Ballina candidates make their final pitch

By Tim Howard

The Ballina candidates for Mayor and councillor in Ballina were invited to make their final pitch to voters.

Michelle Bailey
Ballina Candidate

MIchelle Bailey is candidate for Ward B in the Ballina Shire Council election. She has a vision for boosting business and economic development.

Born and raised in Ballina Shire, known to many as Wittleton.

Been in local business for over 25 years employing and supporting locals.

Committed to the community. Showcased by Community fundraising involvement, currently President of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Group Ballina.

Leadership and effective team skills with role in the successful car show and Love Lennox , highlights ability to coordinate significant community initiatives and team collaboration.

Worked in local government many years bringing knowledge / understanding of processes within and between Management and Councillor roles.

I am running, to drive business focus / economic and development growth while working within the Council to implement change, streamline processes and seize opportunities.

A focus to bring the positive vibe to Shire I grew up with, when we had street parades, riverbank events, food festivals

Advocate for safety :Businesses and community through support safety initiatives for those impacted by theft and crime

Envisioning a Council operating with sound business structure, collaboration with community to achieve progress whilst respectful to each other’s views and to our electorate goals

Advocating

Business – economic/development growth opportunities – better DA process

Shire revitalisation – safety and reducing crime initiatives

Supporting projects to bring the positive community vibes back thus strengthening Community

Facebook: Michelle Bailey, for Ballina Shire Council

email: MichelleBailey2478@gmail.com

Michelle voting Preference    : Mayor  Vote 1 Sharon Cadwallader (her preferences will not be shared amongst other candidates in Mayor run) unlike Greens/Labor and Meehan as declared at Lennox Meet the Candidates.

Councillor voting preference: Vote 1 Michelle Bailey 2 Sharon Cadwallader 3. Tom Berry  4 Independent  5 ??  6?? 7 ??

Phil Meehan
Ballina Candidate

Phil Meehan.

It’s time for positive change. Phil Meehan for Mayor and A Ward councillor.

I have been an A Ward councillor in Ballina for eight years, serving the community in a fair-minded way.

I consider each matter on its merits, without taking sides with groups or individuals.

The most important value that guides me is ‘Social Justice’.

It is vital that councillors treat everybody fairly and without bias. I am proud of my record of integrity and achievement.

Ballina Shire has a budget greater than $100 million dollars.

The bottom line, which is always very tight, requires high understanding, careful planning and efficient service delivery.

I have contributed to the council being in a financial position that is sustainable into the future.

Understanding community needs and opinions is vital to good representation.

With a family in Ballina that spans four generations I know the needs of all age groups.

Our environment, both locally and globally, is what sustains our lives.

As a councillor, I recognise the community’s concern for climate change and that collectively we must adjust our ways of life to sustain a healthy environment for our children and future generations.

I am a true Independent candidate with no affiliations to political parties or electoral groups.

Alexander Sharkey
Ballina Candidate

Greens candidate in B Ward, Alexander Sharkey.

I’m running for council because I believe Ballina Shire deserves bold, community-driven solutions that help both long-term residents and newcomers thrive.

As a local business owner, renter for eight years, now first-time homebuyer, and someone who deeply values this community, I understand the challenges we face: housing affordability, staffing sustainability, supporting local businesses, and maintaining our beautiful natural environment.

I want to ensure that the shire remains a place where everyone—regardless of background—can build a future, support their families, and enjoy the lifestyle we love.

I’ll prioritise affordable housing solutions, push for innovative renewable energy initiatives, and advocate for better infrastructure to meet the demands of our growing population.

Our team, including Kiri Dicker, Simon Chate, and Erin Karsten, has a strong vision for the future, but we need your support to make it happen. Vote Green to make Ballina Shire more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous.

Ward B Preferences

1. Dicker
2. Sharkey
3. Broadley

Kay Oxley
Ballina Candidate

Kay Oxley (A Ward)

Independent A Ward.

If elected to Council I will work hard to find a solution for the upgrade of the Cumbalum Interchange, campaign for Ballina regarding flood mitigation and emergency management, uphold sustainable development principles, support local businesses and focus on community safety, connection and wellbeing.

Highly qualified, I have worked in senior roles for state government and private industry in the environmental, planning, assessment, regulation, remediation, emergency management and Crown Lands area.

I have been awarded the National Emergency Medal.

My experience and expertise put me at the forefront in making the right decisions on council.

I am active in the Ballina community holding several positions on voluntary committees including a member of the A Ward Council Committee.

I have proactively campaigned for better infrastructure including a shopping village for Cumbalum, Child Care Centre, bus stop facilities, roads and recreational space.

Andrew Broadley
Ballina Candidate

I am proud to be your Labor candidate for Ballina Mayor and B Ward councillor.

