Ballina croquet turf war escalates as new model sparks backlash
A long-running dispute over Ballina’s croquet lawns has escalated, with competing claims over whether a 90-year-old club is being pushed aside under a new operating model.
Cherry Street Sports Group this week released a statement outlining changes to how the Bentinck and Moon Street croquet facility will be managed, after securing the Crown Lands licence directly.
Under the proposal, croquet at the site will be delivered through a single affiliated sub-club, with the lawns available for play six days a week.
Ballina Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd said the move was designed to increase community access and support the long-term sustainability of the sport.
Chair John Whitty said the changes would allow more people to participate.
“Our focus is on supporting croquet’s ongoing growth in Ballina by ensuring the facility can be enjoyed as widely and consistently as possible,” he said.
Cherry Street is a member-based community club, with profits reinvested into local sport and facilities.
However, the changes have been strongly criticised by Greens councillor Kiri Dicker, who in a social media post claimed the Ballina Croquet Club had been given four weeks to vacate the site.
“For many, this club has become part of their identity and critical to their sense of connection. They are beyond devastated,” she said.
Cherry Street’s statement does not use the term eviction and says all current players are welcome to continue under the new structure.
The dispute has been building for years, centred on whether the croquet lawns should operate as a shared community facility or remain under the control of a single club.
The Ballina Croquet Club has consistently opposed a shared-use model, arguing it should retain its own dedicated space and identity, or be provided with an alternative standalone site.
The group has lobbied Ballina Shire Council for decades to secure a separate facility, exploring multiple locations without success.
A recent graphic shared by Ballina Croquet Club as part of its long-running campaign for its own separate playing space and clubhouse
Cherry Street disputes the need for a new venue, pointing to usage data it says shows there is sufficient capacity at the existing lawns to meet demand.
The Ballina Croquet Club has also intensified its campaign in recent weeks, publishing a series of lengthy social media posts highlighting its 90-year history and calling for what it describes as “restorative justice”.
In those posts, the club raises concerns about governance, past agreements and the role of various bodies including council, Crown Lands and the licensed operator.
Cherry Street has not directly responded to the specific allegations, but has emphasised its role as a community-based organisation and says the new model is intended to broaden participation.
Ballina News Daily has contacted both Cherry Street Sports Group and the Ballina Croquet Club for further comment.
