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 translates 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 are combined into one document at Ballina Shire Council and called the Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

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

• Quarterly Reports track progress against the Delivery Program and Operational Plan and are presented to Council for public review.
• Annual Report is published the end of each financial year and reported to the November Council Meeting. It summarises Council's performance and financial reporting.
• State of the Ballina Shire Report is published following the Council election and reports on the CSP outcomes and community indicators.
• Community Surveys are 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 Survey
  A statistically valid survey of 502 randomly selected adult residents was conducted in partnership with Micromex Research. With a 95% confidence level, meaning if we surveyed another 500 people, we would expect to see the same results within a small margin of error. The survey provides reliable insight into community priorities and satisfaction with services across Ballina Shire. 
• Youth-Specific Engagement
  Council partnered with the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) to develop a youth-led survey completed by 394 residents aged 10–24. Youth were also engaged through schools, sporting clubs, and youth agencies. A Youth Forum in May 2025 will involve students from all secondary schools in Ballina Shire to further explore youth priorities.
• Community Survey
  An open online survey received 173 responses, capturing input from residents, visitors, and those with ties to the Shire. Stakeholders including sporting clubs, schools, community organisations, and local businesses were directly invited to complete the survey and respond to the Community Vision Questions.
• Connected Community Expo
  Held in February 2025 at Lennox Head, the Expo featured interactive activities, children’s artwork, and 92 written submissions, giving residents the chance to reflect on the future of the Shire.
• Media and Digital Promotion
  Awareness was driven through Council’s newsletters, social media, direct mail, and the YourSayBallina platform.

We’re now checking back in to confirm we’ve got it right and to invite your feedback.

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 is essential to ensure Ballina Shire’s initiatives support broader strategies and align with potential funding opportunities.

• Available funding is considered carefully, with Council allocating resources to projects that offer the greatest community benefit within its financial capacity.

• Urgency and impact are key factors, with priority given to initiatives that address pressing needs or deliver significant long-term outcomes.

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:

ADVOCATE – Community Voice

Council advocates for the community on matters beyond its direct control, such as public transport improvements and healthcare services. This includes lobbying for funding, influencing policy decisions, and ensuring that the needs of Ballina Shire are heard at higher levels of government.

COLLABORATE – Shared Responsibility

Council works with State and Federal agencies, local businesses, and community organisations to address shared challenges. This includes working together on affordable housing, environmental management, emergency preparedness and leveraging funding.

PROVIDE – Direct Control

Council is responsible for delivering a wide range of essential services. These include maintaining local roads and public spaces, managing waste and water services, providing libraries, pools, and other community facilities. These services are planned and resourced to meet the local needs.

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