Ballina council elects new deputy mayor

BALLINA Shire councillors have elected Cr Damian Loone as the new deputy mayor, securing six votes to four over Cr Simon Chate in the council’s first meeting.

Cr Loone will serve until September 2026, despite a proposal for a 12-month term by Crs Eva Ramsey and Therese Crollick, which did not pass.

Delegations to regional committees were confirmed, with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and Crs Loone, Ramsey, and Bailey among those selected to represent Ballina Shire.

Two new standing committees, the Commercial Services Committee and Finance and Facilities Committee, were also established and are open to all councillors.

All councillors will continue to support Chambers of Commerce in Ballina, Lennox Head, and Alstonville, with Crs Bailey and Kiri Dicker taking additional roles for the Ballina Chamber.

The General Manager’s Performance Review Committee will include the mayor, deputy mayor, and one councillor selected by the general manager, while all councillors can join the Australia Day Committee to decide award recipients.