Extraordinary meeting called to debate croquet dispute — with no power to alter outcome
Ballina Shire Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on April 13 over the croquet dispute, despite having no power to force a different outcome.
The special meeting was called by Greens B Ward councillor Kiri Dicker, with the support of fellow left-faction councillors Therese Crollick and Simon Chate.
It will be held immediately before the scheduled Finance Committee meeting, after Mayor Sharon Cadwallader arranged the timing to reduce costs and inconvenience for councillors.
At the centre of the dispute is Cherry Street Sports Club’s decision to move to a unified croquet model at the Bentinck and Moon Street facility.
Supporters of Ballina Croquet Club have described the move as an eviction and launched a petition with Cr Dicker urging council to intervene.
But Cherry Street says the decision is final and council cannot direct the club to reverse it.
Above: Residents surrounding Cawarra Park protest in 2023 when Ballina Croquet Club mounted a campaign to takeover the the green space for player lawns and a new clubhouse – a proposal overwhelmingly rejected by council.
Main Photo: One of many images shared on social media by Ballina Croquet Club over recent days as part of its campaign in support of Cr Dicker’s petition and the council extraordinary meeting.
General manager Tere Sheehan was highly critical of the decision to press ahead with an extraordinary meeting.
“Please allow me to save poor ratepayers money,” he told Ballina News Daily.
“Council states they are facing a deficit in the budget and they allow this meeting to continue even though the chairman of the board has stated the board’s decision was one that was made after several weeks of deliberation.
“The decision is final and we are looking forward to promoting the game of croquet to attract more players and grow the sport in our community.”
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has already written to Cherry Street asking it to reconsider its position, but the club has declined.
That means even if Cr Dicker’s motion is passed, it will have no effect in compelling Cherry Street to change course.
The facility is operated under a Crown Lands licence held by Cherry Street, which controls how croquet is managed at the site.
The mayor said she understood the disappointment felt by Ballina Croquet Club members, but argued the unified model would expand access and increase playing opportunities.
She said Cherry Street also carries the cost of maintaining the lawns, clubhouse, insurance, water and electricity.
The mayor has also pointed to wider budget pressures and competing infrastructure priorities across the shire.
The Ballina Croquet Club has argued the new structure threatens its identity and independence after decades in Ballina.
Its supporters have stepped up their campaign in recent days through social media posts and petitioning ahead of the council meeting.
NBN News reported on Tuesday night that the club was considering moving to Lismore rather than playing under the new model at Cherry Street.
That raises the prospect Ballina could lose one of its long-standing croquet groups altogether, even as councillors prepare to debate a matter they cannot ultimately decide.
I feel for the club members who disagree with this decision, but in all fairness, Cherry Street Sports have requested time and again over the years, for Ballina Croquet Club to amalgamate. And they have refused, causing unrest for both clubs. This club has tried to evict Ballina Sharks Baseball Club from their traditional fields at Cawarra Park, no less than three times, and each time Council has refused. Does what they tried to do to the Sharks seem similar to what’s happened to them now? Well yes, with one glaring difference. Ballina Sharks have no other place in Ballina to play. So a real eviction, not one with an offer to amalgamate.
Council staff should be well aware there was a similar dispute involving Ballina Croquet & Ballina Bowls Club around 2010/11/12.