Proposed Changes in Ward Boundaries

September 2023 review

Council recently exhibited proposed changes in Ward boundaries to address the NSW Local Government Act requirement of a maximum 10% variance between the number of electors in each Council Ward. At the Ordinary meeting on 24 August 2023, Council resolved to seek further changes to the Ward boundaries:

That Council write to the Electoral Commission seeking approval for changes that would move all of East Ballina from the Missingham Bridge into B Ward and that areas to the north of Ballina (Cumbalum) be added to A Ward. (Resolution number 240823/12).

A rescission motion was then lodged and discussed at an Extraordinary meeting on 31 August 2023. The rescission motion was lost, meaning the above resolution remains in place.

Please view the proposed plans under the September 2023 Documents section.

The proposed changes include:

• North Ballina moved from B Ward to A Ward (previously exhibited for public comment)
• All areas in the Newrybar locality west of the Pacific Motorway moving from B Ward to C Ward (previously exhibited for public comment)
• Ballina Heights moving from B Ward to A Ward
• Areas of East Ballina, north and north-east of the Richmond River, that are currently in A Ward move to B Ward.

If the proposed changes are implemented, it means that during the Local Government Elections, you would vote for candidates in A, B or C Ward based on the new Ward boundary maps.

Have your say on the proposed changes by completing the survey below.

Submissions close: Friday 20 October 2023

Information exhibited July-August 2023

The Ballina Shire is divided into three wards for voting purposes for local government elections.

The wards encompass:

• A Ward: The majority of the Ballina township and South Ballina, plus surrounding rural areas
• B Ward: East Ballina to Lennox Head and surrounding rural areas
• C Ward: Alstonville / Wollongbar / Wardell and surrounding rural areas.

The NSW Local Government Act allows a maximum 10% variance between the number of electors in each Council ward.

Based on the latest census figures, the number of electors in B Ward is beyond the 10% limit compared to C Ward.

To address this variation, Council proposes reallocating several properties in B Ward to A or C Ward.

In the "documents" section, you can access the following information:

1. Council Report - 23 February 2023 details the number of electors in each ward and the proposed changes.
2. Council resolution - 23 February 2023 based on the above report outlining the next steps in the process.
3. Electoral Commission Letter - confirming proposal to change ward boundaries.
4. Ward Boundary Plans current and proposed boundaries.

If the proposed changes are implemented, it means that during the local government elections, you would vote for candidates in either A or C Ward instead of B Ward.

Please note the Mayor is popularly elected, allowing all electors in the local government area to elect the Mayor.