Councillor Erin Karsten - Ballina Shire

04/05/2026

My heart goes out with deepest condolences to Marine Rescue NSW - Members for the lives lost here in Ballina, both of the rescue team and those who they were there to save. I share my gratitude, as many do, for the incredible work and dedication of our rescue services. Thank you and heartfelt sympathy to all those in the community and beyond who are impacted. 💔💔💔.

08/02/2026

"There's been lots of talk about politics, all across the world and lots of debate these last few months... there's also been a huge and growing divide. As a local government Green’s Councillor, and a native New Yorker… I thought I'd start my first post of 2026 with some reflections of the challenges being a councillor. I'm not nearly as brave as my fellow Greens Councillors with social media. The negativity and trolling doesn't sit well with me. As I look at what's happening in the world on the right and left, it saddens me.

One point I often make, as a Green's Councillor specifically is...what's our strategy...do we simply want to be rabble rousers, sparking conversation and challenging thoughts?...OR...do we actually want to affect change, even if it's only incremental? While the NYer and idealist in me, loves Mamdani socialist ideas… Are they financially sustainable given the current constraints? Will he be able to succeed where others have failed ?

My biggest worry is the contradiction of realising progress for our community in housing and the environment and confronting the fiscal and legal limitations of our office! So my reflection is this contradiction I face: idealist goals and the financial reality that council and everyday community members face. I fear, if we abandon the reality of the current system and its funding – then we fail and lose the voting public's confidence (votes, but more so membership/interest) because we cannot deliver real and lasting change or are seen as fiscally irresponsible, which during a cost of living crisis, ignores what the average person is challenged by.

So… My big question and contradiction is do we aim for small wins that establish a new standard of both environmental responsibility that is fiscally achievable; and therefore able to achieve consensus across the political divide to get things done… Or do we not compromise… dream big… rely on hope that one day the world collectively realises that we need to throw away the current tax system that rewards the wealthy... but in the meantime achieve nothing. My fear is the risk that we don’t achieve even small steps of progress because we aren’t willing to compromise on our values, even if ultimately that compromise sets us up for progress! When I’m making a decision on the local council level, I’m pleased with achieving fiscally responsible, incremental changes that establish a new normal that our 5 to 4 conservative versus progressive council can agree on. We recently had a win for support, to lobby state government for a Richmond River Commissioner, but had to sacrifice the point about ending logging in the proposed Richmond River Koala Park because of fear of losing local logging jobs. Once I realised I had the numbers to pass it, I made a conscience vote against my own motion because of the removal of that point, but otherwise had unanimous support! Thereby achieving positive environmental consensus, knowing if our lobbying efforts work then eventually the logging will end in that region in due course. The alternative was refusing compromise and achieving nothing but noise and inaction. I 'd like to think I'm finding the balance of maintaining my values , but comprising for the greater good. The idealist in me would love open revolt and an overthrow of the system (esp tax) but the realist in me prefers compromise that establishes a new standard that delivers positive outcomes for my community that like Zach Polanski , Greens Leader in the UK, looks to support average people facing cost of living challenges. So what do you think... Should we as politicians look to achieve progress, even if it means we have to sometimes compromise our values (where we can - somethings can't be compromised of course) for the greater good? Or do we hold tightly to our values, our idealism and look to challenge others in their thinking even if it means we can't reach agreement to progress ideas and achieve real outcomes for our community and constituents? I obviously tend to the first... So let's see what we can achieve in 2026... Only time will tell. 🤞🤞🤞

17/12/2025

It's an exciting day, The Ballina Pump Track is officially open! What a fantastic source of activity for our community... with the potential for hosting competition level events to provide further economic benefit to our tourist and business community! Well done to all the staff involved in delivering this exciting project for the community and just in time for school holidays!

21/10/2025

As a Councillor we get regular updates from our industry body, Local Government NSW on a variety of topics and this one is worth sharing.

There are some big legislation moving through State Parliament that greatly impacts councils and therefore you, the public! The planning system reforms will remove local input and control. The amount of complaints we get about e-bikes and a fair few emails on toilets and changing facilities would probably surprise you (although maybe not!)

LGNSW direct advocacy to Ministers, the Opposition and members of the Crossbench is ensuring that the voice of local government is heard and that the Bills being debated can be improved to provide better outcomes for our councils and, therefore, the communities we serve.

Please consider contacting your local State Members of Parliament to convey your feedback and positions on the legislation they will be voting on.

More in this week's newsletter:
Planning System Reforms
E-bike regulation
Councillor conduct reforms
Inquiry into Public Toilets
Annual Cyber Threat Report
Proposed changes to NSW Fire and Rescue NSW Fees

Your voice does matter!

17/10/2025

I attended the hemming workshop on Wednesday and it was just incredible. Sewing is not in my family genes...as a matter of fact I joked that it was my dad who taught me how to sew a button on and do a basic hand stitch because he learned in the Navy...I think what I loved most was that it was taught by two young women who were really passionate and it was a diverse group of men and women around the table with their own or borrowed machines! I was so inspired that I went back to the Salvage Shed and bought a sewing machine so that I can continue to practice the skills I learned.

07/10/2025

Crazy to think that the NSW government has rejected 45 years of grant funding through the Create NSW Community Band Development Grants that has brought local music to generations in our community and many others across the state. Live music in all its forms are vital to creating vibrant communities. We call on the NSW government and Minister for the Arts John Graham to review the decisions of Create NSW and Parliamentary Secretary Julia Finn. See https://bandnsw.com for more information and I encourage you to share, sign the petition and/or write to the above contacts!

Save NSW Community Bands - 45 years of support ended with one email

26/09/2025

This Sunday , 28 September I've got a Listening Post planned for the Ballina Farmers & Producers Market - if you have questions or concerns on Council related issues pop by and have a chat. 7am - 11am at Missingham Park.

20/09/2025

One thing that I’ve been very impressed with is how much thought and startegic vision the Council staff and planner have for what the future of Ballina could be! Now is your chance to share your thoughts too!

Ballina Shire Council has prepared a Draft Place and Public Realm Framework to guide the development of future streetscapes and public open spaces in Ballina Shire.

03/09/2025

Here's a great article about the speech Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen gave to the Forever Farming Conference from local journalist Anne Delaney for those who want to know more about the debate around renewables!

Chris Bowen seeks to rally pro-renewable farmers to the green energy transition, but admits more work needs to be done to improve consultation and benefits.

03/09/2025

It's been an absolute pleasure to attend the Forever Farming National Summit 2025 Conference earlier this week. We heard the bad news from Professor Mark Howden, a Climate Scientist from ANU that our current policies have us on track to hit 3 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. The opportunity for 1.5C is already gone, unless we stopped all new emissions NOW. The reason is that even once we stop emissions they remain in the atmosphere for a very very long time.

On the good news, it's been a great learning opportunity on autonomous food waste solutions, how regenerative farming is helping to build resilience in the soils and is bringing back birds as natural rodent control, looking at renewable energy solutions - and looking at how wind turbines can help farmers with a steady income (see article below) and can be eyes in the sky to detect bushfires early, how electrification of equipment can drive down costs and actually turn a profit! There were some really great panelists and guest speakers including Minister Chris Bowen!

If anyone in the community wants to know more, in particular any of our local farmers - I'd be more than happy to reach out and have a chat. I'm consolidating some of my pictures of slides and notes into a presentation and will share a report for our next Council meeting.

As Gina Rinehart lays “siege” to net zero, many farmers see survival. But not all are fans of wind and solar developers. “Farmers should be at the table, not on the menu.”