Cr Sharon Cadwallader was elected to Council in March 2004 and was first elected as Mayor in December 2021, and is now in her second term as Mayor.
She is a current company director, Justice of the Peace, Registered Civil Celebrant, Chair of the Australian Coastal Councils Association and Deputy Chair of both Rous County Council and the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation, and on the Executive Board of the Country Mayors Association of NSW. Sharon is a past director of Summerland Credit Union and a former Regional Manager of Northern Rivers NSW Business Chamber. Accreditations include Dental Nursing, Marriage Celebrant, Marketing and Management and UTS Executive Certificate in Local Government.
Currently, Sharon is a Patron of Far North Coast Legacy - Ballina Division, the Ballina Schools Historical Society Inc and the Ballina Hospital Auxiliary; and an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond (2024/25). She has also represented the local community on many committees, including 17 years with Essential Energy on the Customer Council, Chair of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library, Chair of the B Ward Committee and a Delegate of the Ballina, Alstonville/Wollongbar and Lennox Head Chambers of Commerce.
Sharon is very interested in affordable, accessible housing, protecting and enhancing our lifestyle and the natural beauty of our area with a focus on preserving our heritage, the beautification of our town and villages and provision of more walkways and cycleways, as well as creating jobs, through sensible and sustainable economic development. Working regionally is also seen as very important to ensure the best value for money for ratepayers ensuring equity of State and Federal grant money.
Sharon realises the importance of making it simpler to deal with council by removing layers of bureaucracy and having a “Can Do” culture which provides the best outcome for the environment, including climate change and mitigating against the impacts.
She is married to Bruce and they share five children and 11 grandchildren with three generations living in the Ballina Shire.
Her open for business policy encourages input from the community, preferably by text or email.
mobile: 0428 339 023
email: sharon.cadwallader@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Damian is a retired Detective Sergeant of the NSW Police Force having served for 35 years; and a former Police Negotiator and senior investigator. Damian was an inducted officer of the NSW Crime Commission and has worked in various locations across NSW specialising in the cold case unsolved homicides of Lynette Dawson and Cheryl Grimmer. Damian has extensive experience in community safety, bush fire crime management and held the role of Forward Commander for the Black Christmas Bushfires in 2001/2002 across the Shoalhaven on the states South Coast. Damian has received the National Police Service Medal, NSW Police Commendation (service), the NSW Police Medal and the NSW Police Commissioners Emergency Commendation (2018/2019 NSW bushfires).
phone: 0438 463 710
email: damian.loone@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Erin Karsten spent 25 years working in corporate real estate, sustainable building design and construction before retiring in 2022, living and working in 4 countries, including in New York, London, Stockholm Sydney and now Ballina. Her corporate background, including working with some of the world’s largest corporate organisations, such as CBRE, JLL, American Express, Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, KPMG, Google, Intel, GE, to name a few means that she is very focused on driving value through strong risk and governance with a view to long-term strategy. She looks forward to utilising her extensive experience in finance, operations and sustainable design to support decision making to help Ballina shire get the best possible outcomes.
In addition to her corporate experience, Erin comes from a family with a strong sense of civic duty. Since she was a teenager through to now, she has been involved in various organizations supporting her local communities: from 4-H, a youth agricultural leadership program, to heading the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in the UK and chairing the NSW NAWIC Mentoring committee, pairing women with industry mentors across greater Sydney. She was also a mentor herself in the iLead program started by the owner of SNP Security to provide professional support and guidance to those working in the security sector. She sat on the first Diversity and Inclusion board for SNP Security. She also sat on the Town of Montgomery Conservation Advisory Council in New York to support intelligent environmental decisions around local development applications. Erin has also been actively involved in annual charity work raising finds through endurance sports like marathons and adventure races supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the US and The Smith Family in Australia. She looks forward to now giving back to her community in a new way, through public service as a Councillor.
phone: 0427 723 880
email: erin.karsten@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Councillor Meehan was first elected to Ballina Shire Council in 2016. This is his third term representing A Ward and Ballina Shire. He is a long term Ballina resident with four generations of his family living here.
