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March 19, 2024
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Editorial

Editorial – Giving it a tick and flick

The rezoning of high-value agricultural land for future housing – some on floodplains – is likely to be rushed through at Thursday’s Council meeting with last-minute tinkering – see page 1.

Editorial – Emergency volunteerism

Two years ago this week, it’s fair to say the entire north coast was in shock and struggling to comprehend the extent of what just happened.

Editorial – Grab the popcorn and bean bags

Both Mayor Michael Lyon and fellow councillor, Mark Swivel, offered an apology to the followers of the Save Wallum Facebook page last week.

Once known as the rainbow region

The most poignant moment from Thursday’s boisterous and unruly Council meeting was listening to elderly Mullum resident, Peter McGill. 

Editorial – Untethering from developers

There’s no doubt that social and affordable housing in NSW is in need of life support. Thankfully, the NSW government put out a media release last week to say the entire system will be rebuilt. But how?

Editorial – Young people listen up!  

Hello, impressionable young person. ICYMI, the world as we inhabit it isn’t in great shape. 

Editorial – We’ve had complaints

The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) sure did stir up a lot of complaints to The Echo, given their inflammatory and inaccurate statements in their page 5 advertisement last week. 

Editorial – Council as a developer

There’s a few Council-led housing projects burbling away under the surface, one of which has popped up again with the statutory requirement to engage with the public.

Editorial – If you haven’t got anything to hide…

It’s an odd Byron Shire Council that Mayor Michael Lyon, and acting General Manager (GM), Shannon Burt, lead.

Editorial – Northern rivers are sick

A recently released scientific paper on the health of the Richmond River has found a mix of pesticides (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) at dangerous levels.

Editorial – Narcissist awareness week!

With a myriad of ‘weeks’ dedicated to raising awareness for many different causes, here’s a pitch for one focussed on one of the most destructive human traits known – narcissism.

Editorial – Make Mullum Great Again!

Have you been watching the gradual decline of Mullum over the years? Less attention to curbs and gutters? Virtually no improvements to drainage after a catastrophic flood? 

Editorial – Don’t know, don’t care

The victorious ‘No’ camp is oddly reluctant to examine the roots of its cruel snub to our First Nations peoples.

Editorial – The best democracy money can buy

Last week, The Juice Media published a YouTube video, Honest Government Ad | How to rig elections.

Editorial– Byron Council’s $250k deficit

Among the many pressing issues on the agenda are budget adjustments, which are proposed by James Brickley, Council’s Manager Finance. 

Editorial – Young people fight for a future

Young people are fighting for their future. They are asking governments to stop approving fossil-fuel operations and to put the money, focus and opportunity towards technology and options that will make a difference.

Putting planning in balance

From the protests over the development of Bayside’s Wallum Estate at Brunswick Heads to local housing forums and demands for housing for all, the challenge facing us is difficult.

Editorial: Time for drug law reform

The ACT is leading the way and it is time for NSW to step up and address the adverse impact of current drug laws.

Editorial: The biggest burps, ever

Preppers, or those preparing for an apocalypse, may already know, but in 1859, the sun belched trillions of tonnes of plasma at our small pale blue dot, causing major disruptions to primitive telegraph poles.

Editorial: Submission on Council’s Housing Option Paper

Byron Shire Council is asking residents to comment on its Housing Options Paper, which is currently on exhibition at www.byron.nsw.gov.au until November 6.

Editorial: Saying ‘Yes’ to the Voice

The Voice is a matter of conscience, not division.

Editorial: The have yachts 

Australia’s image of ‘a fair go’ has waned over the past two decades, with the gap ‘blowing out’ between those who have lots, and those without much.

Editorial: It’s a done deal!

Congratulations to Council staff and Mayor Michael Lyon on convincing the NSW Labor government that Byron Shire is a unique place, and as such, it will now have a tailored holiday letting policy.

Editorial: Be more like Gavin Newsom

The US state of California is suing five major fossil fuel companies over their contribution to the climate crisis.

Editorial: It’s a social housing party!

After six months of bickering, federal political parties of similar stripes – Labor and Greens – came together and said ‘Yes’ to a $10b social/affordable housing package. 

Editorial – The answer is ‘Yes’

Yes, we have printed the Uluru Statement from the Heart on the front page of The Echo newspaper this week. They are the words of simplicity, dignity and truth that stirred the government into presenting us with a referendum. 

Editorial: Upscaling urban development

Let’s take a short dip into how Mayor Michael Lyon intends to ramp up urban development in the Byron Shire. 

Editorial: Just say know 

Let’s briefly unpack the ‘No’ campaign rhetoric for the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum!

Editorial: All hail, Supreme Unelected Planning Overlord

I CYMI, Marcus Ray, Deputy Secretary NSW Planning, has been bestowed enormous powers by an ineffectual and weak NSW Labor planning minister.

Editorial: If only Assange was a Kiwi

As an Australian, I’ve always felt somewhat inspired by New Zealand’s rugged independence and forward thinking.

Editorial: Ban that smut!

The banning of books is not all that uncommon – it’s done for political, legal, religious or ‘moral’ censorship reasons.

Editorial: Tackling autobesity

About ten years ago, the four-wheel drive car, useful in rural areas with poor roads, began to lose ground to the larger sports utility vehicle.

Editorial: Excuse me while I scream into this pillow

Self-reflection isn’t a common attribute for politicians, especially the corporatised ‘in the tent’ types. 

Editorial: Do you trust ‘affordable housing’?

With a recent media release by Council claiming Byron is now the hotspot for homelessness, Mayor Michael Lyon used the opportunity to pivot to his obsession: ‘Council is doing everything it can to generate more affordable housing’.

Editorial: Will the nation find its Voice?

Later this year we will be asked if we agree to establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Opinion polls show that opposition to the Voice proposal is growing.

Editorial: Let us talk of rainbows and unicorns

An unusual thing happened last week – it was almost like unicorns exist!  

Editorial: Flood goal post moved

Late breaking news! On Tuesday, The Echo discovered that the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) is even worse than they were last week.

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The Drongo: even more of them around these days

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