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August 29, 2026
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How can we keep paying for incompetence

The only way forward is going backwards. That’s how I explain the current situation of Byron Shire Council. The...

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Traditional owners vs Adani’s mining operations

From bankruptcy to the Queensland government intervening and extinguishing their native title – Adrian Burragubba, a Wangan and Jagalingou Elder has continued the fight against Adani’s contentious mine.

On rail

Northern Rivers Railway Restoration: Licensing Progress: Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL) and Northern Regional Railway Company (NRRC) are highly...

Happy councillors

Our councillors should be happy, even proud to be part of a community that so values participatory democracy. A...

Monster rich

For a while we visited Northern Rivers until one year we felt and saw the changes. The rich elsewhere...

Ban screens at school

Parents, take a look at the fantastic work the Heads Up Alliance is doing for screen-free schools. Sign the...

Byron Bay fights for its low-rise character as 16m to 21m height breaches loom

Urgent questions are being raised about Byron Bay’s future as the NSW government increasingly uses fast-tracked planning pathways that can allow major developments to bypass or vary local planning controls, including height limits, raising concerns about how Byron’s unique character, built environment, and community expectations will be protected.

Stories about "Nationals MLC Ben Franklin":

MP Ben Franklin embroiled in Nationals fracas for considering plum appointment

Locally-based Nationals MLC Ben Franklin is embroiled with infighting within his own party, according to SMH (Nine) and independent publisher Crikey.

State government breaks election commitment to Byron on 90 day rental cap

The Perrottet government has broken their election commitment to Byron Shire on controlling short term rental accommodation the day before Byron Shire Council was set to debate lowering the rental cap, in some parts of the shire, from 180 to 90 days. 

Ballina deputy mayor against ‘one size fits all’ state planning powers

Independent Ballina Shire Councillor and recently elected Deputy Mayor Eoin Johnston says the NSW government has been ‘drip-feeding’ local governments information about recent and proposed changes to planning regulations.

Government secrecy around health advice defended by local Nats MP

The NSW Liberal-Nationals government’s attempt to block transparency around its health advice with the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney last June will now become public.

Vehicle sanitisation stations roll out

Enhanced safety measures for point to point transport such as taxis, hire and rideshare vehicles are being rolled out in Byron Bay, Ballina and Lismore with the opening of three free temporary vehicle sanitisation stations.

Brunswick Heads marina berths to increase

Questions remain unanswered around a press release from Nationals MLC Ben Franklin’s office regarding a $2.8 million upgrade to the Brunswick Heads boat harbour. According...

TAFE job cuts not so bad, says Nationals MLC 

Ms Saffin said last week that 29 local jobs were going under restructures and that almost 700 frontline TAFE NSW jobs will be slashed.

Byron Councillors object to govt’s ‘koala killing’ Bill

In an urgency motion passed unanimously at last Thursday’s Byron Shire Council meeting, all councillors noted their ‘strong objection’ to the Local Land Services Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2020, which allows for large-scale clearing of bushland by farmers and industry.

A secret meeting and that $78m funding application

Answers to questions raised by Cr Basil Cameron regarding a secret meeting and a $78m funding application by staff to a federal agency to upgrade the M1 highway interchange at Byron Bay have been answered by Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway.

Politicians line up to take credit for improvements at Lennox Head

At the launch of the Lennox Head Cultural Centre this week, the alliances and differences between local and state politicians were on show, along with some fine singing and a sparkling new venue.

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.