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Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

Bangalow Weir, Oakes Oval makeovers promised

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Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's offical, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Zoom meeting

Just to clarify the report that Michael Lyon now declares ‘no’ to developing Ann St and New City Road....

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Animal Ventura is the brainchild of Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Fernando Aragones. Growing up playing punk and reggae in noisy garage bands in Southern Brazil, Aragones ventured to Australia where the eclectic sounds of the Sydney music scene beckoned.

Queer family visibility

Did you know that, statistically, if you’ve met a redhead, you’ve also met a trans person? Over 800 trans and gender diverse people live in the Byron Shire, which includes at least 200 children. They’re often a bit hidden though, so come on down and celebrate with them this Trans Day of Visibility!

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Supporters, performers, and volunteers gathered to launch the Mullum Laneways Festival 2024 last Friday. 

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The 'Bangalow Waterfront', looking decidedly less glamorous now that the broken Bangalow Weir has been fenced off by Council. But plans are afoot to revive it. Photo Jeff Dawson
Bangalow Weir is desperately in need of repair and the Nationals have promised to repair it if re-elected. Photo Jeff Dawson

It may not be the most pressing matter of state but the coalition government says that, if re-elected, it would provide $250,000 for Bangalow Weir’s restoration and upgrade.

Meanwhile, at nearby Lismore where Page MP Kevin Hogan is sitting on a slim majority, the government has promised $1.4 million towards the redevelopment of Oakes Oval.

Mr Hogan said the redevelopment would boost the economy and attract more sporting competitions to the region.

Funding would include expanding the playing area and grandstands as well as renewing change facilities.

The Bangalow Weir announcement was made on Friday, also by minister Joyce, at the NSW Nationals conference at Tweed Heads.

He said, ‘The Bangalow Weir was once a centrepiece of community activity but has fallen into a state of disrepair that has made it unsafe.’

‘I understand that the Byron Shire Council and the Bangalow Parklands Community Association have been working together to develop designs and a project plan for the restoration and upgrade of the weir to meet current regulatory and safety standards.

‘Matthew Fraser has advocated fiercely for this project, recognising its importance to the local community,’ Mr Joyce said.

Oakes Oval Lismore. Photo Austadiums
Oakes Oval Lismore. Photo Austadiums

Oakes oval to host AFL

Page MP Kevin Hogan said today that the $3 million upgrade of Lismore’s Oakes Oval will help the grounds become ‘northern New South Wales’ premier sports facility, capable of hosting premiership AFL, rugby league, soccer, and rugby union matches’.

‘Upgrading the oval’s spectator and player facilities will have a hugely positive effect on the region. I’m particularly excited that AFL peak bodies have already identified Oakes Oval as a potential venue for high level events,’ Mr Hogan said.

This is a big-ticket redevelopment project, involving an extension of the grandstand roof cover, expanding the on-field playing area to boost spectator capacity and make it suitable for AFL games, replacing the ground’s change rooms and toilet facilities and installing a new electronic scoreboard.

Mr Hogan said a re-elected Coalition government would contribute $1.4 million to the project, with the AFL, Lismore City Council and the Lismore Swans AFL matching the funds in cash or in kind.

‘Already there are talks to play Sheffield Shield cricket and preliminary rounds of the AFL on the new Lismore Oakes Oval.’

‘I congratulate Lismore City Council for its leadership and financial commitment to the project, as well as the AFL and Lismore Swans AFL club which will also contribute to the upgrade.’

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Elliot, Hogan retain their north coast seats

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A voting guide for dummies

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Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

5 COMMENTS

  1. GET OVER IT – DO NOT ACCEPT BRIBES
    I sincerely hope that the residents of the Northern Rivers are wiser than in the past and recognise that little bribes (for that is truly what these are) given prior to an election are no substitute for real representation over time. The Coalition’s slights and downright insults to our region’s hardworking citizens’ rights are numerous. Everyone here understands that the Nationals no longer represent regional Australia and most assuredly not this particular region. Please please please don’t fall for this old trick. Think hard about your aspirations for our spectacular little corner of the world and vote for the candidate that understands that his/her job is to represent you, not impose party line policies that only serve the party and the big industry power brokers, not the people.

  2. Come on Auzie’s

    “Be Really Good Sports”Is The name of the gAim …

    “WET WAT ER S PORTS

    Q. when is Weirly WATER Weirly WET ?

  3. Bork Parelling
    If it was that important, Why TF was this not offered before.
    Roads, Roads & other stuff (bridge strengthening mostly) EXCEPT rail transport…
    This is the the main reason why I shall vote Green & not the duopoly. But then…………. only 4 candidates:
    1 Green, 2 Duopoly & 1 Fed’s god squad.

    Grateful for any advise on who to preference after I do the “1” on reps.

    Will be interested to see the senate “table cloth”

  4. A lot of money is going to Lismore Base Hospital as parking spaces. All the spending isn’t much good if we don’t have an ‘inclusive’ integrated transport system, not just the odd few buses that take all day to get across the region. Both Labor and the Coalition have cut off rail services over the decades in NSW regional areas, instead of making them more user friendly. We must have a regional body run by the people who need it, nearly everyone, if they knew what is possible, if we employ our locals in a long-term, continual/sustainable manner, instead of having competitive, profiteering large corporations tendering for the position of doing a one-off rip-off deal, at several times the real costs.

    With the latest RBTs, and everyone who can’t or shouldn’t be driving, there is a large section of the population that do not have equal access to everything from education, employment, recreation or social engagement, or a choice to avoid the stressful, deadly roads that we are stuck with.

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The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.