It has been a privilege to work and raise my children in this district. I am hoping to step into this role as mayor, not for a career, but for an opportunity to give back.

For too long, our council has been hampered by division and self interest. I stand for transparency and integrity.

I am here to re-empower the community and restore confidence in the processes of local government.

My successful advocacy has delivered results for public sector workers and local primary industries.

With more than three decades of experience in the classroom, and in my role as president of a local teachers association, I have a working relationship with the NSW State Government and a direct connection with the youth of our community, allowing for more opportunities for our areas families and to help improve the lives of all constituents in this LGA.

The cost of living is the major issue in our area.

This is clearly experienced through the scarcity of affordable housing and energy prices.

As mayor, I will work tirelessly to manage the costs of delivering Council services so that there is no additional burden placed on families in these difficult times.

I will use my vote on council to ensure that council resources are managed prudently to provide continuity of service to the community.

The health of the Richmond River has been neglected for too long.

Multiple reports have been tabled, the recommendations ignored.

Ballina Council must commission regular water quality testing and publish the results.

In 2019 a report to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment recommended the establishment of a Richmond River coordinator.

An employee who would work with all stakeholders to coordinate on ground works, arrange funding for repairs and plan for the restoration of the river.

It is imperative that this happens quickly. The new Ballina Council must do this.

The Richmond River is too important to the economy and our lifestyles to be ignored any longer!

I have experienced life as a member of a working family, balancing the cost of providing for a family while encouraging my children and partner to excel at their chosen activities.

I have the shared experience of many, which is commuting to work on the Bruxner Highway, involvement in local sporting clubs, volunteering in cultural and community activities.

I am here to listen and serve the people of our community, remember, vote for Andrew Broadley, Mayor and B Ward.

Kevin Loughrey
Ballina Candidate

If elected, I will bring a unique set of experience and abilities to Ballina Shire Council.

I graduated from RMC Duntroon with an honours degree in engineering and served for a total of 32 years in the army.

During my service, I conceived, specified and commenced the introduction of all of the army’s computerised maintenance management systems.

In private enterprise, I firstly held senior appointments in mining, aviation and technology development.

I then created my own companies focused on consultancy services, software development, systems support and the commercialisation of various inventions.

Over the years I have been granted patents in Australia, the USA, China, the EEU and India.

My wife and I came to Ballina to be near our grandchildren.

I designed and built our house at Keith Hall.

If elected as councillor, I believe my responsibility is to represent the concerns of my constituents and safeguard their interests; particularly their property rights.

If elected Mayor, I see myself acting as the chairman of a board of directors representing the interests of the shareholders who, in this case, are the residents of the shire.

Most importantly, I feel council’s core role is not so much to regulate but to facilitate.

My how to vote card is:

Mayor: Vote 1 Loughrey; 2 Cadwallader; 3 Meehan, 4 Broadley; 5 Dicker.

Councillors: Ward A: Vote 1: Loughrey, 2 Loone, 3 Oxley; 4 Paterson.

Ward B: 1 Cadwallader; 2 Bailey; 3 Ramsay; 4 Berry.

Ward C: 1 Kinny; 2 Crollick; 3 Barrett.

Mark Paterson
Ballina Candidate

Mark Paterson, aka The Computer Guru is standing for election as an A Ward councillor on September 14.

I am standing as a candidate for A Ward and I have Sharon Cadwallader’s endorsement. I likewise endorse her re-election for Mayor.

As a volunteer presenter at 101.9 Paradise FM and as The Computer Guru, I get to put my skills and 50+ years of IT experience into helping Paradise and many locals with their technology challenges.

I have volunteered all of my life and I intend to give back to our wonderful community and to help ensure that Ballina Shire remains in the safe hands of independent locals. I strongly believe that Local Government is all about locals working together to address the needs of locals – it is no place for party politics.

My campaign theme is people first; always with a focus on representing the interests and needs of locals; on the prudent management of our shire’s resources; on working diligently to find sensible and effective ways to address the housing shortage; on dealing with the upsurge in crime, particularly youth crime, and on developing solutions like automation to rectify the significant delays with DAs.

I seek to build a resilient, engaged and healthy community so that there is work and opportunity for all – if you agree then I ask that you:

Vote 1 for Mark Paterson, 2 for Damian Loone and 3 for Kay Oxley in A Ward.

Absentees
Ballina Candidate

Other candidates who did not meet the deadline for pitches are: Shona Barrett, Tom Berry, Lois Cook, Therese Crollick, Kiri Dicker, Erin Karsten, Simon Kinny, Damian Loone, Maria Marshall, Stephen McCarthy and Eva Ramsay.

To find out more about your Ballina Shire Candidates, click here.

For more local elections news, click here.