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Byron Shire
June 30, 2026

James Mckenzie – Ungrouped Independent for Tweed Council

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Byron Shire and the North Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions on NSW’s east coast with millions of...

James McKenzie. Photo supplied

What do you love about the Tweed region?

Our Shire is paradise. Between Byron and the Gold Coast this is one of the best places to be in the country. My family pioneered in the Tweed and Gold Coast and I have given years of service to my community. The Tweed is my home.

Why are you putting your hand up for the Tweed Council?

I am running for the fourth time to expose that Wollumbin, Arakwal and Bundjalung National Parks are fake, that Bundjalung is a white mans fabrication, Yugambeh in QLD, there are two fake Nations in the one language group.

Aboriginal Affairs and Native title has utterly failed and the country is so stupid most are not aware.

Wollumbin was taken as the name of my family’s peak and applied as a fake dual name to Mt Warning (Wulambiny Momoli).

There was no mention of the scandals of NSW NPWS in the recent Parliament debate and over ten thousand people wasted their time signing a worthless petition.

I recently met with Minister Penny Sharpe who sent my complaints about NSW NPWS to NSW ICAC then I believe she misled Parliament.

I am seeking the sacking of PM Anthony Albanese who possibly misled parliament about the Voice.

What relevant skills or experience do you bring to the position?

Past Chairman and Deputy Tweed and Coolangatta Tourism, Past President Murwillumbah Apex club, past deputy of Northern NSW Ecotourism Association, Founding President Mt Warning Restorers Club, Salvage and Camphor sawmiller to Asian markets, last director of the regions Camphor co-operative, currently Managing 35 Hipcamp sites, McKenzies Mountain, The Real Wollumbin. 

How would you address the local housing crisis?

Council has made the housing crisis by not allowing second residences and Granny flats on farms. NSW government has allowed two tiny houses on farms with no DA, exempt development.

Council in their idiocy have hurt the poor and hurt the coffers of Council as no rates will be paid for exempt tny houses on farms.

Do you think there is a role for local councillors beyond roads, rates and rubbish? If so, what is it?

We do not have local councillors. Most Councillors are members of political parties, doing their bidding and they do not care for the community, only their parties. We need real independents, Community Councillors.

There are over 20,000 approvals in place for residential and business development lots yet there is significant delay in activating these sites. What will you do to change that if you are elected?

I will not be elected to the snakepit of Council, have not advertised at all, running for the fourth time to expose the scandals described above.

If I was elected I would move that Council seek help from Councils that are moving approvals, not paid consultants.

How do you balance the pressure of more people and the need to protect the environment which is attracting the people?

By allowing organic development on rural properties, they do not need town water or sewerage. One house per hundred acres is forcing farmers to sell, the older generation can not retire on the farm, younger generation can not live there. Community development, not property developers, local builders, local tradies, community employment, not outside construction contractors.



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