Thursday, 26 Jan 2023
Today the Ballina Shire community came together to reflect, respect and celebrate what Australia Day means to them.
Ballina Shire Council hosted the official ceremony at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre, which featured a Welcome to Country from Aunty Nancy Walke, musical performances from singer Katie Rutledge and young Alstonville singer and songwriter Levi Maxwell, citizenship ceremony and the announcement of the highly anticipated Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards.
Over fifty nominations were recognised across the award categories of Senior Citizen, Young Citizen, Volunteer of the Year, Community Event, Sports, Arts/Cultural and Environmental. The awards celebrate the achievements and contributions individuals, and organisations make to our community.
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader with Master of Ceremonies Liz Ellis, Australia’s most successful netballer and Ballina Shire local, Sandra Jackson, presented the awards. Maria Matthes, 2022 Citizen of the Year, passed the baton and announced the 2023 Citizen of the Year.
The morning concluded with a special musical performance from Levi Maxwell to acknowledge and thank the community for their resilience and recovery efforts following the devastating 2022 Northern Rivers floods.
Congratulations to the following award winners and nominees:
Rex and Di Farrell - Captain and Crew Member of the Wardell Rural Fire Service
Rex and Di Farrell (pictured) showed outstanding commitment to the Wardell community during the February 2022 floods.
When it became apparent that the Wardell district was going to be severely impacted by flooding last year, Rex - Captain of the Wardell Rural Fire Service – jumped into action.
Two days before the floods hit, Rex organised a team to fill sandbags, and he set to work making sure the emergency evacuation centre at the Wardell Sport and Recreation Club was operational the night before the floods. Then, as water rose and houses became inundated, Rex accompanied local fisherman to perform dangerous boat rescues on a rapidly flowing river full of debris.
Di, a trained nurse and valued crew member of the Wardell RFS, was also hard at work at the evacuation centre. Di organised donations of food, clothing, bedding, and medicines to be transported from the sports club to the Catholic church hall and pre-school so that donations could be easily sorted and accessed by those in need.
She found residential accommodation for elderly and the unwell who wouldn’t be comfortable at the evacuation centre. She tended various wounds, cuddled babies, wiped tears, and held traumatised residents.
In the days and weeks following the floods Rex and Di continued to assist the community in many ways. Di conducted welfare checks, coordinated volunteers, and organised the distribution of essential items while Rex organised a team of 15 fire engines and Rural Fire Service personnel from across NSW to hose out houses, a task which continued for about four weeks.
The list of Rex and Di’s achievements is countless; the sum of their actions cannot be measured.
In the months following the floods they have continued to support their community while also attending to regular duties with the RFS including bush and house fires, and first responders to motor vehicle accidents.
Our community is forever grateful for their selflessness. Through their outstanding contributions, Rex and Di play a big role in making Ballina Shire a wonderful place to live.
Chai Healy (joint winner)
During the 2022 flood event Chai Healy jumped into action to help fellow West Ballina residents. He spent a day delivering sandbags in a tinny to flooded residents on Burns Point Ferry Road.
The next day, as his own home was inundated, he ran a tinny up and down the streets of West Ballina rescuing stranded residents and bringing them to safety at the Bunnings carpark.
That night he slept (barely) with his boat in the Bunnings carpark to answer urgent calls throughout the night, as he continued to receive requests for help via social media and his marine radio.
In the months following the floods Chai was heavily involved with recovery efforts, helping to deliver furniture to locals and travelling to Broadwater twice a week to support its residents.
Illarrah Roberts (joint winner)
Illarrah Roberts is from the Bundjalung, Gamilaroi and Euahlayi Nations and is a granddaughter of Michael Ghillar Anderson, a founder of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra.
Illarrah is a member of the Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council and North Coast representative for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council's Youth Advisory Committee.
