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Byron Shire
March 19, 2024
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Byron Echo

Disaster recovery needs to meet children’s needs: report

Children and young people living in the region’s temporary emergency pod villages have been exposed to community and domestic violence, drug-affected residents, and arguments between neighbours, a year long study has found.

2022 flood doco screening March 21

In March 2022, not-for-profits Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) and Holding Hands Under Ground (HHUG) joined forces to respond to the catastrophic floods that devastated the Northern Rivers community.

Future cedar cutters?

Are subcontractors to Clarence Property the cedar cutters of 2024?  Lets put this in economic terms. Subcontractors: you are trading the priceless capital value of...

Wallum works 

With the recent issuing to the developer, Clarence Properties, of a subdivision works certificate, the fate of the Wallum heath and woodland at Torakina...

Floodplain Mullumbimby

Mullumbimby is a floodplain. Every time we have a heavy downpour I am up and down through the night, checking if the water is...

Time to tape up

Could I suggest that all flood-affected residents in Mullumbimby turn up to the Byron Council chambers by 8.30am for the next meeting on 14...

Wallum Q&A with Clarence Property CEO 

Will digging frog ponds and installing nest boxes really make a difference to the damage that large-scale development will have on the rare and endangered Wallum heathland in Bruns? 

Mullum Ex-Services Club unveils renos

After months of anticipation, Mullum Ex-Services ClubMullum Ex-Services Club says it is proud to announce the completion of an extensive $4.5 million renovation, which ‘combines modern amenities, comfort, and community spirit’.

Floodplains, drainage

I understand the owners of floodplain land wanting to fill and develop for money, and who work secretly with Byron Council (who are very...

Editorial – Giving it a tick and flick

The rezoning of high-value agricultural land for future housing – some on floodplains – is likely to be rushed through at Thursday’s Council meeting with last-minute tinkering – see page 1.

Cannabis

I’m not sure Andrew Hall understands how politics works if he is blaming the Greens for cannabis not being decriminalised yet. That’s actually up...

The case for natural parks

Between One Mile Beach and Big Rocky Island, just south of Nelson Bay, lies the stunning Samurai Beach, a part of the Tomaree National Park. 

Big family Kaleido fun day May 5  

Following the success of Blue on Burringbar Festival in Mullumbimby last year, the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Creative Mullum are putting on a fun, interactive community event this year on Sunday, 5 May.

Goonengerry residents still impacted by 2022 landslide 

Residents awaiting the completion of the Federal Drive reconstruction have highlighted the impacts of losing connections to the hinterland village two years after the...

Will rejected developments, now included in the TGHMS, destroy the Tweed Shire

It is unfortunate the Tweed Growth Management and Housing Strategy – draft Options Paper (TGMHS) is mired in much controversy.  The huge discrepancy of the...

Demands for increased housing in Byron Shire raise significant concerns for CABS

Serious concerns have been raised over the Byron Shire Residential Strategy 2041 by the 12 Byron Shire-wide associations that make up Community Alliance for Byron Shire (CABS).

Time for change

National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Byron Shire Council (BSC) have agreed to close Tyagarah clothing-optional area on 30 June. What a relief that...

Cost shifting excluded in Byron council’s financial review

An independent review of the financial model applying to local government in NSW would seem at first glance to be a welcome opportunity for councils such as Byron.

Trees and birds to go in Mullum?

When I heard that the council had new plans for Burringbar Street, I was curious to see what that plan was. I was shocked...

Byron Mayor backs down over floodplain development 

Mayor Michael Lyon told Mullum residents that he has the numbers to remove floodplain development but will push through the Residential Strategy that aims for 4,522 homes by 2041.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Reach Beyond

One in 12 people over 65 are living with dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease, but is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with doing everyday activities. It’s actually no longer called dementia, but Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND).

Cartoon of the week – 13 March, 2024

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor.

Memorable honey

Victoria Cosford Creamed honey – ah the memories! As a child, smearing it on to toast, I always felt there was something both homely and...

