Alstonville News
Fighting for our farmland

Fighting for our farmland
By Samantha Elley
Talk to a local from the plateau and they will tell you that Wollongbar and Alstonville are two very distinct villages.Despite attempts over time to develop a significant green belt of farmland between them, residents have stood their ground.
Wollongbar Progress Association’s Marilyn Perkins is across the history of the land preservation in the area.

Wollongbar Progress Association’s Marilyn Perkins
“I have been involved since 1984,” she said.
“When Ballina Council did up their draft Local Environment Plan (LEP) and put it on exhibition, we hand delivered a survey to all homes in the Wollongbar and Alstonville plateau to stop them rezoning the area for industrial development.”
When the survey was collected, Ms Perkins said it was clear residents did not want the land developed and the preservation of this prime agricultural area was enshrined in the Ballina Shire Council’s 1987 LEP.
“It is disappointing that Ballina Council staff would consider (rezoning the land for industrial use) at this time,” she said.
“They already have eight hectares zoned for industrial development at Russelton, there’s (land for redevelopment) at Southern Cross Industrial estate and six hectares at Ballina Industrial Estate.”
A submission by the Wollongbar Progress Association in regards to the latest exhibition of the Sustainable Urban Growth Area Review (SUGAR) states:
“Community feedback on the Wollongbar Strategic (Draft) Plan in 2018 indicated continued high support for preservation of the green buffer, with 74% of survey respondents supporting no incursion.”
The association was also concerned with the Wollongbar Strategic Plan Survey that was sent out asking locals what they thought of plans to rezone the area.
“The survey question was framed in such a way that did not indicate any green belt incursion, or the designation of the land in question, in such rezoning. Respondents were asked their view on:
Consideration of the easterly expansion of the Russellton Industrial Estate to provide an additional 23ha of industrial land,” the submission said.
The association said many supported this, as there was no mention that the land was mapped as State Significant Farmland, or of buffer incursion.
A spokesman from Ballina Shire Council said they have made recommendations for rezoning some land.
“While we have enough land for residential use, we don’t have enough for industrial use within that next 10-20 years,” he said.
“We have enough for current needs, but when we project that in 10-20 years, we will run out.”
The spokesman admitted all submissions so far, regarding the land were in favour of leaving it alone and not to develop it.
“We are going through these submissions now,” he said.
“There will be a briefing with councillors to talk about the history and all submissions will be reported to the council meeting to decide if it will be earmarked for future development.”
Alstonville News
Lismore and Wollongbar Celebrate Another Million-Dollar Lotto Win!

Alstonville News
DUCK CREEK FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS THE FILM ‘RADICAL’

Alstonville News
New Dog Park Opens in Alstonville: A Haven for Four-Legged Friends

Alstonville News
110 year-old organisation sees red

Alstonville News
Community Invited to Dog Park Opening Celebration

-
Tweed Shire News2 years ago
A NEW TWEED HEADS
-
Motoring News2 years ago
Toyota Supra: Get Ready For A Fully Electric Version In 2025
-
COVID-19 Northern Rivers News4 years ago
Northern Rivers Local Health District COVID-19 update
-
COVID-19 Northern Rivers News4 years ago
Northern Rivers COVID-19 update
-
Northern Rivers Local News3 years ago
Fears proposed residential tower will ‘obliterate’ Tweed neighbourhood’s amenity and charm
-
Health News4 years ago
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic now open at Lismore Square
-
COVID-19 Northern Rivers News3 years ago
Lismore Family Medical Practice employee close contact
-
NSW Breaking News4 years ago
Vale: Former NSW prison boss Ron Woodham