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Byron Shire
April 26, 2024
Letters

Council mergers damage communities

By The Echo
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Other News

Byron EchoPaul Watson - 2

Paul Watson has his say on Sea Shepherd ousting

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Byron EchoPaul Montgomery, New Brighton - 0

New Brighton parking

To quote a Joni Mitchell song, ‘They paved paradise and put in a parking lot’ – this adequately describes...
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Science Goes ViralCosmos Magazine - 0

New insights into great white shark behaviour off California coast

Marine scientists using tracking devices have been able to shine a spotlight on the behaviour of great white sharks...
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Byron EchoPaul Bibby - 2

Blockades continue as councillors wave next Wallum certificate through

A second subdivision works certificate for the Wallum estate was signed off by a majority of councillors last week, who again argued that they have no legal standing to further impede an approved development.
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Byron EchoEcho - 0

Big names at local chess tournament

A major Northern Rivers chess tournament was held at the Byron Bay Services Club in late April. ‘It was well-attended,...
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Byron EchoThe Echo - 0

Wallum ponds

There are currently two proposed developments in the Byron Shire that will endanger, if not locally exterminate, frog species.  Many...
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Amalgamation was an unmitigated disaster for Port Douglas, and our only remedy to undo its damage was to unseat the safely seated state member.

Merged into the grey blur of Cairns, our rates went up 30 per cent and our services declined by 20 per cent as our local personality was homogonised.

I was Port Douglas’s resisting councillor in the 2008 amalgamation, sparking a seven-year fight to de-amalgamate, where the state projected nothing but financial ruin for the rebuilt Douglas shire.

All the state arguments proved  fictitious and self serving. Douglas booms again under independent rule.

When lighthouse communities like Douglas, Byron and Noosa get extinguished, Australia loses its idea generators.

There is only one effective fightback, and that’s to mobilise and attack state MPs at election time. Get ready to fight Byron.

Rod Davis, Port Douglas, Queensland

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