13.2 C
Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

James Mckenzie – Ungrouped Independent for Tweed Council

Latest News

How can we keep paying for incompetence

The only way forward is going backwards. That’s how I explain the current situation of Byron Shire Council. The...

Other News

Rail trail future

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) represents one of the most exciting opportunities our region has seen in decades....

Given up the ghost

We are informed that Byron Shire Council (BSC) has, in a sense, ‘given up the ghost’.  It has run...

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Can you help our rainbow community find a home?

For four years Queer Family Inc has lived the perilous life of a homeless community organisation – bouncing from one temporary venue to the next, sometimes without anywhere to stay at all.

Swain on Station St

This morning at Ocean Shores Shopping Centre, a lovely lady by the name of Janet Swain was holding an...

They’ve got their trousers on

They’re almost here – Baggy Trousers bring ‘Madness’ to Ballina next week! London-born and hailed as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier Madness tribute show, Baggy Trousers brings to life the legendary UK band’s iconic hits in The Sound of Madness and bring the energy, humour and soundtrack of the UK’s golden era to Ballina RSL.

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.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.