We are hypocrites. We criticise other countries, China and Qatar for example, for perceived breaches of human rights when our own record is poor at best and that of our closest ally is woeful. Our treatment of Indigenous Australians, including...
With reference to Mandy Nolan’s article ‘Changing the World with Non-violent Action’ Echo, (14 December). We wholeheartedly support Daisy and others in their non-violent direct actions. However, we would like to point out, that there is nothing to be ashamed...
In the months after the flood, with Mullumbimby rattled and reeling, I started dancing on Friday nights. The ritual is now firmly entrenched and will not be easily abandoned.
I found the cartoon (7 December) depicting those who object to an Indigenous Voice as having their heads in the sand to be offensive. The Voice is a contentious matter that, arguably, has serious consequences for all Australians. It should...
Following the fake federal environment minister’s recent announcement of alleged ‘new environmental laws’, which predictably won’t be in place for at least another 12 months, a few quotes from Bob Brown during a recent interview. 1. The reform package is...
Today I went into Byron. I dropped into the op shop first, but when I couldn’t see any clothing under $15 (and most much higher cost) I walked out. I must have missed the memo whereby they converted to...
I looked at a couple of stunning insect pictures in a lovely photography book by Jean Paul Ferrero. Recently I saw a huge flock of white butterflies, but other than that the book made me realise that I see very...
Good to see a citizen group asking Council for more proactivity around the dog problem. Our personal experience as responsible dog co-owners has been pretty er… awful. My partner had her leg broken by an uncontrolled dog on Belongil. Six months...
It is interesting to note how the energy transition and decarbonisation plans have been gaining prominence in the media for some time now. We can see it on the front pages of newspapers, in political debates, in governments’ strategic energy transition plans and in companies’ apparent climate commitments.
Overdevelopment got a serve last Thursday when a majority of councillors supported refusal of the long-equivocated Development Application for ‘Fed Sheds’ in Federal. I proposed refusal in August but lost the vote then, with the majority preferring to send...
The flurry of articles by Richard Jones, Mandy Nolan, and one reprinted from Cosmos Magazine in last week’s Echo have each reminded us of the enormity of the ecological crisis we now face, and the predictable reaction of powerful...
With 2022 wrapping up, there will hopefully be some much-needed time for everyone to pause and reflect on the year, and to take time out to do what’s most important – spending time with friends and family.
The last two state elections held here in the Ballina electorate indicate clearly it's a mathematical impossibility for the Nationals to win the seat. This is owing to the fact that the Labor and Green primary votes together easily...
After the clusterfuck that was Resilience NSW in 2022, premier Dominic Parrottoe recognised the need to face up to the wet future, especially for the Archipelago of Byron Shire.
As I finalise another submission on another state government push for higher density development (gifting to developers) to address their failure to deliver on social and affordable housing, they do a backflip on Byron’s short term rental accommodation (STRA). Our...
So, were we wrong to protect Byron Shire? This question is often asked as our efforts have created a ‘desirable’ location but delivered extreme pressure on our community and environment.
Calls to immediately act after a large amount of fill was dumped on the Middle Pocket section of Marshalls Creek fell on deaf councillor ears at last week’s meeting.
The long-awaited construction of a cycleway between Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads has taken a significant step forward, with Byron Council selecting a preferred route and commencing the design investigation process.
A proposed light industrial development that divided the community of Federal has been knocked back by Byron Council, leaving a cloud of doubt over the plan.
The Liberal-Nationals Perrottet government has broken their election commitment to Byron Shire on controlling short-term rental accommodation (STRA), the day before councillors voted unanimously on lowering the rental cap, in some parts of the Shire, from 180 to 90 days.
Good to read the reports in last week’s Echo on the climate emergency and NSW’s ridiculous protest laws. In Mandy Nolan’s article she notes that Extinction Rebellion activist Daisy Nutty faced charges for chalking the pavement outside MP Kevin...
Given the continued wanton destruction of native habitat and wildlife perpetrated by that crazed foaming-at-the-mouth hominid known as human I demand, for the sake of the very survival of the planet, an immediate emergency order enforcing a 23-hour human...
Claims of violence at a number of pod village sites across the Northern Rivers has been brought to the attention of The Echo, raising concerns over the safety of residents and staff at pod sites.
The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.
They took away our capacity to impose a 90-day cap in some areas in Byron Shire. This does not apply to residents who live on the premises they let. Just absentee landlords. Investors. People who profiteer at the expense of our community. People who own multiple properties and who use our region like a Monopoly board.
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