The Ballina township is identified in the NSW Government’s Far North Coast Regional Strategy as a developing regional centre. To advance and consolidate Ballina as a regional centre, Ballina Shire Council is preparing a long term strategic planning framework for Ballina known as the Ballina Major Regional Centre Strategy (BMRCS). The strategy’s development is founded in extensive community engagem
ent to underpin the project outcomes and align with the NSW planning reform process. The project has received funding support from the NSW State Government. The purpose of the strategy is to examine and respond to key issues impacting on Ballina’s emergence as a major regional centre including: housing density; housing affordability; urban design; an ageing population; economic development; healthy living; infrastructure; recreation opportunities; open space; natural assets; and environmental management (including climate change and flooding). Proximity to South East Queensland and the associated changes in the northern rivers region of NSW are also significant factors being considered. Rather than prepare a strategy and then seek the community’s feedback, Council has consulted with the community up-front to identify key community priorities and ideas for managing change over the next twenty years. This community engagement package provides the preliminary outcomes for this first stage of community consultation and seeks feedback from the broader community regarding these priorities and ideas.
