Council report backs Greens’ push to block Tintenbar Housing Estate
A proposed housing estate near Tintenbar remains under threat, with Ballina Shire Council staff backing a push by the Greens Party to recommend the rezoning not proceed.
The CURA C proposal — a large-scale residential development of around 300 dwellings — sits within land that has been earmarked for future housing expansion by council for decades.
But a report to be considered at this Thursday’s Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting recommends council formally advise state planners it does not support the rezoning progressing to Gateway Determination.
The recommendation comes after the developer effectively bypassed council.
The planning proposal was lodged in June 2025, but council staff returned it after identifying what they said were “outstanding issues”.
The developer later obtained legal advice arguing council had no authority to do so after the adequacy review period, and escalated the matter directly to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure through a rezoning review.
Above an image from the council report showing the developer’s latest subdivision plan. Main image – the actual site map.
Long-running growth area now contested
CURA C is not a new idea.
The site forms part of the Cumbalum Urban Release Area Precinct C — one of several strategic urban growth areas identified for decades as part of Ballina’s long-term expansion.
But that long-standing position has come under increasing political pressure.
Last month, Greens councillor Kiri Dicker led a push to remove three strategic urban growth areas — including CURA C — from council’s planning framework.
That move was softened at the March 26 council meeting after councillors, led by Cr Phil Meehan, argued more information was needed before any final decision.
Developer case clashes with staff position
At a public forum before that meeting, the developer and his team mounted a detailed defence of the project.
They argued the estate could deliver more affordable housing than coastal areas, with 10 per cent of dwellings intended for affordable housing and 41 per cent of the site to be preserved as environmental land.
An independent economist also warned Ballina could face a shortfall of more than 1,000 dwellings over the next 20 years.
But the new council report directly challenges those claims.
It states council’s own analysis shows there is sufficient capacity within existing planning frameworks — including zoned land and infill opportunities — to meet projected housing demand for around 20 years.
The report also raises concerns about infrastructure, environmental constraints, bushfire risk, road design and the lack of binding mechanisms to guarantee delivery of affordable housing.
Critically, it recommends the proposal should not proceed until those issues are fully resolved.
Affordable housing promise questioned
The affordable housing component — a key factor in winning support from some councillors — is also scrutinised.
The report says there is no formal agreement in place to ensure the housing is delivered and warns the proposal should otherwise be assessed on the basis that affordable housing is only a possibility, not a guaranteed outcome.
With the rezoning review now in the hands of the Northern Regional Planning Panel and the Department of Planning, council’s role is influential, however limited.
Staff are recommending councillors formally oppose the proposal in its current form.
The matter will be debated at Thursday’s committee meeting before returning to the full council meeting scheduled for April 23.
