Let’s examine the grip on NSW councils by the state and federal governments!
Why? Because roads and infrastructure works, for example, are dependent not only on Council revenue from rates and fees, but also NSW and federal government grants.
Afro-Brazilian drumming group, Batala, staged an impromptu performance at Main Beach Byron on Sunday to raise cancer research awareness. Kim Kilgariff told The Echo that Batala were raising funds for local woman, Sally, who is undergoing Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) cancer therapy, which has promising results, but is only available overseas. Sally’s gofundme link is gofund.me/005a4e7d.
The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) held its public hearings last week over two days, with commissioners hearing from organisations and residents on the negative and positive impacts from holiday letting.
The IPC is collating submissions around Council’s plans to introduce a precinct model to regulate the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) industry, something that has been strongly opposed by the sector.
After Planning Minister Anthony Roberts (Liberal) reneged late last year on an agreement for Council to self-regulate the industry, he asked both the IPC and the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE)
to provide recommendations to ‘improve housing affordability and rental availability in the Byron Shire’. The reports will inform the ministers’ views as to whether Council can proceed with its adopted policy.
Other NSW councils already have precinct models in place.
Apart from presentations by DPE, councillors and the STRA sector, speakers included Kim Goodrick, Jan Barham, David Wallace, Leone Bolt, Liz Friend, Sabine Muschter, Holly English, Chris Kerin, and Belinda Lewis.
Deb Summons, representing the Byron Chapter of the Australian Short Term Rental Association (ASTRA), argued that holiday
homes are not suited to become or return to the rental market, something echoed by Reid Campbell from Byron Bay Holiday Hire. Ocean Shores pharmacist, Brett Dyer, explained to the panel how difficult it is to find and retain staff owing to the housing shortage. With her submission, Tricia Shantz quoted the 1993 book Ground Rules, Social Planning for Local Government, by Colleen Menzies: ‘Communities become ghettos when their social dynamics are destroyed and their sense of community pride is replaced by wanting to move elsewhere’. For more information visit www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au.
And considering some grants are hand picked by ministers to favour certain electorates (called pork barrelling), it raises questions around equity and integrity in governance.
The Echo asked all NSW election candidates their position on this, which is reported on page 6.
According to Byron Council’s Director Corporate and Community Services, Esmeralda Davis, ‘Grants are a significant portion of Council revenue, and in 2022, [equate to] more than Council raises in general land rates’.
‘Grants are split by operating and capital. If a grant is operating, it is used to fund an activity or purposes on an operating basis, whereas capital grants are provided for the renewal of existing assets or construction of new assets’.
A table provided to The Echo by Davis showed that in 2022, total grants amounted to $33,339,000, while general rates revenue was $26,863,000. In 2021, grants totalled $22,505,000 against a general rates revenue of $26,106,000. Davis says, ‘The big difference between 2022 and 2021 in terms of overall grant revenues is essentially funding
associated with the February/March 2022 flood events, and this will continue at elevated levels for the next few years, as Council restores the damaged infrastructure’.
‘In 2022, 26.5 per cent of Council’s overall revenue came from grants, whereas general land rates provided 21.3 per cent, and conversely for 2021, 19.7 per cent of Council’s revenue came from grants, whereas general land rates provided 22.9 per cent.
‘There are currently 72 grants available from differing sources, including the NSW and federal governments, and philanthropic programs’, Davis said, adding ‘Council is also not eligible for many of them owing to the grant being targeted at differing sectors, eg manufacturing, health, research’.
Councillors tabled grant applications, both successful and not, at last Thursday’s meeting.
Recent successful grants included a floodplain management plan ($266,667), topping up funds for the Byron Community Hub ($1,236,956), helping with pothole repair ($1,334,231) and hosting Australia Day ($30,000).
Unsuccessful grants, according to the staff report, were public amenities upgrades at South Beach Road, Brunswick Heads ($280,000) and former Mullumbimby Hospital site grant funding ($250,000).
The importance of government grants for Council’s operations was highlighted by councillors during the meeting.
Byron Shire is among other north coast councils who will benefit from the federal government’s Building Back Better Quality Roads program, announced on Monday by Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot (Labor).
Her media release reads, ‘Following last year’s devastating floods, $312.5 million was committed by the Albanese Labor government and NSW government, to help rebuild damaged roads and transport infrastructure for 26
disaster-declared councils in northern NSW, with successful projects announced today’.
According to the press release, the allocations for the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package (RRTRP) are, ‘Ballina Shire Council – Betterment of Ross Lane: $3,900,000; Byron Shire Council – Betterment of Mullumbimby Road: $2,770,608; Byron Shire Council – Betterment of Wilsons Creek Road: $3,413,385; and Tweed Shire Council – Betterment of Shire Causeways: $9,962,400’.
Two weeks ago, massage therapist, Anaiya Cooper suffered a major setback when her business went up in flames.
The fire started on a day when it was business as usual for Cooper’s Ayurvedic Wellness Studio, located in the Mullumbimby Industrial Estate. She told The Echo, ‘I cleaned down at the end of the day. I did the washing and put everything in the dryer and left, the same as I do every other day. I’ve been in the industry for 18 years – putting towels in dryers – and I have never had an issue.’
Ms Cooper says the fire came as a big shock.
‘Within an hour, we came back and there were several fire crews here’.
‘They said it was one of the most toxic fires they have dealt with because of the oil content’.
‘I had oil in stock.’
Ms Cooper said after the flood she was very grateful, because her business is primarily upstairs.
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super thankful every single day since then. Literally, I stood at the top of the stairs in the afternoons, and looked around and was so thankful because it could have all been gone – and now a year later, it is gone.
‘I helped everybody else around me recover. I’ve been
Hans LovejoyLocal federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, has declined to answer questions around political donation reform and making large corporations pay their fair share in tax.
Independent MP, Dr Monique Ryan tweeted on Feburary 21, ‘Santos donated $83,000 to the ALP in 2021–2022’.
Last week, Santos was given approval by Labor for 116 gas projects in Qld that will operate over 30 years.
‘It’s just one low blow after another. I opened the business, then we went into lockdown and then the floods came up about a metre inside. I am not insured, because insurance
The Echo asked Mrs Elliot, ‘how this approval aligns with Labor’s position on climate change?’.
Mrs Elliot told The Echo, ‘The Towrie Gas Development in Queensland was approved through the federal environmental approvals process. The project is a 1.3 per cent expansion of an existing development.
‘This is not a new project’.
‘The proposal that was put forward underwent robust, science-based environmental impact
went through the roof – most of my work is on the second floor, I thought I’d be safe.’
Not one to be down for long, Cooper says she has secured a new location in New Brighton, and will reopen at the end of March.
Even though friends and family have suggested fundraising, Ms Cooper has decided to take a different path to recovery.
assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
‘The approval for this small expansion was subject to strict conditions to protect the environment.
‘All proposals like these are assessed on a caseby-case basis, subject to scientific assessment and clear approval conditions.
‘The minister and the department must follow the law when assessing projects
‘A digital gift voucher purchased through my email or website would be the best help’, she says.
‘If people email me I can also thank them personally for being involved. I have enough money behind me to deliver my basic services at the new studio’.
If you would like to support Anaiya, you can purchase a voucher via email ritualpause@gmail.com or the website ritualpause.com.
– sometimes this means projects are approved and sometimes it means they are not’.
Mrs Elliot added, ‘The government is putting Australia on a clear path to net zero by 2050 with $3 billion in the National Reconstruction Fund for renewables, $20 billion to upgrade powerlines to get more renewables into the grid, stronger laws to protect the ozone layer, more support for electric cars, and a safeguard mechanism that brings down carbon pollution’.
Local filmmaker, Sinem Saban, who is screening her latest documentary, Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land this week in Byron, has considered herself an activist for over 20 years.
She has been in war zones in Iraq, Palestine and Israel, and marched in Indigenous rights protests in Australia.
When she started to spend a lot of time with Dr Gondarra OAM ten years ago, she slowly started to realise just how static and paralysed she was in her hatred of the perpetrators of such wars and injustice.
‘You could say Dr Gondarra has been like a teacher to me’, she says, ‘not just because of what he has taught me about his pain, his struggles, his culture and his law, but also because of the spiritual wisdom that has come from those life experiences.’
Saban says it became very obvious to her that Dr Gondarra is a very unique person in the arena of Indigenous activism and beyond; he has a healing spirit that she believes
Landholders of four properties bordering the former Mullum Hospital are being invited to prepare an ‘ownerinitiated planning proposal’ to rezone their properties to a zone the same as, or at least compatible with, zoning proposed for the Mullum Hospital site.
The motion by Cr Duncan Dey at last week’s Council meeting reached its final
is really important for all of us in this day and age. And thus, the film was born.
Not govt funded
Saban says she did not take any corporate or government-affiliated funding in order to make this film.
‘That meant we had no funds from film funding bodies like Screen Australia
wording after Shannon Burt, Director Sustainable Environment and Economy, explained that the issue needs to be looked at ‘holistically’.
Originally, Cr Dey’s wording suggested that Council ‘collaborate’ with the landowners for the rezoning.
Ms Burt explained that a landowner planning proposal would be undertaken at their own cost, and
and the likes. It was a struggle most of the time, but that is usually the case when you are trying to hold a value in place.
‘What we have now is some debt, but a majority Indigenous-funded film, which means we did not compromise on the integrity of the message and something that is a genuine representation of everyone involved.’
possibly include a voluntary planning agreement (VPA).
‘I inderstand the landowners have a planning consultant’, she said, adding a submitted planning proposal would be prioritised by staff and may include a ‘masterplan process’.
The cost to the landowners for a planning proposal could range between $20,000 to $30,000 or even $40,000,
Saban says she must raise funds to cover postproduction costs before the film can move forward.
‘We are hoping to gather some support from generous community members in the Byron Shire to help us to the finish line’. For more info, including the GoFundMe campaign, see Seven entertainment, page 40.
Ms Burt said.
It’s expected the landowners could make considerable financial gains from a successful rezoning, which would enable higher density on the flood-free land.
During public access, landowner Mary Fox spoke in favour of the rezoning.
All councillors voted in favour; both Crs Alan Hunter and Asren Pugh were absent.
The NSW government corporation that oversees transport assets has told The Echo that it intends to retain ownership of the disused Mullumbimby rail corridor notwithstanding future developments on the valuable land.
Council and the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) have signed an agreement to develop affordable housing, despite much of the land being flood-prone.
The Echo asked TAHE for examples of other joint
developments, headed by councils and TAHE, where affordable housing has been developed over rail corridors.
A TAHE spokesperson replied, ‘TAHE is committed to working collaboratively with local councils and their communities to deliver a range of housing options, including affordable and diverse housing across the state’.
‘TAHE is leading a number of similar initiatives, including the Affordable Housing Pilot Project and
the Redfern-North Everleigh Precinct Revitalisation’.
‘In each of these examples, as well as in relation to land at Mullumbimby, TAHE intends to retain ownership of the land, while overseeing the delivery of a range of housing options in partnership with the private sector’.
The plans to develop the corridor were only made public in a Council meeting agenda, in which councillors were asked to ‘note’ a previously signed MoU.
