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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Towards chemical-free public spaces

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Mullum pods

They look so uninviting and dismal. It would not cost a lot to change the name to ‘tiny homes’...

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Breakfeast, Bluesfest weekend

Victoria Cosford Oh to be a cow with a four-chambered stomach system! Farmers’ market, Bluesfest long weekend, a spot of...

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.

Heavy traffic on M1 predicted over Easter long weekend

Bottlenecks in Northern NSW are predicted to occur at Coffs Harbour and Tugun over the Easter long weekend. This is expected to be further impacted by work on the Pacific Highway just north of the Queensland border.

Could the future of the Richmond River be a clean and healthy one?

Imagine a drinkable, swimmable, fishable Richmond River? That is the aim of the Richmond Riverkeepers Association.

In response to Dave Rawlins’s letter ‘Learn about low-chem regen’, Echonetdaily, November 18:

The dangers to human health and the environment of pesticide (including herbicide) use are well recognised internationally.

The European Union framework directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) sets rules for the sustainable use of pesticides to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide on people’s health and the environment.

It notes, ‘In… places such as public parks and gardens, sports and recreation grounds, school grounds and children’s playgrounds, and in the close vicinity of healthcare facilities, the risks from exposure to pesticides are high.’ It recommends, in these areas, the use of pesticides should be minimised or prohibited.

Many EU municipalities have moved towards restricting or banning pesticides in public places independent of their national legislation. For example, a 2002 inventory in Denmark found that 34 per cent of municipalities (92) no longer used pesticides.

In Canada, nine out of 10 provinces and over 170 municipalities restrict or ban the use of pesticides in public spaces, in some cases extending this to schools, creches, hospitals, etc – particularly anywhere where children are likely to be.

As a result of strong regulation elsewhere, technological innovation has been high. One of the technologies frequently used, steam weeding, has been successfully developed by an Australian firm, Weedtechnics. Leichhardt Council controls weeds in parks and streets by this means.

Let us support innovation by our local industries as well as protecting the health of our children.

Ellen White, Georgica


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We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

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.