Latest News
A deer in the headlights
The Tweed Shire, Byron Shire, and Kyogle councils have joined forces to find out just what is happening with feral deer in the region.
Other News
Fake gov
For those interested in a reality check, particularly those deluded apologists for the fake corporate puppets and weapons manufacturers...
Pushing-Up for mental health in June
Australia’s largest fitness-based mental health event, The Push-Up Challenge, is back in 2023, encouraging Australians to push for better mental health.
Political comment: International revolving doors
Corruption takes many forms, and has become more refined since the days of brown paper bags. In Australia, we have lobbyists, interests and politicians, with the traditional dividing lines between these three now all but invisible, and numerous examples of people moving from one position to another, and then back again, as they prioritise personal gain over what's best for the country.
A gem among the many incredible natural wonders of the Northern Rivers
The Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin called a local tourist spot is 'a gem among the many incredible natural wonders of the Northern Rivers' as she announced two reserves in the Lismore region will be upgraded.
Ballina council votes against investment handicap for fossil fuel-free ventures
Independent Ballina Shire Councillor Jeff Johnson has lost a last-ditch effort to reinstate a council investment policy clause in favour of diverting from fossil fuels.
60% of Ballina Council investments in fossil fuel aligned companies
The Ballina Shire Council had more than $60 million invested in fossil fuel aligned companies on behalf of ratepayers as of the end of April 2023.
Stories about "Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA)":
Holiday letting cap should be 60 days, across the Byron Shire, says IPC
The long-awaited report by NSW Independent Planning Commission into Byron Shire Council’s planning proposal around holiday letting has been released, with commissioners recommending a 60-day cap on non-hosted holiday letting across the Byron Shire.
Election 2023 – Tweed: Marc Selan
Marc Selan returned to Australia last year and is running in the seat of Tweed for the Legalise Cannabis Party as he is ‘shocked at how backward we are and is fired up about changing our laws’.
Legislating short-term holiday letting the way forward say Greens
Ballina MP, Tamara Smith, has committed to introducing legislation on short-term holiday letting within the first 100 days of the next NSW parliament if she is re-elected.
Who needs science or data on housing when money talks?
Significant research has been conducted internationally into STRA, especially where it has had a significant impact on the economy and community life of highly visited cities and regions. Central to these studies is the impact of STRA on housing access and affordability.
Byron mayor pushes for holiday letting enforcement
A motion within this Thursday’s meeting agenda by Mayor Michael Lyon, if successful, would ask compliance staff ‘to enforce existing consent conditions which prohibit the use of a property as short-term rental accommodation’.
STRA campaigners gaslighting locals
The latest action from the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) campaigners is an alarmist email exhorting recipients to ‘Join the fight to protect your right to stay in a holiday home in Byron Bay’.
IPC hearings on STRA impacts commence
Byron Shire Council’s plan to impose a 90-day cap on un-hosted short-term holiday letting across much of the Shire will be examined by the Independent Planning Commission during a three-day public hearing this week.
Mayor says Cr Swivel’s populist flip-flopping on STRA ‘astounding’
Mayor Michael Lyon has told The Echo that Cr Mark Swivel’s letter to the planning minister, which was sent as an attachment to A Perfect Stay CEO Colin Hussey’s submission on Council’s STRA policy, ‘raises serious questions’.
NSW Labor’s position on holiday letting
Given the broken promise by the NSW Liberal-Nationals government on allowing Council to regulate the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector in the Byron Shire, The Echo asked NSW Labor what they would do if elected in March.
STRA public hearings held February 21 to 23
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has announced the public hearings into the Byron Shire Short Term Rental Accommodation Planning Proposal will be February 21 to 23, at a venue that is yet to be confirmed.
Byron Echo
Sustainable fashion course on offer
Born in Byron, bred in a sweatshop, made from earth-destroying parts and brought back to you with copious carbon miles… it’s fast fashion, but it’s not a good look.
Byron Echo
Priorities? Compliance
Despite a ‘tough budget environment’, where Council can’t find $15,000 per annum to maintain a tree planting initiative on land it manages, there will be $250,000 spent on employing two more compliance officers and purchasing another ‘enforcement’ vehicle.
Byron Echo
Bayside Residents Association formed
A new residents association has emerged in what residents say is one of Byron Shire’s ‘forgotten’ suburbs’ – Bayside Brunswick Heads.
Local News
Tweed Council to start nappy rebate scheme but defer Cudgen Creek Masterplan
The last Tweed Shire Council meeting saw the Reusable Nappy Rebate Scheme adopted by councillors, the rail trail impacts were discussed while a decision...
