South Ballina, New South Wales

Suburb of Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

South Ballina
Ballina, New South Wales

South Ballina

Coordinates| 28°53′6″S 153°34′12″E﻿ / ﻿28.88500°S 153.57000°E﻿ / -28.88500; 153.57000
Population| 27 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)| 2478[2]
LGA(s)| Ballina Shire
State electorate(s)| Ballina
Federal division(s)| Richmond

South Ballina is a locality located in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales \- bounded by the Richmond River to the north, the Tasman Sea (Pacific Ocean) to the east, and Keith Hall to the south and west. Across the river to the north, is the town of Ballina and it is a popular spot for recreational fishing. It is on the lands of the Bundjalung Nation and it falls within the Jali Aboriginal Land Council.[3][4][5]

A large part of South Ballina is made up of the Richmond River Nature Reserve which was created in June 1986 and covers a land area of 256 hectares.[6] This reserve contains significant wetland and coastal vegetation communities and is a significant habitat for coastal birds with over 160 bird species being identified within the reserve, 22 of these shorebird species are protected under international conservation agreements. The reserve is of great significance to the Bundjalung people and contains middens and open campsites.[5]

It is accessible directly to Ballina via the Burns Point Ferry, a vehicular cable ferry, which crosses the Richmond River from Burns Point Ferry Road in West Ballina and River Drive in South Ballina. This crossing is 300 metres in length and has been in operation since 1891.[7][8][9][10]

South Ballina Beach (looking south), April 2019 South Ballina Beach looking north, April 2019. The Southern Breakwall of the Richmond River can be seen in the distance. The Burns Point Ferry, Richmond River, NSW, August 2025 The Burns Point Ferry discharging vehicles at South Ballina, August 2025

## Demographics

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As of the 2021 Australian census, 27 people resided in South Ballina,[1] down from 37 in the 2016 census.[11] The median age of persons in South Ballina was 56 years. There were more males than females, with 60.0% of the population male and 40.0% female. The average household size was 1.7 people per household.[1]

## History

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In the 1860s the sugar industry became established along the Richmond River and much of South Ballina was cleared and drained for sugar cane production, with the exception of the land which contains the reserve, From the 1960s there was also mineral sand mining in the area which severely modified the vegetation and landforms in the area.[6] Sand mining is still taking place at the South Ballina Sand Quarry (which is still in operation).[12][13]

## References

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1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "South Ballina (State Suburb)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
2. ^ "South Ballina". Australia Post.
3. ^ "Bundjalung Nation". Ballinahistorical. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
4. ^ "Discover Ballina - Aboriginal Heritage". www.discoverballina.com.au. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
5. ^ a b NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1 May 2005). "Richmond River Nature Reserve: plan of management". Environment NSW. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
6. ^ a b "Richmond River Nature Reserve". NSW National Parks. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
7. ^ Council, Ballina Shire (11 March 2004). "Burns Point Ferry". Ballina Shire Council. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
8. ^ "Government Gazette Proclamations and Legislation". New South Wales Government Gazette. No. 652\. New South Wales, Australia. 13 October 1891. p. 8052. Retrieved 3 June 2024 - via National Library of Australia.
9. ^ "Government Gazette Tenders and Contracts". New South Wales Government Gazette. No. 516\. New South Wales, Australia. 11 August 1891. p. 6226. Retrieved 3 June 2024 - via National Library of Australia.
10. ^ "Local and General News". The Richmond River Herald And Northern Districts Advertiser. Vol. 5, no. 261\. New South Wales, Australia. 27 June 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2024 - via National Library of Australia.
11. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "South Ballina (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
12. ^ Council, Ballina Shire (13 October 2022). "South Ballina Sand Quarry". Ballina Shire Council. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
13. ^ "South Ballina Sand Quarry". South Ballina Sand Quarry. Retrieved 3 June 2024.

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