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
Family Court scrapped
Despite overwhelming opposition from Australia’s family law specialists and advocates, the federal Liberal-Nationals government and cross benchers scrapped the Family Law Court and subsumed it into the circuit courts last week.
Ready for Byron’s latest massive development on Jonson St?
The changing face of Byron as Gold Coast and Sydney developers move in to recreate the look and feel of the town with intense development proposals.
Editorial – A personal take on politics and media
Since its inception in 1986 by a bunch of ratbag hippy locals, The Echo has championed the voice of the afflicted, not the comfortable. That should be the aim of every media organisation.
Another large Byron CBD development before public
Developers Dr Stanley Quek and Adam Garrisson (Multiplicity Byron Bay Pty Ltd) are proposing a mixed commercial residential complex in Byron’s CBD, located next...
Byron Council staff enjoy complete immunity
Is it in the public interest for Council compliance staff to hassle Matthew Hartley over his caravan?
Council critic ‘targeted’ by compliance staff
A long-time resident – and Council critic – is accusing Council staff of unfairly targetting him for having a caravan at his home, which he says is legal.
Labor shuffles itself around not governing
Unlike the sociopaths in the Coalition party who represent the one per cent, Labor’s problem will always be trying to be a party for all seasons. And those seasons are becoming more chaotic and extreme owing to climate change.
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.
Are Council’s planning policies failing the community?
As developers eagerly continue to monetise Byron Shire’s property market, the flip side of course is the cost to the community and the region's unique biodiversity.
Let’s all trust the government and get vaxed!
Australia is following the UK and US in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. Given the enormity of the program, and its wide ranging implications, let’s dig a little into what vaccines are being fast tracked, and how it will roll out.
Zombie coastal plan is back!
Longtime locals would be aware of the history that surrounds Council’s attempts to sign off on a coastal management plan with the NSW government.
2021 – the year to reject tyrants
It’s nearly 2021! With a sigh, let’s all acknowledge the year’s trauma so we can move on, right? In the move towards a seismic awakening in 2021 – as well as building resilience for the year ahead – tinpot tyrants and their foot soldiers are on notice.
Suffolk bike track project maintains trajectory
Almost every Council meeting throws up hard decisions that must be courageously tackled, such as resolving competing community uses of public land.
Council’s approach to road safety unacceptable: Cr Cameron
Independent councillor Basil Cameron is proposing at this Thursday’s meeting that councillors adopt a set of Road Access and Safety Principles, ‘to be embedded in all road policy to ensure safe, equitable access for all road users’.
A closer peek at Council’s Main Beach project
While Main and Clarkes Beach continue to erode, Council are exploring ways to protect the headland at Jonson Street.
‘Overwhelming majority’ object to Dunoon Dam proposal
With public submissions on Rous Council’s proposed Dunoon Dam expected to be released Wednesday December 16, Ballina councillor and Rous chair Keith Williams told The Echo that submissions he has seen so far indicate strong opposition.
Let’s talk pork!
Put simply, pork barrelling is where certain electorates are favoured by politicans with cash (grants, infrastructure projects etc) to curry favour. It’s questionable though, how ethical the practice is, given it is essentially a bribe.
Former mayor hits back at developer claims
Former Greens mayor and NSW MLC Jan Barham has refuted comments by developer Brandon Saul around a ‘fundamental error’ that led to staff applying a zone label change to the Linnaeus Estate.
Council staff to proceed with ‘error’ in zoning label debacle
Bound by nature reserves and a Marine National Park, Linnaeus Estate has been the focus of many court challenges and community activism over the years.
Our beloved Bay FM is passing the hat around
Local radio station Bay FM 99.9 is seeking your support during their yearly radiothon, which runs until November 30.
Affordable housing precinct moves closer
An affordable housing planning proposal for ‘at least 250 dwellings with a range of lot sizes’, is progressing on a parcel of Council managed land, located just outside of Mullumbimby.
Family Court scrapped
Despite overwhelming opposition from Australia’s family law specialists and advocates, the federal Liberal-Nationals government and cross benchers scrapped the Family Law Court and subsumed it into the circuit courts last week.
Ready for Byron’s latest massive development on Jonson St?
The changing face of Byron as Gold Coast and Sydney developers move in to recreate the look and feel of the town with intense development proposals.
Editorial – A personal take on politics and media
Since its inception in 1986 by a bunch of ratbag hippy locals, The Echo has championed the voice of the afflicted, not the comfortable. That should be the aim of every media organisation.
Another large Byron CBD development before public
Developers Dr Stanley Quek and Adam Garrisson (Multiplicity Byron Bay Pty Ltd) are proposing a mixed commercial residential complex in Byron’s CBD, located next...
Byron Council staff enjoy complete immunity
Is it in the public interest for Council compliance staff to hassle Matthew Hartley over his caravan?
