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Ballina Shire Council

2021 Census Data

Ballina is located in the Northern Rivers on the New South Wales far north coast, 769 km north of Sydney and 193 km south of Brisbane. The shire covers an area of 480 square kilometres and is set amongst a picturesque coastal-rural landscape.

Ballina shire enjoys a temperate to mild sub-tropical climate, normal temperatures range between 19 and 27 degrees Celsius. Temperatures seldom rise above 32 degrees in summer and fall below 10 degrees in winter.

Major towns include Ballina, Alstonville, Lennox Head, Wollongbar and Wardell with a dispersion of villages and hamlets including Teven, Tintenbar and Knockrow.

Major growth industries include tourism, construction and property development, wholesale and retail trade, recreational and cultural industries, and health and community services.

Major industry sectors include retail, health and community services, a diverse range of agricultural industries from producing beef, sugar and dairy products to tropical fruit, nuts and coffee, and medicinal plant crops.

The major employers include retail, health care and social assistance, education and training, and accommodation and food services.

The Australian Business Register (ABR) estimated 3,316 businesses (i.e registered for GST and actively trading) in Ballina Shire (postcode 2478) for March 2018.

The population of Ballina Shire in the 2021 Census was 46,296 persons, representing an increase of 10.8% from the level recorded in the 2016 Census.

Commercial property and housing information and availability is available from local real estate agents. Industrial land information is available from this website and Ballina Shire Council.

Infrastructure

Telecommunications: Ballina has fibre optic cable and advanced switching technology offering the same telecommunications amenities as any major metropolitan centre in Australia. Communication to the capital cities and national fibre optic trunks is provided via high-capacity transmission systems.

Road: The Pacific Highway passes through the local government area, with the Ballina Bypass project now completed to the north and the southern section to Woolgoolga well underway. Further information on this project is available from www.rta.nsw.gov.au

Airports: Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is serviced by three airlines, Regional Express, Virginblue and Qantas (Jetstar) that operate comprehensive daily flight schedules between Sydney and Ballina.

Educational Services: Schools located within the Ballina Shire area include 3 public and 1 private secondary schools; 13 public and 5 private primary schools and 12 pre-schools. North Coast TAFE, has a campus located in Ballina. The National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) 2009 Student Outcomes survey found 90.4% of North Coast TAFE students were satisfied with the quality of the training and that 87.4% were employed or in further study after training.

Hospitals: Ballina District Hospital is located in the heart of the town of Ballina.

Retirement and Aged Care and Facilities: The Ballina shire has a range of retirement and aged care facilities, catering for the needs of an aging population, including high or low care, independent living or a resort style facility.

Lifestyle: Ballina Shire has an impressive array of natural, historic and cultural wonders to discover, offering 32kms of pristine sandy beaches, river estuaries and magnificent views of the coast and hinterland. The sub-tropical, temperate climate supports outdoor activities and water sports such as walking, cycling, kayaking, fishing and surfing. Ballina’s relaxed lifestyle is attributed to its climate and its spectacular natural environment. Special attributes include some of the State’s most beautiful countryside, with pristine surf beaches, the Richmond River estuaries, rainforests, and national parks within the nearby hinterland.

Distances between major towns and cities

Approximate distances:

  • Ballina to Sydney 747 km
  • Ballina to Brisbane 193 km.
  • Ballina to Alstonville 10km
  • Ballina to Lennox Head 8km
  • Ballina to Murwillumbah 79km
  • Ballina to Byron Bay 38km
  • Ballina to Lismore 35km.
  • Ballina to Kyogle 77km
  • Ballina to Grafton 136km
  • Ballina to Casino 64km
  • Ballina to Tweed Heads 90km

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Contact RDA-NR

105 Molesworth Street
(PO Box 146)
Lismore NSW 2480 [Map]

T +61 02 6622 4011

F +61 02 6621 4609

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