Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says she used a long-awaited face-to-face meeting with NSW Premier Chris Minns to push a series of major local issues following the Ballina bar tragedy.

Catching up with the Premier today following a NSW Country Mayors conference, Cr Cadwallader raised concerns about the future of Ballina District Hospital, river dredging and sand management, submerged vehicles in the Richmond River, and the stalled West Ballina marina and housing proposal.

Mr Minns again acknowledged the impact the recent Ballina Bar tragedy had on the community, with discussions also touching on the possibility of a future memorial for those lost.

Hospital should stay on current site

Cr Cadwallader said she strongly argued Ballina District Hospital should be redeveloped on its current site rather than relocated.

She said while the hospital had been prepared for evacuation during the 2022 floods, the site itself never flooded.

The mayor said future redevelopment should focus on building upwards and modernising services while keeping the hospital in its existing location.

She said the discussion also covered the need for a proper clinical services plan to determine what healthcare services Ballina would require into the future.

River pressure builds

Ballina District Hospital – known for it’s dedicated staff working in outdated and inadequate buildings

Cr Cadwallader also renewed calls for dredging and better sand management at the Ballina Bar, saying long-running concerns over the health and navigability of the Richmond River could no longer be ignored.

She confirmed she again raised reports of possible submerged vehicles in the river linked to missing persons investigations.

“I said in 2019 Labor promised $100 million to fix the river if you got elected,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“Well, it’s time now. It’s time now to make that pledge.”

Cr Cadwallader said the Premier mainly listened during the meeting while staff took detailed notes and indicated responses would follow.

West Ballina proposal revisited

One of three car wrecks pulled from the river this year – local fishers with radar say there are at least six more down there.

The mayor also raised frustration over delays surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the underutilised NSW Transport roads depot site at West Ballina.

The proposal has been promoted as a major housing and marina precinct fronting the Ballina trawler harbour, with supporters arguing it could help unlock badly needed housing supply and broader waterfront renewal opportunities.

Cr Cadwallader said she stressed the importance of progressing major infrastructure and housing projects to support Ballina’s future growth.

The meeting came as pressure continues to build for broader reviews into river management, bar safety and marine infrastructure following this week’s fatal Marine Rescue accident that claimed the lives of two volunteers and injured four others.

Council concept plans for the West Ballina marina development