She plans to use her experience on the Youth Advisory Committee to encourage young Aboriginal people to join their Local Aboriginal Land Councils, and to have a positive impact among her peers on issues such as intergenerational trauma, mental health, and unhealthy lifestyles.
She is also an avid sportswoman, having competed in the First Nations Rugby Sevens, NSW’s Athletics Junior Championships, and under 18’s Sydney Roosters Tarsha Gale Cup for Rugby League.
Illarah has been accepted into the pre-law program at the University of NSW and is determined to get her Law Degree with hopes to specialise in human rights.
Illarrah was also integral to the rescue efforts during the 2022 floods, assisting the Cabbage Tree Island community to evacuate and ensure they all had a safe, warm place to sleep.
The other nominees for the Young Citizen of the Year Award were: Jackson Connellan and Lachlan Jones
Kerrie Gray (WINNER)
During Kerrie's 40-year service to Red Cross she has exemplified the fundamental principles of Humanity and Voluntary Service.
Originally heading up Emergency Services in the Northern Rivers, she developed The Pillowcase Project, a school-based program that helps young people prepare for a disaster.
She also works with the Rural Health Services for the mentally ill to assist individuals following a disaster. During her career with Red Cross, Kerrie has been awarded Honorary Life Membership, The Distinguished Service Award, and a Forty Year Service Award.
Following last year’s floods Kerri worked tirelessly to assist flood affected in the Northern Rivers, which included coordinating a gift program.
Kerrie also continues to help those affected by fire in 2019. Long after the event she continues to provide care and goods.
Her service to Red Cross has spanned 40 years of altruist devotion to help anyone in need, exemplifying the Australian spirit of courage and generosity.
The other nominees for the Senior Citizen of the Year Award were: Anna Dicker, Brian Alston and Joyce Emmett.
Mark Ross (WINNER)
Mark has selflessly helped the Ballina community for many years. He was the heart and soul of Ballina in the aftermath of the 2022 floods.
His generosity and dedication to the community was endless. He checked on the welfare of individuals and families to ensure that they were okay and had the necessities they needed.
Mark called for people to donate their Stay NSW vouchers so that he could organise accommodation for flood-impacted residents. He fundraised and collected donations of mattresses, beds, and many other essential items. He worked non-stop giving his time and free labour, helping to organise goods and services for people in need. Even now as our community continues to recover Mark is still helping people.
Mark also supported the community during COVID by providing free meals to people in need. Many people in our community are forever grateful for Mark’s outstanding and continuous generosity.
The other nominees for the Volunteer of the Year: Ballina State Emergency Service, Douglas Townsend, Emma Tiatia, Flood Recovery Distribution Hub Volunteers, Garry, John and Joshua Joblin, Helga Hawkes, Jackson Connellan, Joan GibsonKelli-Ann Potts, Lennox Lions Club, Michele Robertson, Rex and Di Farrell, Robyn Hargrave, Ruth Henderson, Sue Chapman, Terry Hodgetts.
Lennox Head Lions Club – 2022 Flood Relief and Recovery (WINNER)
The Lennox Head Lions Club has played an instrumental role in our community’s recovery from the 2022 floods.
Since March last year the club has delivered more than $200,000 in flood recovery and relief to our community. Members have supported flood-affected and displaced people across Ballina Shire as well as residents in towns and villages in the Mid-Richmond area.
They provided immediate and practical assistance at the Lennox Evacuation Centre during the floods, assisting with cooking and cleaning.
They delivered groceries to flood-impacted residents, set up food vans to feed mud armies and workers, and provided residents with vouchers for food, fuel, and hardware.
The club worked closely with recovery hubs and those on the ground to ensure support was targeted and needed.
Now in the recovery phase, the club continues to assist the community through a variety of projects including mould treatment for hundreds of homes, bedding packs for flood-impacted residents, and repairing rooms to enable residents to move back into their homes.
The club is always focused on meeting the community’s needs and making sure no-one falls through the cracks. Far from finished, their flood recovery work continues in 2023.
