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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Sustainable Australia calls to redefine the norm

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

‘Smooth stroking’ Rainbow Dragons earn trophies

Rainbow Dragons (Lennox Head Ballina) won three trophies and had a fantastic weekend of fun, fitness and friendship at Grafton Dragon Boat Club’s regatta earlier in March.

Splendour 2024 cancelled

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

Superbowls

Superbowls is your go-to spot for a burst of woodfired flavour! Nestled in Byron Arts and Industry Estate, the...

Safety and preparation saves lives on the water

A large number of boaters are expected to hit the water over the Easter long weekend and Marine Rescue NSW is reminding boaters to be prepared and log on to the Marine Rescue NSW app.

Mayoral casting vote gets Lismore’s Affordable Housing Strategy over the line

At the recent Lismore City Council meeting former Mayor Vanessa Ekins and councillor Elly Bird moved the motion to introduce an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme and submit it to the state government for a gateway determination. 

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. 

Sustainable Australia president William Bourke.

Those who have read the 2017 book Game of Mates may be interested to know that one of its authors, Cameron Murray, is running as a QLD Senate candidate for the Sustainable Australia Party.

Game of Mates is a blistering critique on how ‘grey corruption’ influences the political system and how developers, banks and superannuation companies reap the benefits of policies and approvals that preserve their monopolies.

Sustainable Australia president William Bourke stopped by the Shire on a bus tour and told Echonetdaily that while his party is somewhat aligned with the Greens, they have key policy differences on creating a sustainable economy, environment and especially population.

He says his party does not align left or right but is centrist.

‘This election, our party is focusing its campaigning on better planning to stop overdevelopment’.

‘We propose to return real planning power to local communities, including through citizen juries. Further, we advocate for the delivery of new community infrastructure before more housing developments in the area.

‘Overall, our advocacy is for reducing population pressures by lowering Australia’s annual immigration intake from 200,000 back to the long term average of 70,000’.

Bourke says, ‘A sustainable population is achievable by diversifying Australia’s economy away from an over-reliance on housing construction, which requires ever-more people.

Diversify economy

‘Like Germany, our economy should develop owing to improvements in productivity, innovation, skills, education, workforce participation, technology and entrepreneurship, not population and debt’.

For more info visit Sustainable Australia


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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.