FAQs

The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is a ten-year roadmap that outlines the community's desired future for Ballina Shire. It addresses key areas such as social well-being, environmental sustainability, economic development, and civic leadership. By setting measurable goals, the CSP ensures that Council's actions align with the community's vision.

The CSP is developed through consultation with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, ensuring it reflects the needs and goals of our diverse community. It guides Council's role as a service provider, collaborator, and advocate to achieve shared aspirations.

The CSP is required under the Office of Local Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) Framework. This framework ensures Council operates with transparency and aligns its plans with the values, needs, and aspirations of the community.

The CSP also connects local priorities with broader regional, state, and federal strategies. By linking our aspirations with larger government plans, Ballina Shire can access funding opportunities and deliver outcomes that reflect the community's needs.

The CSP is the foundation of Ballina Shire Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) framework. It sets the long-term vision for the Shire, from which Council develops:

• The Delivery Program – A four-year plan that t 
• ranslates the CSP’s goals into priorities for the current term of elected Councillors.
• The Operational Plan – An annual plan that breaks down the Delivery Program into specific actions, projects, and services for each year.

These plans include measurable indicators to track progress.

Ballina Shire Council has a robust reporting framework to ensure transparency and accountability. Key reporting elements include:

• Quarterly Reports – These track progress against the Delivery Program and Operational Plan and are presented to Council for public review.
• Annual Reports – Published at the end of each financial year, summarising achievements, performance, and alignment with the CSP.
• End-of-Term Reports – Before the end of the Council’s term, a comprehensive report highlights how well the Council delivered on the community’s priorities.
• Community Surveys – Conducted every two years to evaluate Council’s performance and track progress. Upcoming surveys are planned for October 2026 and October 2028 (following the next Council election).

Council communicates these outcomes through Community Connect newsletters and publishes detailed reports on the Council website.

This structured reporting ensures the community can see how Council delivers on its aspirations and closes the loop between planning and action.

The CSP is created through extensive community engagement. Key activities include:

• Random Community Satisfaction Surveys – Council conducted a random survey of 500 adult residents to achieve a 95% confidence level. This ensures the feedback is statistically representative of the community.
• Youth-Specific Engagement – Tailored surveys are developed in collaboration with the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) to ensure young people’s voices are heard. Council is also working with schools, sports groups, and youth agencies to directly engage young people.
• Workshops and Focus Groups – Targeted sessions with underrepresented groups, such as First Nations residents, seniors, and people with disabilities, ensure inclusivity.
• Street and Market Stalls – Pop-up stalls at local events provide opportunities for in-person feedback.

Draft versions of the CSP will be shared for public comment before the final plan is adopted.

While the CSP captures the community’s aspirations, not all requests or wishes can be delivered. Council must prioritise projects and services based on:

• Alignment with Regional, State, and Federal Plans – Ensuring Ballina Shire’s initiatives align with broader strategies and funding opportunities.
• Available Funding – Council allocates resources to projects that provide the greatest benefit to the community within its financial capacity.
• Urgency and Impact – Focusing on initiatives that address pressing needs or deliver long-term benefits.

The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) represents a shared vision for all stakeholders, including residents, businesses, community groups, and government agencies. It is designed to reflect the needs and priorities of everyone in the Ballina Shire community, ensuring a balanced and inclusive approach to planning and decision-making.

While not all initiatives or services fall directly under Council’s control, the CSP guides how Council engages with and supports its stakeholders through three key roles:

Providing Services

Council delivers essential services and infrastructure that directly impact the community’s daily life and well-being. These include:

• Waste collection and recycling
• Road maintenance and upgrades for urban and rural areas
• Parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities
• Libraries, art galleries, and community centres
• Water and wastewater services
• Public safety and environmental planning

By focusing on these critical services, Council ensures that residents and businesses have access to the infrastructure and resources they rely on every day.

Collaborating with Partners

Council works closely with a range of stakeholders to achieve shared goals and deliver better outcomes for the community. Key areas of collaboration include:

• Member Council of Northern Rivers Joint Organisation to address issues like housing affordability, transport, and sustainability.
• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to foster cultural inclusivity and support community development.
• Engaging with education and youth agencies to support youth development and opportunities.
• Collaborating with community organisations to strengthen connections and improve services.

These partnerships allow Council to collaborate with external organisations and stakeholders, leveraging their expertise and resources to address challenges and deliver enhanced services to meet the diverse needs of the community. By working together, Council and its partners can achieve shared goals more efficiently, aim to avoid duplication of efforts, and create outcomes that benefit all residents and businesses in Ballina Shire.

Advocating for the Community

As an advocate, Council represents the community’s interests to State and Federal governments, seeking funding and support for projects and initiatives that align with local priorities. Advocacy efforts focus on:

• Securing investment in transport infrastructure, including roads, public transport, and cycleways.
• Lobbying for improved healthcare facilities, mental health services, and housing support.
• Highlighting the need for disaster preparedness funding for flood mitigation and bushfire resilience.
• Promoting environmental sustainability through support for coastal management and biodiversity projects.

Advocacy ensures that the voices of Ballina Shire residents are heard at higher levels of government and that their needs are prioritised in broader policy decisions.

Council will use the feedback to develop a draft CSP. This draft will be made available for public exhibition, allowing further community input before the final plan is adopted in mid-2025.