It’s that time of year when we are reminded that, actually, every day is Clean Up Australia Day – and the first Sunday in March is where we begin.
As the event website reminds us, Australia’s waste challenges continue to grow, and we all need to step up and support solutions that move us towards a circular economy, where everything is a resource, and there is no such thing as waste.
Organiser of the Mullumbimby event, Bronwyn Morris, says that last year’s event didn’t eventuate because there was a natural disaster.
‘Everyone was cleaning then. It was just six days after the first flood. I’m hoping this Sunday becomes a real community event. Something for all ages to join in with, and that we get a good turnout on the day’.
‘We help keep Mullum beautiful.’
Former surfing champ,
Pauline Menczer, is the organiser for one of the Brunswick Heads events, Pauline will co-ordinate a clean-up near the Bowling Club in Tweed Street near the rope swing over the river.
Pauline says there will be giveaways from No Pong deodorant and Huey’s Choice Surf Wax.
The Mullum event is on Sunday, and will begin at the Mullumbimby Co-op from 8am, while Pauline’s event will start at 9am at the Bruns rope swing.
Clean-upper-ers are
reminded to bring covered shoes, sturdy gloves, a widebrimmed hat and SunSmart clothing, as well a water bottle and a drink cup for drinks after the clean-up.
Other events begin at 9am Main Beach Byron –opposite Apex Park, 8am in Lennox Head starting at Lennox Park near the shelter shed, and the Brunswick Heads Public School will have their event on Monday, March 6 from 1pm.
For more information on events, visit: www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.
Visit
Lismore Transit Centre
Melbourne-based company, Astrid, opened its second cannabis dispensary in Byron Bay on Sunday, which included a panel discussion around the hurdles affecting patients, and the industry, with Helen Kapalos, Dr Jamie Rickcord and David Heilpern.
Since its opening in
2020, Astrid claims to be Australia’s first female-led dispensary and says it has been recognised as a trailblazer within the field, winning Dispensary Of The Year in 2021 at the Australian Cannabis Awards and the Melbourne Design Awards in the same year.
The company says it has grown into a thirty-strong team of pharmacists, nurses, technicians and assistants, ‘who have all contributed to building a sanctuary of support and holistic remedies’.
Astrid is located at Habitat: Suites 57-58, 1 Porter Street, Byron Bay.
Last Wednesday, a ‘ground breaking’ ceremony was held at 116-118 Jonson Street, Byron, as the first soil was turned for the new Bonobo by Raes development.
Demolition of the Holiday Village Backpackers, located south of Mercato, has been underway since October 2022, says developer Podia and their joint venture partner, Centennial Property Group.
Prior to that, the buildings were made ‘available to flood victims for temporary crisis accommodation’.
The developers say, ‘Two upper levels will house 41 two, three and four bedroom
Corner of Magellan and Molesworth Streets, Lismore
Every Monday, Tuesday and Friday in March, 9am to 4pm
Recovery Hub – Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall
55 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby
Wednesdays 8 and 22 March, 9am to 4pm
hotel-apartments, which will be available for short-term letting, and will be managed exclusively by Raes. Raes is also curating the retail and food and beverage tenancies surrounding the large public courtyard on the ground floor’.
The developer’s spokesperson told The Echo the DA was approved unanimously by councillors in November 2021.
They said, ‘The staff report to Council’s Ordinary (Planning) Meeting of November 2021 said, ‘… while the height of the roof generally meets the 11.5m height limit, there are roof
top elements that exceed it to a varying extent’.
‘The proposal was assessed by an independent design excellence expert engaged by Council to ensure compliance with the Design Excellence controls, contained in Byron LEP 2014, which were gazetted on August 20, 2021.
‘Of the 21 submissions received in response to the public exhibition of the DA, 19 were in favour, one raised issues which were subsequently resolved, and one was against’.
The development is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.
Woodburn Bowling Club
110 Richmond Street (near Cedar Street), Woodburn Wednesdays 1, 15 and 29 March, 9am to 4pm
Chinderah Industrial Shed
23/18 Ozone Street, Chinderah
Thursdays 9 and 23 March, 9am to 4pm
For the latest schedule and to book in advance, visit service.nsw.gov.au/booknow or call 13 77 88. Walk-ins are welcome.
Currently, the NSW government requires L plate drivers to prepare for their P plates with 120 hours of driving, including 20 hours of night time driving.
Yet for young people like Jax da Costa, getting those hours, is going to be pretty tough. Jax has done about 20 hours but it’s been difficult. ‘My dad works in the afternoons, and he’s the only one I can drive with at the moment.’
Byron Youth Service’s free Driver Training Initiative is helping people like Jax get the hours they need and has begun to roll out the program on Byron Shire roads.
The initiative addresses difficulties local youth face in accessing transport while on their Ls and obtaining their P licence. Young people who don’t have support or transport options to get their driving hours will be linked to volunteer mentors who will provide youth support to learn to drive. This strategy will provide initial pathways to much-needed work experience for young people.
Jax says being able to get their hours up through the
BYS has been amazing.
‘I am hoping to get my licence within the next few months. It is really important for me to be able to drive, because I have friends scattered all over NSW and some in Brisbane. As well as that, I would love to be independent, and be able to go places without needing my parents. It would be great for me to have that freedom.’
The BYS are looking for people to mentor young drivers. Volunteers need to commit to one day per week (minimum two hours), for the program to succeed.
All volunteers involved in
the program must have at least two years of current unrestricted C class driving licence; be at least 25 years old; have current First Aid and CPR training; a current NSW Working With Children Check, or commitment to undergo WWCC; a willingness to support young people; and a willingness to undertake training and professional development opportunities.
BYS transport and training co-ordinator, Jess Green, says the project is still in the early stages, but it’s going well.
‘It’s a pilot initiative, and we’re just hoping to get more young people involved in it. We’re wanting to get the
word out there for more drivers and more mentors.’
Green says having a licence is so important in this area. ‘As young person myself growing up around Byron, the transport around this area has not been good for the last 20 or so years’.
‘The next generation still has that same issue. We are hoping that if people had that barrier in the past and an understanding of the transport issues in this area, maybe they could help the next generation get their licence and get on the road.’
Jax says it’s a lifesaver, and they feel happy with their progress.
‘I’m finally able to bump my hours up a little bit –week by week – it’s been a great help achieving that so far. I feel really confident when I’m driving.’
Potential mentors can call Steffie on 6685 7777, or email info@bys.org.au to register their interest. Learner drivers between 16 and 24 can register for the program by visiting the ‘Transport’ section on the BYS website: www.bys.org.au/transport Jess Green can be contacted on 0493 479 611, or by email: jess@bys.org.au.
With Byron Shire Council heavily reliant on government grants to fill potholes, commission flood studies and even improve toilet amenities (just as an example, see page 1), The Echo asked all NSW election candidates their position on reforming how grants are allocated.
Currently, ministers can grant political favours to certain electorates (called pork barrelling).
For example, in the recent NSW government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Five ‘decision maker’, the Deputy Premier, Paul Toole (Nationals) favoured five projects, one of which was in his own electorate.
The Echo asked candidates, ‘If elected, would you support taking the personal intervention away from ministers, and instead conduct all grant allocation in a transparent process by non-political actors?’
Greens MP, Smith
Greens MP, Tamara Smith told The Echo, ‘Having councils utterly dependent on the whim of government is a very clever political device’.
‘Local councils have been slowly denuded of their resource capability and sustainability through rate pegging, capping of developer contributions, and being denied innovations like tourist tariffs to raise money.
‘In towns like ours, that means we are utterly dependent on government handouts to manage our extremely high infrastructure needs – because of the millions of people using our public spaces and roads each year, with limited means of raising money to pay for upkeep’.
Smith described it as ‘an appalling way to do both economic management and democracy’.
‘It is dumb economically, because rather than having a model based on systematic maintenance of critical infrastructure as the criteria for
funding that saves money over time, a grant system means it comes down to at best, luck, at worst, corruption.
‘I have watched Nationals politicians in the Northern Rivers groom mayors and manipulate the grant system to benefit their own political aspirations, and those of their allies. Grants are taxpayers’ dollars, and should be administered with the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and fairness’.
Smith added, funding councils should be ‘based on a metric according to socioeconomic status, proximity to public transport, hospitals, and medical treatments, as well as factors like tourist impacts’.
Labor candidate, Andrew Broadley, told The Echo, ‘It appears as though Byron Shire has been disadvantaged by this distribution of grants with only two projects achieving success. If elected, I would support reforming the process around NSW government grants to councils. Politicians need to be very careful as “Sports Rorts” derailed the political career of high profile Nationals in 2020.
‘[Nationals senator] Brigid McKenzie resigned as deputy leader of the Nationals and from her ministerial portfolio on February 2, 2020, after a report by the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet found that she had breached ministerial standards by not declaring her membership of one of the clubs, which had received funding under the program.
‘An independent process that ensures that politicians cannot approve grants in their own electorate is the only way that the public can have confidence that their money is not being used for political advantage’.
Nationals candidate, Josh Booyens, told The Echo, ‘Round Five of the Stronger Country Communities Fund
has seen $160 million delivered to every single regional LGA across NSW’.
‘This includes more than $3.7 million for 12 projects in Ballina. The 2022 Review of Grants Administration in NSW made a number of recommendations to improve the NSW government’s delivery of grants.
‘In accordance with the premier’s memorandum, it is now mandatory for all NSW government agencies and ministerial offices to implement the procedures in the Grants Administration Guide’.
Independent, Kevin Loughrey, told The Echo, ‘It doesn’t matter which political party you might prefer, it is wrong for people to play favourites with public money’.
‘I am new to this “game”, but I believe the taxpayers’ money has to be spent in a manner that benefits all taxpayers, not just a partisan segment of the community.
‘Councils should be allocated state money on some sort of formula basis that most council legislators feel is fair and reasonable. How that money is then spent by the council should be left up to the council. This fits with my belief that government works best when it is close to the people it serves.
‘This idea of a council being allocated money specifically for a project by state politicians seems to me to be too much open to abuse.
‘I saw this up close when Ben Franklin was running for the Seat of Ballina, but I have read about it happening with all political parties. Justine Elliott (Labor) and Tamara Smith (Greens) have just recently made announcements about money being allocated for certain specific purposes, and I’m sure the Nationals are up to the same shenanigans’.
Candidate profiles are published on www.echo.net.au.
The Super Mighties from Spaghetti Circus will perform this Saturday at the Regeneration community festival at Mullum Community Garden.
Spaghetti Circus is one of Australia’s leading youth circuses, and they’ve created the performance specially for Regeneration.
The show will draw on the popular novel, Big Magic, by local author, Sarah Armstrong, who’ll also read an extract from her forthcoming kids’ book.
‘It’s a celebration of the magic of the natural world,’ says Petrina Hutchinson, head of school with Spaghetti Circus, ‘with the kids being a bridge connecting our future with our history.’
Regeneration will have lots of hand-on fun for kids, including seed bomb and seed propagation workshops, a tree-planting, and audience participation during the circus performance.
The free festival is funded by the NSW government, and aims to reconnect communities following fire, flood and pandemic, via the joy of ecological restoration.
It’s aspiring to have zero waste to landfill so attendees are encouraged to bring cups, water bottles and plates, and book a free ticket beforehand, to help let food stalls know how many people to expect.
