The community frustration at Byron Shire Council was palpable on Monday night as they sought to understand why the draft development control plan (DCP) for the former Mullumbimby Hospital site failed so effectively at reflecting all the contributions they had made to the process.
Denzil Thomas can recall these tales and many more, as we sit one summer afternoon in the living room of his Possum Creek family home. Originally purchased in 1918 by his father Harry, an English dairy farmer, the home is a time capsule in itself, with the original dairy still standing down the path.
When I was a young journalist working in Sydney in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was hard to miss Richard Jones. It seemed as if he was everywhere, as an animal activist; owner of a successful mail-order company; the publisher of Simply Living magazine and as a politician with the Democrats, and later as an Independent.
For those with patience, who are happy to spend long hours around freshwater wetland habitats, a reward in the form of a bittern sighting might be forthcoming.
With Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith (Greens), saying she will not be contesting next year’s state election, Mandy Nolan says she will run for Greens preselection for the state seat of Ballina.
I write to explain my recent resignation from the SPPA (now Suffolk Park Community Association), and to challenge the current president’s position that my resignation, together with my four colleagues, was owing to our inability to manage the workload. To...
I can understand that Ms Nash, a ‘recently joined’ member (Echo, Letters 29/04), may have a few gaps in the chronology, so let me help. Indeed ‘a new executive was voted in at the last AGM’ – November ’25. Nine...
Last week in her letter Gael Nash, suggested that The Echo has not investigated thoroughly before going to print on news about the SPPA (now Suffolk Park Community Association). Yet did she speak with the six committee members (including me)...
The former Suffolk Park Progress Association (SPPA) committee’s documentation with its agendas, minutes and correspondence are available to new committee members upon request. Respectfully, Ms Gael Nash could have examined it before going to print with her perspectives. I certainly...
I’m one of the ‘old guard’ from the Suffolk Park Progress Association (SPPA) committee who had hoped to clear the air regarding our resignations at the general meeting held last week on 29 April. Alas, the issue could not be...
The Farrer byelection this Saturday is being cast in almost existential terms. Will this mark the far-right party’s foothold in the political mainstream with its first-ever federal lower house MP?
This Friday, 8 May, Murray Cox and Professor Nicole Gurran will be discussing ‘Inside Airbnb: International evidence on short-term rentals, housing markets and regulation’ at the Mullumbimby Council Chambers from 6pm to 7pm. Murray Cox is the founder and coordinator...
Byron Bay residents and visitors are invited to attend a community Open Day for the Byron Bay Fire Station on Saturday, 9 May, held in the park opposite the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay. Firefighters will be on hand to share...
One of Australia’s most elusive native predators, and a species listed as threatened in NSW and endangered nationally, was brought to Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital (NRWH), where the veterinary team stepped in to assess the unexpected patient. When WIRES rescuer...
The Max to the MAX tour is coming to the East Coast starting this Friday with a fundraiser pop-up (not the full show), 8 May at Stone & Wood. For all those lovers of cabaret, burlesque, theatrical comedy, drag...
Coorabell Hall is not just a building. Under the leadership of President Lissa Coote and Secretary Adele Smout, and with the help of our local volunteers, it has become a thriving community hub – but the parking and risks presented by speeding cars has raised concerns.
A 50-year-old billycart with pram wheels and a fresh coat of purple and green paint will line up alongside a field of colourful contraptions when the Bangalow Billycart Derby returns on 17 May. At the wheel will be 12-year-old Dunoon...
Byron Shire Council is currently seeking community feedback on the closure of part of 35 Bayside Way, Brunswick Heads – a former Crown road that locals say provides a link from Bayside to Simpsons Creek. The proposed closure is...
I was one of four people who resigned from the Suffolk Park Progress Association (SPPA) committee on 18 March, following two previous resignations. At the time, we four, then a majority, wrote a respectful resignation letter, explaining key reasons, and...
Having just read an article in The Echo on $72,000 grant to Wardell Core, I find it hard to believe that anyone thinks this waste of government money is a great idea. As a resident of Wardell for over 40...
Reading about Norco’s cost increase is understandable, though not completely forgivable. We are at a near crisis point with major supply chains showing their vulnerabilities. There has been for many decades now a status quo of complacency, and now, with today’s...
I have always been a staunch republican, as if being anti-monarchy was the natural default position of a Wild Colonial Boy. I thought that Australia’s growth as a nation has been stunted by our lingering attachment to the British monarchy. But...
The proposed development on 2 Jonson St, Byron Bay foreshore is riddled with endless contradictions that are beyond surreal. This proposed foreshore development does violate any climate justice for the Byron Shire community which continues to have to battle...
In a recent unpublished Echo letter, it was suggested that supply chain disruptions during the current fuel crisis could be at least twice as severe, and last for at least twice as long as disruptions during the pandemic. In...
Love for One Night is returning to the Eltham Hotel – back four years on for those who never forgot it – and for everyone else who missed out the first time.
Choose how you'd like to support local journalism.
The Echo
We sent a verification link to the address above. Click the link to confirm your account, then come back here to sign in.
