A busy afternoon at Ballina’s Fawcett Park turned confronting yesterday, as police responded to a welfare incident before being alerted to human remains on the bank of the Richmond River.

The popular waterfront park, on the northern side of the river, was busy with locals and tourists around 3pm on Monday February 16 when police were called to a concern-for-welfare incident.

Richmond Police District confirmed officers attended Fawcett Park about 3pm to assist a woman in distress.

Police say the incident was a mental health matter and that no child was involved. The woman was taken to hospital for assessment.

Human remains found on riverbank

While officers were still at the park, they were alerted to a separate incident on the river.

About 3.50pm, police were called to the Richmond River near Cherry Street after reports that possible human remains had been located on the northern bank.

At the scene, officers located human remains and established a crime scene, before transporting the remains to Ballina Police Station.

The remains will now undergo forensic examination to determine the identity of the deceased.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Residents say ‘this is not acceptable’

The confronting scenes unfolded in full view of people using the foreshore, and have reignited anger and anxiety about what many see as a decline in safety and amenity around Ballina’s riverfront.

In a widely shared Ballina Crime Reports social media post, one resident wrote that families having lunch and children playing at the park were exposed to “a horrific incident” and said it was not good enough that such scenes were occurring in public family spaces.

“Children should not be playing metres away from traumatic scenes. Families should not feel unsafe having lunch in our town,” the post said.

“Witnesses including young people should not be left with images that will stay with them long term. This is not acceptable. People are fed up.”

Another part of the post summed up a feeling shared by many commenters online:

“Ballina residents are sick of seeing drug affected behaviour, violence, medical emergencies, and anti social incidents happening in areas that are supposed to be safe for families, locals, and visitors. Not to mention the constant theft that comes hand in hand with addiction.

“It appears Ballina has become a breeding ground for addicts and it’s in our face every day.”

Frustration over ice, theft and public spaces

While police have described the initial park incident as a mental health matter, the discovery of human remains and ongoing reports of troubling behaviour along the foreshore have fuelled broader concerns about what some residents call an “ice epidemic” in Ballina.

Used syringes have regularly been found discarded in the park by families having picnics. (Main photo: Ballina Crime Reports).

Commenters say the frustration is made worse by the perception that, while residents and businesses deal with the fallout, people engaging in destructive behaviour are still receiving support and are able to camp in public spaces and move around town unchecked.

“What makes the frustration worse for many in the community is the perception that while residents and businesses deal with the fallout, people engaging in destructive behaviour are still receiving multiple daily hot meals, free needles, able to camp openly in public spaces and are riding around on stolen E Bikes,” one local wrote.

The foreshore precinct and the boat harbour at West Ballina were both described as hotspots where problems “continue” despite repeated complaints.

“The ice epidemic is not something happening ‘somewhere else’. It is here and has been for a long time and the community is dealing with the consequences in real time,” the post said.

Questions for leaders and agencies

Alongside sadness and anger, the conversation has turned to sharp questions for those in positions of authority.

Residents are asking:

• Where is the proactive response?
• What is our local MP doing about this problem?
• Who are the dealers and why are they not being targeted?
• Where is the increased police visibility in known problem areas?
• Where is the accountability for keeping public spaces safe?
• Why, in the words of one post, are magistrates “being soft and letting the majority of offenders out on bail to re offend”?

Many long-term locals say they love Ballina and want to see a frank, practical discussion about how to restore a sense of safety and pride along the riverfront and in other public spaces.

Have your say

Ballina News Daily wants to hear from people who use Fawcett Park and the wider foreshore – families, walkers, business owners, visitors and service providers.

Do you feel less safe around the river than you did a few years ago? Are you seeing more drug-affected behaviour, theft and antisocial conduct, or do you think social media is amplifying isolated incidents? What do you want to see from police, government, support services and the courts?

Share your experiences and ideas with us in teh comments section below. The future of Ballina’s riverfront should be shaped by the whole community.