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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Byron needs to learn from Newcastle

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

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. 

Dynamic, rustic yet polished

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.

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.

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

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.

Laid-back but lively

Ooz is an acoustic roots reggae artist with a large, eclectic repertoire of crowd favourites. His unique, laid-back but lively style creates a relaxed atmosphere and his song choices have you remembering many of those forgotten classics.

Tony Brown, Newcastle

Regarding the sensible letter you published from Dr Graham Truswell on Tuesday.

The key measure that resulted in unprecedented and disproportionate reductions in alcohol related harms and costs in Newcastle associated with pubs and clubs loading up bingers to 5am, was a very modest evidence-based reduction in late trading to 3am. This initial action was initiated by local police and subsequently joined by a record number of residents and community members led by myself. By the way, the pubs themselves ultimately agreed to a 3.30am closing to settle their court appeal.

This is what makes the local Byron community’s push for ‘ last drinks at 12’ (from 3am) by far, the most convincing and compelling.

None of the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing’s (OLGR) new voluntary conditions for Byron (developed with no genuine community input) can be accurately or fairly described as ‘ strict’ or ‘ tough’. They are firstly completely unenforceable (unlike Newcastle – where the mandatory conditions do apply all week), secondly, do not involve any meaningful reduction in the dangerous levels of grog supplied to the accord’s collective patrons after midnight – to reduce intoxication (the catalyst for violence) and finally, avoid any reduction in hours – the independently established single and simple most effective measure to prevent alcohol related harms in the public context.

If as the Byron Bay Liquor Accord and OLGR assert the so called ‘ strict’ conditions are working, how do they explain the recent outbreak of ugly alcohol fuelled violence in Byron and examples of ongoing non-compliance of even the ‘ voluntary’ conditions by some operators? – Oh I forget, ‘ it was the outbreak of warm weather’, according to comments made to Echonetdaily on 9 July http://echonetdaily.echo.net.au/orgy-of-violence-in-byron-bay/

I really encourage the OLGR and Liquor Accord to collaborate with the community as advocated by Dr Truswell on behalf of ‘ 12’ and give effect to the key objects of the NSW Liquor Act (currently under review) being ‘ alcohol harm minimisation’ and that the outcomes (genuinely) reflect the ‘ aspirations and expectations of the community’.

Public safety must be put before pub profits. This must be resolved in Byron before the ‘ outbreak’ of summer 2013/14.

 


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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.