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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Keeping out Mr Rabid

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

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year ‘locals favourite’ pub...

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.

Biz confidence up, says Business NSW

The state's peak body for business says confidence in the sector has increased but cost of living pressures continue to impact customer spending.

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.

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?

Zoom meeting

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

Jodie Minton, Mullumbimby

I’ve been talking to a lot of people in the lead-up to this election and it seems most of them don’t want to see Abbott as our PM come September 8. So I’m asking you what readers are doing to stop this happening.

My tack is to promote the work of The Greens, but you don’t have to join a political party to effect change. As I’ve stepped up my involvement in the election campaign I have been struck by a few things:

1. talking politics is socially ‘taboo’

2. many people don’t understand the preferential voting system

3. most people are unaware of the $5 donation they make (via the AEC) to the party they direct their first preference to

4. many people are disengaged in the voting process.

Voting is our democratic right, and it’s one I take seriously. I want to have a say in the future of this country. We need to talk more, not less, about politics (and policies).

We need to understand that voting for a minor party is not a ‘wasted’ vote. We need to be educated on the preferential voting system and understand that in the case of your first-preference candidate not winning, your vote flows on at full value according to how you preference the other candidates.

You should also be aware that voting above the line in the senate in NSW for micro-parties such as HEMP, Stop CSG and WikiLeaks means your vote will land with a right-wing candidate ahead of The Greens.

And finally, remember that on election day every first preference vote greater than four per cent, in both houses of parliament, directs $2.49 on your behalf to that party.

Your vote counts. Get talking. Get active. Get educated.

I don’t want to wake up on September 8 to Tony Abbott as our PM. I don’t want Kevin Rudd either, but hey, that’s another story.


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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.