The other nominees for Community Event of the Year: Ballina Shire Meals on Wheels Social Activities Program, Community Mental Health Symposium - Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond, Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Advisory Group Weekly Activities, Quota Alstonville Inc 2022 Craft and Garden Fair, Resonator Music School Showcase 2022
Alexander Crimmins – Athletics (WINNER)
Alexander Crimmins is a 16-year-old boy from Lennox Head who has had a passion for athletics since the young age of eight.
Alexander's individual motivation, innate drive, and commitment to excel has led to his immense success.
Living regionally comes with its challenges, such as extensive travel, financial costs and solo athletic training, which Alexander has committed to with incredible enthusiasm. Despite this, Alexander has taken every opportunity to train and compete within the school environment and through extracurricular activities.
Alexander’s dedication and drive for his sport has proved successful and over the past few years he’s achieved personal bests competing at both a state and national level. In 2022, Alexander’s triple jump talent landed him 7th place at the Australian National Championships and 2nd place at the NSW State All Schools event.
He is set to continue this success in 2023 having qualified to head back to Sydney Olympic Park to compete once again in the Australian National Championships.
The other nominees for the Sporting Achievement Award were: All Girls Surfriders Lennox Head, Alstonville Water Polo, Briony Leonard, Emma Tiatia, Julie Davies, Kim Pickering, Mary Davis, Lennox Beach Line Dancers, Team Butcher Off Road Racing Team and Tyler Dogan
Tania Marlowe and Debra Cole – Jugan Dandii Weaving Collective (WINNER)
In the past 12 months Tania and Debra - weaving collective Jugan Dandii - have delivered a series of meaningful and profound weaving workshops for the Ballina community, through the Northern Rivers Community Gallery’s Public Program.
They bring people together in a relaxed, friendly, welcoming environment to learn the art of weaving with natural fibres. Tania and Debra delivered multiple free workshops for the community as part of the flood recovery response.
In a year where our community has suffered multiple traumatic events, these quiet, peaceful weaving circles have provided a space for connection, healing, learning and creative expression.
The Ballina community is extremely lucky to benefit not only from Debra and Tania’s weaving skills, knowledge, and experience, but also their warmth, inclusivity, and open hearts.
The other nominees for the Arts/Cultural Award were: Marcus Ferguson (Nyangbal Cultural Knowledge Holder and Teacher) and Daniel Roberts, Marcus Ferguson and Tania Marlowe also received a nomination for their work on the Ballina Airport Public Artwork project.
Marlon Denning (WINNER)
Marlon Denning is a 15-year-old, budding naturalist with a passion to inspire people to love and respect the environment and the creatures within it.
The Lennox Head teen created a short film about his COVID lockdown experience, called ‘The Rock Pool Waltz’. The film explores his life-long connection with nature and friendship with a cheeky Octopus, which was inspired by his daily visits to the local rock pool during lockdown.
The film has been screened all around the world in international film festivals and has won a staggering 15 awards – and counting! Some of the most prestigious include Best High School Film at the International Short Film Festival, Flickerfest. At the Cannes Short Film Festival, Marlon won both the Festival Directors Award for Best Student Film and the Audience Award. London was another stop on his global awards tour, where he accepted two emerging talent awards at the Discover Film Awards.
His exceptional filmmaking talents have taken him across the world where he has showcased and promoted the beautiful Ballina Shire and our unique environment. During these opportunities he’s spoken graciously and confidently sharing his inspiring environmental message.
Marlon’s short film and his passion continues to inspire audiences across the world to better appreciate and care for their environment and its creatures. His humility, passion, and love of nature is infectious.
The other nominees for the Environmental Award were: Empire Vale Public School – Senior Class, Rotary Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle, The Wildlife Twins – Bridget and Sophie Thomson.
As part of the ceremony 15 new Australian Citizens from Brazil, Germany, India, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Philippines, United Kingdom and United States warmly welcomed.