Most sessions are under cover, but a brolly could be helpful if it rains.
Other event highlights include the REDinc signing choir, high-profile documentary maker, Damon Gameau,
and an all-Bundjalung panel called ‘Learning from Country’.
Free workshops
There are workshops on permaculture, good fire, climate-ready gardens and incentives for landholders to reforest. And there’ll be walks and talks with respected local bush regenerators, Bob Smeuninx, Nadia de Souza Pietramale and Dave Rawlins.
The event will be powered
by SCU’s famous mobile solar battery, called the Sunflower, and students from SAE are generously delivering the sound.
The festival closes with a special performance from the nine-piece Afro-groove dance outfit, The Palm Wine Ambassadors.
Ray Moynihan is Regeneration event organiser. For more visit www.regeneration.mullumseed.org.au.
A workshop to inform residents about preparing and managing fires through traditional cultural practice and modern ecological restoration will be held at the free Regeneration Festival from 1pm, Saturday March 4.
With early forecasts of El Nino returning in late 2023, along with warnings of unprecedented global heatwaves and extreme weather, reinstating Good Fire earlier this year will be crucial, says Dr Andy Baker from Wildsite Ecological Services.
Dr Baker, who has been a fire and vegetation ecologist in Byron Shire for 27 years, says, ‘Good Fire is cool and
controlled, it is applied to the right vegetation type, at the right time of year, and under the right weather conditions. Australian flora and fauna have evolved with fire and many species are dependent on it for regeneration, succession, habitat maintenance and food production’.
‘Fire-dependent vegetation types in Byron Shire include Eucalypt, Brush Box and Paperbark forests and also heathlands.
‘When maintained with Good Fire, these ecosystems provide important habitat for numerous threatened flora and fauna that depend on open canopy ecosystems’.
Affordable housing advocacy group, One Roof Byron (ORB), have told The Echo that the December 21 story, which reported ORB’s rejected housing proposal on Councilmanaged land at 1/125 Vallances Road, Mullumbimby, needs clarification.
ORB secretary, Genevieve Lee, told The Echo, ‘Our proposal stated a preference
to lease 1/125 Vallances Road, (Lot 1 on DP 952598), which is a house and garden block’.
‘To be very clear, this is not the sewage treatment plant (STP) land, which is Lot 1 on DP 129374 and referred to in the staff report’.
The Echo also incorrectly published One Roof Byron’s name as ‘One Roof’.
Northern Rivers communities remember and reflect on 2022 floods
Today is the anniversary of the 2022 flood that devastated the Northern Rivers and South East Queensland. People died, lost their homes in floods and landslides and for many that trauma continues.
Politicians descend on Ross Lane for big announcement
Yesterday a quiet driveway off flood-prone Ross Lane in Lennox Head was the scene of an unusual moment of pre-election fervour, when political representatives and candidates from across the region and every level of government came together to announce that something was finally being done about Ross Lane, along with numerous other roads across 26 disaster-declared LGAs.
Nimbin’s new light industrial hub
Nimbin is on the cusp of opening a new industrial space that will take the town to the next level.
Election 2023 – Lismore: Vanessa Rosayro AJP
Vanessa Rosayro, is running for the Seat of Lismore in the election at the end of next month. A dedicated vegan and animal advocate, Rosayro says the Animal Justice Party is about more than just loving animals.
Tweed Seat candidates roundtable for neighbourhood centres
Geoff Provest MP, Craig Elliot, Ciara Denham and Susie Hearder will attend a roundtable event tomorrow to hear about the need for core funding for Neighbourhood and Community Centres.
Just what Ballina needs, another petrol station
Despite the objections of a large number of neighbours, including Ballina Toyota, Ballina Shire Council has given the green light to a new 24 hour Mobil service station on 485 River Street, West Ballina.
www.echo.net.au
The last Ballina Shire Council meeting included a mayoral minute aimed at putting a coastal recreational pathway linking Lennox Head with its northern neighbour, Byron, back on the agenda.
Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader, said she found in-principle support from Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, and that both mayors were seeking to ‘explore the opportunities, and if possible, get it shovel-ready so that we’d be able to pursue grant opportunities.’
Mayor Cadwallader said an extension of Ballina’s very popular coastal recreational pathway network would
The first 250 formal buyback offers will be made to residents in the highest floodrisk areas by the end of April, as part of the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, said the Northern Rivers Reconstruction
boost tourism, reduce emissions, encourage exercise and reduce parking pressure.
When asked by Cr Phillip Meehan whether the proposed route was a pathway close to the coastline, or a
shared pathway along the road, Cr Cadwallader replied that those questions would be dealt with as part of a feasibility study.
Cr Jeff Johnson told the chamber that previous
Corporation (NRRC) aims to make the buyback offers by the end of April, ‘and would only ramp up from there’.
The NRRC says it has received approximately 6,500 applications for buybacks across the region, leading to criticism of the time taken to roll out the
NSW Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, has removed planning powers from Lismore City Council, after councillors failed, on February 14, to constitute a local planning panel (LPP), which is designed to ‘speed up planning processes to support flood-recovery efforts’.
The NSW government’s LPP usurps Council’s planning powers.
In a letter to Mayor Steve
The NSW Electoral Commission started taking nominations this week for the NSW election, to be held March 25.
Postal votes are being accepted up until March 20, and early voting starts on March 18.
There are two Meet the Candidate nights planned so far.
The Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA) will hold their event at the Ocean Shores Country Club on March 13. Co-organiser, Jan Mangleson, says she expects the main discussion point to be the ‘lack of response by local authorities to the harm caused by the
councils had discussed putting a cycleway along the dunes, behind the beach at Lennox, and then through private property and wetlands.
‘It’s just simply not viable on that route,’ he said.
GM Paul Hickey confirmed that ‘trying to get an approval through sand dunes, environmental areas, and cultural areas, is a lot harder than getting an approval through a road reserve.’ Cadwallader’s motion to pursue the coastal path extension idea was carried unanimously.
Cr Eva Ramsey was not present.
buybacks, and doubts as to whether the funding available will be sufficient to buy back all floodaffected properties in the highest-risk zones at a price sufficient to allow residents to purchase land and move their houses within the local region.
The Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program will also
Krieg, Roberts said the failure ‘may result in confusion and uncertainty for planning processes in Lismore LGA.’
Under (s) 2.17 of the EP&A Act 1979, Roberts appointed ‘members to sit on Council’s behalf’.
All associated costs for the panel will be borne by Council, Roberts added.
Cate Faehrmann, Greens MP, planning spokesperson and lead candidate for the
two 2022 floods’.
She says, ‘OSCA has launched its campaign 2483 Flood Free to focus on bringing people back home, and also to plan for future mitigation to let the floodwaters out of the northern towns and villages.
‘For the first time ever, flooding was experienced in Brunswick Heads.
‘For the story of flood history go to www.brunswickvalley.com.au/flood-history/ synopsis.htm.
‘There are many issues, come and let the candidates know.
‘The Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA)
provide financial assistance of up to $100,000 for house raising or up to $50,000 for retrofitting for homeowners in areas where flood risk can be reduced by better building standards.
Work on house raising and retrofit work is expected to commence in mid-2023. For more info visit www.nsw.gov. au/resilienthomesprogram
Upper House said, ‘The Planning Minister has a track record of disempowering communities to serve developer interests’.
‘The NSW government needs to establish a process that gives Lismore residents agency over the reconstruction process, not one that will let developers roll over the community to squeeze as much profit out of reconstruction as they can’.
enquiries line is 0431 477 445’.
On March 15, a Meet the Candidates evening will be held in the Byron Theatre from 6pm.
Local independent media, BayFM 99.9 and The Echo will again host a free, livebroadcast event.
Email communitynewsroom@mail.com with your full name, which town or village you live in within the Ballina electorate, and the group or interest you represent, if you would like a chance to ask a question live – no guarantees, as time is limited and a diversity of topics related to state policies is to feature.
Mia Armitage
Sweeping changes are recommended for handling council misconduct in NSW, and Byron Shire Council has voted, at least initially, to support them at their Thursday meeting, held last week.
The state government commissioned an independent review of how allegations of councillor misconduct were dealt with in 2021.
Mr Gary Kellar oversaw the review, with his findings report made available online
late last year via the NSW Office of Local Government.
Mr Kellar made 49 recommendations, and Council staff highlighted some to councillors in their first ordinary meeting for 2023.
The key change Mr Kellar recommended was a new independent Councillor Conduct Commission, taking over the power of councils’ general managers to handle complaints.
Mr Kellar said the new commission would oversee independent Councillor
Hans Lovejoy
A Mullumbimby solicitor has been reprimanded and fined $1,500 by the NSW Legal Services Commissioner for unsatisfactory professional conduct around letters sent to a woman being sued by her former client.
In 2017, Paula Fletcher, from Universal Law, sent letters to anti-cult activist, Esther Rockett, who at the time was being sued for defamation by Serge Benhayon, leader of locallybased controversial group, Universal Medicine (UM).
Through her online blog ‘Universal Medicine Exposed’, Ms Rockett waged a campaign against Benhayon and accused him, among other things, of a ‘sleazy ovarian reading’ after she received an ‘esoteric healing’ in 2005.
Benhayon, his organisation and followers attracted national attention at the time for their unconventional health methods, as well as breaking families apart.
A jury found Ms Rockett’s statements that the one-time
Sydney tennis coach was ‘the leader of a socially harmful cult’ and ‘a charlatan who makes fraudulent medical claims’ were true.
Around the time Ms Rockett’s father died in 2017, she was self-representing in defence of two defamation cases, one in NSW brought by Mr Benhayon, another in Queensland brought by two of his supporters. They were Ballina mayoral candidate and 2019 federal election candidate, Ray Karam, and Caroline Raphael.
Ms Rockett told The Echo she asked UM’s legal team for privacy at the time of her father’s funeral.
In an affidavit, Ms Fletcher admitted the letters were inappropriate to send around the time of Ms Rockett’s grieving, and used language that was ‘unprofessional, peremptory and discourteous’.
Ms Fletcher has apologised for the letter and acknowledged her letters as ‘discourteous’.
Ms Rockett said the letter,
Conduct Review Panels, as well as tougher fines and sanctions for misconduct, including fines for individuals.
Mr Kellar also recommended giving mayors the powers to expel disruptive councillors from meetings, without a vote.
Another recommendation that staff didn’t highlight, was for all Council meetings, even confidential ones, to be recorded both in audio and visual formats and for the recording to be kept on file.
‘contained objections to my requests for further discovery and production of documents. I subsequently sought court orders for them. Despite all of the insults and slurs, the majority of UM’s objections were either withdrawn or thrown out of court’.
As for Universal Law’s association with Universal Medicine, Fletcher told The Echo that Universal Law is ‘completely independent’ of Universal Medicine.
Ms Fletcher told The Echo, ‘Our firm has not represented Mr Benhayon since the conclusion of the Benhayon v Rockett proceedings, and I have had no contact with Benhayon or Universal Medicine for several years.’
While Ms Rockett was successful against the defamation cases, she says she was bankrupted by the process.
