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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Flogging a petition

Latest News

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.

Other News

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why Being Seen is Beautiful

There is something profound about being seen. Being accepted and loved for exactly who you are. It’s life changing. It’s simple. It’s transformative. But some people don’t get to experience this. Nearly half of transgender Australians have attempted suicide.That data tells the very real impact of discrimination, stigma and lack of access to gender-affirming surgery. I write this as a woman who was born a woman, who identifies as a woman. I’ll admit, that even in that gender role, that fits within the societal binary, I’ve had my own challenges.

Seize the Decade report outlines benefits of renewables

The Climate Council says many more Australian families can directly benefit from rooftop solar and batteries under a new plan that spells out how we can electrify the nation and cut climate pollution this decade.

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.

Richmond Valley Rail Trail grand opening

The latest leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened in style on Saturday, with hundreds of two-wheeled travel enthusiasts spinning along the newly opened 13.4 kilometre section from Casino to Bentley.

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.

In a blatantly political move, the Tweed Chamber of Commerce is flogging an online petition calling for the appointment of an administrator to replace the Tweed Shire Council on the confected charge of delays in processing development applications. They conveniently overlook the fact that DA recommendations are prepared and processed by departmental staff, not the councillors. And the priceless irony is that Chamber president, Warren Polglase, was Mayor of the Council sacked in 2005 after the Daly Inquiry found the election of the majority faction of so-called Independents had been corrupted by developer-backed financing.

The fact that the petition is able to be signed anonymously indicates the Chamber is aware that many of the intended signatories haven’t the guts to go public, and further proves the document not worth the cyberspace it’s floating in.

The ploy is to rid the current Tweed Council of majority Independents and replace them with developer-friendly neo-cons of the ilk ousted 17 years ago by Commissioner Daly. If the Chamber was serious it would call not for an administrator to replace the councillors, but for an inquiry into the Planning Department, which continues to drag its heels on halting future residential development of floodplain land, in addition to delayed DA approvals.

But to misquote Paul Keating; never let the facts stand between a business chamber and a bucket of money.

Jeremy Cornford, Kingscliff


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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.

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.