are confirmed by the elected Council.

Membership of the Standing Committees consists of all Councillors.

Reference groups

Council's one Reference Group involves community participation:

  • Access Reference Group identifies major access needs for various disability groups and makes recommendations to Council to resolve identified issues in priority order. Membership consists of community representatives who are either disabled or represent a disability group. The Committee has no delegated authority and there are no Councillor-appointed representatives, although Councillors can attend as observers.

Ward committees

Ballina Shire is divided into three Wards (view the Ward boundary map(PDF, 1MB)). Each Ward is represented by a Ward Committee which provides Council with feedback and policy advice on matters referred to them by Council and/or raised by members. Ward committees have no delegated authority.

Ward Committee membership is open to not-for-profit community groups, with eligible groups having one representative on one of the three committees. Groups can apply for representation (form below). Applications are considered at the next Ordinary Council meeting.

Ward Committee Application Form

A Ward Committee

meets on odd-numbered months on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 4.00 pm at the Council Chambers

  • Tuesday 10 March 2026
  • Tuesday 12 May 2026
  • Tuesday 14 July 2026
  • Tuesday 8 September 2026
  • Tuesday 10 November 2026

B Ward Committee

meets on odd-numbered months on the 3rd Monday of the month at 4.30 pm at the Council Chambers

  • Monday 16 March 2026
  • Monday 18 May 2026
  • Monday 20 July 2026
  • Monday 21 September 2026
  • Monday 16 November 2026

C Ward Committee

meets on odd-numbered months on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5.00 pm at Crawford House, Alstonville (unless stated below)

  • Thursday 12 March 2026
  • Thursday 14 May 2026
  • Thursday 9 July 2026
  • Thursday 10 September 2026
  • Thursday 12 November 2026

Other committees

  • Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee provides information to Council for the purpose of improving the Council’s performance of its functions. The Committee aims to keep under review Council operations, such as compliance, risk management, fraud control, financial management and governance. The Committee also reviews the implementation of the strategic plan, delivery program and strategies including service reviews, collection of performance measurement data by council and any other matters prescribed by the regulations. The Committee consists of four community  representatives and Cr Erin Karsten as a non-voting member. Staff attend meetings as required. Meetings are held every quarter.
  • Ballina Shire Economic Activation Group to bring together key stakeholders to share and promote ideas and strategies that support the long term economic sustainability, increase business and social diversity of activities, support actions that increase day and night activities that optimise the benefits from the infrastructure and businesses in Ballina Shire. Membership includes the Mayor, one councillor from each Ward, and one representative from each of the three shire chambers of commerce, Destination NSW or Visitor Economy, and Business NSW. Meetings are held at least every three months. 
  • Local Transport Forum provides Council with advice on the installation of prescribed traffic control devices and regulation of traffic and related technical advice. The forum consists of a Council delegate and representatives of Transport for NSW, NSW Police Force, Local Member of NSW Parliament and the operator of any public passenger service that could be affected by traffic control proposals under consideration. Meetings are held at 10.00am on the second Wednesday of February, May, August, and November each year.
  • Public Art Advisory Panel provides guidance on the implementation of the Council’s Public Art Policy. Membership includes Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Simon Chate and Cr Eva Ramsey. Meetings are held as required.
  • Waterways Advisory Group its primary objective is to pursue the restoration of the waterways within the Ballina Shire to a healthy state, while supporting the social and economic benefits that a healthy and diverse waterway system can bring to our community. Membership includes the Mayor, Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Damian Loone, representatives from the Ballina Chamber of Commerce, Ballina Fishermen's Co-operative, the Department of Planning Industry and Environment - Crown Lands and Fisheries, Transport for NSW - Maritime, OzFish and community representatives. Meetings are held at least twice per annum.

Delegates to other organisations

  • Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce alstonvillewollongbar.com.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Simon Chate, Cr Therese Crollick and Cr Simon Kinny.
  • Australian Coastal Councils Association coastalcouncils.org.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Chair).
  • Ballina and District Chamber of Commerce ballinachamber.com.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Erin Karsten, Cr Damian Loone, Cr Phil Meehan, Cr Michelle Bailey and Cr Kiri Dicker.
  • Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum ballinamaritimemuseum.org:Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Eva Ramsey.
  • Cape Byron Marine Park (Authority) Advisory Committee (when nominations are called by the Committee): Cr Erin Karsten.
  • Country Mayors' Association nswcountrymayors.com.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader and General Manager Paul Hickey.
  • Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce (Business Lennox Head) lennoxchamber.com.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Kiri Dicker and Cr Eva Ramsey.
  • Northern Region Planning Panel planningportal.nsw.gov.au/planningpanels: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Deputy Mayor Cr Damian Loone; and Cr Michelle Bailey and Cr Simon Kinny as alternate delegates.
  • Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO) northernriversjo.nsw.gov.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader.
  • Richmond-Tweed Regional Library Committee rtrl.nsw.gov.au: Cr Simon Chate and Cr Therese Crollick, with Cr Michelle Bailey as an alternate delegate.
  • Rural Fire Service Bush Fire Management Committee rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees: Cr Michelle Bailey.
  • Rous County Council rous.nsw.gov.au: Mayor Cr Sharon Cadwallader and Cr Eva Ramsey. This is for the full Council term ending September 2028.
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