←Volume 35
April 7, 2021
In this Issue:
What’s the real cost of ‘affordable housing’?
With ‘affordable housing’ being the new catchcry in parts of the Northern Rivers, The Echo did a ring-around to find the cheapest rental living space in Byron Bay’s caravan parks and camping grounds.
Essential businesses recognised
A sticker initiative, to say ‘Thank you’ and support local retailers’ doing it tough is adorning Mullum shops, owing in part to efforts by resident Angela Bambach.
Maybe Canberra needs a bit of distraction biff
Mick breathed in but his Cronulla Sharks football jersey struggled to contain his well-insulated six-pack and he held up his hand as he approached Bazza in the front bar of the Top Pub.
Women’s rights focus at Renew Fest
Two further headlining guests have been announced for Renew Fest, which describes itself as a ‘festival of full system regenerative change’ Festival director, Ella Rose Goninan, says, ‘A regenerative future needs to be for everyone, and needs to involve...
Lilac house bound by red tape
Mullumbimby resident Nicole Haberecht is facing a $3,000 fine and the prospect of repainting her house after Council made a demand that she change the colour after it was painted a shade of lilac.
Take a ticket
Council’s Draft Complaint Handling Policy is on exhibition! It’s a document that, if drafted carefully, could provide the public with confidence that Council take complaints seriously and accountability will apply when a complaint is found to be true.
Character test for PM without much
Over Easter I visited a friend who’s spent decades doing her best to protect old growth forests, preserve human connection with nature in the raw and help save our planet from the climate emergency.
Brunswick Heads surf lifesaver wins gold
Brunswick Heads surf lifesaver Paul ‘Punchy’ Davis won gold in the 600m paddle board race
Shearwater almost perfect with 99kW solar
Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School, has made the switch to solar, installing a 99 kW system to power the school into the future.
Local teams head north under new set-up for women’s AFL
Local women’s AFL will have a shake-up this year as the Lismore Swans join the Northern Rivers league...
Entertainment in the Byron Shire and beyond for the week beginning...
Entertainment in the Byron Shire and beyond for the week beginning 7 April, 2021
Winter cross-country up and running in Ballina
The Ballina Athletics Club has started its winter series of weekly cross country runs at Shelley Beach and is expecting up to 300 regulars in its 41st year.
Interview with DeeBee Bishop
Thirst is the story of Stan Adams, as told by Deebee Bishop. He was one of six housemates who lived with Stan in a broken-down share house when he’d walked away from his life to live rough. Decades later, Deebee tells the story.
Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: The Mask of Freedom
Today in Mullumbimby I witnessed a woman blowing bubbles on people. She was walking with her dog and blowing bubbles over passers-by. What is usually the magical work of the fairy tribe, today it had a kind of aggression. The bubbles weren’t by accident. This was a ‘Fuck You’ to mask wearing. A fuck you to people wearing masks. A fuck you to the existence of this coronavirus.
Irresistible pastries you can’t go past
Story & photo Lisa Machin Scratch Patisserie is a household name in the Northern Rivers, and it’s a rare individual who can walk past one of their pastries without stopping. Since opening the doors to Scratch ten years ago, Greg and...
