Welcome to the Saltwood @ Kinvara community engagement hub and your opportunity to have a say about long-held plans for urban development in the Ballina Shire at Kinvara.

On this hub you you can:

• See where the proposal is at in the approval process
• Review plans for the development
• Participate in the various community engagement opportunities to have your say.

The Kinvara area of the Ballina Shire has been earmarked for urban development since 2006. The area is already zoned for residential and urban use, and for a range of environmental and community outcomes.

The new community, currently referred to as Saltwood, is needed for the long-term supply of housing and community infrastructure for the Shire, the local workforce and improve affordability of housing.

Here is your opportunity to have a say on how zoned area should look, including how residential facilities including parklands, open spaces, and walkable areas and retail are developed.

In April 2024 the project owners of Saltwood @ Kinvara released for public comment a draft masterplan for the development. This was followed by a range of community consultation activities on the masterplan during October 2024. A report on the community feedback received on the draft masterplan was released in May 2025.

Feedback on the draft masterplan is now being used to inform a development application for Stage 1 of the project which is then expected to be lodged with the Ballina Shire Council.

A full report on community feedback on the draft masterplan for Saltwood @ Kinvara that was undertaken in October 2024 has been released.

The report provides an overview of the engagement that took place, the feedback received and how the project is assessing the feedback ahead of a future development application for Stage 1 of the project.

Throughout the consultation period there were 1700 unique visitors to this website with 290 downloads of key documents. The three local drop in sessions were attended by 40 people. Overall over 70 contributions were made to the masterplan.

Key issues that were raised were:

• Flood management and potential increased flooding on Ross Lane and surrounding areas
• Ensuring the timely provision of community services to avoid strain on existing facilities at Lennox Head
• Potential impacts on local wildlife habitats and the preservation of various natural features in the area such as mature trees
• The desire for improved infrastructure in the area and a range of housing options including affordable housing
• Issues associated with increased traffic and parking from an influx of residents and visitors
• Ensuring promises are met with ongoing transparent communication, along with a strong interest in seeing sustainable design principles incorporated into the project.

Based on the feedback, the following are being or have been prepared as part of the proposed development application for the project:

• A full technical assessment of flood impacts and mitigation for the site
• A plan for the development of community and commercial facilities in the Northern village (Stage 1)
• Detailed environmental management, rehabilitation and offset plans for the site
• Details on the proposed residential mix, architectural and urban design and siting guidelines for Stage 1
• Details on the proposed road and access network, local and Ross Lane design, adjustments to Scanlon Lane access, and the timing and capacity of future road networks.

Read the full report

Watch the public webinar from October 2024