Phil had a career as a PDHPE Head Teacher, High School Deputy Principal, Education Consultant and Regional Equity Programs Manager with the NSW Department of Education. He is currently semi-retired, operating a Bed & Breakfast with his wife Susan and is also a Director of The Ballina Jockey Club.
Councillor Meehan is an active sportsperson with surfing, walking our coastline and mountain biking his passions. He is dedicated to maintaining and protecting the natural environment of our coastal zone.
As a Councillor, Phil believes that working hard to represent the Shire's residents in a responsible, informed and equitable manner is paramount to his role. He is very focused on Council working within its means, providing quality core services and maintaining "what makes Ballina a great place to live."
Councillor Meehan welcomes contact from residents right across Ballina Shire..
phone: 0408 349 833
email: phil.meehan@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Michelle was elected to Council in 2024. A local born and raised in Ballina Shire, with a family history that stretches back generations in farming and the establishment of some of the Shires buildings and infrastructure. Michelle with her husband, have raised their now adult, 2 children here, reflecting her long-standing commitment to the Shire.
For over 25 years, Michelle has been a local business manager, sponsoring numerous events, donating to various charitable causes, and providing employment opportunities for locals. Being involved in School/Sport and Charity committee and fundraising initiatives, and events, which brings a wealth of experience in community service, exemplified by her role as President of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Support Group for Ballina Shire amongst others.
With experience from working within the local government sector for many years, providing a solid understanding of local government operations, this knowledge, combined with business and administration and event management skills, supports the platform to advocate for business, economic, and development growth, working as part of the Council to implement change and seize available opportunities.
Michelle envisions a Council that operates with a sound business structure, fostering a synergy between business and community to achieve collective progress.
phone: 0429 279 482
email: michelle.bailey@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Kiri grew up in the Ballina Shire, attending Lennox Head Public School and Ballina High School, later returning to raise her family in Lennox Head.
Her career has been dedicated to working in the social and community services sector in a diverse range of roles and contexts, including case management, community development, policy analysis and management consulting. Her work has taken her all over the work, including over a decade spent working in the aid and development sector in the Asia Pacific region providing technical advice to governments, UN agencies and not-for-profit groups.
Kiri currently works as the Community Impact Manager for the Northern Rivers Community Foundation where she oversees the organisation’s grants and research portfolios across seven Local Government areas.
Kiri holds a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Behaviour Science (Griffith University), a Master’s Degree in Community Development and Emergency Management (Southern Cross University) and a Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming, Policy and Analysis (Flinders University).
Kiri’s key interests include environmental protection, sustainable waste management, climate action, affordable housing, and diversity in local government.
You can read more about Kiri’s work on Council and sign up to receive her emails at www.kiridicker.com
phone: 0419 493 898
email: kiri.dicker@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Eva Ramsey has been a resident of Lennox Head for more than two decades, having moved to the coastal village with her husband in 2000.
Since relocating to the Ballina Shire, Eva has been an active member of the community. A keen sportsperson, coach, referee and mentor of young athletes, Eva was instrumental in the successful campaign to fund and build the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre, which the Ballina community can boast as the best sporting facility on the Far North Coast. Eva received a Community Recognition Statement in the NSW Parliament for her tireless work to make the sports centre a reality.
Eva brings to the Council extensive experience in Asset and Project Management and has widespread knowledge of administration. Eva also for a period was NSW Secretary for the Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADD). Having a history of teamwork and collaboration, Eva will work constructively as part of the Ballina Shire Council to set the vision and direction for the shire to continue its growth and thrive in its diverse location.
Eva is excited that her appointment to Council will give her the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of vital services and the prosperity of the community.