As for Ms Fletcher’s fine, Ms Rockett told The Echo she has ‘requested a Commissioner’s review of the Law Society’s decision on other allegations and called for a stronger penalty’.
Ayear ago, on February 28, Byron Shire and the entire north coast was hit by the worst floods and landslides in living memory.
So – how is future preparedness going?
At a local level, councillors seem fairly tone deaf to the trauma, and want to push ‘affordable housing’ on flood-prone land.
If elected on March 25, NSW Labor say they would prohibit that.
Meanwhile, the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) are still sitting on a flood report for the Northern Rivers, which should have been delivered last December.
Such information is vital, so that Councils can tweak planning instruments, like flood levels for future developments.
And just last week, SMH (Nine) reported that flood warning systems remain inadequate, according to the SES Commissioner. Reporters Catherine Naylor and Heath Gilmore write, ‘More than 50 gauges measuring rainfall and river heights malfunctioned during the flood’.
Despite $15 million being splashed at the DPE by the federal government in August ‘to improve the rainfall and river gauge network across 62 flood-stricken local government areas’, SMH report the work would not be completed until June 2025.
That doesn’t appear very urgent.
Another urgent action is to install a flood pump generator for South Golden Beach.
The pump failed after the power was cut during last year’s flood, and a generator could provide protection from future power failures.
Thankfully, the federal government’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has awarded Council $183,446
to purchase one. When asked if the generator is on its way, Phil Holloway, Director Infrastructure Services, told The Echo, ‘This project was identified as a priority after the floods last year, in consultation with Essential Energy. With confirmation of the funding, Council will now be able to design and procure the equipment. We are expecting it will be installed by December 2023’.
There’s also the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, which is a $150 million CSIRO project ‘to understand flood risk factors in the Northern Rivers region of NSW and identify flood mitigation options’.
This includes aeroplane flyovers with LiDAR sensors attached, to ‘collect accurate digital elevation models for the region for hydrodynamic modelling’.
From July 2022 to May 2024, CSIRO say, ‘detailed hydrological modelling’ will be undertaken, along with ‘targeted stakeholder engagement’.
There’s a lot to do – the federal government need to ensure that the communications sector provides robust infrastructure in the age of climate change – we found out last year that they haven’t been.
Meanwhile, a series of flood anniversary events are underway.
This Sunday March 5, a community event will be held at the Stan Robinson Park, at Council’s chambers in Mullum. The event will run from 10am till 2pm, say organisers, and includes a barbecue by SES members. There will also be live music, arts activities, weaving, and the Red Cross DROP – which is an acronym for disaster recovery of people’s stories.
For more information, visit www.byron.nsw.gov.au/ flood-anniversary-events.
Hans Lovejoy, editor
Has it ever been truer than it is today that, ‘He who pays the piper, calls the tune’?
Australian fossil fuel giant, Santos, donated $83,000 to the Labor Party in 2021–22 [see page 2 – Ed].
Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, just quietly granted the company approval for their fracking project of 116 gas wells in the Surat Basin, south-west of Gladstone, that will operate until 2077.
Independent member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan, tweeted, ‘You’d have to say they received an excellent return on their investment’.
Anti-corruption crusader, Andrew Wilkie, has once again introduced legislation in federal parliament to bust this vice-like grip corporations have over governments.
Wilkie pointed out in his introductory speech that in the 2021–22 financial year, the Coalition received $118 million and the Australian Labor Party $124 million in political bribes, oops, donations.
Forty per cent of this revenue is dark money, donations with no identifiable source.
The current threshold for disclosing donations is absurdly high: $15,200. Currently, corporations can make multiple donations just below the threshold and not disclose them.
Andrew Wilkie’s legislation would reduce the disclosure threshold to $1,000 and require multiple donations from the same source to be disclosed.
His legislation also caps total donations at $50,000 in any one election cycle. It also prohibits donations from corporations that cause direct harm to Australians, including fossil fuel entities, gambling companies, liquor companies and the tobacco industry. Is it likely either side of politics will support it?
Don’t hold your breath!
We know that Minister Michelle Rowland accepted a $10,000 donation from Sportsbet while acting as Labor’s spokesperson for communications, including regulation of online gambling. In 2020–21,
Sportsbet donated $55,000 to the Australian Labor Party and $87,500 to the Liberal Party of Australia.
Meanwhile in NSW, Premier Dominic Perrottet is desperately trying to retain power, and has staked part of his bid for success on introducing a cashless gaming card when punters play the pokies. This would inhibit money laundering.
Despite enormous pressure from Clubs NSW, opposition leader Chris Minns has announced a cashless gaming card trial for 500 machines in NSW. He said he will ban political donations from the clubs sector and reduce the number of poker machines if he wins.
It’s not just the obvious industries that have major political parties by the short and curlies. In our own region, someone, and we don’t know who, decided that Casino would be the ideal place to site an incinerator to burn plastic and other household waste under the guise of ‘waste-to-energy’.
Not only would it pollute the community and countryside with dioxins, but it would also stigmatise the primary produce of the region and create a mountain of toxic ash.
Public information requests to find out who chose Casino, and why, have been rejected because it’s ‘Cabinet in Confidence’. Why is the community being kept in the dark? What are they hiding?
Regulation of pesticides was crippled by the previous federal Coalition government as soon as it came to office. Pesticides banned for years overseas are used freely in Australia.
Domestic testing of produce is done by the industry itself, with no public reporting. Whole ecosystems are dying, and people are getting sick. No action has yet been proposed by the Albanese government to rectify it. Why not?
JonesSheep and cattle are victims of heavy industry pressure too.
An independent monitoring scheme was established in 2018, after 2,400 sheep died while being exported from Australia by Emanuel Exports. That monitoring has come to a virtual halt. Between May and December last year, independent observers boarded just 11 out of 78 eligible live export voyages.
I witnessed Australian sheep being unloaded in Libya back in 1987, and it was a horror story of blood and terror. No caring person would support live animal exports. Does the Albanese government care about the suffering? The Morrison government didn’t.
When Richard Amery was Minister for Agriculture in the NSW Carr government, he confided to me that he wanted to ban the cruel battery cages for hens, but he couldn’t. The industry wouldn’t let him. It was only because I held the balance of power in 1995 that I was able to get my legislation passed to ban the annual duck killing season in NSW.
I couldn’t help the hens though. Sadly, the Victorian Labor government has just announced the duck season is on again in 2023.
The bottom line is that when you vote for Labor or the Coalition, you vote for corporate corruption of our democracy.
Thankfully, we have the option of giving our first vote to the Greens, Animal Justice Party, other small parties, and genuine independents. We need to send a really powerful message to the major parties to clean up their act.
We are the ones who pay the piper. We call the tune!
Richard Jones is a former NSW upper house MP and is now a local ceramist.
they are responsible for fixing it or if they have any specific guidelines or regulations regarding pothole repair. They may also be able to provide you with the necessary materials and tools to fill the pothole properly.
Who is for replacing Byron Council with ChatGPT?
Sapoty Brook Main Arm
I’d like to address the issue with last week’s Echo editorial, which asked people to sign a proforma.
The residents of Johnson Drive, West Ballina are being directly affected by the upgrade of River Street –which is already a busy, noisy and congested road.
I have not received any information about how the Council is going to obstruct the view of the four-lane carriageway, provide safety for the residents, or reduce the noise from construction and increased traffic.
How is the construction going to affect our children’s safety and how will Ballina Council compensate for the extra road and construction noise?
At present we have large established trees blocking the two-lane road.
Ballina Council has predicted there will be a traffic flow increase of 3,000 vehicles, double the road’s capacity, hence why River Street is being upgraded.
I am putting pressure on Ballina Council to install a noise wall in front of Johnson Drive, West Ballina and install double glazing to all houses on this road.
There are multiple families with young children living on Johnson Drive. River Street being exposed as a four-lane roadway is unsafe. The road is already unsafe with workers from the RTA speeding down the road putting young children’s lives at risk.
Myself and the other residents of Johnson Drive oppose the River Street upgrade there being no barrier between our houses and the four-lane roadway, or double-glazing to cancel out road and construction noise.
We are requesting a noise wall and double-glazing to be provided for safety and compensation.
Residents at Ballina Heights and Ferngrove were provided with both a noise wall and double-glazing for compensation, why are Ballina Council not providing us with the same?
At present the road noise is almost constant. It starts at 5am and doesn’t stop until 10pm. I will persist until West Ballina gets the same treatment as other suburbs.
Claire Reid West Ballina
The people of the Northern Rivers of NSW stopped the unconventional gas industry at Bentley because they knew it was bad for their health and the environment (Planet Watch: the madness and corruption of unconventional gas, The Echo, 14/7/2020). In 2023, the Greens are still trying to stop new coal and gas projects and they are not alone.
The International Energy Agency’s 2021 Flagship report Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector clearly stated that: ‘Beyond projects already committed as of 2021, there are no new oil and gas fields approved for development in our [net-zero 2050] pathway, and no new coal mines or mine extensions are required.’ This was confirmed in its World Energy Outlook 2022 report.
Despite this advice, there are 114 new coal and gas projects in Australia’s investment pipeline and an analysis by the Australian Parliamentary Library
estimates those projects in total ‘have the potential to create 2.5 times Australia’s domestic emissions each year’.
Many are fearful of the environmental and cultural effects of these projects on their land. The NSW Department of Planning received 23,000 submissions relating to the Narrabri project, for example – the most ever received on a major resource project. Less than 500 were in support.
If we don’t stop opening new fossil fuel projects now, when will we? The Greens need praise for their stand.
Ray Peck Hawthorn, VicAs an AI language model, I don’t have enough information about your situation to give a definitive answer to your question. However, if you are responsible for maintaining roads or if you are a concerned citizen, filling potholes can be a good idea. Potholes can be dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and can cause damage to vehicles.
In general, it’s a good idea to fill potholes as soon as possible to prevent them from getting worse. The longer potholes are left unfilled, the more likely they are to expand and become deeper, making them more difficult and expensive to fix later on.
If you are not sure whether you should fill a particular pothole, you may want to check with your local government or transportation department to see if
Marshalls creekbank at The Pocket.
Senior staffer, what process was that?
The Director of Infrastructure then says 150 tonnes of fill were brought onto the creekbank, Council staff had not been onsite to look at the location.
Can we take this to mean contractors trucked the fill to The Pocket? If so, who told them where to dump it?
In my view this will do more harm than good. The Independent Planning Commission made it clear they didn’t think much of pro-formas during the hearing last week. If you want to help get the 90-day caps on holiday letting over the line, please write a letter in your own words to the commission.
Choose your own reason why, whether it be because you believe in residential areas for residents, or key worker housing, or ensuring businesses have the ability to hire staff that can live locally. The economic and social benefits of having a local community are clear, and if we want to cater for ever more tourists, we need to do that by building more tourist accommodation in the CBD.
Make a submission online: https://bit.ly/3xYce2F.
Cr Michael Lyon The PocketSo a senior Byron Shire Council (BSC) staffer tells the elected council that his employees did not follow proper process when removing soil and placing it on the
Cr Lyon also asked if there was a valid reason for putting fill on an exclusion zone.
A planning staff member states ‘the applicant would have to submit a flood study/ report that says even though our flood study report says you should not fill there, that flood study backs up you could put some fill there and it would have no impact’.
