Croquet might be known as a genteel game—but on Ballina Island, residents are saying they feel like they’ve been blindsided by a mallet.

A renewed push to build a croquet complex at Cawarra Park has triggered a wave of public backlash, with community members accusing the Ballina Croquet Club of reigniting a divisive issue that had already been resolved.

Residents, sporting stakeholders, and even fellow croquet players have lashed out on social media saying the proposal threatens vital green space and community cohesion—and could cost the council millions of dollars, at a time of serious budget strain.

“This issue was already decided,” said local resident Simon Tessa. “Parents and children play there, dog owners walk their pets there—it’s one of the few open spaces left. Why are we reversing a decision that was made for the community’s benefit?”

Jennifer Susan was more direct, calling the proposal “selfish” and out of step with local needs.

“Ballina needs better drainage, better flood protection, better roads. Not another fenced-off sports facility for a handful of people,” she said. “The croquet club already has a suitable space. To demand more is ridiculous.”

Athletics Group: Kids Are Missing Out While Croquet Is Prioritised

Northern Rivers Athletics Coaching also weighed in, pointing to the unusable state of Chickiba Park after flooding and raising concerns about skewed council priorities.

“Thousands of schoolchildren—including those with disabilities—are now missing out on the largest sporting event of the year because of damaged infrastructure,” the group said. “Meanwhile, Cawarra Park may be carved up to placate a club that can’t even get along with itself.”

Croquet Division: “Join Together and Get On With It”

The internal divisions within the croquet community are also being laid bare.

Greg Porter, captain of the Cherry Street Croquet Club, urged unity and criticised the push to split off into separate facilities. He said the Cherry Street Sports Club had provided an outstanding home for croquet and had continued to invest in the sport.

“This selfish, divisive campaign has gone on for 15 years,” he said. “Where would we be without Cherry Street? They built and maintained the lawns. We should be grateful—and we should unite.”

Cherry Street Announces Expansion to Accommodate Growth

In a direct response to the Ballina Croquet Club’s claim that their current arrangement limits growth, Cherry Street Sports Club manager Tere Sheehan announced that the club will soon expand croquet operations to six days per week, ensuring more equitable access for all players.

“Cherry Street Sports Group will continue to improve lives through sport,” he said. “Hopefully Ballina Croquet will see the light—we all benefit when we work together.”

The expansion has raised questions about the necessity of any large-scale public investment at Cawarra Park—particularly as building a new croquet facility from scratch could run into the millions.

Council Decision Reopens Old Wounds

Despite these calls for unity and cost-effective solutions, a motion to review the Cawarra Park masterplan passed council last month—reigniting a community debate many thought was settled in 2022.

At that time, after strong public opposition, Ballina Shire Council voted to retain the park for passive recreation and baseball. However the recently-elected Greens Party Cr Erin Karsten pushed through an amendment to revisit the park’s future, arguing that recreational needs have shifted since the 2019 Sporting Masterplan was adopted.

“We’ve seen the rise of pickleball, the loss of our only squash court, and a growing need for croquet space,” she said.

Mayor: “Respect the Process”

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, who was the only councillor to oppose the review, warned the decision risks undermining public confidence in the administration.

“This was already resolved with strong public input,” she said. “When we revisit those decisions, it sends the message that the community’s voice doesn’t matter. It’s not just about money—it’s about trust.”

Next Steps

The revised proposal for Cawarra Park is tentatively scheduled to return to council in June. However, the Mayor has indicated to Ballina News Daily that the matter may be delayed as other, more urgent items take precedence on the agenda.

For now, the community remains divided, but the message from many seems clear: preserve green space, respect past decisions, and work together—on and off the croquet lawn.