• Greens reignite debate with rescission motion
• Ag Society President threatens legal action

The long running saga over new stockyards at Alstonville Showground is back before Ballina Shire Council this week, reigniting tensions between the Alstonville Agricultural Society (AAS) and Greens councillors.

Just weeks after the issue was thought resolved, a rescission motion—driven by Greens Party councillors—will put the matter back on the agenda risking further acrimony and legal costs.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the controversy erupted over a year ago, Show Society President Zac Convery told the Ballina News Daily the AAS is prepared to return to the Land and Environment Court if council imposes what it considers unreasonable conditions.

“If this gets voted down on political grounds, we’ll go back to court,” Convery said. “That’s not a threat—it’s just the reality.”

These comments follow a written warning two weeks ago from Ballina Council’s independent auditor Colin Wight, who flagged excessive legal spending as one reason behind the Shire’s $3.6 million deficit—now fuelling the need for a rate hike.

History vs. Red Tape

The dispute stems from the AAS constructing new cattle yards at the showground without initially gaining development consent—something the group claims they’ve never needed before.

“For over 130 years we’ve built and made changes to our yards without needing council approval,” Convery said.

“Under any other zoning, this would’ve been fine. But because the showground is uniquely zoned as ‘private recreation,’ Council now says we needed consent. That’s the technicality.”

Convery was frustrated with Greens councillors for not seeking out the Society’s perspective.

“Not one of them came to us to ask about the technical side of things,” he said. “Some of the comments made during the last debate were offensive and unfair. We’re a community group, not a developer.”

He also pointed out that the showground, unlike most others in NSW, is privately owned by the AAS and not Crown land, as some councillors apparently believed.

Political fodder?

Convery alleges the dispute has more to do with politics than planning, accusing local Greens members of using their influence to stall the project due to property interests near the showground owned by key party influencers.

“There are some pretty clear conflicts of interest here,” he claimed. “It’s hypocritical—some of these people are property investors themselves.”

The AAS argues the project meets all legal and planning standards, and that rejecting it on political grounds would breach governance rules—and potentially cost ratepayers dearly in court.

“It’s the council’s planning staff who are the experts, not the councillors. The planning advice clearly given to the last council meeting was that it’s compliant, so voting it down for political reasons is not just wrong—it’s risky.”

Broader Implications

According to Convery, this isn’t just about Alstonville.

“Other rural showgrounds are watching this closely,” he said. “COVID has already hit show societies hard, and now we’re facing new planning headaches. In Cootamundra, their local council has thrown up similar roadblocks—it’s starting to feel like a pattern.”

Despite the controversy, Convery insists the Society is committed to working with council—if council is willing to deal in good faith.

“We’ve always tried to do the right thing. But if we’re forced into court again, so be it.

“We owe it to our members—and to the 130-year legacy of the Alstonville Show.”

Greens Councillors have been contacted for comment.

Picture: AAS President Zac Convery and the controversial cattle yards, currently approved for horses only

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