Ballina Shire Council employs a specialist parks and gardens crew that has been winning private work and, as such, is a self supporting unit. Nothing particularly special about that except the ten member Regional Works Crew all have an intellectual disability.
With Commonwealth funding, the crew has undergone a special integration program to become part of Council staff. Comprising both men and women of various ages, training has been provided by Council staff.
As well as Council duties and winning private work, the crew is very active in supporting volunteer environmental groups, such as Landcare and Dunecare.
