←Volume 35
August 26, 2020
In this Issue:
Editorial – Value our volunteers
There have been no shortage of challenges in Australia in the last few years – drought, fire, flood, and now COVID-19. And we are already heading back into fire season with local crews currently on the ground in Duranbah and Stokers Siding.
Home under threat from Council fines
In 2011 Barry McIntosh bought his dream home in New Brighton. In 2020 Byron Shire Council told him he would have to demolish significant parts of it. Now he's heading to the Land and Environment Court and has been charged $6,000 in fines.
Surfers farewell a gentle giant of the waves
A member of our surfing community has died. It came as a shock. No-one in my circle had known he was sick, but none of us had been very close to him. Big John was a larger-than-life character. Literally and figuratively.
Myrtle State Forest gets short logging reprieve after NEFA audit
Logging of the Myrtle State Forest south of Casino was scheduled to start on Monday, 24 August. Around two dozen protesters had set up a camp on Sunday ready to protect the vulnerable koala area.
Byron Shire Council accused of maladministration over bypass
A formal complaint of maladministration by Byron Shire Council over the management of the Byron bypass process and implementation has been lodged with BSC’s general manager, Mark Arnold.
Byron Beez are back on court
The Byron Bay Beez basketballers are enjoying a return to most competitions, and after two rounds the senior men have posted a win and a loss.
Byron Shire Council’s illegal dwelling policy scant on detail
A change to a crucial definition in the Byron Shire Council’s Draft Unauthorised Dwelling Policy that comes to Council this week has been criticised by Community Action Byron Shire spokesperson, Duncan Dey.
Mullum’s Chinny Charge cancelled
The walk and run up the local Mount Chincogan, know as the Chinny Charge, has been cancelled this year due to concerns over COVID-19.
Butler St caught in the glare of Byron bypass lights
Byron councillor Jan Hackett is attempting to address the impact of that the high-powered street lighting on the new Byron bypass is having on local residents.
A memento of folly?
What better place could there be for a giant seedpod, than tucked away in a nice, green garden bed? But what if said seedpod is a giant steel art installation that’s costing you $80,000?
NSW Coroner to investigate death at Byron Hospital
The death of Kelvin Forrest, a 50 year old man with Down Syndrome, in July 2018 at Byron Bay Hospital will be investigated by the NSW Coroner.
Zion’s portrait of an artist takes flight
Australia’s most famous art competition, the $100,000 Archibald Prize, is back on after a delay caused by COVID-19, and no-one could be happier than Mullumbimby artist Zion Levy Stewart.
Cartoon of the week – 26 August, 2020
Letters to the editor We love to receive letters, but not every letter will be published; the publication of letters is at the discretion of the online and print letters editors. The deadline for the Byron Echo newspaper is noon Friday and letters longer...
Arianna turns In-Side-Out for Ocean Shores – interview with Arianna Bosi
In-Side-Out is a pop-up exhibition, a shopfront lightbox in the Ocean Shores Village car park, next to Target. The event, held over this coming weekend, is a public exhibition of digital art and screen culture.
Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Keeping your glass half full
Mandy is keeping her glass half full during COVID
What’s next? The Sun Bistro Bottle Shop has the answers
Julian Recsei, Julz to his friends, has worked in several hospitality venues over the last 25 years and in the Byron area over the last 15 years, specialising in bottle shops.
Everything is in bloom at Jumping Red Ant
Story Kate O’Neill Did you know, more than half of all cut flowers sold in Australia are imported? For roses, the figure could be closer to 90 per cent, according to a recent ABC report. Local grower, Briana Atkin of...
Farmers market comes to the fore
There was a time when the local farmers market was as much about social interaction as it was a source for fresh local produce. Friends would chill out together on bean-bags in the sun while they sipped chai and...
It wouldn’t be Fathers’ Day without some Stone & Wood
Do you know what your dad wants for Fathers’ Day? Stone & Wood Brewing reckon they have a few good ideas to help you out. Fathers’ Day is coming up on Sunday 6 September, and this year Stone & Wood...
Thus Spake Mungo: the police state
One of the more dubious schemes devised by marketeers of real estate is known as ‘selling off the plan.’
