Latest News
Final stage of Lismore Base Hospital get underway
The redevelopment works commenced in late 2016 and the final stage is now getting underway to complete the Lismore Base Hospital referbishment.
Other News
Will Ballina Council live up to its promise?
A motion from Cr Jeff Johnson to be tabled at Ballina Shire Council's meeting this week will ask the council to live up to its promise to act on the climate emergency, and divest from fossil fuel investments.
Cartoon of the week – 24 February, 2021
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Final stage of Lismore Base Hospital get underway
The redevelopment works commenced in late 2016 and the final stage is now getting underway to complete the Lismore Base Hospital referbishment.
Amber alert for blue-green algae at Lake Ainsworth
An amber alert has been put in place for Lake Ainsworth near Lennox Head in relation to the presence of blue-green algae.
Loveday wins All Shorts second year in a row
Filmmakers travelled from where COVID allowed this weekend to be part of the 30th birthday celebrations for Flickerfest in...
Jaimini hut
Margot Hays, Bangalow
I would like to voice my opinion regarding the hut structure at Belongil where Jaimini sits and...
Stories about "Fast Buck$":
Where’s my gong?
Fast Buck$, Coorabell
Another Australia Day has come and gone and still I've received no gong! After more than eight years attending nearly every Council...
Byron Council moves to censor critic
After many years of inconvenience to the local government establishment, Council’s general manager Mark Arnold is now considering whether to refuse public access to...
The danger of delegated authority as The Echo gambles its reputation on a town planner
When in February 1996 Fast Buck$ obtained a file that described a developer in Byron Bay obtaining preferential treatment from Council, he published an advertisement in The Echo headed, ‘Something stinks at Hog’s Breath’.
Re-zoning back on the agenda: Beating off the Academy rort
During the 1987–91 term of Council an application was made to develop a large site at Broken Head as an ‘academy’.
Illegal development: it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission
In the early 90s ICAC made some findings in relation to north coast councils that certain arrangements were ‘conducive to corruption’. This term was discontinued after the extremist pro-development lobby loudly complained
GM’s delegation powers questioned
A councillor decision at the September 21, 2017 meeting that updated the general manager’s (GM) delegated powers has been questioned by longtime council critic Fast Buck$ aka John Anderson.
Free reign
Fast Buck$, Coorabell
I think it was the October Council meeting. I was complaining yet again that staff were concealing important matters by hiding them in...
Byron council screwed over hospital sewerage
Fast Buck$, Coorabell. I refer to Echo story concerning the decision to connect the new hospital’s sewerage to the central system rather than construct an onsite disposal system. I am concerned that council staff are reported as saying ‘The decision to connect to the sewer line was a Health Department decision’.
Unequal treatment
Fast Buck$, Coorabell. Recently a Sydney mayor was asked by the press why his council had allowed a development owned by the deputy mayor to grossly exceed the normal height limit.
Byron GM responds to his critics
Ken Gainger, GM, Byron Shire Council. In a story labelled ‘Steam weeding trial steamrolled, says operator', you state that I had refused to explain why a chemical-free steam-weeding trial – operated by a contractor – is not being given the opportunity to produce the best outcomes.
Byron Echo
Constitutional referendum/poll for LG elections for Byron Shire?
Is the wards fight back again? Byron Shire Council staff have advised, in the upcoming agenda, that ‘Council may conduct a Constitutional referendum or poll in conjunction with the Local Government Election, to be held in September 2021’.
Byron Echo
Music fest aims to be COVID-19 recovery event
Paul Bibby - 0
Byron Bay could host a two-day, beachside music and arts festival in June this year, after an application to hold the event was lodged with Byron Council.
Byron Echo
Editorial – Ewingsdale development creep rejected by residents
A petition of 294 signatures against rezoning Ewingsdale farmland to commercial use will be presented to councillors for their upcoming Thursday meeting.
Local News
Motion to save Lennox pavilion fails
David Lowe - 0
Ballina Cr Eoin Johnston's attempt to save the seventy year old weather shed at Lennox Head went down at council's meeting yesterday, attracting only one other councillor's support.
