NSW · Northern Rivers · Local council, made simple
Ballina Shire Council
A coastal Northern Rivers shire on the Richmond River — around 48,000 people across Ballina, Lennox Head, Alstonville, Wollongbar and Wardell, about 30 km south of Byron Bay and home to the council-owned Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 3.8%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 8 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyBallina's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
2 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Sharon Cadwallader (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: 1300 864 444
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~47,900 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Ballina Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
IPART approves Ballina's four-year special rate variation
In June 2026 IPART approved a permanent special rate variation for Ballina Shire Council, allowing general rates to rise by about 6% a year for four years (2026–27 to 2029–30, roughly 26.25% cumulative). The council said it is to address an asset-renewal shortfall.
What this means for you: General rates will rise faster than the standard rate peg for four years. The council estimated the average residential ratepayer would pay about $346 more per year by 2029–30 — roughly $166 more than under the rate peg alone; your own bill depends on your land value.
- Have your say
Council consulted on proposed rate rises before applying to IPART
In late 2025 the council invited feedback on a proposed special rate variation (about 6% a year for four years) before deciding whether to apply to IPART; community consultation closed on 14 November 2025.
What this means for you: This was the public's chance to comment on the proposed rate rises before they were lodged with IPART (which approved them in June 2026). The council's engagement page sets out the proposal and the feedback process.
- Waste
Rural landfill bins move from weekly to fortnightly
From 13 October 2025 the council changed rural domestic landfill (general-waste) bin collection from weekly to fortnightly, aligning rural with the urban service.
What this means for you: If you're on a rural collection round, your red landfill bin is now emptied every two weeks. Check your collection day and calendar on the council's waste pages.
Source: Ballina Shire Council — Rural Landfill Bin Collection Changes
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