Spoonbill Reserve, Skennars Head - Draft Master Plan

UPDATE - Draft Master Plan and Public Exhibition

In October and November 2025 Council asked the community to tell us what is important about Spoonbill Reserve and how they would like to see it in the future. Key themes and messages from this engagement have helped Council prepare a draft master plan for the reserve.

The draft master plan aims to balance the community’s aspirations to maintain the informal, low-key and 'natural' charm of the site while also providing basic general amenities (such as seating and pathways), and things for youth to do to ensure the site remains a place which supports and is loved by locals.

Council resolved, at its Ordinary Meeting on 26 February 2026 to publicly exhibit the Draft Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan to seek further community feedback. The Draft Spoonbill Reserve Master Plan can be viewed here.

Have Your Say

Complete the online survey
You can provide feedback by completing the online survey below

Email
Email Council with your feedback at strategic@ballina.nsw.gov.au

Mail
Post a submission with your feedback or drop it in to Ballina Shire Council, 40 Cherry Street, Ballina NSW 2478.

Submissions open Monday 9 March and close on Wednesday 8 April 2026

Project Scoping, Analysis and Community Engagement

(Published October 2025)

What is important to you about Spoonbill Reserve? How would you like to use it in the future?

Ballina Shire Council is commencing community engagement and master planning for Spoonbill Reserve at Skennars Head.

The site is approximately two hectares of Ballina Shire Council owned, community land located between Redford Drive and Seaside Avenue, Skennars Head (opposite Xavier Catholic College). The site is land reserved for public use classified under the Plan of Management for Community Land as 'General Community Use' and is intended to remain for public recreation purposes.

The park's name is inspired by a pine tree at the site, which has historically been identified by community members as a nesting location for the Royal Spoonbill (platalea regia), a large white water bird with a black spoon-shaped bill. The study area is outlined in the below image.

Have Your Say

Attend a Drop-in Session - Closed

• 1pm to 5pm Saturday 25 October, Epiq Marketplace (outside Woolworths)
• 8am to 4.30pm Tuesday 28 October, Spoonbill Reserve, Redford Drive Skennars Head (opposite Xavier Catholic College)

Community insights from each of these sessions are now available for review in the "Relevant Documents" on the side bar.

Some responses to frequently asked questions at these sessions and online are also provided and updated regularly.

Post Your Ideas Online
Upload a photo or drawing, or simply write in the 'Ideas' board below. You can also vote for your favourite idea. You do not need to register to participate, although registration is desirable.

Ideas contributions closed 17 November.