Strap in peeps, the candidates for the Byron Shire Council election are locked and loaded for September 14!
Overall, there are 23 candidates vying for nine Byron Shire Council seats (one of which is mayor). If you’d like to see the candidates answer questions in person, The Echo and BayFM are hosting a Meet the Candidates event at Byron Theatre 6pm-8pm on Monday 2 September. Admission is free, you can turn up on the night or register to attend here.
Of the four Byron Shire Council 2024 mayoral candidates, three are incumbent councillors, including Mayor Michael Lyon.
He was elected as an independent after quitting the Greens in September 2020.
Incumbent Greens councillor, Sarah Ndiaye, has served twice as deputy mayor, a position elected by fellow councillors.
She has served alongside Cr Lyon for over eight years – both were elected under previous Greens mayor, Simon Richardson.
Incumbent Labor councillor, Asren Pugh, ran for mayor in 2021 and lost to Cr Lyon, but won a seat on Council in his first local government campaign.
Independent candidate David Warth, meanwhile, ran for the federal seat of Richmond in 2022 against Labor’s Justine Elliot and the Greens’ Mandy Nolan, among others.
All four mayoral candidates are also running as the number one candidates in groups nominated for ordinary Council seats: this way, if their group wins enough votes, they are guaranteed to win a seat.
Five groups and one ungrouped candidate
The other 19 Council candidates are divided between five groups, except for one ungrouped candidate, newcomer Lucy Vader.
There is a fifth group running for councillor seats, led by Independent Jack Dods.
Neither Mr Dods, nor any of his three fellow group members are running for mayor.
Some group tickets have changed in the final days leading up to last week’s registration deadline.
Both Cr Mark Swivel and Meredith Wray quit the mayor’s ticket and joined Labor and Jack Dods’s team respectively.
The incumbent mayor now has Rhett Holt on his team, who previously ran unsuccessfully on the conservative ticket of (retiring) councillor, Alan Hunter.
The Greens now have five all-female candidates, with the addition last week of well-known broadcaster, Nell Schofield.
The candidate groups are as follows, and are in their own words (not ours!):
Group A – Labor
Asren Pugh (Bangalow) is a lifelong environmentalist, having worked for the Australian Conservation Foundation setting up their national Community Organising Program. He lives in Bangalow with his family, runs a local food manufacturing business and has an Executive MBA from UNSW.
Janet Swain lives in Ocean Shores and will be a big voice for the ‘North’ on Council.
She is an artist, singer, songwriter and teacher. Janet wants to bring new, creative ideas to the problems our community faces.
Mark Swivel (Byron Bay) is committed to our community as a councillor and lawyer, in the arts and in sport. Along with Maree Eddings, Mark led the campaign to save Feros Village and is the principal lawyer at Barefoot Law.
Peter Doherty is a long-time Bangalow resident and co-founded Bangalow Koalas a number of years ago to replant a koala corridor behind his home. Pete works in aged care and understands what [life] is like for working-class people, living paycheque to paycheque.
Dr Diana James lives in Byron Bay and is passionate about integrating cultural and environmental values into the planning for our communities to support the development of diverse community enterprises in the arts, cultural heritage and ecotourism.
Linda Watson lives at Ewingsdale and has a daughter and grandson in Ocean Shores. She has worked as an early childhood teacher and tutor and wants to see a community where her new grandson has somewhere affordable to live when he grows up.
Group B – Byron Shire Compass
David Warth (Suffolk Park) is a wildlife filmmaker with a background in business, tourism and primary industry. ‘I love living here and now that the challenges that we must face are mounting, I feel that my team and I must act decisively to create and implement a strong vision that will be in the best interests of our community’.
Susie Figgis (Ocean Shores) is a parent, business-woman, and passionate natural lover. She is standing for practical, people-driven policies, with a commitment to decisions that reflect the local community’s best interest.
Patricia (Trisha) Gizas-Barker (Byron Bay): My vision is that Byron Shire is, and will always be, a place of opportunity, lifestyle and endless discovery. My mission is inspiring our community to embrace the possibilities that strengthen a healthy, caring and happy community. My values are creating and maintaining safe spaces for our multicultural community to pursue their passions and achieve future success.
