Council green lights spending for Ballina pump track, Wollongbar housing and Alstonville Cultural Centre

Ballina Shire Council has voted to increase spending on the proposed “pump track” bicycle recreational complex to be built at Kingsford Smith park.

An extra million dollars from developer contributions is being tipped into the project to cover facilities including shelters, bike racks and a six-metre high “wall ride”.

The total cost of the complex is now almost $1.8 million with construction set to get underway this year.

In other major works, council voted to proceed with stage one of Wollongbar Medium Density Housing Project.   This marks a first for Ballina Shire as the council has a successful track record in commercial building and land development but has not previously invested in housing stock.  The investment is designed to provide more townhouse-style accommodation that could be afforded by critical workers and young families. How the completed homes will be allocated and managed is yet to be decided.

Council also agreed to call for tenders for the new Alstonville Cultural Centre, replacing the existing aging facility which has largely been out of action since being leased to Byron Studios as a movie production facility.   The Alstonville Library will move to temporary premises in Bugden Avenue during construction.