Cumbalum Shopping Precinct and Village Square Needed

Wouldn't it be great to have a local shop to buy milk, bread, fruit and other essentials? Wouldn't it be great to be able to catch up for a coffee with a friend within walking distance of home? Did you know that Ballina Heights still has land zoned for a shopping precinct?

Not long after the very first blocks were sold in the Ballina Heights Estate around 20 years ago, a shopping centre was been advertised as being a part of the area development. There was a time when the supermarket chain Woolworths had a Development Application (DA) with Ballina Shire Council for this location. They even had concept design plans drawn up for the building, complete with a parking lot and landscaping. However, Woolworths withdrew their DA for the site for unspecified reasons a few years ago.

Members of Cumbalum Residents Association (CRA) then approached the sub-division Developers who reported that they were prepared to fund a smaller shopping facility. However they have not been able to find tenants willing to commit to a lease.

Since this time, the CRA has, on multiple occasions, questioned both the Ballina Shire Council as well as the developer as to when a shopping precinct will finally be built to service the local community.

After many years of lobbying on behalf of local residents, it appears - based on council meetings in June 2019 - that action may finally be taken with regards to this ongoing issue.

And now in 2022, we are still waiting despite another few years of lobbying and questioning Ballina Shire Council about progress. It appears that a new lot of land along Power Drive will be re-zoned to allow for the commercial development to proceed. However, no concrete action as yet has been taken and we continue to bring this to the attention of the Ballina Shire Council.

What can you do?

If this issue is something that you as a resident feel is important, then get involved! One of the best ways to do this is to e-mail or write to the Councillors of Ballina Shire Council and the General Manager urging them to ensure the construction of a Shopping Precinct and Village Square for the local residents of Cumbalum as soon as possible.