A full-recording of the livestreamed event can be viewed on Ballina Shire Council’s website ballina.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay
Friday, 22 Sep 2023
The NSW Budget 2023-24, released on Tuesday 19 September, has outlined several key projects and funding for Ballina Shire and the Northern Rivers region.
Friday, 22 Sep 2023
Ballina Shire Council's water team will be carrying out repairs to a water main in Skennars Head on Friday 22 September 2023, from 9.30am to 3pm.
Wednesday, 20 Sep 2023
Prepare to embark on a shopping adventure with the much-anticipated 'Lennox Head Golden Ticket: Shop to Win Campaign!'
Wednesday, 20 Sep 2023
Monday, 18 Sep 2023
Ballina Shire Council is pleased to announce the Festival and Event Sponsorship Program is now open.
Wednesday, 13 Sep 2023
Arts, crafts, creatures and a laneway party!
Monday, 11 Sep 2023
An emergency exercise will be held at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on Wednesday 13 September 2023 from 8.30am to 12noon.
Monday, 11 Sep 2023
Two new sets of traffic lights have been switched on, marking the completion of two major intersection upgrades.
Thursday, 07 Sep 2023
Burns Point Ferry will recommence services from 5.30am Saturday 9 September 2023. The ferry has been in a dry dock slipyard for its annual major maintenance works program.
Thursday, 07 Sep 2023
Get ready for an extraordinary shopping experience as Lennox Head village prepares to launch the much-awaited 'Lennox Head Golden Ticket: Shop to Win Campaign.'
Tuesday, 05 Sep 2023
Ballina Shire Council will be hosting two free safety workshops on Saturday 7 October 2023 for motorcycle riders.
Tuesday, 05 Sep 2023
Ballina Shire Council's crews will be upgrading a section of footpath along Pearces Creek Road, Alstonville, with work expected to commence from Monday 11 September 2023.
Tuesday, 05 Sep 2023
The Salvage Shed is hosting a Recycled Art Competition, offering a fun and inclusive way for community members to redesign and repurpose materials that may otherwise be sent to landfill or left hidden in a shed.
Thursday, 31 Aug 2023
Flood-damaged pontoons at Fishery Creek, West Ballina and in Wardell will be replaced next week.
Thursday, 31 Aug 2023
The Ballina Street and Park Lane intersection upgrade in Lennox Head is nearing completion and Ballina Street has reopened to traffic in both directions.
Tuesday, 29 Aug 2023
Ballina Shire Council's crews will be conducting tree replacement planting on Main Street, Alstonville from 7am -10am on Thursday 31 August 2023.
Friday, 25 Aug 2023
From Monday 28 August 2023, Ballina Shire Council and Lismore City Council will introduce a reduced load limit for Pearces Creek Bridge on Eltham Road, Pearces Creek. The new load limit will be 4.5 tonnes
Thursday, 17 Aug 2023
From 21 to 23 August 2023 Ballina Shire Council will be spotlighting safety on bikes.
Wednesday, 16 Aug 2023
Ballina Shire Council is on a mission to dive deep into our community and celebrate both individuals and groups who quietly make an extraordinary impact on our shire. Nominations are invited for those outstanding community members who may otherwise go unnoticed, individuals and groups who dedicate themselves to community-based activities, sports, the environment, or the arts.
Wednesday, 16 Aug 2023
Learn professional secrets of watercolour painting in a one-day immersive workshop with local artist Karena Wynn-Moylan on Saturday 26 August from 10am-4pm.
Tuesday, 15 Aug 2023
The Burns Point Ferry will be taken to a dry dock slip yard for maintenance works from Friday 18 August to Saturday 9 September 2023.
Monday, 14 Aug 2023
Following extensive community consultation, Ballina Shire Council has developed the Draft Lennox Head Strategic Plan 2023-2043.
