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

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.

Happy, Merry Silly Season Darrell! It was genuinely lovely to see you at the party the other week. It must be three years. We share such long, hard, deep memories…

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.

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? 

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

The truth about climate change is alarming to say the least. But I was heartened over the weekend of November 25 and 26 to hear it discussed with great clarity and nuance at the Rising blockade of the Newcastle's coal port.

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

In order to transcend the disappointment of the Voice referendum, many political and Aboriginal leaders are focusing on ‘truth-telling’.

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

Amidst all the recent tragedy, you may have noticed what appeared to be some good news. A Senate Committee last week called for more support for Australians with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). 

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.

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.

For more than a year and a half the former Board of the 360ha Dirawong Reserve at Evans Head sought the advice of Crown Lands about how resolve potential conflicts between Native Title Rights and the by-laws of the Reserve. Yet the answers are yet to be provided.

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

There is a beautiful apocryphal story I heard shortly after the Twin Towers were attacked in New York.

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.

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.

Everyone loves the cute quokkas though few realise that they were hunted and bulldozed into extinction in Western Australia and avoided annihilation only because a few remained on Rottnest Island and now generate vast wealth as tourist selfie subjects.

The Voice is a matter of conscience, not division.