Nyck Jeanes (Byron Bay) has been a Byron Shire resident for 36 years. Broadcaster, writer, counsellor, peace activist, musician, father, grandfather, gardener, and lover of nature. We need more open dialogue with residents on many issues, a new, fresh beginning, new process to old problems, and kindness and care for each other and all creation.
Group C –Byron Independents
Michael Lyon (The Pocket) has been mayor of the Byron Shire for three-and-a-half years, and has achieved much in a small space of time. Following the worst floods in recorded history, Michael led the response to provide temporary homes in three pod villages in the shire and has fought hard for the funding to complete repairs like Federal Drive and Huonbrook Road.
Max Foggon (Wilsons Creek) is running for Council to make a tangible impact and become a pillar in his community. He brings fresh perspective, innovative ideas and takes on issues that matter to younger generations. Growing up in Mullumbimby, he’s experienced the challenges youth and families face in our region.
Rhett Holt (Byron Bay) is the founder of a global software firm and a former risk coordinator for the Queensland state government.
His key priorities are the financial sustainability of local government, making tourism work for the shire, helping local farmers to ensure local food quality and security and ensuring small businesses are supported in tough times.
Jeannette Martin (Mullumbimby) is passionate about the Northern Rivers and in particular Byron Shire.
Jeannette served on Council from 2016 to 2021 and is a team player, known on Council as a voice of reason.
Group D – The Greens
Sarah Ndaiye (Mullumbimby): Jingi Walla. I’m Deputy Mayor and have served on Council since 2016 and have a deep understanding of local issues.
I’m asking for your support as a mayoral and councillor candidate.
As mayor, I will bring my years of experience to champion our community and the issues that are important to you.
As a feminist and activist, I’ve fought for equality, media freedom, environmental protection, and improved public spaces.
Elia Hauge (Main Arm): I’m a long-time local and was raised here. As an engineer, educator, and environmentalist, I’m running to represent our community and Byron Greens as a councillor.
My values are Greens values; to create a sustainable future for our people and our planet.
I specialise in water sustainability, climate adaption, water security for regional communities, and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Delta Kay (Byron Bay): Jingi Walla. I’m a proud Arakwal Bundjalung woman who grew up here on Country.
My mother, Lynda Vidler is an Arakwal Elder who lodged native title in 2004 and signed the heads of agreement with Byron Shire Council in 1998.
I’m passionate about environmental and cultural education. I’m the owner of Explore Byron Bay Aboriginal Tours and an Aboriginal student support officer at TAFE NSW.
Michelle Lowe (Byron Bay): I’m a Bundjalung woman from Baryugil on Bundjalung country. I’m a long-time local and raised my children here.
I’m a high school teacher and have been the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic and cultural mentor and coordinator at Byron Bay High School for ten years.
Nell Schofield (Mullumbimby): I’ve been a surfer, an actress, a broadcaster and a writer, and now I’m proud to join the Byron Greens ticket as the fifth candidate for the upcoming local election, bringing a wealth of experience in media, arts, and public advocacy, including board memberships with Sydney Festival and Australian Design Centre, as well as producer and presenter roles with ABC and Showtime.
Group E – Bright Future Byron
Jack Dods (Ewingsdale) is a 34-year-old designer who was born and raised in Bangalow, and has a deep passion for and commitment to improving the built environment in Byron Shire.
His work specialises in urban design, masterplanning, building design, and development management.
David Michie lives in South Golden Beach and has been one of the shire’s strongest advocates for the rail trail, cycleways, and walkable towns.
Dr Meredith Wray (Byron Bay) has a PhD in sustainable tourism and lives in Byron Bay. She will contribute to improved destination management planning and sustainable tourism planning.
Dr Niamh Dove (Eureka) is a doctor and new mum from Eureka with a passion for improving local healthcare, education and childcare.
Ungrouped – Lucy Vader
A born and bred local, I’m a true independent candidate with no party affiliations, my only interests are those of the Byron Shire.
Some of you may know me through my art, or from the 2022 floods, saved by the mystery kayaker. However, there is more to me than that.
I have more than 20 years’ experience in building design and working alongside the associated disciplines.
My experience could help create better outcomes for towns, villages, people, the region and the environment.
See more election coverage at www.echo.net.au.
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