Friday, 11 Aug 2023
Ballina Shire Council's crews are attending to a water main break that has occurred at Fig Tree Hill Drive in Lennox Head this morning.
Thursday, 10 Aug 2023
On Thursday 17 August from 5-7pm at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) in Ballina, acclaimed author, journalist, and photographer Mark Isaacs will join award-winning writer, director, and paramedic Benjamin Gilmour in conversation.
Tuesday, 08 Aug 2023
Ballina Shire Council is inviting residents to have their say on the preferred route for a new Shared Path between Park Lane and Cooper Close, Lennox Head.
Tuesday, 08 Aug 2023
Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) presents four exhibitions this August drawing on themes of beauty and resilience found in our environment and communities as well as our personal relationships with our place in the world.
Monday, 07 Aug 2023
Individuals, community groups and organisations are invited to apply for a new community grant that will support resource recovery initiatives within Ballina Shire.
Thursday, 03 Aug 2023
Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) & Ignite Studios is delivering a one-day contemporary art market in the heart of Ballina on Saturday 14 October 2023.
Tuesday, 01 Aug 2023
Ballina Shire Council and the Northern Rivers Community Gallery want to hear from artists who would like to participate in a public street art project.
Friday, 28 Jul 2023
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
Thursday, 13 Jul 2023
With the Byron Street/Ballina Street intersection now complete and fully reopened, Ballina Shire Council's crews will focus on Stage 5 of the Lennox Village Vision project at the Ballina Street and Park Lane intersection from Monday 17 July 2023.
Friday, 07 Jul 2023
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that our Water team will be renewing the recycled water main along Angels Beach Drive, Ballina from Tuesday 11 July 2023.
Wednesday, 05 Jul 2023
Lismore-based printmaker, artist, and educator Christine Porter will run a two-day immersive drypoint etching workshop at Ignite Studios in Ballina.
Monday, 03 Jul 2023
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that vehicle access to part of Pacific Parade in Lennox Head will be closed for the annual Skullcandy Oz Grom Open surfing competition.
Friday, 30 Jun 2023
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
Friday, 30 Jun 2023
NAIDOC Week is a special time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions Indigenous Australians make to our country and society.
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2023
As part of the Lennox Village Vision project, Ballina Shire Council is continuing rejuvenation works in surrounding areas of the Lennox Head town centre.
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2023
Monday, 26 Jun 2023
Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) presents four diverse exhibitions this July from local and interstate artists. The exhibitions include a photographic journey through Afghanistan, explorations upon the essence of landscape, traditional textile art and cultural practices of Iran and a collection of artworks celebrating the 12th Annual Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition.
Friday, 23 Jun 2023
Ballina Shire Council's crews will be reconstructing a section of Moon Street in Ballina, between Bangalow Road and Fox Street, from Monday 26 June 2023.
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2023
The member councils of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library service have recently established a new Deed of Agreement to uphold the provision of public library services throughout the Lismore, Tweed, Ballina, and Byron local government areas by leveraging a regional library model.
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2023
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) & Ignite Studios invites the community to celebrate the opening of the Commemorative Flood Recovery Community Art Exhibition
Friday, 16 Jun 2023
Are you a parent, carer, teacher, or youth worker? Or maybe you have another support role in a young person's life? Come along to the E-Safety and Young People Community Forum at Lennox Head Cultural Centre next Thursday 22 June 2023 from 6pm.
Friday, 09 Jun 2023
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) & Ignite Studios is pleased to announce a special artist talk with local exhibiting artists Michelle Walker and Jude White, in conversation with visual artist and educator Virginia Reid, as part of their exhibition Ash, Mud & Tears, currently on show at NRCG until 25 June 2023.
Friday, 09 Jun 2023
Local artist and filmmaker Angus McDonald is bringing his first feature film, Freedom is Beautiful, to Lennox Head Cultural Centre, fresh from its Sydney Film Festival premiere.
