Mayor says future of industrial growth uncertain as last blocks sold
The sale of the last available blocks in Ballina’s Airport Industrial Estate has generated $17.42 million for Ballina Shire Council (BSC).
The windfall highlights growing concerns over a shortage of industrial land in the region.
All lots were snapped up at a spirited auction last Wednesday, drawing national interest from major buyers, including one of Australia’s largest car dealers and a national logistics firm.
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The standout sale was for Lot 1, a one-acre parcel on Hercules Crescent -just 900 metres from the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport terminal. It sold for $5.8 million after opening at $800,000.
The astute underbidder went on to purchase the neighbouring two adjoining half-acre blocks (Lots 4 and 5) for $1.89 million and $1.9 million, saving over $2 million and gaining a wider frontage to Boeing Avenue.
The smallest parcel, Lot 7, sold for $930,000 -seen as a relative bargain compared to nearby residential land prices.
The estate, developed by BSC, is centred on newly constructed Hercules Crescent, named after the iconic military aircraft.
Located next to NSW’s third-busiest airport (after Sydney and Newcastle), the estate offers strategic access to the region’s major economic growth hub.
It also sits directly across from the Ballina Homemakers Centre, which has been approved to nearly double in size with a new Harvey Norman megastore.
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the auction result aligned with council’s financial expectations.
Any surplus from the sales, she said, would likely be directed to help finance the $16 million redevelopment of the Alstonville Cultural Centre, which currently lacks full funding.
“It’s a great result for Ballina, but we now face a serious challenge. We’ve run out of available industrial land, at least for now,” Cr Cadwallader said.
Councillor Michelle Bailey (pictured top), attended the auction and welcomed the strong interest, but shares the Mayor’s concerns regarding the immediate shortage of land to support business growth.
“This land was the last that’s currently available for industrial development in Ballina,” she said.
“If we can’t move ahead with the next stage, it could put a real brake on business growth.”
That next stage, a 35-hectare site southeast of the airport terminal, has been designated for industrial use since the 1980s and remains a key element of council’s long-term financial strategy.
However, the future of the project is now uncertain, after state government agencies identified possible endangered species and biodiversity concerns. The Ballina Greens-aligned councillors have already indicated they will try and stop it going ahead.
Cr Cadwallader says she frustrated that the Shire’s long-planned economic growth strategy is now in danger.
“This site is of strategic importance to the region,” she said.
“All regional planning points to a critical shortage of industrial land, yet because the area had some native plant regrowth in parts, it’s now being assessed as having environmental significance.”
“I’ve taken this up directly with Planning Minister Paul Scully and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, and I’ll continue pushing to get it released.”
The land issue comes as BSC also grapples with broader financial pressures, including a recently lodged move to apply for an 11 percent special rate variation to address a $4 million budget deficit.
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Great to see the growth in the area but what about the traffic congestion off tamarind drive and north creek Rd, absolutely a nightmare getting in or out of the ferngrove estates.with duel lanes being installed along tamarind drive only going to congest even further.anything being proposed (traffic lights)