Not all of the Mexicans heading north for sunshine and surf are arriving on the Gold Coast. Gemma Patterson reports that the sleepy village of Ballina is waking up to new opportunities offered by newcomers.
Ballina is tipped to be the New South Wales North Coast’s next big thing.
The Tweed and Byron have had their time in the sunshine, now thousands of people are seeking a quieter sea change in Ballina.
Traditionally a retiree hotspot, the face and reputation of Ballina are changing as more families move to the coastal haven.
To meet the demand, the Ballina Shire Council has been forced to approve and consider many new developments.
Steve Barnier, the council’s group manager of strategic services, has lived in Ballina for 22 years.
“My family came here in 1986 when there were 24,000 people in the shire and about 12,000 in Ballina,’ said Mr Barnier. “There are now 40,000 in the shire and about 20,000 people in Ballina, according to the 2006 Census.
“People are coming here for the usual things; lifestyle, beaches, climate and the river.
“In the 2006 Far North Coast Regional Strategy, Planning Minister Frank Sartor suggested another 60,000 people would move to the Far North Coast before 2031.
“That’s a 26 per cent increase on the existing population in places like Ballina, Tweed, Byron and Lismore shires. Ballina has been identified as an emerging regional centre and is moving towards a similar status to Lismore and Tweed.
“As a council we have to demonstrate to the Department of Planning how we plan to accommodate the future growth, so we’re currently identifying areas we believe would be suitable.”
Some of these areas are already being developed, while other land is going through the approval process, said Mr Barnier.
The Clarence Property Corporation recently bought land in Tamer Street for about $6 million to redevelop into a commercial/retail precinct and in late 2006 an 80 hectare site near Lennox Head sold for more than $50 million to Queensland company Petrac.
It plans to develop a residential subdivision with retailers and a shopping complex.
Two major housing complexes are also set to be built.
Homeworld was approved in December, to be built south-west of the Ballina CBD and feature 29,000 square metres of retail floor space.
Another project yet to be approved is Homemakers, which would feature 27,000sqm of retail floor space and a petrol station.
“Ballina is obviously busier, more vibrant and more diverse now,’ said Mr Barnier. The challenge for council is to try and make sure service levels for the residents are kept up to date.
“We figure if people are still coming through the turnstiles we must be doing something right though.”
Ballina Shire Council general manager Paul Hickey said the town was beginning to rival the likes of Byron Bay and the Tweed.
“We’re seeing Ballina become a more cosmopolitan shire, there’s a real mix of people here nowadays,” he said.
“People are moving here from places such as Melbourne and Sydney, there’s a general trend across NSW driving the sea change.”
Mr Barnier said the Ballina Bypass upgrade – to be completed within a year – would see more commuters coming from the Gold Coast with 12.4km of the Pacific Highway being updated.
‘” We’re already seeing more Queensland number plates coming through the area, which is a good sign,” he said. As for the future, just ask council’s development services manager, Andrew Smith.
Mr Smith said many more developments were in the pipeline, particularly in rural areas.
Rolling country west of Lennox Head has been pinpointed for a 1000-lot residential subdivision, while Wollongbar and Alstonville are growing villages.
“Alstonville has a little over 5000 people now and Wollongbar about 2500,” said Mr Smith.
“We are planning a large urban expansion in Wollongbar so we can house a further 2000 to 2500 people.
“That way we’ll have two villages on the plateau, separated by green agricultural land.”
Meanwhile, there are several developments planned for the coast.
Fern Grove is a development immediately west of Ballina, with 200 residential lots for sale off the plan.
At Lennox Head an estate called Elevation will see another 120 lots for sale, while nearby Pacific Pines Estate will offer about 1200 blocks.
“The Pacific Pines Estate has approval from the State Government.
“They’re currently preparing their masterplan, which includes residential areas and a small commercial village with a tavern, childcare centre and sports fields,’ said Mr Smith.
In the CBD, the Rous Hotel is nearly finished renovations, while the Lennox Point Hotel plans to spend $1 million redeveloping its site.
“People on the Gold Coast might think they’re small, but they are all big changes for Ballina,” said Mr Smith.
“It’s a very exciting time.”
Gold Coast Bulletin 23/02/2008 Focus: Seachange