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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Nats don’t get it: a gas field is a gas field

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Cinema: Wicked Little Letters

Based on a true scandal that stunned 1920s England, Wicked Little Letters centres on neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.

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.

Splendour 2024 cancelled

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

Records galore!

Byron Bay Easter Record Fair returns again to Ewingsdale Hall. Now in its 15th year, the Byron Bay Easter Record Fair is one of the biggest and best in this country. Matt the Vinyl Junkie has spent years on buying trips to the US and Japan scouring dusty warehouses, shops, flea markets and private collections. He can offer an astounding 30,000 records in one place covering most genres.

Way of the dog

One of the more disappointing aspects of the decline of Byron Bay, and I have a long list, is...

The National Party has confirmed its plans to turn our beautiful northern rivers into a coal seam gas field by renewing Dart Energy’s gas exploration licence.

Despite reductions in the exploration area, the licence to mine for CSG still covers the towns of Lismore, Kyogle, Nimbin, The Channon, Coraki and the surrounding water catchments that we all depend upon.

The water supply for Ballina and Byron shires remains in an area where CSG mining is still allowed. If CSG production pollutes the aquifers upstream, residents in Byron and Ballina will feel any health impacts.

It’s simply not good enough. The Nationals’ announcement is a political stunt designed to try and get them through the upcoming state election. Local farmers, business owners, environmentalists and grandparents have all come together to protect our land and water. We want a NSW powered by renewable energy, not dirty fossil fuels like CSG.

If the Nationals are serious about standing up for north coast communities they need to immediately cancel all exploration licences over the northern rivers – not just the bits that don’t have any CSG anyway.

The Greens are committed to a permanent ban on coal seam gas mining across the northern rivers, and the rest of NSW. If I’m elected at the state election in March, moving to cancel the CSG exploration licences in the northern rivers will be my top priority.

Tamara Smith, Greens candidate for Ballina


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Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

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