Friday, 09 Jun 2023
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that roadworks will commence at the intersection of Rous Road and Wardell Road, Lynwood, from Tuesday 13 June 2023 and continue for approximately two weeks (weather permitting).
Friday, 02 Jun 2023
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
Tuesday, 30 May 2023
Friday, 26 May 2023
Ballina Shire Council will close the Ballina War Memorial Pool for the month of June and the Alstonville Aquatic Centre for the month of July for essential annual maintenance.
Friday, 26 May 2023
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport's runway will soon be overlayed as part of an essential maintenance program.
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Ballina Shire Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the future management of Shaws Bay in East Ballina.
Tuesday, 23 May 2023
As part of the ongoing flood recovery efforts across our region, the NSW Government has provided funding to Ballina Shire Council to support Commemorative Flood Recovery projects until June 2023.
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Several roads across the shire are closed due to flooding, with cautions in place for others.
Monday, 15 May 2023
After a four-year hiatus, the annual Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day will return Friday 9 June 2023.
Thursday, 11 May 2023
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that essential water main renewal works will be carried out in West Ballina on Tuesday 16 May 2023.
Tuesday, 09 May 2023
Essential recycled water main repairs will be carried out in the Aureus Estate, Skennars Head on Wednesday 10 May 2023.
Friday, 05 May 2023
Thursday, 04 May 2023
The Ballina Tourism Team is excited to announce the arrival of its newest merchandise line - Ballina Fishing Shirts!
Tuesday, 02 May 2023
Ballina Shire Council is partnering with various agencies and community groups to provide mobile flood recovery services in Wardell and West Ballina in May.
Friday, 28 Apr 2023
Ballina Shire Council's crews are attending to a water main break that has occurred on Richmond Avenue, Ballina this morning.
Friday, 21 Apr 2023
As part of the Lennox Village Vision project, Stage 6 works at the Byron and Ballina Street intersection will commence on Wednesday 26 April 2023.
Thursday, 20 Apr 2023
ANZAC Day services will be held in Ballina and Alstonville on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
Friday, 14 Apr 2023
Council's crews are attending to a water main break that has occurred on Main Street, Alstonville this afternoon.
Friday, 14 Apr 2023
Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) presents four new exhibitions from local artists this May.
Friday, 14 Apr 2023
The world-famous Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns to Australia throughout May and June 2023, with a screening at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Friday 12 May, 7pm to 10pm.
Thursday, 06 Apr 2023
On Monday 17 April 2023 Ballina Shire Council will commence works to install a signalised pedestrian crossing near the Westower Tavern between Riverview Avenue and Quays Drive, West Ballina, to provide a safer crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.
Thursday, 06 Apr 2023
The Ballina Tourism Team is excited to announce the arrival of the new Ballina Coast and Hinterland Map. The map includes detailed town maps for Ballina, Lennox, Alstonville/Wollongbar and Wardell and a regional map overview.
Thursday, 06 Apr 2023
Ballina Shire Concert Band is turning 140 years old! To celebrate this impressive milestone, they are hosting a special anniversary concert for the community at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Saturday 6 May 2023.
Wednesday, 05 Apr 2023
The Ballina Visitor Information Centre is seeking enthusiastic and customer service focused people to join the friendly team of volunteers working at the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and the Ballina Visitor Information Centre.
Tuesday, 04 Apr 2023
Ballina Shire Council will commence road reconstruction works at the intersection of Crane and Martin Streets, Ballina from Wednesday 12 April 2023.
Thursday, 23 Mar 2023
On Monday 27 March Ballina Shire Council will begin upgrading Kerr Street, between Swift and Russell Streets, Ballina.
Thursday, 23 Mar 2023
Various sections of footpath along River Street, Moon Street, Cherry Street, and Winton Lane in Ballina will be pressure washed over the coming week.
