NEW MAYORS WISH LIST

SAMANTHA ELLEY

The new term for the recently elected mayors is about to begin and each has their own hopes and aspirations for their communities. The Northern Rivers Times was able to ask each of them how they felt about the team of councillors they would be working with, what they felt was a priority for their community and what they hoped they would achieve over the next four years.

Ballina

With six women now sitting on Ballina Council, Mayor Sharon Cadwallader believes there is a good cross reference of representatives for the community.

“We have quite an eclectic mix that gives a good representation,” she said.

“That’s the highest number of women we’ve ever had on council in Ballina.”

As far as priorities go, Cr Cadwallader has a long list she would like to see being achieved at least over the next 12 months.

“Obviously, housing is a priority,” she said.

“I’ve been in a meeting with Housing NSW and we have two exciting projects happening in Alstonville which will see 32 new homes for social housing.

“With 2.9% of the population in the council area needing social housing, we know homelessness is a problem.”

The 32 new homes are a mixture of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units in Alstonville with 16 more units being developed in Wardell and more Aboriginal housing in Ballina.

“With our population at 47,500 across the shire, every day we have new businesses shifting to Ballina,” said Cr Cadwallader.

“We need more industrial land released and infrastructure needs to keep up with the population growth.”

Cr Cadwallader said there are plans for plenty