She is passionate about her community and the privilege and opportunity being a councillor presents. She is a great listener and sincere activist who will represent the views and needs of the community. Eva is available to discuss and explore any issues of community concern.
phone: 0419 542 905
email: eva.ramsey@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Simon Chate lives in Alstonville with his partner, Shirley, for the past 20 years. They love Ballina Shire. They love the warm and friendly community, the easy-going lifestyle and spectacular landscape.
As well as being a family man, Simon is a musician, a choir director and music educator. He has had extensive community interaction through his role as a teacher at Alstonville High School where he has been in a position to affect change through his membership of the school P & C committee. Simon is also a member of the Rous Mill Hall committee and the Summerland Toastmasters Club.
Simon has extensive national and international performance experience having sung tenor 2 with acclaimed SCU group, Isabella A Cappella for almost 10 years, and since 2004 he has held the position of musical director for Coolangatta-based entertainers, Men Wot Sing.
Since 2012, Simon has taken strong leadership roles within the community, both through the creation and running of Alstonville’s community choir, Awesome Voices, and through co-founding and organising the monthly, fund-raising community performance event, Rous Unplugged, which has raised over $30,000 for local charities and causes.
Simon’s qualifications include Bachelor of Contemporary Music (Southern Cross University), Graduate Diploma of Education (Southern Cross University), Diploma in Music Technology in Education (Newcastle University), Cert III – Live Production and Services (NIDA) and Cert IV – Training and Assessment (Aust. Forensic Services).
Simon feels passionate that protecting our environment (an ultimately finite resource) is of the utmost importance and he joined the Greens in 2019. He feels that environmental factors are too often given insufficient consideration or are dismissed outright. He believes we need to find the right balance in addressing the climate emergency and protecting our environment whilst facilitating our community’s continued growth and change in a sustainable, family-friendly, and culturally sensitive way.
As well as providing infrastructure and recreational facilities, Simon believes Council must look at increasing the availability of longer-term rental properties and find a way to make local housing more affordable. Simon is also keen to ensure transparency around big decisions in Council and straightforward access to community consultation.
phone: 0419 593 233
email: simon.chate@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Therese was elected to Council in 2024 and is a retired Medical Scientist who is involved with a number of community organisations including Alstonville Rotary Club, Ballina Surf Life Saving Club, LinC Alstonville, St Vincent de Paul and the Ballina Shire Concert band. Therese is also a member of her Church's Pastoral Council.
Therese is a keen swimmer and is a Life Member and past President of Queensland Masters Swimming and also enjoys kayaking, walking (especially with her Jack Russell "Cecille") and gym work. Therese loves to travel and has seen a lot of Australia and the world. She is also a historic car enthusiast and a proud owner of a 1969 MGB Roadster with the Ballina Historic Vehicle Club.
phone: 0437 947 859
email: therese.crollick@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Simon was elected to Council in 2024.
phone: 0427 410 192
email: simon.kinny@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Ballina Shire is divided into three wards, A, B and C ward for election purposes. The Mayor is popularly elected, along with three councillors from each ward, resulting in a total of ten councillors.
In accordance with the Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy, detailed reports including expenditure summarised by individual Councillor are now publicly tabled at a Council meeting every six months and published in full on Council’s website.
Clause 4.21 (in part) of the Council’s Code of Conduct states: A councillor or designated person must complete and lodge with the general manager, a return in the form set out in schedule 2 to the code, disclosing the councillors’ or designated person’s interests as specified in schedule 1 to the code within 3 months after:
(a) Becoming a councillor or designated person, and
(b) 30 June of each year and
(c) The councillor or designated person becoming aware of an interest they are required to disclose under schedule 1 that has not been previously disclosed in a return lodged under paragraphs (a) or (b).
Clause 4.27 of Council’s Code of Conduct states: Information contained in returns made and lodged under clause 4.21 is to be made publicly available in accordance with the requirements of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009 and any guidelines issued by the Information Commissioner.
Council has identified its designated persons as Councillors, the General Manager and members of Council’s Executive Team.
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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