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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Rise up for Sunrise

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

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.

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

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.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why Being Seen is Beautiful

There is something profound about being seen. Being accepted and loved for exactly who you are. It’s life changing. It’s simple. It’s transformative. But some people don’t get to experience this. Nearly half of transgender Australians have attempted suicide.That data tells the very real impact of discrimination, stigma and lack of access to gender-affirming surgery. I write this as a woman who was born a woman, who identifies as a woman. I’ll admit, that even in that gender role, that fits within the societal binary, I’ve had my own challenges.

Bay FM community radio celebrates digital upgrade

Volunteers from Byron and across the Northern Rivers celebrated nearly $100,000 worth of new studio equipment at Bay FM Community Radio station on the weekend.

Jeff Harrison, Sunrise Beach

At the ‘Strange Bedfellows’ public forum, and the two subsequent Community Centre forums, it was apparent we don’t have an organisation that represents all Byron Bay residents, but there are organisations that represent various local interest groups including Byron business, Byron tourism, Byron liquor, and Byron holiday lets.

But the Suffolk Park Progress Association (SPPA) has a high profile in the local media when representing their specific interests. At the latest public forum our mayor Simon Richardson described how the SPPA provided him with a useful single point of reference when considering issues that affect their residents. The Ewingsdale Community website shows they are also effective in lobbying about issues in their immediate neighbourhood.

We have local concerns at Sunrise Beach as well. They range from: the possible impact of future festivals; being able to post a letter at the shopping centre; street campers’ trash; to the consequences of a drive through bottle shop. Perhaps Sunrise Beach residents could also benefit by organising as a registered association. We might then have a more tangible influence over our local issues and create a Sunrise Beach community vibe like they have in Suffolk Park and Ewingsdale.

If any Sunrise Beach residents are interested in forming a representative group, please send an email to [email protected]. Initially this is just to see if the numbers are there – no specific issues yet, just say if you’d be interested in getting something going. A Reply All will go out in a week or so with the results and the ‘next step’.

Although many of us live in ‘wards’ of Byron Bay, some town centre issues impact on how we all enjoy our unique town centre. Maybe if the ‘ward’ associations identified and collaborated on those common town centre matters there could be a single point of reference that represents a collective of Byron Bay residents.

 


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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?

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.