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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Lismore Imagines a way to save money

Latest News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Other News

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

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.

A seasoned bard

Guy Kachel had an idyllic entry to the world of music. Born in Tamworth, he was raised on the banks of the Peel River. The landscape was a fertile ground for his imagination. Seeing this rustic world change, as Tamworth developed into an inland city and friends grew to sometimes troubled adulthoods, provided insights for the artistry that later powered his career as a performer.

Adaptive Surf Pro winds up in Byron

A week of mixed weather had seen almost 100 adaptive surfers take on the beaches of Byron Bay in the Byron first international adaptive surfing event to be held in Australia – the 2024 Australian Pro.

Zoom meeting

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

Chris Dobney

Lismore City Council (LCC) has posted a $3.692 million deficit for the last financial year. The figure would have been $10.493 million had it not been for substantial capital revenues.

This included better-than-expected performances by the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre and the council’s quarrying operations.

On the upside, the council reported its overall financial position to 30 June had improved by $21.91 million to $1.068 billion. This includes the valuation of its assets.

LCC announced its cash and investments increased to $42.16 million and the debt service ratio was reduced slightly to 6.64 per cent, which it says is well within accepted benchmark indicators.

Nevertheless, LCC has admitted it needs to live more within its means and will be embarking on a ‘Zero Based Budget review’ next year.

‘The deficit reflects that the costs associated with renewing existing infrastructure are increasing,’ said LCC’s manager finance Rino Santin.

‘Put simply, we have to best match the cost of works and services to the funding available, or look at other ways to deliver community expectations. This very question will be asked through the ‘Imagine Lismore’ process as it’s not an easy one to answer,’ he said.

‘The first step is to clearly establish Council’s priorities. The second part is to apply the initiatives such as the Zero Based Budget review to make sure we are delivering works and services in the most cost-effective way.’


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Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.