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Latest News
New data reveals NSW social housing waitlist blowout
A fresh analysis by Homelessness NSW reveals where people are waiting the longest for social housing, sparking calls to double the supply of social homes and boost services funding.
Other News
WATER Northern Rivers says Rous County Council is wrong
WATER Northern Rivers Alliance says despite decades of objection, Rous County Council have just commissioned yet another heritage and biodiversity study in the Rocky Creek valley, between Dunoon and The Channon, in the heart of the Northern Rivers.
Domestic violence service calls for urgent action to address crisis
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
Increased Byron Council fees on the cards as fossil fuel investments decrease
Byron Council’s financial ship is beginning to list concerningly, taking from its reserves and other funds in order to bail out its bottom line.
Wallum ponds
There are currently two proposed developments in the Byron Shire that will endanger, if not locally exterminate, frog species.
Many...
Wallum urban development back in court
The company behind the Wallum housing development in Brunswick Heads is once again taking Byron Council to court, this time for allegedly holding up its planned earthworks at the site in an unlawful manner.
Flood insurance inquiry’s North Coast hearings
A public hearing into insurers’ responses to the 2022 flood was held in Lismore last Thursday, with one local insurance brokerage business owner describing the compact that exists between insurers and society as ‘broken’.
Stories about "federal government":
Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program announces 36 projects
Bridge expansions, upgraded pumps, enhanced evacuation routes and nature-based projects are just a few of the 36 projects being rolled out as part of...
The politics of live music
The collapse of Splendour in the Grass before it reached the starting gates has been blamed on a lot of things, including the cost of living, Taylor Swift, the weather, ticket prices, millennial laziness, Kylie Minogue and inadequate government support. The event joins a growing list of major music events to be cancelled. So what do taxpayers owe music festival culture in Australia, if anything?
Australia must lift climate targets to protect Great Barrier Reef
Overnight, the Australian and Queensland governments submitted their report to UNESCO on their progress to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian Marine Conservation Society says governments must dramatically lift their climate targets to protect the Reef.
Call for climate change to be included in BoM enquiry
The Queensland Conservation Council is urging the government to ensure that the impact of climate change is a key focus of the federal investigation into the nation's emergency warning system, triggered by heightened scrutiny over announcement delays from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
SAE Byron Bay scholarships on offer
Federal government funding of $1.26M has been announced for scholarships at the Byron Bay campus of SAE Creative Media Institute (SAE).
Finance audit reveals Byron Council’s low cash reserves
Byron Council continues to rely heavily on state and federal government grants for its financial sustainability, a financial audit has shown.
Bruxner Highway upgrade axed, for now
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says the recent release of the federal government's infrastructure spending review brings with it a disheartening revelation for the Ballina Shire and the Northern Rivers region. In particular, the significant funding loss for the crucial Bruxner Highway – Wollongbar to Goonellabah project, which initially held a federal commitment of $6.8 million.
Greens to amend gov backed insurance scheme to cover all flood victims
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens candidate for the flood affected electorate of Richmond, Mandy Nolan, have announced the Greens will move when Parliament resumes in March to extend government backed insurance to all flood victims.
And pork barrelling!
Ron Curran, Ocean Shores
Is there any minister in the Morrison cabinet who has not been implicated in some way by rorts, cover-ups, shonky deals, illegal...
Editorial – Fossil fools buy seats at leadership table
Conspiracy theories abound these days. Most of them are feeble balloons that can be popped with one or two sharp facts, but a few contain some truth.
National News
Domestic violence service calls for urgent action to address crisis
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
Local News
Menacing dog declaration revoked
David Lowe - 0
After an emotional deputation from the owner of the dog involved, Ballina Shire Council has this morning revoked a menacing dog declaration for the kelpie Lilo, which was brought into effect following a bite in July 2022.
Byron Echo
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
Paul Bibby - 2
Two multi-storey mixed-use developments with a combined value of $36.2 million have been approved for the centre of Byron Bay, despite both exceeding height limits for that part of the Shire.
National News
eSafety commissioner granted legal injunction as X refuses to hide violent content
Australia’s Federal Court has granted the eSafety commissioner a two-day legal injunction to compel X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, to hide posts showing graphic content of the Wakeley church stabbing in Sydney.