Wednesday, 15 Mar 2023
Council’s crews are attending to a water main break that has occurred overnight in the Allawah Bushland Reserve, East Ballina.
Friday, 03 Mar 2023
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that the next planned shutdown for maintenance on the Burns Point Ferry will be for an extended period, from 5.30am to 7pm on Tuesday 14 March 2023.
Friday, 24 Feb 2023
Council is continuing rejuvenation works in Lennox Head with a focus on the surrounding areas of the village in 2023. The commencement of Stage 5 works has been postponed from 27 February 2023 to a date yet to be determined after 25 April 2023.
Wednesday, 22 Feb 2023
Ballina Shire Council is inviting the community to improve their caravan skills and knowledge. Three free workshops will be held in Ballina on 20 March 2023 for local caravan owners.
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2023
Celebrating ten years of inspiring and educating audiences around the globe, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour is coming to the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Saturday 4 March 2023.
Monday, 20 Feb 2023
Join us for a special meet-the-artist event in the final week of Northern Rivers Community Gallery's (NRCG) current exhibitions, and hear exhibiting artists Karena Wynn-Moylan, Hannah Massey and Steven Giese speak about their work and practice.
Friday, 17 Feb 2023
Ballina Shire Council is continuing the rejuvenation works at Lennox Head with a focus on the surrounding areas of the town centre. Council will start Stage 5 works to upgrade the Park Lane and Ballina Street intersection from 27 February 2023.
Friday, 17 Feb 2023
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
Thursday, 16 Feb 2023
Four new solo-exhibitions from local artists convey changing perspectives on landscape, climate change, metamorphosis of plant species, and migration and transgenerational trauma.
Thursday, 16 Feb 2023
A Red Alert level warning for high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae has been issued for Lake Ainsworth in the North Coast region by Ballina Shire Council.
Thursday, 09 Feb 2023
Roll the dice on some of your favourite locations across the region with the special edition Ballina-Byron Monopoly game.
Thursday, 09 Feb 2023
The Nor'easter weekend of live music is coming to the coastal village of Lennox Head in Northern NSW from Friday 24 February to Sunday 26 February 2023.
Tuesday, 07 Feb 2023
Wednesday, 01 Feb 2023
Tuesday, 31 Jan 2023
Lennox Arts Board is excited to present a special family friendly screening of the film 6 Festivals at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Saturday 4 February 2023.
Thursday, 26 Jan 2023
Ballina Shire Council hosted the official ceremony at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre, which featured a Welcome to Country from Aunty Nancy Walke, musical performances from singer Katie Rutledge and young Alstonville singer and songwriter Levi Maxwell, citizenship ceremony and the announcement of the highly anticipated Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards.
Friday, 20 Jan 2023
Wednesday, 18 Jan 2023
On Monday 23 January Ballina Shire Council will commence works on Stage 2 of the River Street Duplication project from Henry Philp Avenue to Tweed Street, Ballina. Stage 2 is expected to continue to July 2023.
Friday, 13 Jan 2023
Ballina Shire locals and visitors have had the perfect summer weather to enjoy our local beaches and waterways. The only downside is that this summer our subtropical climate has provided the perfect conditions for 'trichodesmium' (a type of blue-green algae) to bloom in some local waterways.
Tuesday, 10 Jan 2023
Tuesday, 10 Jan 2023
The Ballina community has banded together and shown its true Australian spirit recovering from a pandemic and last year's devastating floods. This Aussie spirit will be recognised at the Australia Day Celebrations hosted by Ballina Shire Council on Thursday 26 January 2023. Ballina Shire Council is inviting the community to come along and congratulate this year's Australia Day Award nominees and winners, welcome our newest Australian citizens, and reflect on the Australian story.
Wednesday, 04 Jan 2023
Friday, 23 Dec 2022
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has introduced a new parking option for travellers. The new pre-booked parking area is just steps away from the check-in terminal and allows passengers the option to reserve and pay for their parking spot online before they arrive.