▶ Continued on page 16
▶ Railway letters page 15
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Event: Active Fest Byron
Date: Sunday 12 March 2023
Time: 10am to 2pm (Check in from 9am)
Location: Cavanbah Centre, 249 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481
Ages: Suitable for 7-14 years
Registration: https://byron.nsw. gov.au/activefest
North Coast Academy of Sport will be attending Active Fest!! Come along for your chance to experience a higher-level sporting environment presented in a fun way without the pressure to
Active Fest is coming back to the Cavanbah Centre Byron Bay Sunday 12th of March 2023. Kids
Aged 7-14 years can register via www.byron.nsw.gov.au/activefest
Come along and join in a fun filled day. Active Fest is a FREE event for kids and families, to experience a range of different sports and activities, plus entertainment, giveaways, a sausage sizzle and more! Active Fest provides all children, regardless of their location, background, or ability with the opportunity to participate in sport and active recreation. Participants will have a variety of fun activities to participate in on the day delivered by a host of our national, state, and regional sporting bodies including Netball, Rugby League, Triathlon,
AFL, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball 5, and Tennis. The day will kick off with a “Welcome to Country”, by one of the traditional Arakwal elders, as well as an exciting skydive demonstration on the day.
Active Fest events are an Office of Sport NSW initiative to support the Active Kids Voucher program, which aims to provide financial support assistance and participation opportunities for kids in grassroots sport and recreation across NSW with a $100 Active Kids Voucher. Available to each child for use across registered Community Sport and Active Recreation providers. The current Active Kids Voucher is valid for use right up until June 30, 2023. If you are a carer or parent you can download your child’s free $100
perform. Activities include fitness testing to see who’s the strongest, who’s the fastest and who can jump the highest. For more information on programs offered by the North Coast Academy of sport, please refer to the brochure below or visit their website at ncas.org.au
Courtney Gilfillan head coach of Byron bay triathlon club has come on board with a strong Passion to educate, build
and grow junior triathlon participation in the local community and support the importance of wellness through physical activity in the community & for our next generation, for all ages, levels and abilities all info is available through Byron bay tri clubs website https://www.byrontriclub. com/post/we-have-news
The NRL will be running a league stars session. Our introductory program is all play, no contact, appealing to the true nature of kids, in all their messy, high energy, love of fun and play!
Northern Rivers Football Academy
The Academy delivers multiple programs for male and female players from 5 - 18 years in regional NSW, giving them access to football opportunities equivalent to those living in metro areas.
For term 2 programs visit www.nrfootballacademy.com. au or call our team on 0482 946 768
Baseball NSW will be conducting an interactive session for Baseball5. This new and innovative fast-paced, dynamic, and inclusive game can be played anywhere, anytime.
All you need is a ball, some training equipment such as agility ladders, markers and throw down bases. The game engages participants of all ages with many exercises and training drills, covering hand-eye coordination, speed, and agility skills.
Come along and join in the fun. Our sessions include drills to enhance the fundamental motor skills, including some fun, modified games. Netball is a sport for everyone
Active Kids Voucher anytime by visiting the Services NSW website or apply straight from your Services NSW App on your phone.
Active Fest Byron Bay is supported by Byron Shire Council in conjunction with Office of Sport, North Coast Academy of Sport, and local sport providers and is funded by the NSW Governments Community Sport Rebuild and Recovery Package. Registered participants will have free access to the Blanches 640 service from Ballina via Lennox Head, Suffolk Park to Byron or the Brunswick Valley Coaches 645 service from Ocean Shores via Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby to Byron Bay.
Tennis NSW will be present on the day to give participants an introduction to the sport. Tennis is a great sport for maintaining health, fitness, strength, agility and for making.
Skydive Australia (Byron Bay) will be performing a demo jump with around 10 skydivers exiting an aircraft 15,000ft above Byron Bay and landing into the Cavanbah Centre sports fields.
Skydive Byron offers a range of skydive options from tandems to solo skydive courses. If you are interested in throwing yourself out of a plane or would like to learn how to skydive solo please contact us at skydive.com.au or call us on 1300 815 245.
While we all agree that it is good to have ambition, completely ignoring relevant facts turns ambition into fantasy. Tweed, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina Shires have all accepted what successive NSW governments have been saying for the past 20 years.
No public commuter train service will be returned to the Murwillumbah-Casino line!
Does anyone honestly believe the 100-year-old rails and sleepers would even be used by a reinstated train service? The Tooters do. They hold up the Elements train as a proof of concept. The fact that the Elements train runs on the flattest, straightest, shortest stretch of track at the blistering pace of 10km/h appears not to get in the way of that fantasy.
The Elements train is licensed as a tourist venture, not as public transport. The state government has always been the only public transport train operator. The inherent risks and liabilities of a rural commuter train service operating in all weather conditions are huge. No government is going to license a private operator to do this, and no insurer would take one on. Yet this is the proposal that is still being spruiked by train lobbyists to Byron Shire Council.
Sure, if the Northern Rivers population density ever approaches that of the Gold Coast, then a train service might make sense. That service may even use some sections of the current corridor (which the rail trail will have preserved). Of course, this train will be a relatively straight double carriageway on new electrified tracks with concrete sleepers, like all modern train lines.
If we want better public transport, Council should be lobbying the government for a fleet of small, nimble electric buses that take people from where they live directly to where they need to go.
Initially, the Tooters just wanted ‘Trains On Our Tracks’. They now want a train with a trail next to it. This change of heart is owing to their realisation that thousands of locals and their kids actually want a safe, easy cycle and walking trail that connects communities through spectacular country.
Unfortunately, a trail beside the tracks is actually a furphy. Much of the rail meanders across the hinterland on narrow cuttings
with steep slopes, single lane bridges over creeks and dense vegetation, and long narrow tunnels through the hills. Apart from a few flat, flood-prone, sections, it is unrealistic to have a train and trail side-by-side.
Instead of continuing to waste hundreds of thousands of ratepayers’ dollars chasing fanciful diesel-burning trains, our progressive Council should join the 21st century and support electric bikes, carts, and scooters on the world’s best rail trail. Is our ‘green’ Council really going to be the last to support the healthiest, lowest-carbon mode of transport there is?
Tell your councillors to partner with our neighbouring shires, take advantage of the available state and federal rail trail grants, and complete the amazing Murwillumbah to Casino Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Sol Ibrahim Bangalow
My apologies for my silence, but it appears there are issues not up for discussion.
So with a state election coming, how about the transport Issue? Are we allowed to comment on it? We all know that our local roads are already congested. If it was good enough for the authorities to remove our rail lines for a bike track… why don’t they now remove the total city rail network and tell the people to ride bikes? It would appear that our needs are different from the cities’.
I want a one-word answer, ‘yes’ or’ no’, no polywaffle.
My question to all candidates running is this: ‘Do you support bringing back light rail, to connect all of the Far North Coast to the SouthEast Queensland network? ‘Yes’ or ‘No’?
Our road network is totally congested… it is beyond a joke, but so far not one candidate has bothered to mention doing anything about it. It will only
get worse, which would be hard to believe. My request to all voters is to eliminate all candidates who have no vision in saying ‘No’. Thus, only consider the candidates who answer ‘Yes’.
Mike Yarrow ByangumFrom last week’s article by Paul Bibby, it appears there are still people that believe a rail service on the remaining non-rail trail section or our corridor is feasible, and that leaving the rusted tracks in situ will enhance the chances of the magical return of trains!
The Tweed Shire’s 23km section of the rail trail will have already been opened by this week’s publication date, and is highly anticipated by an growing nuber of people – it is expected to be one of the greatest public assets in our region.
The rail group’s marketing body, ‘Diversified Economics Australia’, appears not to be found via search engine.
The article remarkably talks of Ballina Shire Council failing to rebuild its rail corridor, which was largely sold off after the 1954 cyclone landslides had rendered it irreparable.
It goes on to applaud Byron Shire Council for being pro-train, yet BSC has achieved absolutely no advancement towards train reinstatement for a decade, and has instead cost Byron’s ratepayers in the order of $500,000 – paying for research studies to agree with their hopeless fantasies.
‘Trail beside the rail’ advocates clearly remain happily clueless as to our corridor’s actual layout, and are best advised to go and have a good look themselves.
In the meantime, join the trail converts and go and enjoy walking and cycling effortlessly through Tweed Council’s crowning rail trail achievement.
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The Byron mayor appears to support making the temporary fill in Prince Street, Mullumbimby permanent, so he can fill the ‘fill’ with permanent housing. He said in last week’s Echo that it’s okay to pursue this sort of idea and just sort the details out later. The site is useless at its original ground level is flood-prone. That is not a detail, it is a fundamental flaw.
Even if filled, the site does not offer safe living. There are floods higher than the published 1-in-100 year flood. That’s what happened in 2022. And even in smaller floods, this site becomes isolated, making evacuation difficult or impossible, including for our brave first responders.
And once the site is filled and permanent, it will create mayhem for neighbours on the same floodplain and will do so forever, even if they can elevate their own premises.
The previous Council pushed hard for an arrangement like Prince Street at ‘Lot 22’, further south on the same floodplain. They ignored
government and advisory committee advice and thus wasted time and money, and the precious hopes of people needing affordable housing.
While ever society keeps pursuing development on flood-prone land, we hold back the tide of what the Shire really needs – sane development on dry land.
When you consider the government’s $800 million promised so far to reduce flood risks for past development on flood-prone land, why would you doom future generations to the same cycle of non-foreign aid money? Taxpayers on dry land understand the necessity to look after our flood-prone neighbours, but we don’t agree with creating future payouts, or with damning more people to the same wet fate as in 2022.
Duncan Dey Byron Shire Councillor and flood hydrologistBuilding on an unused property like a rail corridor has me thinking there is no bright future for all here.
Mullumbimby’s housing crisis is only going away when the people that keep
on flocking in, f’ck off. There’s plenty of space out in Kyogle and in Grafton, or even Tasmania for all these Johnny-come-latelys.
‘You’re all welcome’ as the saying used to go, when there weren’t any jobs here. Mullum has a rich history and a unique identity that makes the place iconic.
But here, ironically, Mullumbimby is being treated like a place to milk, more than just an old dead cow, but out of its horns too! Now every builder and tradie is working like a dog to keep up with all the demand of a town being hailed the new hippie Mecca-dome.
Building anything, and anywhere, just isn’t an affordable housing solution. You only solve the traffic and parking problems by stopping the influx of those wanting to sip on their golden chai lattes while watching the grass grow – so to speak – moving into the town!
Shame on you for all sitting around watching this happen. Next we’ll have a cinemaplex and a McDonald’s on the agenda, because that’s what’s good
for local commerce. There won’t be any localism left the way Council governs this ship. Perhaps they should look at what the town really needs, a bit more quietness and less cars. The environment would love it as would the true locals, our beloved wildlife, who call some of these yet-still-wild corridors home. Or is there a wildlife sanctuary for tourists next on the agenda? We should throw them in there too.
Chad Butler▶ Continued from page 13
I think the staffer means if the fill is correctly bunded it should have no impact on the waterway. What part of the flood study done by BSC says that fill that is placed on a riverbank, even if bunded, will not have an adverse effect on a waterway during flood conditions?
