Nats tip lifesaver to take Ballina baton

The NSW Nationals have put forward rescue helicopter chief Kris Beavis as their pick to replace retiring ex-minister Don Page in the north coast seat of Ballina.

Mr Page announced he was quitting politics in April, only an hour before his expected demotion as Local Government Minister from Premier Mike Baird's reshuffled frontbench.

On Saturday the Nationals announced that Mr Beavis, who is CEO of the Northern Region Surf Lifesaving Helicopter Rescue Service, had been preselected to contend for the seat when voters head to the polls next March.

"I am looking forward to working with Don and learning from his experience in the lead-up to the election," Mr Beavis said in a statement.

"His knowledge of the needs of our communities is second to none and I'll be working flat out to step into his shoes."

Mr Page, who will remain the member for Ballina until the election, has held the seat since 1988.

The seat was first established at the turn of last century but was replaced by the district of Byron in 1904.