Located on the northern coast of New South Wales, Ballina Shire is a richly diverse area. It is blessed with a temperate sub tropical climate in a mainly rural setting of agriculture and national forests. With more than 15 per cent of Ballina’s land reserved to protect wetlands and habitat, along with a further 2.4 per cent preserved for the National Park, it is home to a wide range of plants and animals that flourish in the environment.
Ballina Shire is the traditional homeland of the Bundjalung people. Europeans originally settled here in 1840 following those who logged the area for cedar. As the forest was cleared, the land was then used for agriculture, mainly sugar cane. Indeed, the majority of the Shire’s land area is still used for agriculture.
The industry has diversified since that time with the introduction of maize and then dairy farming and finally beef. In more recent times, boutique coffee plantations have developed in the region. It also produces macadamia nuts, avocado and stone fruits.
With the majority of the Shire’s population living in Ballina, Lennox Head, Alstonville, Wollongbar and Wardell, the Shire is home to more than 40,000 people. Most people are located at the town of Ballina and 40 per cent of people live along the coast. Like other Local Governments on the Australian coast, Council must balance the growing demand for seaside living with the necessity to protect a sensitive and important environment along the foreshore.
In 1986, the population was 24,410 and is now more than 40,000. It is estimated that the population will increase to 70,000 by 2030. Very attractive to retirees, 30 per cent of the population is aged over 55 or over and one in four is over 60 years of age.
Ballina faces several other challenges. Aside from the ageing population, it has a weekly household income less than the state average and a higher unemployment rate. The challenges are balanced with its underlying strengths. Occupying 487 square kilometres, the Shire has a strong tourism and fishing industry, supported by a growing commercial centre with modern shopping conveniences, two vibrant and growing industrial estates and a full range of community centres, sporting facilities and service groups.
