Ballina Shire Council has thrown its support behind Mayor Sharon Cadwallader’s push to implore the NSW Government to replace Wardell’s Recreation Club.

The community-built facility was requisitioned to make way for the flood pod village three years ago. 

The meeting heard it’s now wanted as an exclusive recreational space for pod village residents and for flood evacuation purposes for residents of Cabbage Tree Island.

The mayor’s motion passed at today’s meeting, but only after a long and, at times, emotional debate. 

The meeting began with heartfelt delegations from Wardell residents Peter Walsh and Jennifer Foster-McPherson, who detailed the long history of the now shuttered Rec Club and the enormous contribution the community had made over decades to build and maintain it.

Ms Foster-McPherson, whose father mortgaged the family home to help fund the construction of the club, said its closure had left residents isolated and struggling with their mental health.

“It is imperative for the mental health of our community that we have a sports field for not only our children, but also for adults,” she said.

“Before the floods, the golf course was full of players, kids were fishing off the wharf, people were catching up at the club. 

“Now the town feels empty.  If we don’t have facilities that bring families here, house values will drop, people will leave and the school will close. Our town deserves better.”

Ms Foster Mc-Pherson said rumours that the site could be handed to Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council had alarmed locals, particularly as there had been “no consultation” with Wardell residents.

She stressed the community had no objection to Indigenous use of the site, but argued the space must remain open for all.

Mayor vows to fight

Mayor Cadwallader said she first became aware of the issue at a Wardell Progress Association meeting, and was shocked to learn council had not been consulted despite state agencies discussing options behind closed doors.

“This can’t be happening without consultation,” she said. 

“Wardell was the hardest hit community in our shire during the floods.

“People handed over their Rec Club in good faith when it was needed for emergency housing. They were promised it would be returned in the same condition or better.”

The Mayor said she would not accept Wardell losing its long-fought-for facility without a fight.

“It’s unfair and unjust, and I’ll fight every day of the week to make sure this community gets back what was rightfully theirs,” she said.

Councillors urge caution

Cr Philip Meehan opposed the Mayor’s approach, warning the council was acting on “hearsay” rather than confirmed information.

“We need real, factual details of what is occurring and planned,” he said. 

“We also cannot make a decision that closely affects our Aboriginal community without speaking to Jali first.

“To leap ahead without doing that is ill-informed and procedurally wrong.”

Greens Party Cr Kiri Dicker also voiced opposition to the Mayor Minute, warning the resolution risked damaging relationships with Jali.

“We’ve already received a letter from them expressing frustration at the misinformation being put out,” she said. 

“If we proceed this way, it will cause extreme damage to our relationship at a time when we’re trying to negotiate a partnership agreement.”

Amendments aimed at watering down Cr Cadwallader’s motion were defeated when she exercised her mayoral casting vote, before the final resolution carried with all councillors in favour except Councillors Dicker and Meehan.

See Earlier story: The Club With No Beer: Wardell Fights for a New Watering Hole