Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has announced she is running for the state seat of Ballina as an independent, and she has a surprise backer in her corner: Ballina News Daily publisher Rod Bruem.
Mayor Cadwallader announced her bid on Wednesday, 14 October, outside Ballina District Hospital. She says local ratepayers are carrying costs that should be met by the NSW Government, and that the electorate needs a representative free to negotiate with whichever party forms government.
“It’s time to change the game in Ballina and Byron shires,” she said.
“We’ve been sidelined for too long by the political parties, and we need an independent in Macquarie Street with one mission: securing our fair share of attention and funding.”
Her campaign will focus on health services, housing, roads, flood resilience, coastal protection, policing, and restoring the Richmond River.
She singled out Ballina’s new $6.3 million SES headquarters as an example of governments shifting costs onto councils. Ballina Shire Council paid $4.2 million, while the NSW Government paid $2.1 million.
“We were enormously proud to finally open our new, fit-for-purpose SES headquarters,” she said.
“But two-thirds of the cost was borne by Ballina ratepayers, while other new SES facilities received full State Government funding.”
“That is unfair and unsustainable. Our communities should not continually have to pick up the bill for responsibilities that belong to the State Government.”
Mayor Cadwallader said Byron Shire was feeling similar pressure, with Byron Shire Council consulting residents on a proposed compounded rate rise of approximately 35 per cent over three years.
She also called for an upgraded Ballina District Hospital, infrastructure supporting affordable housing, and policing resources that reflect population growth and peak visitor numbers.
She has served on Ballina Shire Council since 2004 and became mayor in 2021. A former Nationals member, she took aim at the Greens, who have held the seat since 2015.
“The Greens have held this seat for three terms since 2015,” she said.
“They’ve had their opportunity to represent our communities, but I believe it’s time for a different approach.”
Greens MP Tamara Smith is not seeking re-election. Mandy Nolan will contest Ballina for the Greens, Ballina Shire councillor Michelle Bailey is the Nationals candidate, and Byron Shire councillor Janet Swain is Labor’s pick. Former mber of the Nationals David Warth is also in the race as an Independent.
Mr Bruem announced in late September that he was stepping back from Ballina News Daily after nearly 18 months. In a subsequent column published on Saturday, 17 October, he wrote that the decision was made for his health and other priorities.
“One of those priorities is now out in the open,” Mr Bruem wrote.
“I’m supporting Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader in her campaign for the state seat of Ballina.”
“Sharon has been a close personal friend for years,” he wrote. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who works harder.”
Mayor Cadwallader said she would keep serving as mayor throughout the campaign, and that detailed policies would be released along the way. She admits the fight will be tough.
“It’s going to be a hell of a challenge. But there is a groundswell out there of community support,” she said.
“That’s why I decided to give it a red hot go, because people do want change.”
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