In addition to his role as the editor of the Byron Shire Echo since 2010, Hans is an accomplished musician. A graduate of the Canberra School of Music, Hans has played the double bass and electric bass for more than 20 years, in all styles and at most of Australia's premier festivals. See www.hanslovejoy.com for more.
Showing content from:Hans Lovejoy
Democracy under strain as pandemic continues
With the NSW government now openly threatening that the public will not be able to participate in social activities, work in the public sector or travel interstate unless they are vaccinated for COVID-19, The Echo asked local NSW MP Tamara Smith (Greens) what her party is doing about protecting civic rights and freedoms.
Eco tourism biz needs your ‘staycation’
Wendy Bithell from Byron Bay Eco Tours describes the current climate as ‘like being trapped underwater, and the only air you can breathe is through a straw’.
Residential tenancy support to increase
The NSW Government say they will increase the Residential Tenancy Support Package up to $4,500 per tenancy, and have extended the eviction moratorium until November 1.
Ballina MP Q&A on the govt’s response on COVID-19
What are your thoughts on the September 10 lockdown date and return to school plan? Do you think it will be extended again, given that across the globe, cases are rising within vaccinated populations?
Nyck Jeanes stood down as BayFM President
BayFM have replaced its president Nyck Jeanes, after what Station Manager, Philip Shine, says was confusion around Mr Jeanes’s personal views, and those of the station.
Senior Counsel says Byron Council acted illegally
Recent advice from Tim Robertson, one of Australia’s most senior environmental barristers, is that Byron Council acted illegally when it zoned part of Linnaeus Estate for mixed use development.
Health authorities say they are prepared
As the Delta variant moves the goalposts globally, local health authorities say they are confident they are prepared for any case surge.
Editorial: More planning staff needed to assess even more DAs
It was another full Council agenda last week, with not just DAs being determined, but policies and reports a-plenty.
Business case kept secret for large bioenergy facility
Secrecy still surrounds Council’s business case for a proposed bioenergy facility at the Byron Bay Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
20 lot Community Title DA for Bruns
Eighteen three bedroom, and two, four bedroom dwellings are proposed in a DA before the public, for a 20 lot Community Title subdivision in Brunswick Heads.
Push to help Byron’s homeless
A fundraising campaign by Byron Community Centre and Creative Capital has launched to assist in the reopening of Fletcher Street Cottage for Byron’s homeless community.
IPC fails at reducing emissions: report
A NSW planning commission tasked with assessing large fossil fuel projects has been found to have ‘comprehensively failed’ in mitigating greenhouse emissions, according to a report published by Griffith University Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe.
Local Labor MP replies to backflips on neg gearing, more tax cuts for wealthy
With the federal Labor Party’s recent backflip on stage three tax cuts and negative gearing reform, The Echo asked local Labor MP Justine Elliot how such polices align with Labor values, given this supports the Nationals and Liberals’ ideology of only helping the wealthy.
NSW Parliament off for a month, with full pay
With COVID-19 cases surging across Sydney and defence forces being deployed in the city, NSW Parliament put out a brief statement last week saying MPs will not sit in the month of August ‘owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in NSW’.
Editorial – Let’s all acquiesce!
On July 12, it became mandatory for all businesses and workplaces in NSW to use the Service NSW Check-in tool (QR code).
Staged rollout change for large OS DA
Plans by a developer to change the staged rollout for a large Ocean Shores subdivision, and nine dwellings on 11 and 13 Warrambool Rd and 9 Bian Crt, Ocean Shores, are now on exhibition on Council’s website.
The Block mute over its plans for Byron TV show
Plans by reality television TV show, The Block (Nine), to base an upcoming series on Sunrise Boulevard in Sunrise, Byron Bay, has upset an elderly neighbour.
Navigating through laws around business lockdowns
This is the full version from the edited down July 28, 2021 Echo print edition:
A flyer circulating within the community is making claims against...
A disappointing limbo? Byron candidates on delayed council elections
Mr Dey, incumbent Mr Lyon and four other mayoral candidates were already busy campaigning for the top spot when NSW Local Government Minister Shelly Hancock delayed the election for a second time.
Editorial – Free fi fo dumb?
Hans Lovejoy, editor
Scientists have warned that now the UK has come out of lockdown on ‘freedom day’ (July 19), it will lead to ‘a...
Byron Council seeks height variation for its bioenergy facility
The bioenergy facility was one of many Council projects identified as being at risk of losing funding, within the solar farm report.
Democracy under strain as pandemic continues
With the NSW government now openly threatening that the public will not be able to participate in social activities, work in the public sector or travel interstate unless they are vaccinated for COVID-19, The Echo asked local NSW MP Tamara Smith (Greens) what her party is doing about protecting civic rights and freedoms.
Eco tourism biz needs your ‘staycation’
Wendy Bithell from Byron Bay Eco Tours describes the current climate as ‘like being trapped underwater, and the only air you can breathe is through a straw’.
Residential tenancy support to increase
The NSW Government say they will increase the Residential Tenancy Support Package up to $4,500 per tenancy, and have extended the eviction moratorium until November 1.
Ballina MP Q&A on the govt’s response on COVID-19
What are your thoughts on the September 10 lockdown date and return to school plan? Do you think it will be extended again, given that across the globe, cases are rising within vaccinated populations?
Nyck Jeanes stood down as BayFM President
BayFM have replaced its president Nyck Jeanes, after what Station Manager, Philip Shine, says was confusion around Mr Jeanes’s personal views, and those of the station.