Council critic ‘targeted’ by compliance staff
A long-time resident – and Council critic – is accusing Council staff of unfairly targetting him for having a caravan at his home, which he says is legal.
Labor shuffles itself around not governing
Unlike the sociopaths in the Coalition party who represent the one per cent, Labor’s problem will always be trying to be a party for all seasons. And those seasons are becoming more chaotic and extreme owing to climate change.
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.
Are Council’s planning policies failing the community?
As developers eagerly continue to monetise Byron Shire’s property market, the flip side of course is the cost to the community and the region's unique biodiversity.
Let’s all trust the government and get vaxed!
Australia is following the UK and US in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. Given the enormity of the program, and its wide ranging implications, let’s dig a little into what vaccines are being fast tracked, and how it will roll out.
Zombie coastal plan is back!
Longtime locals would be aware of the history that surrounds Council’s attempts to sign off on a coastal management plan with the NSW government.
2021 – the year to reject tyrants
It’s nearly 2021! With a sigh, let’s all acknowledge the year’s trauma so we can move on, right? In the move towards a seismic awakening in 2021 – as well as building resilience for the year ahead – tinpot tyrants and their foot soldiers are on notice.
Suffolk bike track project maintains trajectory
Almost every Council meeting throws up hard decisions that must be courageously tackled, such as resolving competing community uses of public land.
Council’s approach to road safety unacceptable: Cr Cameron
Independent councillor Basil Cameron is proposing at this Thursday’s meeting that councillors adopt a set of Road Access and Safety Principles, ‘to be embedded in all road policy to ensure safe, equitable access for all road users’.
A closer peek at Council’s Main Beach project
While Main and Clarkes Beach continue to erode, Council are exploring ways to protect the headland at Jonson Street.
‘Overwhelming majority’ object to Dunoon Dam proposal
With public submissions on Rous Council’s proposed Dunoon Dam expected to be released Wednesday December 16, Ballina councillor and Rous chair Keith Williams told The Echo that submissions he has seen so far indicate strong opposition.
Let’s talk pork!
Put simply, pork barrelling is where certain electorates are favoured by politicans with cash (grants, infrastructure projects etc) to curry favour. It’s questionable though, how ethical the practice is, given it is essentially a bribe.
Former mayor hits back at developer claims
Former Greens mayor and NSW MLC Jan Barham has refuted comments by developer Brandon Saul around a ‘fundamental error’ that led to staff applying a zone label change to the Linnaeus Estate.
Council staff to proceed with ‘error’ in zoning label debacle
Bound by nature reserves and a Marine National Park, Linnaeus Estate has been the focus of many court challenges and community activism over the years.
Our beloved Bay FM is passing the hat around
Local radio station Bay FM 99.9 is seeking your support during their yearly radiothon, which runs until November 30.
Affordable housing precinct moves closer
An affordable housing planning proposal for ‘at least 250 dwellings with a range of lot sizes’, is progressing on a parcel of Council managed land, located just outside of Mullumbimby.
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Local News
‘Hollywood’ drug squads over the top
I guess we have to thank Hollywood for the enduring myth that a black-clad squad of elite 'blokes', preferably with cool helicopters, from the capital are needed to crack down on really serious crime in hick parts of the country like Mullumbimby.
Local News
Local fisherfolk caught in the parking fine net
Aslan Shand - 1
FIsherfolk have been caught in the net of parking fines designed to stop travellers parking up for the night on the Tweed Coast Road and they are seeking help to access their beaches at night without fines.
National News
Family Court scrapped
Despite overwhelming opposition from Australia’s family law specialists and advocates, the federal Liberal-Nationals government and cross benchers scrapped the Family Law Court and subsumed it into the circuit courts last week.
Sport
Cavanbah centre gets a taste of 3×3 basketball
The Byron Beez basketball team in collaboration with the U League hosted a 3x3 tournament at the Cavanbah centre at the end of January that attracted 30 teams.
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FEATURED STORIES
Northern Rivers policeman accused of youth assault acquitted
Magistrate Michael Dakin has ordered a common assault charge against a former Byron-based policeman be dropped after an altercation involving a naked youth in Byron Bay three years ago.
Police confirm Main Arm drug operation
NSW Police have finally confirmed what pretty much every one in Main Arm already knows – they are conducting drug operations in the north of the Shire.
Will the Lennox Park pavilion survive?
Ballina Shire Council will today debate the future of the Lennox Park pavilion/dressing shed, which is slated for removal as part of the Lennox Village Vision concept plan.
Call to protect oceans from plastic and pollution
A new sign has been installed at Main Beach, Byron Bay, calling for increased awareness and collective action on the issue of marine debris and pollution.
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Kingscliff’s amenity or company profit?
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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.
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.
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.
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