Council keeps the door open to talks on land deal for Ballina Central Shopping Centre expansion
A proposal linked to a future expansion of Ballina Central Shopping Centre has been kept open by Ballina Shire Council, despite some councillors wanting to stop any further discussions that might allow private development on adjoining land.
The early proposal, revealed during a council briefing, involved the shopping centre owners exploring a multi-storey redevelopment and raising the possibility of building a youth centre for council at no cost to ratepayers at Treelands Reserve.
But despite council’s worsening financial pressures — including its pursuit of a Special Rate Variation to stabilise the budget — some councillors remained firm: no offer involving the surrender of community land should be considered.
The Kentwell Community Centre occupies less than 1000 square metres of the 1.7 hectare site
Early approach from Ballina Central
Council’s business paper outlined the scope of the initial contact with the shopping centre owners.
“The property group associated with Ballina Central have contacted Council to discuss very early concepts for a possible renovation or expansion of the shopping centre, including addition of an upper level in parts,” the report stated.
The developer raised the idea of expanding the retail footprint into Treelands, incorporating a purpose-built council-owned youth centre as part of the precinct.
Staff noted this could result in a larger and more flexible youth facility than the existing Kentwell Community Centre.
However, the reserve’s constraints made the idea complex.
“As Treelands Reserve is low-lying, Council-owned community land, zoned Public Recreation, an expansion of the commercial precinct is likely to be a development with significant impacts requiring mitigation and a complex planning pathway,” staff warned.
Planning Director Matthew Wood told councillors the conversations remained extremely limited.
“There’s been a very initial approach from the adjoining landowner,” he said. “They have flagged interest in taking some of Treelands Reserve for expansion. They have also raised the idea of integrating a youth facility. But it’s very, very early. There’s no detail.”
Housing plans for nearby streets
Councillors were also advised that Homes NSW is considering a medium-density redevelopment of state-owned housing in Treelands Crescent. The agency is exploring a mix of price points, including social housing, with improved connections to Treelands Reserve.
Staff said a pathway from Fox Street through the precinct would be a positive outcome if the housing project proceeds.
The rundown and aging Treelands Crescent precinct- set to be redeveloped by Housing NSW with new access to Treelands Reserve
Firm opposition to using public land
Greens councillor Kiri Dicker left no doubt about her position.
“It’s never going to happen. It would happen over my dead body. I will not allow it to happen,” Cr Dicker said.
“I’m fundamentally opposed to private interests encroaching on public land, whether it’s a lease or a purchase or anything.”
Cr Theresa Crollick shared the concern, saying previous experiences left her unwilling to trust any arrangement involving developers.
“There’s very little council land left that we can develop to our own needs,” Cr Crollick said.
“I wouldn’t trust that we would get what we think we would get. Who knows what we would end up with?
“There have been too many instances of the community and the council being left high and dry with developer promises.”
Cr Erin Karsten said allowing retail expansion into open space was a line she could not cross.
“I just couldn’t fathom letting a shopping centre extend into that open area, even if it did potentially have a benefit,” she said.
“It’s too risky. They can go up. They can redevelop their existing land. But that’s as far as I’m willing to go.”
Arguments to keep talks alive
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader urged councillors not to shut down the possibility of discussions too early.
“We’re looking at taking out the opportunity to discuss with the developers of the shopping centre, maybe an opportunity to deliver something council wouldn’t necessarily have the money to do,” the mayor said.
“I don’t want to stifle the discussion, whatever that might lead to. I don’t want to knock that out of the equation.”
Cr Phil Meehan also cautioned against assuming the worst.
“We don’t know anything about what concepts may come,” he said.
“It may involve redeveloping the built environment so open space is protected.
“We’re supposed to make decisions based on being fully informed.”
Cr Meehan added that developers play a vital role in delivering housing.
“If we didn’t have developers, we wouldn’t have Epic, Aureus, Angels Beach, Wollongbar estate or Avalon estate.
“Our community needs developers.”
General Manager Paul Hickey clarified that selling community land was not on the table.
“To sell community land you’ve got to go through a whole change of use,” he told councillors.
“I do not believe we’d get to a stage where we’d recommend selling community land for a developer.
“The only thing I’d consider is building over the existing concrete car park or using airspace. But that’s a long way off.”
Ferngrove land planning to proceed
After a long debate, councillors voted voted to take out a clause seeking to cease any further discussions with the shopping centre owner about expanding into Treelands Reserve.
They also supported establishing a masterplan for the reserve and the existing Kentwell Centre, focused on youth activities through a council-led process.
Council also agreed to examine options for sporting facilities on council land in the Ferngrove Estate and adjoining Airport Boulevard.
This will form part of the 2026–27 Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
