Kinvara Saltwood DA Lodged: A Major Step Forward for Ballina’s Long-Term Housing Future
Public exhibition begins on a state-significant proposal that starts with 300 homes and ultimately expands to more than 2,500 dwellings
The starters’ gun has officially fired on Ballina Shire’s next major residential community with the lodgement of the Stage 1 Development Application for the long-planned Saltwood @ Kinvara urban release area.
The DA’s arrival marks the start of public exhibition for what is set to become one of the Shire’s most significant new neighbourhoods — a project first earmarked for urban growth almost two decades ago and formally zoned for residential use in 2012.
Stage 1 proposes around 300 new homes, a local retail and commercial centre, environmental restoration works, a network of parks and pathways, and extensive flood-mitigation and land-management measures supported by detailed technical studies.
But this is only the first chapter. Over the next 15 to 20 years, the full Saltwood @ Kinvara project is expected to deliver around 2,500 homes across several planned neighbourhoods, including the Northern, Southern, Western and Hilltop precincts. Stage 1 is the opening step in a long-term, carefully staged community that has been identified for development since 2006.
As expected, some nearby residents and Greens-aligned activists have voiced early objections, citing concerns about floodplain fill, planning and predictions that the once-sleepy Lennox Head will “double in size”.
The developer says all of these issues have been thoroughly assessed and are available for public scrutiny.
APD Projects has already launched a series of community engagement sessions in Lennox Head, along with an upcoming public webinar, to walk locals through the DA and answer questions directly.
Deputy Mayor Damian Loone
‘People want to be part of our Shire — why deny them’
Ballina’s Deputy Mayor, Cr Damian Loone, says the DA represents a positive step toward addressing long-term housing needs — particularly at a time when the Shire is straining under record demand.
“We’re crying out for housing,” Cr Loone said. “Anything that adds to the housing stock is a good thing. People want to buy here, raise families here and contribute to our community. Why should we deny them that?”
He says new homes also support families who rent, noting that every additional dwelling — whether owner-occupied or leased — adds capacity to a tight market.
Cr Loone also points out that Kinvara has been planned for years.
“This area has been on the drawing board for decades. It’s already zoned for this purpose. When we release new land, people move here, they shop locally and they spend locally. That’s economic growth. I can’t see anything bad about that.”
A project shaped by planning, studies and community feedback
APD Projects says Stage 1 is supported by a broad suite of detailed studies, including flood modelling, traffic engineering, biodiversity assessments, geotechnical analysis and urban design.
Updated 2025 flood studies were completed specifically to reflect the latest state modelling after recent major weather events.
The development will occur over many years, starting with the Northern Neighbourhood, which will eventually accommodate around 500 homes within the broader Saltwood @ Kinvara vision.
While the DA is lodged with Ballina Shire Council, the final approval will sit with the NSW Government due to the project’s state significance.
Cr Loone says councillors will assess the application on its merits should it come before them.
“Our planning staff know this process inside out,” he said. “They don’t bring anything to councillors that hasn’t been through rigorous due diligence. It’ll be assessed properly, and if it meets the standards, I’ll support it.”
The Saltwood Kinvara master plan to supply homes over the next two decades
Progress welcomed amid NSW planning reforms
Cr Loone also acknowledges the NSW Government’s intention to strip councils of some DA powers to speed up housing approvals statewide.
“Some people don’t like change, but change is inevitable,” he said. “We can’t complain about housing shortages and then object to every new release. Ballina has grown because people love living here — the lifestyle, the safety, the airport, the hospitals. You can’t stand in the way of progress.”
Public invited to review plans
Residents can now view the full DA (DA 2025/418.1) on Council’s website and provide feedback during the exhibition period.
Upcoming community sessions include:
• Drop-in events at Lennox Head Cultural Centre:
– 10:30am – 12:30pm, Tue 2 Dec
– 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Tue 2 Dec
– 12:30pm – 2:30pm, Wed 3 Dec
• Public webinar: 7pm – 8pm, Wed 26 Nov
More information is available at the Saltwood @ Kinvara engagement hub: https://saltwoodkinvara.com.au/
The potential for major flooding on Ross Lane, relocation of an entire hill top to back fill allowing housing on said Ross Lane which will effectively be lower than the fill, and questionable water control mitigation should be of concern to all. Yes, we need housing but at what long term cost? Examine the proposal closely folks, attend an info session and make a submission to Council, who are not the approving body, on yoursay by 12 December.
Once again locals missing out. Are we going to see another white-washed square-boxed development a la Aureus? And surely flood mitigation on Ross Lane would be top priority? Ensure you inform yourself about all aspects of this development.
Council are just greedy. Not listening to their residents at all and then wanting council rates to go up. What a joke. If people want to move here they can buy a house for sale.. like everywhere else in Australia. You don’t just keep building. Stop building.