Ballina calls for more police in Lennox Head

BALLINA councillors will request a greater police presence in Lennox Head after a motion to donate land for a police station was defeated.

Councillor Eva Ramsey had proposed the donation of council-owned land, on the corner of Byron Street and Hutley Drive, Lennox Head to the NSW Police on the condition that they provide a Police Station on the land.

The land had been earmarked for a preschool but was no longer required.

Cr Ramsey said the station would improve safety and response times for the Lennox Head community.

Cr Kara Dicker said towns with smaller populations had a manned station, and the growing population of Lennox Head needed a police presence.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader argued that the council should not give away land to the State Government. She suggested the council write to the NSW Minister of Police requesting a greater police presence in Lennox Head.

“It’s not our responsibility to provide the NSW Police Force with land,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“Once again, that’s a cost shift across to local government.

“I don’t think that’s our role.”

Cr Cadwallader said the council was waiting on a report on suitable land for the site of a disaster recovery facility, and this location was a possible option.

Councillors agreed to seek a greater police presence in Lennox Head and for council staff to investigate the future options for use of the land.