This response has coverup written all over it.
Good on you Cr Dey for trying to get to the truth.
Alan Dickens BallinaIt’s difficult to know how we can thank our Byron Shire Councillors for the job they do. We have our waste bins collected regularly as residents expect. Thanks for that!
On the other hand, other things we expect of them do not happen.
We can’t thank them for the excellent condition of our roads, because many are in disrepair.
We can’t thank them for listening to any of our concerns, because they don’t.
We can’t thank them for showing pride, interest, or compassion in our town because they don’t.
We can’t thank them for consultation with us or demonstrating transparency,
because there is none.
Following a flood in February 2022 residents were confused and traumatised. Many still are. Authorities at all levels were missing in action and the welfare of residents fell to the generosity and selflessness of volunteers.
With the disaster still raw in the minds of residents, authorities (local Council, and state government) decided to subject our town to more upheaval and anxiety by choosing to build a pod village in the centre of town – on part of the floodplain that was, a few months earlier, underwater. Rather than design the pod village so as not to worsen the flood-risk it was decided to import an enormous amount of fill on which the pods would sit. A year on from the flood, construction is still in progres, elevating fear and anxiety within the community.
The residents tried and failed to make authorities listen to their concerns. Politicians, both state and federal, proclaimed there should be a stoppage to floodplain development. Empty words were plentiful from all directions. Meanwhile work on the floodplain
▶ Continued on page 20
One year on and the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Commission (NRRC) still have not progressed spending the $800 million they’ve been granged to purchase the estimated 2,000 homes and land in need of buybacks. The NRRC aims to make the first 250 buyback offers by the end of April. But for many it’s a case of too little too late, the financial strain coupled with misinformation, no information, and conflicting information has left many feeling abandoned with strong misgivings that the NRRC will have the funds and the capacity to help them.
In a media release from NRRC dated 4 November 2022 the NRRC states clearly that 6,000 homes are eligible for assistance as part of the Resilient Homes Program. This includes the 2,000 buybacks, 2,000 retrofits and 2,000 house raises. Most don’t know if they have met the criteria and, to date, no one has been paid.
Camila is a resident of South Lismore who is one of the many still waiting, one year on, for answers about next steps. Like nearly everyone in her street, her house is a write-off.
‘We feel desperate and betrayed,’ she says.
‘They have the money in the
bank, but they are doing what they do best – withholding it and forcing economic sanctions, hardship, and poverty on vulnerable disaster victims.’
Camila strongly believes there is not enough money for the thousands of buybacks needed in Lismore and Wardell and across the other LGAs. She believes that this is part of a bigger plan to ‘starve us out.
So we take settlements below what our pre-flood market rate [was].
People have already started selling privately at the bottom of the market,’ she explains.
I am at Camila’s house when she points to houses in her neighbourhood that would have been valued at over $500k preflood but have sold to disaster investors at $150k.
‘People can’t service the mortgage on an unliveable property’.
They also can’t wait out unknown years for a buyback. They just don’t have the financial capacity.
So where are these people? Where do they go?
Camila also points out houses beyond her: ‘there is a couple there in their 90s but they won’t speak to you because they are scared if they speak to the media they’ll get nothing from the NRRC.’ Camila and her neighbours are worried about what will happen to the elderly in their
neighbourhood who don’t have years to wait for housing solutions. The elderly couple are back living in their flood-damaged house.
Adrian also lives in Camila’s street. He didn’t have insurance, and with two autistic children he had to do repairs with money from Service NSW. His wife and kids are traumatised by the flood and desperately want to move.
‘My kids are traumatised, my wife is seeing a psychologist. She wants out. If we can get enough money from a buyback it would help, but we need a certain price. I am 55 and I only have a short time to get a mortgage.’
But Adrian is concerned that buyback amounts will preclude most from resettling in their community.
‘Even if you do get a buyback –what can you actually get [here] for $500k?’ he asks.
‘We were told at a community meeting in December 2022 we would have a case manager to answer our questions and be contacted by the end of January. But it’s the end of February.’
For the many residents I spoke with to write this article, the issue is both their capacity to project-manage their rebuild and a lack of clarity about their eligibility for NRRC funding. Older residents have limited, and often no, borrowing capacity to do retrofitting and house raising that they need to complete so they can reoccupy their homes. They see money that could be spent on the long-term option of repairing their homes wasted on temporary accommodation.
One woman I spoke to said she can’t repair her home until she raises it. She is 60. She can borrow the money to raise her home, then use insurance to fix it. But she cannot service the loan for a length of time, so without timeframes on reimbursement from NRRC she would be forced to sell. With many uninsured selling at bargain prices,
those insured are selling because they can’t service mortgage extensions; this is disaster capitalism in action.
Buyers are swooping in.
Another Mullumbimby flood survivor told me she felt like her flooded community was a can they kept kicking down the road. The stress has seen her hospitalised.
Flood-affected people across our seven local government areas need fair outcomes. They need secure housing, they need flexibility and understanding from insurance companies and banks. But most of all they need to know where they stand. The limbo is putting immense needless pressure on people who are trying to rebuild their lives.
Greens MP for Ballina, Tamara Smith, is concerned the slowness of the NRRC response is having devastating effects across the community.
‘I am told by our local paramedics that there are at least three people each week being sectioned and hospitalised owing to acute mental health issues directly related to the floods. This is deeply shocking and we must demand better for our people.’
Our flood-affected communities need action, fast. One year is too long to wait to be contacted. People need a plan.
David Lisle
The first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opens on 1 March, a decade after the idea was first floated, and almost two decades after the last train plied the line. Tweed Council has rapidly transformed the 24km stretch of derelict rail corridor between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek into a bike and walking trail, allowing access once again to this public space.
The trail is proving popular even before it opens. Tweed Council has been spraying social media with requests for riders and walkers to stay off the trail while the finishing touches are applied.
With the Tweed section now complete, Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters, the group who have campaigned for a decade for the old Murwillumbah to Casino line to become a trail, said they’re not slackening off. Their vision of a trail spanning the 130km corridor is not yet realised.
But they’re buoyed with the recent announcement of a state government grant of $481,115 to
This week Australia has a new neighbour, alongside which it will be competing in regional events such as the Asian Chess Championship – Russia!
In a precursor of what is likely to happen in other sports, including soccer, Russia successfully applied to transfer from the European to Asian Zone to evade the (very limited) sanctions applied to Russian chessplayers by the European Chess Federation. (Russian teams are banned from European competitions but Russian players can compete so long as they play under a neutral flag.)
Russia first made the decision to seek to become Asian in April 2022, two months after the attempted conquest of Ukraine began, arguing that 77 per cent of Russian territory is in Asia. (It should be noted that 75 per cent of the Russian population live in the European 23 per cent.)
The move was promoted in Russia as an issue of national pride, with Russian Chess Federation President Andrey Filatov arguing that chess would be the first Russian sport to ‘break the blockade’, while proPutin Russian Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin argued: ‘Russia should not humiliate ourselves by asking for forgiveness from Europe. We did the right thing by initiating transition’.
At a meeting last week the world body FIDE decided that, with Asia’s
develop the business case for the rail trail in the mid-section of the corridor – 75km between Crabbes Creek and Lismore that is yet to be funded. The rail trail group partnered with the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (comprising the seven Northern Rivers councils) to apply for the grant, the aim being to establish a sound basis for councils to make decisions about their sections of the corridor.
Richmond Valley Council aim to
agreement, there was no legal impediment to Russia changing zones, and to smooth the path for the change, FIDE also decided that they would now allow Russian players who wish to stay in Europe to change to any European Federation free of charge –and then change back again to Russia at any time, gratis as well. Thus, with a little fancy footwork, Russian players will be able to compete in both European and Asian Championships!
The Russian Chess Federation’s Board of Trustees, which includes Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Vladimir Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov and billionaire Gennadi Timchenko, whose private army Redut has assisted with the Ukraine invasion, was clearly chuffed. Press releases explained how Asia was now the true chess superpower, as Russia would be playing alongside China, India and 2022 Olympic Champion Uzbekistan.
Most importantly, the successful move to Asia has provided a template for how the Russian Football Federation can swap from UEFA – which has banned Russian and Belarus teams entirely, to the Asian Chess Confederation. The affect on Australian chess of having Russia in Zone 3 will principally be felt by our juniors, making a repeat of Rheyansh Annapureddy’s drought-breaking victory at the 2022 Asian Junior Championships even more improbable.
Players meet at Byron Bay Services Club, Sat 2.30pm and Mon 5.00pm
complete their section of railtrail between Casino and Bentley by year’s end. Lismore Council is pushing ahead with Bentley to Lismore City – also fully-funded. Lismore to Crabbes Creek is the missing middle and most of this unfunded section of corridor is in Byron Shire. Byron Council has historically been the hold-out, spurning the idea of a railtrail the state government is eager to build, preferring instead an illusory train
continued. Other sites were put forward that could have been considered but were dismissed without a second thought. Council has claimed it’s nothing to do with them but they are the approving authority. Other councils have stood firm and refused to have ill-considered pod developments, but not Byron Shire Council.
So, in conclusion, it’s impossible to thank our Councillors, or anyone else in authority, who is meant to act in our best interests.
No consultation, no compassion, no interest shown and no regard for the feelings of those who pay their wages.
What is happening in Mullumbimby is a travesty and those responsible will be long gone when the consequences are felt, and
service, one unlikely to be delivered because no-one will finance it.
But change is afoot. Byron Council has resolved to push forward and develop the rail-trail between Crabbes Creek and Mullum. Mayor Michael Lyon said, ‘I’m doing what I think is appropriate to advance the railtrail now that Tweed has done it’.
Byron Council also hopes to access funding for the Mullum to Bruns cycleway – a track along the rail corridor branching off at Synotts Lane towards Brunswick Heads.
But Byron Council is not giving up on the train just yet. The mayor is talking to the state government and thinks it might be possible for light rail to operate between Mullum and Byron. Apparently, building out the corridor with ‘affordable housing’ might boost the business case for the train.
Completing the railtrail will be expensive, but there are solid
besides, they don’t live here and have no regard for those that do.
Steve Bellerby Mullumbimby
So now it’s the turn of the Deputy Leader of the opposition, Sussan Ley, seeking to sow dissent over the Voice. Perhaps, because Mr Dutton’s messages are not cutting through, she’s coming to his aid. But her defence of Peter Dutton has its own form of irrationality. She claims Mr Albanese has been ‘lashing out at Peter Dutton’. On the contrary Albanese is aware of the need for seeking consensus and the need for maintaining sensitivity in this delicate matter. And yes, Ms Ley, Albanese ‘wants the referendum to succeed’ and it will be ‘on his terms’ as the
funding pathways. Byron’s section alone will cost $40 million, big numbers but a small fraction of what re-establishing a train service would cost.
Byron Council rightfully talks about prioritising public transport. Buses already operate between Mullum and Byron and I think if they were serious, they’d be loudly advocating for enhanced bus services rather than chasing a mythical train. Who seriously thinks duplicating a 20km bus route with 15km of light rail and calling it ‘reactivating the rail corridor’ is a good idea?
