For many residents in Byron Bay it is with great relief that we learn that the younger generation of Greens are on Council. Go women, with mother Earth’s balanced blessing!
I share a Green proposal that will bring huge pleasure to communities and future generations of sentient beings. When my family settled into Byron 36 years ago we planted appropriate trees to attract koalas in the back and front yards. Within four years we had a family of playful baby koalas and a munching mum and dad. Dad was boss. He had an ‘alpha tenor voice’, a deep D flat, which was alarming and comforting. He waited for the side gate to be opened so that he could eat from the trees at the front of the house and delighted the neighbours. Then the area was privatised and alas… no koalas. Following the example of Bangalow Koalas we have the opportunity to create zones of empathy in the shire’s suburbs. Facing the climate change reality we could enjoy shade, the arrival of multiple birds, and conscious communities that tended to the plight and survival of koalas.
These communities could be known as zones of empathy. Traffic would have to be monitored, Airbnb tenants would have to be informed and all commercial operators compliant. Bird Buddies have also noted the growing lack of trees for species and the danger to migratory birds is now potentially prevalent as the shire is swamped with inappropriate zones of development (e.g. Wallum).
Green, grass roots democracy is now restored and communities will rise for the rights of nature. We did it over three decades ago when we defeated the proposed Club Med tourist resort. Farewell the neoliberal ecocide vision in Byron Shire. Relish the rights of nature and watch the growth of peaceful sentient communities collectively grow. An example to our children and other global communities. It can be democratically done.
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. 