Thursday, 22 Dec 2022
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
Thursday, 22 Dec 2022
Wednesday, 21 Dec 2022
Tuesday, 20 Dec 2022
Tuesday, 20 Dec 2022
Friday, 16 Dec 2022
Waste volumes increase by around 30% over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, which keeps Ballina Shire Council's waste trucks extra busy!
Friday, 16 Dec 2022
Lennox Head village is sparkling and new, ready for locals and holiday makers to enjoy this festive season.
Tuesday, 13 Dec 2022
Ballina Shire Council is calling on locals who live or work in Wardell or the broader Wardell District to register their interest to join a Community Design Charette Group.
Friday, 02 Dec 2022
Touring Australia to sold out audiences, Sionnach Rua's Great Irish Songbook is coming to the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Sunday 3 December 2022.
Friday, 25 Nov 2022
Almost 300 garage sales will be held across the Northern Rivers region for Second Hand Saturday – an event that is all about reducing waste to landfill.
Tuesday, 22 Nov 2022
Ballina's Norman Sharpe Rotary Lookout (located off Suvla Street) is temporarily closed due to fire damage.
Friday, 18 Nov 2022
Ballina Shire Council is holding a community engagement street stall in Richmond Street, Wardell next week as part of consultation for the village centre renewal.
Wednesday, 16 Nov 2022
This Saturday 19 November, Ballina shire joins the rest of the NSW North Coast community for the biggest garage sale day of the year - Second Hand Saturday!
Monday, 14 Nov 2022
This December local weavers Jugan Dandii return to the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) to run their fifth and final workshop in a series of Weaving Circles presented by the gallery throughout the year.
Monday, 14 Nov 2022
From 14 to 16 November 2022 Ballina Shire Council is putting the spotlight on bike safety.
Thursday, 10 Nov 2022
The Burns Point Ferry will return to service from 5.30am Wednesday 16 November 2022.
Thursday, 10 Nov 2022
One of Australia's finest folk and roots duos, Ash Bell and Sara Tindley, will perform live at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Friday 18 November 2022.
Wednesday, 09 Nov 2022
Every two years, Council undertakes a community satisfaction survey to measure our performance on key facilities and services.
Friday, 04 Nov 2022
This National Recycling Week, Ballina Shire Council is launching a new community initiative, 'Ask a Waste Expert'.
Friday, 04 Nov 2022
Ballina Shire Council is duplicating Ballina's Kerr Street (between River Street and Bentinck Street). The upgrade will improve traffic flow and future-proof the local road network.
Wednesday, 02 Nov 2022
Planned roadworks in Cumbalum on Thursday 3 November 2022.
Friday, 28 Oct 2022
Ross Lane has reopened to both lanes of traffic.
Thursday, 27 Oct 2022
The Lennox Head Cultural Centre now boasts a bigger and better stage to attract more events and performances to the centre.
Thursday, 27 Oct 2022
Ross Lane has reopened to one lane of traffic.
Wednesday, 26 Oct 2022
Ross Lane has reopened to one lane of traffic.
Tuesday, 25 Oct 2022
Ross Lane remains closed and traffic control is in place. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route and avoid the area.
Monday, 24 Oct 2022
Ross Lane remains closed and it may be some days before it is reopened. Traffic control is in place. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route and avoid the area.
Monday, 24 Oct 2022
To help develop the new housing strategy, Council invites locals to share their housing experiences via a short online survey or by attending one of our upcoming workshops.
Monday, 24 Oct 2022
Road status and council service updates due to wet weather event.
Sunday, 23 Oct 2022
Road caution information following wet weather.
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2022
The 2022 Australia Day Award Winners were announced at our ceremony held at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.
The General Manager
Ballina Shire Council
PO Box 450
Ballina NSW 2478
40 Cherry Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Opening Hours
8:15am - 4:30pm
Monday to Friday
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