The four councillors I spoke to for this story presented a range of perspectives so disparate they were almost impossible to synthesise. Every mention of the train was couched in the vaguest possible terms, or abruptly dismissed as ‘dreaming’. The raitrail group have a clear vision though, and rafts of spreadsheets and detailed costings.
Byron might dither but the railtrail is open in the Tweed. I’ve made a few stealth runs in recent months and can assure you the ride is a joy.
The Coalition has got itself into this unseemly the Uluru Statement when last in government.
Coalition is either ‘against’ (Nationals) or ‘undecided’ (Liberals). So let’s move on.
Ms Ley wants the PM ‘to stop laying traps, stop willing the Coalition to oppose this’. Am I actually hearing this confected nonsense?
The Coalition has got itself into this unseemly vortex by not advancing the Uluru Statement when last in government. Remember Ken Wyatt, Minister for Indigenous Affairs in the Morrison government, who in 2019 committed the Morrison government to deliver a vote on constitutional recognition of a Voice by June 2021?
By January 2020 the
same Mr Wyatt rejected the idea of a referendum and instead said it would be legislated… and no date was given. Since he lost his seat in last year’s election Mr Wyatt seems to have rediscovered his belief in constitutional recognition because on 17 January 2023 he stated, ‘there is enough detail in the Calma/ Langton Report [the report explaining the pathway to a Voice – a very good reference manual for Mr Dutton – 272 pages long] for Australians to make up their minds on the Voice referendum’.
So Mr Wyatt appears to be back on board with the referendum. Ms Ley should take note. There is no bullying of ‘big’ Peter by ‘little’ Anthony, it’s just that Peter has lost his way.
Frank Lynch Wilsons Creek
I am writing in response to The Echo article, Response Hands Down Damning Feros Report.
On reading this report I am sure that many local residents would be disturbed by these findings by the ACQSC, however, may I assure you that is not the current situation at this highly-valued Byron Bay facility.
My mother has been a resident at this facility for the past seven years and for a period of time from the beginning of pandemic up until the change of management at this facility, in the latter part of last year, there were many deficiencies within this facility. However, the current management of Feros have made distinct and positive changes.
Koalas being killed
A tragic loss over the weekend: yet another healthy mum and joey koala from a car hit on Coolamon Scenic Drive, Coorabell.
As is often the case, it was not the driver that stopped to give assistance but a caring family. After picking up the deceased koala, they noticed a live joey moving in the pouch and immediately
Residents are now smiling and life is once again very inclusive. People are now living and working within a happy and committed organisation.
The current management and staff at Byron Bay Village are fantastic and I have complemented many of them on the wonderful work they are doing. I feel sorry that they may be having to cope with some negativity which was the responsibility of a previous working group now no longer associated with the facility.
Feros Village in Byron Bay is once again a wonderful facility for those requiring help in their advancing years.
Alex Milenko Byron Bay
phoned the Friends of the Koala 24/7 Koala Rescue line. Rescuers responded to the call immediately, and were devastated to discover that the joey was too young to be viable. A mere six days earlier, a first-time mum was hit and killed at Pelican Bridge on Coraki Road; she also had a 20g male joey in her pouch. Again, the joey was unable to be saved.
Some people would complain if they lived in heaven. As a resident of Feros at Byron Bay for the last five years, I can assure you, we are all cared for very well.
As a result of the 2022 audit, 38 of 42 requirements (some were trivial) have since been remedied. Is there another aged care facility which is lucky enough to have more than two acres of lawns, gardens and trees, just to accommodate a total of 40 residents?
The only problem we have is shortage of permanent carers/staff. That shortage is because of greedy real estate agents and landlords exploiting the shortage of property for purchase or rent, which makes living in Byron Bay too outrageously expensive for would-be carers to come
Unbelievably, this brings the total known koalas hit or killed by vehicles on our local roads in the Northern Rivers this year to well over 50!
We can no longer be silent while we continue to collect the numerous koalas killed by cars on our roads. It is devastating. It is crushing. It is so, so sad. And it is so needless.
It is beyond belief that while all this carnage is going
to live and work here.
As for residents wandering off – we do not live in a jail. We are free to come and go whenever we please. We are asked to sign out, so management don’t worry.
The code to open the gate is displayed on the office wall, just inches from the gate.
However, since a previous government audit, Feros has been instructed to leave the gate wide open, all day and every day. That wide open gate is an invitation/temptation for two or three residents who are showing signs of dementia and do not sign out.
If when Paul Bibby needs aged care, and he comes to Feros, he will be a lucky old man.
on, government authorities could be doing something proactive like putting in place flashing neon koala faces in known koala kill zones. This is one simple step to take, flashing lights warning of koala habitat areas, similar to school zones, with speed limits reduced to 60km/h in the areas that are so well known to have multiple
▶
Continued on page 34
As the threat of extreme weather events increases, Lismore – a city that has suffered its share of historic floods – debates whether the official flood planning levels need to be increased to meet what the future might bring.
Lismore City Council trumpeted the start of a ‘return to normal’ this week after the record floods of 2022, but has moved to recommend higher minimum floor levels for buildings in the town.
Consultants updating regional flood mapping had last month tabled a report recommending a higher Flood Planning Level (FPL) be set to allow for potentially bigger floods under climate change.
In March, the proposed changes will go to public exhibition along with the consultants’ report, a move that may go some way to ensuring a future for the settlement. But restoring the health and wellbeing of some of the town’s residents may take a little longer.
The heart of Lismore’s CBD was busier than I’d imagined.
Car parks were full, and business owners, shoppers and café goers were
(incredibly) smiling despite the events of 2022. Some shops remained closed and empty, but many thrived.
Then I noticed the many small blue and white survey markers still affixed on some power poles at heights that rivalled the roof lines of nearby buildings, a reminder of how high floods had reached in the 1974 floods. And with every step thereafter came to mind a terrifying, almost impossible image of water in the street swirling to a full two metres higher than those tell-tale markers.
Lismore has a long history of flooding, with at least 138 events in the past 152 years.
Located on the lands of the Bundjalung nation, the town’s vulnerability to flooding stems from a complex set of modern factors, starting with its location as an inland port at the confluence of two rivers during the 19th century.
Today a city of almost 44,000, its average annual rainfall tips 1,800 mm compared with 600mm Australia-wide.
During heavy rains, high hills surrounding Lismore return correspondingly high volumes of runoff via steep creeks to the Wilsons River and Leycester Creek, two
main floodways that join at the town.
Their combined flows navigate the Richmond River to the smaller town of Coraki before crossing a coastal floodplain to the sea at the tourist port of Ballina.
The catchment area for the Wilsons River is more than 550km2, but when Leycester Creek’s watershed is added, the catchment above Lismore climbs to 1,400km2.
Add to these factors the growth of urban development in floodplains, changes over the years to the rivers’ profiles as well as to catchment topography and land use, and the building of levee banks to protect at-risk properties, and there emerges a complex picture of flood risk.
Big floods, like those on Australia’s eastern seaboard in 2022, happen more often during wet La Niña years, with climate change predicted to impact their frequency, intensity, and impact.
On the morning of Monday, 28 February, 2022, many Lismore people woke to some homes already flooded, and it was too late to evacuate.
The Wilsos River had peaked at 14.4m, the highest flood in recorded history, more than two metres higher than
previous records set in 1954 and 1974, and well above the town’s 10-metre-high levee wall, constructed in 2005.
Then in March it happened again – a lower peak this time but many were still cleaning up from February.
It hadn’t seemed that long since the last near record flood of 11.59m, in 2017.
The rebuild and repair bill for combined Lismore inundations of 2022 was estimated at $1 billion, a reminder that flooding is hellishly expensive.
Australia-wide in the ten years to 2016, flooding cost us $18.2 billion per year on average, equivalent to 1.2 per cent of average gross domestic product (GDP), a figure only likely to rise under climate change. Alarmingly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts a doubling of flooding associated with global warming of two degrees by 2100.
Even under a low emissions scenario, the cost of all types of natural disasters in Australia is expected to increase to $73 billion per year by 2060. Which goes some way to explaining the question on many Australians’ lips this past year: ‘Should Lismore rebuild or relocate?’
If research emerging this past month is any indication, so far it’s largely the former, despite a government buyback and retrofitting scheme started late October.
A Lismore City Council occupancy audit published this week measured occupancy rates at 60 per cent across the CBD at the end of January ‘23, compared with just 38.3 per cent in August ‘22.
We will walk alongside you and assist you to:
• Navigate disaster assistance packages
• Build your connections with local community resources
• Link to programs and services
How can I access these services?
Who can use these services?
Anyone directly impacted
• Damaged or destroyed homes
• People experiencing additional impacts from the
• Business owners
• Primary producers and rural landholders
• You can phone or email your local Recovery Support Service directly
• Other services and agencies can help to link you to the Recovery Support Service in your area
• No formal referral is required 55 Dalley Street , Mullumbimby NSW 2482 Phone: 02 6684 1286, Mobile: 0499 864 218
director of non-profit community group Resilient Lismore, Elly Bird, said only 20 per cent of respondents were coping with the stresses and challenges of recovery.
‘More than 80 per cent agree that community hubs have been essential to their recovery,’ Bird says.
Five lives were lost in the 2022 Lismore floods.
More than 31,000 people were displaced, 3,000 businesses disrupted, and water, sewage, and power utilities were extensively damaged.
According to a June 2022 review of the emergency, some 18,000 jobs were affected, almost 1,000 of them agricultural, nearly 1,400 houses in Lismore were damaged and at least 37 destroyed. An estimated 90 per cent of the district’s 1,200km road network was eroded or washed out.
Other areas of NSW and southeast Queensland were also flooded, prompting the NSW government to commission an independent expert inquiry into events across NSW, published in August.
A multi-million dollar CSIRO flood mitigation study of the Northern Rivers was commissioned in April, and commenced community and stakeholder consultation in October.
But the herculean challenges faced by first responders, relief workers, volunteers and recovery teams remain quite unthinkable.
The figures were cause for hope, according to Lismore Mayor Steve Kreig.
‘This audit shows promising growth in the number of local businesses and organisations operating in the CBD,’ Krieg said. ‘It’s fair to say that we are well on the way to our pre-flood occupation rate of 90.2 per cent.’
But problems persist, and in a separate survey released last week by Southern Cross University, researchers found that almost half of flood victims reported still being displaced in December ‘22.
Of 800 respondents to the SCU survey, more than half had moved back into a home that had flooded, 26 per cent were living either in caravans, sheds, or pods, or with friends and family; 18 per cent were in insecure or crisis accommodation such as tents or temporary rentals; and 4 per cent had left the region.
Moreover, executive
‘a full set of flood planning maps for Lismore’.
Hydrologists and land planners use the Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) to measure how likely it is that a given sized flood might occur in any one year.
The analysis uses historical flood records and computer modelling of past and likely future floods.
Actual flood levels can vary from one location or street to another, and so are mapped to advise residents and insurers of a property’s risk of inundation.
For example, if a street is mapped as being in a 1 per cent AEP flood zone, insurers estimate you have a ‘50 per cent chance of being flooded in a typical lifetime (70 years), and a 15 per cent chance of being flooded twice in this period’.
This does not necessarily mean you will be flooded once every hundred years, but that there is a 1 per cent chance you might, for any given year, hence the term 1 per cent AEP flood.