Senior Counsel says Byron Council acted illegally
Recent advice from Tim Robertson, one of Australia’s most senior environmental barristers, is that Byron Council acted illegally when it zoned part of Linnaeus Estate for mixed use development.
Health authorities say they are prepared
As the Delta variant moves the goalposts globally, local health authorities say they are confident they are prepared for any case surge.
Editorial: More planning staff needed to assess even more DAs
It was another full Council agenda last week, with not just DAs being determined, but policies and reports a-plenty.
Business case kept secret for large bioenergy facility
Secrecy still surrounds Council’s business case for a proposed bioenergy facility at the Byron Bay Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
20 lot Community Title DA for Bruns
Eighteen three bedroom, and two, four bedroom dwellings are proposed in a DA before the public, for a 20 lot Community Title subdivision in Brunswick Heads.
Push to help Byron’s homeless
A fundraising campaign by Byron Community Centre and Creative Capital has launched to assist in the reopening of Fletcher Street Cottage for Byron’s homeless community.
IPC fails at reducing emissions: report
A NSW planning commission tasked with assessing large fossil fuel projects has been found to have ‘comprehensively failed’ in mitigating greenhouse emissions, according to a report published by Griffith University Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe.
Local Labor MP replies to backflips on neg gearing, more tax cuts for wealthy
With the federal Labor Party’s recent backflip on stage three tax cuts and negative gearing reform, The Echo asked local Labor MP Justine Elliot how such polices align with Labor values, given this supports the Nationals and Liberals’ ideology of only helping the wealthy.
NSW Parliament off for a month, with full pay
With COVID-19 cases surging across Sydney and defence forces being deployed in the city, NSW Parliament put out a brief statement last week saying MPs will not sit in the month of August ‘owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in NSW’.
Editorial – Let’s all acquiesce!
On July 12, it became mandatory for all businesses and workplaces in NSW to use the Service NSW Check-in tool (QR code).
Staged rollout change for large OS DA
Plans by a developer to change the staged rollout for a large Ocean Shores subdivision, and nine dwellings on 11 and 13 Warrambool Rd and 9 Bian Crt, Ocean Shores, are now on exhibition on Council’s website.
The Block mute over its plans for Byron TV show
Plans by reality television TV show, The Block (Nine), to base an upcoming series on Sunrise Boulevard in Sunrise, Byron Bay, has upset an elderly neighbour.
Navigating through laws around business lockdowns
This is the full version from the edited down July 28, 2021 Echo print edition:
A flyer circulating within the community is making claims against...
A disappointing limbo? Byron candidates on delayed council elections
Mr Dey, incumbent Mr Lyon and four other mayoral candidates were already busy campaigning for the top spot when NSW Local Government Minister Shelly Hancock delayed the election for a second time.
Editorial – Free fi fo dumb?
Hans Lovejoy, editor
Scientists have warned that now the UK has come out of lockdown on ‘freedom day’ (July 19), it will lead to ‘a...
Byron Council seeks height variation for its bioenergy facility
The bioenergy facility was one of many Council projects identified as being at risk of losing funding, within the solar farm report.
758 POSTS
0 COMMENTS
Latest posts
Local News
New venues of concern in Ballina
The Northern NSW Local Health District has been notified of a number of new venues of
concern associated with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Local News
Byron Bay beach party end in PINS and a charge for biting
Police say a woman has been charged and four Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) issued following a beach party in the Byron Bay area overnight.
Local News
Fundraising for koala signs for Bangalow
As the koala mating season has started, Bangalow Koalas has set up fundraising to
create incorporate more koala road signs.
Bangalow Koalas, who keep a watch...
Articles & Columns
Nuclear Submarines – just a foot in the door
In the next few months we will hear a lot about how superior nuclear-powered submarines are. Vice Admiral Mike Noonan is even claiming superior stealth characteristics – which is simply not true. Yes, they tend to be faster. This is great if you want to go thousands of kilometres in a matter of days. But they are also much more expensive.
The Echo is made possible by the support of all of our advertisers and is brought to you by this week's sponsors The Macadamia Castle and Byron College.
FEATURED STORIES
New venues of concern in Ballina
The Northern NSW Local Health District has been notified of a number of new venues of
concern associated with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Byron Bay beach party end in PINS and a charge for biting
Police say a woman has been charged and four Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) issued following a beach party in the Byron Bay area overnight.
Ring of steel called for as Byron and Tweed locked down – again
Councillors and members of parliament from across the region are calling for greater restrictions on who can come to the Northern Rivers and other vulnerable regional areas from COVID hotspots in NSW.
Tony’s reflections as king of the Macadamia Castle
Looking back on 14 years at the Macadamia Castle, Tony Gilding says the important things to him were the conservation of the animals and the development of staff.
POPULAR POSTS
Kingscliff’s amenity or company profit?
Kingscliff property developer Gales Holgins is seeking to increase truck movements by bringing in fill from the M1 road works rather than using fill from the development site. But Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association say that the impact on residents and business is too high a cost to pay.
Local concert series organiser hit with $5,000 fine
When local musician Lisa Hunt arrived for a meeting with police last Thursday she was hoping for a somewhat friendlier reception than she had received on the last occasion.
Car mania clogs Mullumbimby
It was a fatal error – driving half a kilometre into Mullumbimby to pick up a carton of milk. My partner drove while I conducted reconnaissance for that elusive parking spot.
Byron Shire Mayor, staff mute over Council court loss
Byron Mayor, Simon Richardson (Greens), is again remaining mute over questions around Council’s court loss, this time over a fencing dispute in Suffolk Park.
POPULAR CATEGORIES
FOLLOW US
Copyright © 2021, The Echo
