While the Albanese Government met in Canberra on Monday to consider Australia’s migration settings, Ballina quietly witnessed the local impact of recent population growth, welcoming a record 78 new Australian citizens.

The ceremony, held at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre and officiated by Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, is the largest citizenship ceremony ever conducted in the shire.

The milestone comes as immigration has again become a major national political issue, with the Federal Government reviewing migration levels amid ongoing concerns about housing affordability, infrastructure and the capacity of communities to absorb rapid population growth.

Mayor Cadwallader said the record ceremony was not an isolated event, but part of a growing trend.

She said Ballina Shire Council had been asked by the Department of Home Affairs to conduct increasing numbers of citizenship ceremonies over the past two years, with the council now regularly holding both morning and afternoon ceremonies to keep pace with demand.

“All I know is I’ve done double the amount of citizenships since this time last year,” she said.

“We have been pressured by Home Affairs to do more and more.”

Until recently, most ceremonies welcomed between 15 and 20 new citizens. Monday’s event required a much larger venue than the council chambers, with around 200 people in attendance, including new citizens and their invited family members.

Asked whether the growing ceremonies reflected Australia’s recent migration intake, Cr Cadwallader said Ballina had become an increasingly popular destination for new residents.

Above: On Australia Day a total of 21 residents became Australian citizens.  Main photo: the crowd gathered for the record-breaking ceremony at Lennox Head today.

“Ballina has been well and truly discovered,” she said.

“Lots of people want to live here, raise their families, find work and just enjoy a beautiful lifestyle.”

She acknowledged that growth was also placing increasing pressure on local infrastructure.

“Our population growth is not matching our infrastructure support from state and federal government,” she said.

Questioned about the national debate over immigration levels, Cr Cadwallader declined to support calls for significant cuts, saying migrants had made an enormous contribution to Australia throughout its history.

Instead, she said governments needed to ensure housing, hospitals and essential infrastructure kept pace with population growth.

“You can’t just keep rolling something out without the support,” she said.

“It’s dysfunctional.”

She said she loved presiding over citizenship ceremonies and welcoming new Australians into the community.

“My main message is welcome,” she said.

Ballina News Daily attended the Lennox Head Cultural Centre intending to cover the milestone ceremony but was advised by Ballina Shire Council staff that citizenship ceremonies held outside Australia Day are private events open only to those receiving citizenship and their invited guests.