For ongoing updates, the Ballina Shire Emergency Dashboard provides the latest information, including recovery assistance, road closures, power outages, and more. For real-time updates, visit:
All Council facilities have returned to normal operating hours. Ballina Resource Recovery Centre is OPEN daily (8am to 4pm) - expect delays as high demand will mean longer wait times.
Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) are in place in Wardell, Alstonville, Ballina and Lennox Head 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed in areas that have been declared an AFZ. These areas consist of roads, footpaths and public car parks as shown on the maps below.
All sports fields and surrounding reserves in Ballina Shire are Alcohol Prohibited areas (APZ). This declaration makes sporting events more family friendly. It assists sports clubs in meeting their licencing obligations by ensuring the only alcohol that is consumed at a sporting event is purchased from the licensed bar and consumed in the licensed area.
It is an offence to consume alcohol in a declared Alcohol Free Zone in Ballina Shire at any time of the day or night. Police may confiscate alcohol and dispose of it after providing a warning. Alcohol Free Zones can only be created on public roads, footpaths and in public car parks. Alcohol Free Zones are created in accordance with the Ministerial Guidelines 2009 for Alcohol Free Zones which are issued under section 646(1) of the Local Government Act 1993.
It is an offence to consume alcohol in any park or reserve in Ballina Shire between 10pm and 7am.
This prohibition on Crown and Council land is made under Section 632 of the Local Government Act 1993.