FAQs

The Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) sets out a 20 year vision for land use in the local area and sets priorities for how and where Council will deliver key infrastructure and community facilities.

 It is a document that all Councils in NSW are required to prepare under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 and to update at least every 7 years.

The LSPS needs to align with the State Government’s priorities for the region as set out in the North Coast Regional Plan, as well as Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which has a similar but broader function under the requirements of the Local Government Act, 1993.  Community engagement activities undertaken for the CSP from October 2024 to February 2025 are outlined on page 15 with a summary of community priorities on page 16. These and a range of existing Council strategies that were subject to their own consultation processes are the basis for the 13 planning priorities identified in the LSPS.

A summary of the changes is provided on page 10. Some key things of note are that the themes, planning priorities and associated actions have been updated to reflect a greater emphasis on housing delivery, adapting to climate change and protecting environmental values. The LSPS also provides updated data and maps on the proposed location of future residential areas and employment lands and will supersede the current Growth Management Strategy (2012).

Population forecasting is not an exact science, but based on a range of data and assumptions, Ballina is expecting to see a population increase of around 12,365 people from 2025 to 2046. This is an annual growth rate of 1.21%, requiring an estimated 275 new dwellings per annum. Ballina also has an ageing population and our planning needs to reflect the needs of the changing demographics.

Residential growth area maps are provided on pages 29-32 and employment land maps are on pages 49-53. They are also provided separately in the documents section.