26.5 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Show me the money!

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

Richmond MP again called on for immediate Gaza ceasefire 

On Saturday, March 16 Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine unfurled a 20m scroll with the names of murdered children and host a ‘die-in’ action at the office of the federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot (Labor).

Casuarina cricketers too strong for Mullumbimby Brunswick in grand final

Mullumbimby Brunswick Cricket Club (MBCC) had a very successful season finishing second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season with 13 wins and 4 losses, but fell short of winning the grand final against the Casuarina Crocs.

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.

Breakfeast, Bluesfest weekend

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

Bruns-Billinudgel RSL marches on

Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.

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.

Laurence Axtens, Lismore

It’s typical of the city-centric Liberal/National state government that while they have led the way federally for the provision of affordable housing in Sydney, they have completely ignored the northern rivers. Here the housing prices are comparable to Sydney and the average income is more than 30 per cent lower.

The Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) is a reasonable example of how public funds can be used to fill the ‘gap’ required to deliver new below market housing, so why hasn’t it been focused on the areas of greatest need?

According to the 2018 ‘Housing Needs – Northern Rivers Housing Study’ our community housing waiting list has over 3,000 applicants and most have been waiting for over ten years. This list could be completely cleared with the investment of a mere $1.8 billion. Sounds like a lot? Think again.

The city-based state government has been making a motza speculating on Sydney property. Since coming to office Gladys’s government has sold off $10 billion in property and still holds $160 billion in their portfolio. This could explain how they afforded reducing house prices in marginal city seats; so where’s our cut?

Here in the national capital of ‘housing stress’ where rents keep our pensioners struggling to feed themselves and where the rate of homelessness has skyrocketed more than 23 per cent in the last six years – we’re screaming – show me the money.

It is hard to not feel that we’ve been played for fools by decades of National Party representatives – who have sat in parliament and watched us being ignored and exploited. Neither of the big parties can provide representatives that represent their local constituencies as their first priority; they are all beholden to Sydney. Its time to think we looked to our own.

Previous articleByron’s silver peril
Next articleBruns Holiday parks

Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

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.