Destination Dunoon

Need a break from the everyday? Feel like a relaxing country drive with a delicious meal and cool beverage to greet you at the...

Interview with Ben Harper

Ben Harper is one of the premiere songwriters of his generation and there is always a feeling of that extra something special whenever he appears at Bluesfest – on its stages, he has collaborated with many of the festival’s favourites and he has captured the ears of anyone within reach.

Bangalow Film Festival

There are still plenty of great films to see at the Bangalow Film Festival – highlights include Eskawatã Kayawai – The Spirit of Transformation, the story of the cultural and spiritual renaissance of the Huni Kuin people from the Brazilian Amazon forest through their connection with Ayahuasca, and Freud’s Last Session when on the eve of the Second World War, two of the greatest minds of the 20th century, C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud converge for their own personal battle over the existence of God – both on Wednesday.

Alliance Française French Film Festival

The opening of the Alliance Française French Film Festival (AF FFF24) last week was brilliant, with a screening of the epic The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan – there are still sessions available for this film and the sequel, The Three Musketeers: Milady. There are so many truly good films in this festival, the program is definitely worth checking out, but the one I am looking forward to most is Neneh Superstar.

Big field of cyclist’s race at the Cavanbah Centre

Byron Bay Cycling Club (BBCC) kicked off its autumn season with criterium racing at the Cavanbah Centre track last Sunday.

Joel Taylor named para surfer of the year

Being named as ‘Male Para Surfer for 2023’ by Surfing Australia has given Lennox Head surfer Joel Taylor the perfect fillip he needs ahead of the Australian Open later this month.

LE-BA takes third in boardriders national final

LE-BA Boardriders have come third in the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final behind Burleigh Heads and North Shelly, in front of 30,000 spectators at the Burleigh Heads point break.

Pirates plunder second-grade cricket grand final

Lennox Head Pirates second-grade cricketers have won this year’s Coastal League premiership after beating Byron Bay at their home ground, Megan Crescent Oval, last Saturday.

Global beats and lantern parades

Byron Bay’s free Harmony Day celebration on Saturday, March 23 starts at 3.30pm in Apex Park, Main Beach, with live global beats and dance from our region’s multicultural community.

Brunswick Picture House comedy weekend

Brunswick Picture House is the home of comedy in the Northern Rivers and after a stonking summer comedy program, the fun and frivolity continue this month with a spectacular comedy weekend.

Family garden day this weekend

The Mullum Autumn Plant Fair invites plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike to a jam packed day filled with talks, hands-on activities, community vibes, and ecological knowledge sharing, with a massive array of plants for sale.

First responders critical of government/Council on second flood anniversary

A public event to recognise the second flood anniversary was held at the Soundshell in Bruns last Wednesday, with the mayor, deputy mayor, police representatives and a handful of locals present, according to the photos posted on Council’s Facebook page.

MECA invites Mullumbimby residents to its inaugural community conversation

Mullumbimby Emergency Community Action (MECA) is an emerging volunteer-led emergency response group working to ensure the community is a collective source of strength during a crisis.

Editorial – Emergency volunteerism

Two years ago this week, it’s fair to say the entire north coast was in shock and struggling to comprehend the extent of what just happened.

Australia’s Environment Report card not looking good

2023 was a 'year of opposites' for Australia’s environment, but despite conditions fluctuating between wet and dry, overall conditions remain stable following a bumper year in 2022, according to the latest Australia’s Environment Report, led by The Australian National University.

New tourism plan for Lismore region

In a move aimed at bolstering Lismore's visitor economy, Lismore City Council has greenlit a roadmap to navigate the region towards tourism growth.

New charitable funding round opens

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s first funding round for 2024 opens today, Tuesday 19 March, with more than $500,000 available for local community groups and charities with new and existing projects.

Tech companies grilled on how they are tackling terror and violent extremism 

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has issued legal notices to Google, Meta, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, Telegram and Reddit requiring each company to report on steps they are taking to protect Australians from terrorist and violent extremist material and activity.