Two of Ballina Shire Council’s biggest jobs and a potentially contentious rethink of its net zero target will be on the table when councillors meet on Thursday.

Newly preselected Nationals candidate for Ballina, Cr Michelle Bailey, has opened a potential can of worms by moving to scrap Council’s fixed target of achieving net zero emissions from its own operations by 2030.

But unlike the federal National Party’s policy, Cr Bailey is not proposing Council abandon the net zero target altogether.

Instead, she wants the fixed 2030 net zero deadline removed and replaced by annual emissions reduction targets and performance indicators, with the strategy reviewed regularly and kept in line with NSW Government policy.

Instead, she wants the fixed deadline replaced by annual emissions reduction targets and performance indicators, with the strategy kept in line with NSW Government policy, which is for net zero by 2050.

Cr Bailey argues a more flexible approach would allow Council to respond to budget pressures, new technology and grant opportunities. 

She says other councils including Byron and Coffs Harbour have already opted for a more flexible approach.

Council says its corporate emissions have fallen 14 per cent since 2012-1.  

When renewable energy and offsets are included, net emissions have fallen 68 per cent.

Who gets the top jobs?

The more immediate leadership contest will be the election of Deputy Mayor.

Cr Damian Loone’s current two-year term expires this month and he’s expected to seek and win another two years in the job.

Cr Loone has been well regarded across the chamber and has quietly and amiably filled some very big shoes following former deputy mayor Eoin Johnston, who retired from Council in 2024 and died last year.

Johnston served as Deputy Mayor under Mayor Sharon Cadwallader from her election in 2021 through to the end of the previous council term, becoming one of the most respected figures around the council table. 

But arguably the most powerful job at Cherry Street will be discussed away from public view.

Mayor Cadwallader has placed the contract of long-serving General Manager Paul Hickey on the agenda, with his current contract due to expire shortly.

The detailed discussion will take place behind closed doors because it involves a personnel matter. 

Mr Hickey is one of the longest-serving council general managers in NSW, having held Ballina’s top administrative job since April 2007.

After almost two decades in the role, his future is certain to attract interest, including whether another contract is on the cards or whether the veteran council boss may be approaching retirement.

Roads, ramps and millions in grants

There is plenty more on what is a substantial September agenda.

A major traffic study looking ahead to 2046 warns several important roads will exceed their practical two-lane capacity unless further upgrades are undertaken.

The modelling says the Tamarind Drive/North Creek Road/Western Arterial and Bangalow Road/Angels Beach Drive roundabouts will eventually need to be replaced by traffic lights with additional lanes. 

The strategy also identifies a new road connection from Tamarind Drive to Southern Cross Drive near Bicentennial Gardens. The link would provide another route into the airport and industrial precinct and take pressure off the existing North Creek Road connection. It would be a longer-term project, separate from the Tamarind Drive and Canal Bridge duplication now under construction.

Importantly, the report keeps both the long-discussed North Creek Road bridge and the Cumbalum south-facing motorway ramps alive.

The modelling finds the ramps are not primarily needed to increase overall road capacity, but says Council should continue lobbying for them because of their value for emergency access, evacuation, network resilience and local access.

The North Creek Road bridge also remains in the long-term road plan, although its high cost means it would be pushed further down the construction timetable.

Councillors will also consider a major rewrite of the Shire’s companion animal plan, including the perennial battles over dogs on beaches, off-leash areas and protection of wildlife.

The meeting begins at 9am on Thursday and can be viewed online: 

Main image: Ballina Shire Council General Manager Paul Hickey and Deputy Mayor Damian Loone