In the 1990’s the Ballina Chamber of Commerce, together with certain Government Departments and Ballina Shire Council carried out strategic research in relation to creating a sustainable economic base for Ballina. The resultant plan, The Port of Ballina Concept, had as its cornerstone, the establishment of an ‘international standard’ hotel of 100 rooms as an enticement to Ballina.
Frustrated at the slowness of the market to recognise the potential advantages of Ballina as an international standard resort hotel location, a group of families in Ballina put ‘the bit between their teeth’, purchased a key waterfront site, liaised with and obtained the support of Ramada. In 2003 development consent was granted for a hotel of the kind referred to in the Port of Ballina’s strategy.
After further research, the Council published a paper about the Ballina Central Business District in October 2005. That paper superseded the Port of Ballina Concept. In August 2006, Council adopted its Town Centre DCP. This DCP introduced a concept of mixed residential and tourism use and Slipway Properties lodged a Development Application for mixed-use- ground floor commercial and hotel above, with Council in June 2009 in accordance with the new DCP. Today, the Ramada Hotel Ballina is highly regarded as a tourism facility servicing Ballina and the region.
Location – Ballina, NSW Australia
Year – 2001 – 2010
Client – Slipway Properties Pty Ltd
PLANNERS NORTH, Town Planners, Northern Rivers, NSW
