Plans for more direct flights to Melbourne and potential new services to Adelaide are being considered for Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, strengthening the town’s case to host a major North Coast convention centre.

The issue returned to the agenda at Ballina Shire Council’s February meeting, where councillors signalled they were determined to keep the proposal alive.

Ballina Shire Council’s Economic Activation Committee was recently advised the Qantas group is examining additional Jetstar Melbourne services and a possible direct Adelaide route.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said expanding flight connections would further reinforce Ballina’s position as the most logical location for a regional convention centre.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is already the third busiest airport in NSW and offers the most competitive airfares in regional Australia.

“We’ve got the best airport in the region and the most competitive airfares,” she said.

The convention centre proposal was first floated during the previous Coalition state government, when a feasibility study examined possible locations for a major North Coast conference and exhibition venue.

While there has never been a firm commitment of government funding, the idea has remained under consideration.

However the proposal appears to have lost momentum under the current Minns Government.

Council united in support

Ballina Shire councillors made it clear for the first time at their most recent meeting they intend to keep the project on the agenda.

A study commissioned by Destination North Coast estimated such a facility could generate up to $284 million in economic benefits for the region.

The proposed centre would host conferences of around 1000 to 1200 delegates.

Cr Cadwallader said Ballina Shire Council remained determined to pursue the opportunity.

“For me it’s a no-brainer,” she said.

“It ticks all the boxes. It’s central, it has the airport and it has the tourism appeal of the Northern Rivers.”

Council has offered the existing Tamar Street carpark site as the potential location.

Artists drawing of what the proposed convention centre could look like

Cadwallader rejected suggestions that adding a conference facility to the centre of the CBD would worsen existing traffic and parking pressures.

Instead, she said redevelopment of the site could include additional parking levels.

“We own that centre and we can build up,” she said.

“The original plan was to have parking on the ground floor and then develop above it.”

At present Ballina has limited capacity for large indoor events.

The Ballina RSL auditorium remains one of the largest venues in the town, with a capacity of about 500 people.

A convention centre would allow Ballina to host major conferences, exhibitions and large community events currently beyond the town’s capacity.

Councillor Therese Crollick raised the issue at the February council meeting after hearing community interest in the proposal.

“I do get approached when this topic comes up in conversation around the community,” she said.

“It does have community support.”

Crollick said the project would take years to develop but believed Ballina should remain proactive and be planning more towards the future needs of the shire.

“My motivation was to get Ballina on the front foot,” she said.

“This is a major project and it could be five or six years down the track.”

Councillors ultimately agreed to note the proposal and continue positioning Ballina as a potential host location.