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Byron Shire
June 29, 2026
Byron EchoLetters

DA awareness

By Kay Collins, Byron Bay

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Dear mayor, councillors and general manager, I am writing to request that you initiate the process to reinstate the weekly advertisement of Development Applications (DAs) on exhibition in The Byron Shire Echo.

I understand that Byron Shire Council has previously paid The Echo to advertise DAs. I also understand that, in an interview conducted by members of Community Action Byron Shire (CABS)  prior to the Council election, the candidates agreed that DAs should be advertised in The Echo.

I am calling on councillors to progress this commitment.

As a widely-distributed and free publication, The Echo is an important way for our community to be informed of DAs lodged with Council, and have the opportunity to make submissions in a timely way during the exhibition period.

Many members of the community are concerned that Council is receiving large numbers of DAs, some of which are seeking approval of developments that do not comply with current planning requirements.

The publication of the DAs in The Echo would enable the community to be kept informed of proposed developments, and have the opportunity for consultation and input on developments that may affect the character and amenity of our Shire.

Thank you for your assistance in enabling our community to have a voice in the future of our Shire.

Kay Collins, Byron Bay

 

• Council used to pay to advertise DAs with The Echo many years ago. After they withdrew that advertising, we ran them for a long time for free. Last year, former mayor Jan Barham paid for DAs to go in for several months out of her own pocket. Community Action Byron Shire (CABS) interviewed all the councillors prior to the last election and they apparently agreed that DAs should be advertised in The Echo, but none of them have pushed that forward since their election.

– Letters Ed

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Byron’s Winter Whales raise $43,000

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When it comes to real estate, everyone can use an advocate

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With 45 years combined experience across both sales and property management, husband and wife team Mark and Michelle Errichiello have recently moved to the Northern Rivers and teamed up with Byron Property Search to provide advocacy services for people looking to buy or sell across the region.
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Savour The Tweed returns, 22 October

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Conservationists welcome carbon credit scheme to protect forests

The Echo - 0
Today’s release of the government’s proposed Improved Native Forest Method, which allows governments to claim carbon credits in return for stopping logging has been welcomed by the North East Forest Alliance and North Coast Environment Council as "providing a way to end native forest logging on public land".
Read more

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