The Ballina Environment Society (BES) is dedicated to protecting Ballina Shire's natural environment by advocating for strong environmental policies and defending environmental values shire-wide.
Protecting Ballina Shire's environment
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Join Us
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Protecting Ballina Shire's environment · Join Us ·
What we do
Advocate for an Environmentally Sustainable Shire
The Ballina Environment Society (BES) acts as the local community's non-political voice for the environment.
We are recognised and respected by both Local and State Governments, and were nominated in 2024 and 2025 for the Ballina Shire Australia Day Award.
BES employs advocacy strategies such as: submissions to Council, lobbying, research and legal action.
Become a member, volunteer your time, or make a one-time donation to support BES and join our mission to protect Ballina’s beautiful natural environment for the future.
Key issues
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Climate & Renewables
Advocating for the Council and community to treat the climate crisis as an emergency, pushing for net-zero emissions by 2030, a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy, and an expansion of carbon-absorbing wilderness habitats.
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Water Security & Management
Promoting demand management and conservation, and opposing ecologically destructive proposals, such as the Dunoon dam.
We also advocate for the restoration of degraded areas like the Tuckean Swamp to improve the health of the Richmond River.
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Sustainable Planning & Habitat Protection
Working to preserve and expand natural habitats that promote biodiversity.
We advocate for the protection and restoration of natural habitats and for planning policies that prioritise biodiversity and low-impact development—safeguarding the natural environment and supporting healthy, resilient communities for future generations.
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Plastic & Waste Reduction
Driving policy and community awareness to reduce waste, including persuading Council to phase out single-use plastics and promoting local reuse and repair initiatives.
How To Get Involved?
BES is an entirely volunteer-run organisation, and your input and support are vital to keeping our work progressing.
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Join our community of advocates from only $15 per year. Your membership gives you a voice in our direction and ensures we can continue our essential advocacy.
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We form working groups to research and prepare positions on specific issues. Lend your talents in research, policy analysis, writing, social media or petitions for campaigns.
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Our work, which can include professional research and legal action and reaching the community to engage with campaigns, relies on the generous financial support of the community.
Our achievements
With a proud record of advocating on major environmental issues, here are three recent examples of our impact:
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BES led the community campaign that triggered Ballina Shire Council’s adoption of a Motion to Phase Out Single-Use Plastics in Council operations in June 2025.
Working with Cr Crollick to draft the Notice of Motion, BES also delivered a deputation backed by open letters, technical evidence and regional best-practice examples.
We highlighted the significant environmental and financial costs of disposable items and the urgent need to stop plastic pollution entering the Richmond River. Council’s endorsement of a staged transition to reusable systems reflects BES’s leadership and positions Ballina to become a regional frontrunner in cutting single-use waste.
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At the 23 May 2024 Council meeting, BES spoke in strong support of the Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan (Item 8.3), countering climate-change denial arguments and a motion seeking to roll back the already-adopted plan.
BES emphasised that the Plan is evidence-based, aligned with the Shire’s climate-emergency declaration, and essential for meaningful local climate action. Councillors vigorously debated the issue for over an hour before reaffirming the Plan, which commits Council to 100% renewable electricity and net-zero operational emissions by 2030.
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BES was a key voice in securing long-term protection for Lake Ainsworth, working alongside local groups to advocate for restored riparian buffers, enhanced parkland management, and actions that improve water quality, biodiversity, and community amenity.
We are now applying the same evidence-based approach to the Hampton Park Master Plan as we oppose a proposal to convert public recreation land into private driveways and parking.
Such changes undermine community access and ecological resilience. Instead, we are calling for nature-based flood management, expanded tree canopy and shade, and upgrades that strengthen Hampton Park as a valued public green space for all residents.
ABOUT US
The Ballina Environment Society
The Ballina Environment Society (BES) was established in 1983, arising from community concern over the Shire’s first Local Environment Plan (LEP). As the Shire's organisation dedicated to protecting the natural environment, BES is an autonomous Incorporated Association and Not For Profit that boasts a proud record of advocating on major environmental issues affecting the Ballina Shire and the Region.
We acknowledge the essential role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play in caring for land and sea country, recognising the Bundjalung Nation, the Nyangbul people, and the Widjabul Wia-bal people as the Ballina Traditional Custodians.