The unfairness of not being the mayor laid bare
Greens Councillor Kiri Dicker has again found herself on the losing side of a council vote, complaining of “unequal treatment”.
It came as Ballina Shire Council backed changes at its April meeting giving the mayor greater control over public forum speaking time.
Councillors backed the long-standing position that the mayor — as the directly elected leader — holds the call over how meetings are run.
In changes introduced recently, a full 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to make deputations ahead of meetings.
However the deputations have typically wrapped up in 15 minutes or less — leaving a gap before the scheduled start of the council meeting.
Under the changes, the mayor will have discretion to extend time for additional speakers or questions when deputations run under the time set aside.
Councillor Phil Meehan backed the approach saying the popularly elected mayor had responsibility for chairing the meeting under law.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Mayor Cadwallader, or a mayor from the Labor Party, the Liberal Party or whoever in the future,” he said.
“It’s his or her meeting. They’re the chair, they’re running the meeting.”
‘Unequal treatment’ claim falls flat
Cr Dicker, who led the Greens’ ticket and lost the popular mayoral vote to Cr Cadwallader in 2024, argued the change would entrench unequal treatment.
She claimed she’d always been treated unfairly when matters were left to being Cr Cadwallader’s call.
“Fine, I appreciate some people think the mayor should have the ability to make decisions,” she said.
“My biggest concern is that… there’s nothing to stop them being applied unequally,” she complained.
She pushed for any additional time to be allocated based on a show of hands vote by councillors.
But the argument failed to gain traction, with Cr Dicker unable to secure support beyond her own vote, aside from Cr Erin Karsten.
Long-time colleague Simon Chate and usually reliable backer Therese Crollick both broke ranks, allowing the changes to pass comfortably.
$400k bridge artworks approved amid budget pressures
The April monthly meeting also saw councillors sign off on a $400,000 public art installation for the town’s twin bridges project.
The decision comes as the broader project continues to face cost pressures, with councillors previously forced to revisit budgets and scope to keep the project on track.
The artwork contract followed a selective tender process, beginning with an expression of interest before being narrowed to a shortlist.
Councillors were told only two tenders were ultimately received.
Above: Designs for the twin bridges.
Main image: Cr Kiri Dicker (Facebook)
“That can sometimes happen where somebody’s been put on the shortlist and then doesn’t respond,” General Manager Paul Hickey said.
The selected proposal is expected to reflect local connections and remain in place for the life of the bridges.
Councillor Phil Meehan backed the outcome, which passed unanimously.
“It’s a good outcome and I trust will be appreciated by the community for the life of the bridges,” he said.
Councillors were also told the proposal represented value for money and remained within the project’s approved budget.
Mayor rebukes staff over ‘too hard’ dance space response
A proposal to support a public dance and activity space in Fawcett Park sparked one of the meeting’s most animated debates.
The idea, driven by by the mayor, in response to successful events around the Wharf Bar precinct, had effectively been shut down in a staff report focused on cost, compliance and planning barriers.
Cr Cadwallader took aim at that approach.
“The report reads as though its primary objective is to catalogue obstacles rather than explore solutions,” she said.
“Instead of asking how could this work, it seemed to ask why it cannot work.”
Big dance fan: The Mayor and Deputy Damian Loone taking a turn on the dance floor. (Photo: Ballina News Daily collection)
She said the framing risked discouraging grassroots ideas.
“When the only options put forward are the most expensive and complex ones, the conclusion becomes inevitable that the idea is unworkable.”
“Our role is not just to manage constraints — it is to enable good ideas.”
Compromise keeps idea moving
Councillor Therese Crollick helped broker a compromise that won support across the chamber.
She suggested identifying a dedicated area to the western side of the Wharf Bar, away from the main pedestrian flow.
The aim was to support activation without creating safety or access issues.
Councillors agreed the current setup was problematic.
“I find that the dancing in front of the bar in the middle of a pathway is really annoying,” Cr Erin Karsten said.
“There’s always someone trying to walk through — usually with a pram — and you’re dancing around them.”
Council voted to investigate options for a public dance or activity space in Ballina, including but not limited to Fawcett Park.
Cumbalum walking track gains support
Council also backed further work on the proposed “Cumbalum Circle” walking track.
Funding was allocated for investigations into environmental and planning requirements.
The project, put forward by the Cumbalum Residents Association, would link open space, wetlands and community infrastructure.
In a deputation to council, Cumablum Residents Association representative Kay Oxley said it was very much a community-driven project.
“We have taken this out to the community, and we’ve got lots of support. It will bring visitors in. It’s in the gateway of Ballina,” she said.
Councillors said the area had “a lot of potential”.
A drawing of the proposed Cumbalum Circle walking track (Photo: Cumbalum Residents Assocation/Facebook)
Rail trail and Crown land stance backed
Two mayoral minutes passed unanimously.
Council backed calls to complete the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, with the mayor pointing to proven economic and community benefits.
“This isn’t speculative. It’s a model that works,” she said.
Council also formally opposed proposed changes to the NSW Crown Land Act.
The mayor warned the changes would shift significant legal and financial responsibility onto local government.
In a rare moment of agreement, Greens councillor Kiri Dicker supported the position.
“It’s not often that you and I agree on something,” she said to the Mayor.
“So this is good.”