Of critical importance is the Flood Planning Level (FPL), a height used to set floor levels for property development in flood-prone areas, which for Lismore is currently set at the 1 per cent AEP flood event plus a freeboard of 500mm.
But as Engeny notes: ‘IPCC research indicates that longterm weather projections point to increased intensity of rainfall events, and resultant increased risk of flooding.’
Now, on the first anniversary of the record flood, the community faces what may prove its greatest challenge: How do we plan for climate change? The planning challenge was made public last month when an interim flood planning report was tabled at a committee meeting of Lismore City Council (LCC) on 24 January.
Prepared by Engeny Water Management Pty Ltd, a Lismore Floodplain Risk Management Plan (FRMP) had first been commissioned in 2021, but flooding in 2022 delayed the work.
Last month’s interim report made recommendations to help LCC begin shaping its land use planning and development controls for a future Lismore.
It also reported on further computer modelling for higher return period floods than the 1 per cent or 1 in 100 AEP flood, including the simulation of 1 in 1,000, to 1 in 100,000 AEP extreme flood events.
The purpose was to update flood estimates and develop
The change could raise flood levels by up to 600mm by 2090.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday, 14 February, Lismore City Council agreed to follow Engeny’s lead and recommend raising the FPL to 1 per cent AEP 2090 climate change level, plus 500mm freeboard.
Council advised it will also prepare a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) for Flood Prone Lands, to be publicly exhibited along with Engeny’s Interim Report.
Lismore Councillors are due to be briefed on the matter on 7 March and decide on the dates for public exhibition then, with recommendations to be exhibited for 28 days from mid-March.
Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that the lessons being learned right now by scientists, planners, researchers, and community groups in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region, are vital to Australia’s future. Read a longer version of this article on
DID you know 4 million Australians are living with hearing loss? And this figure is predicted to increase to almost 9 million by 2050 as the population ages.
World Hearing Day is held on March 3 each year to raise awareness of how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote better ear protection and health worldwide.
This year's theme 'Ear and hearing care for all! Let's make it a reality' aims to highlight how people can protect their hearing and avoid long-term damage.
Thekey messages this year are:
1. Ear and hearing problems are incredibly common.
2.Over60 per centof these problems can be identified and addressed at the primary care level.
3.Integrating ear and hearing care into primary care services is possible through training and capacity building.
The president of Hearing Matters Australia, Rebecca
Stewart, said World Hearing Day brings to the forefront the importance of reducing barriers to inclusion and improving access to support and services for people with hearing loss.
"We welcome this year's call to action for ear and hearing care for all," she said.
"This event is an opportunity to remind people not only to take care of their own ears but to also better support those around us who live with hearing loss."
Hearing loss costs the Australian economy more than $15 billion a year, and it doesn't discriminate based
on age. While it often deteriorates as people get older, it can happen at any stage of life, with one in two young people at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening.
You can also be at risk of noise-induced hearing loss if you regularly work in a noisy place or listen to music
through headphones or attend loud concerts or fitness classes with amplified music.
Hearing loss due to noise cannot be reversed; however, it is possible to have good hearing throughout your life through ear and hearing care.
In fact, many common
causes of hearing loss can be prevented.
This can include turning the volume down on your devices, using well-fitted noise-cancelling headphones, limiting time in noisy environments and using sound exposure alert apps.
The message is clear: take preventative action today. For further details on World Hearing Day and tips on protecting your hearing, visit deafnessforum.org.au
This event is an opportunity to remind people not only to take care of their own ears but to also better support those around us who live with hearing loss.
Rebecca Stewart
A free family-friendly festival. All ages, all accessible. This Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
A special Indigenous panel from across the Bundjalung nation is coming together at 12 midday, including Rhoda Roberts (AO), Don’t miss it!
Supported by Brookfarm.
your hands dirty!
Climate Resilient Landscapes on designing and planning a garden using changing climate, with
Supported by Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy, Firewheel Rainforest Nursery and ReForest Now.
REDinc Signing Choir at 2pm is one to catch!
Climate Resilient Landscapes
Performing some surprise bohemian treats in the short
Partners: Brunswick Valley Landcare, Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy, Envite Environment, Brookfarm, Byron Shire Council, Mullum SEED, Firewheel, and REDinc.
Supporters:
Proudly funded by: regeneration.mullumseed.org.au
A big thanks to SAE Creative Media Institute
Come and visit Conservation Volunteers Australia this Saturday. We will be hosting a riverbank seed bomb making activity, so you can create and then throw your seed bombs. It’s lots of fun so come along and get your hands dirty!
What is a seed bomb?
Seed bombs, or seed balls, are small clusters packed with native ground covers or tree seeds that are designed to help things grow in hard-to-reach or unsafe areas, like landslips or neglected areas with exposed soil.
Seed bombs protect the seeds inside by encasing them with clay. This mixture protects the seeds from drying out, washing away, or being eaten by birds or other animals. Rain or water releases the seeds allowing the seed to take root and grow.
If you would like to know more about CVA check out our website https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/ or give Shae a call on 0475 973 888.
and to minimise all waste as much as possible. bottles. And if possible, walk, ride or car share,
ALL MAIN SESSIONS ARE UNDER COVER. IF WET BRING A BROLLY.
9am Gates open
10am Welcome to Country from Nickolla Clark and with Michael Lyon, Tony Parkes and Jeannette Martin, MC Mandy Nolan
11am
, with Rhonda James, with Michelle Chapman, Stephen Forshaw,
12pm , with Rhoda Roberts, 1pm
with Jo Green and Alison Ratcliffe 2pm , 3pm 4pm , MC Mandy Nolan
ALL DAY Seed-Bomb Making, Rural Fire Brigade, Felicity Lawless and MsEleneous, Spaghetti Circus Playspace, SCU Solar Flower,
Brunswick Valley Landcare is pleased to partner in Regeneration, bringing wide sections of our community together.
From forest to foreshore, BVL is a long standing community group, involved in schools, workshops and regenerative farming in a social atmosphere.
Volunteers and new members are most welcome.
www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au
. Founded in 1993
. Caring for 40 remnants Over 600ha being restored www.bigscrubrainforest.org
REDinc is a not-for-profit, grassroots community organisation and registered NDIS provider; offering a wide range of innovative services in disability, mental health, employment pathways and family services.
Phone: 02 6622 3400
Email: hello@redinc.org.au
HQ Address: Level 2, 75 Magellan St, Lismore.
Centres located in Mullumbimby, Casino and Lismore. Get in contact today! www.redinc.org.au
21, 108 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Open Monday
The Italian Byron Bay provides a bustling, atmospheric restaurant, dishing up contemporary inspired Italian cuisine and some of Byron’s finest cocktails and wines.
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY. BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE BY PHONE OR THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. WALK-INS VERY WELCOME.
Byron’s Freshest Pizza Order online and join our loyalty program. Catering for up to 100 people lunch and dinner.
Main Street
Open for takeaway daily, 12 midday until dinner.
Menu, more details –@mainstreet_burgerbar
18 Jonson Street 6680 8832
Success Thai
Open Lunch Wed–Fri 12–2.30pm. Dinner Mon–Sat 5–8pm. Closed Sunday 3/31 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
The Rocks
Brunch
6.30am–2pm, every day
16 Lawson St, Byron Bay 6685 7663 Menus at therocksbyronbay.com.au @therocksbyronbay
KARKALLA
Byron Bay
Native Indigenous Restaurant Cnr of Bay Lane & Fletcher St, Byron Bay 5614 8656
Barrio Eatery & Bar
1 Porter Street, North Byron Mon–Tues: 7am–3pm Wed–Sat: 7am–10pm
www.barriobyronbay.com.au
@barriobyronbay 0411 323 165
Wahlburgers
Byron Bay
American style burger restaurant & sports bar
Upstairs at Mercato on Byron, Jonson Street. www.Wahlburgers.com.au
Open for takeaway daily, 12 midday until dinner.
Menu and more details @mainstreet_burgerbar
‘Make a meal of it’ Add chips and a drink, just $5.
All your favourites, every lunch and dinner. Experienced Thai chefs cooking fresh, delicious Thai food for you. BYO only.
Welcome for lunch, dinner and takeaway. Menus available on Facebook.
The Rocks
We have a range of freshly sourced dishes, Reverence coffee, and hand-made juices and smoothies at locals prices. Fully licensed, all-day brunch and happy hour from 11am. Check out our new dishes on Instagram!
Food with history, story & connection DINNER, THURSDAY–MONDAY
Early sitting from 5pm | Second sitting from 7.30pm Bookings highly recommended, via our website www.karkalla.com.au | @karkallabyronbay For exclusive events & catering please contact us via our website.
Barrio brings together the local community in a relaxed environment for all-day dining.
The wood-fired oven and open-flame grill is the heart of the restaurant. Keep an eye on socials for daily specials.
Now open for Sunday lunch from 11.30am–3pm
American & local sports played live Family Offer Buy 1 kids meal, get 1 free.
$8 after 8 $8 drinks from 8pm Thur–Sun. Live music Fri–Sun.
Open 11am to 9pm daily – dine-in or takeaway.
Step away from the centre of town and into a shimmering oasis away from crowds.
A tucked away treasure, the North Byron Hotel is a thriving mecca of good food, great music, laughter and the ‘chilled Byron Bay vibes’.
Eat Drink Discover
No Bones Vegan Kitchen & Bar.
11 Fletcher Street 0481 148 007
Open 7 nights from 5pm
HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 5–6PM
Local DJ – Friday & Saturday nights, from 6pm
$12 Margarita / Lychee Martini
$8 Tap Beers / $7 Natural Wines
Book online via website nobonesbyronbay.com.au
#BRUSSELSNOTBEEF
Signature
BANGALOW
Bangalow Bread Co.
12 Byron St, Bangalow 6am–3pm weekdays. 7am–2pm weekends. 6687 1209 www.bangalowbread.co info@bangalowbread.co
MULLUMBIMBY
Yaman Mullumbimby
62 Stuart St, Mullumbimby 6684 3778 www.yamanmullumbimby.com.au
Open 7 days from 9am–8pm Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The Empire 20 Burringbar St, Mullum 6684 2306
Open for brunch and lunch FB/Insta: EmpireMullum empiremullum.com.au Online orders: mryum.com/theempire
NEWRYBAR Harvest 18–22 Old Pacific Highway Newrybar NSW 2479 02 6687 2644 www.harvest.com.au @harvestnewrybar
Stone baked sourdough, hand rolled pastries, small batch pies, house made cakes.
Your local artisan bakery, specialising in all things sourdough. Serving Old Quarter coffee along with freshly made sandwiches using our own sourdough bread, hand rolled pastries, award winning pies and a variety of house made cakes.
Coffee, malawach rolls, pita pockets, falafel, traditional Yemenite spices and all your favourites, always freshly made. Drop in for an authentic atmosphere. Dine-in or takeaway.
Something for all tastes, from epic burgers to vegan delights. Enjoy delectable treats and good vibes at this Mullum icon. Order and pay online!
Scan the QR view menu and order online. Takeaway is available on the whole menu. Phone orders also welcome.
COFFEE CART 7 days | 6.30am–3.00pm RESTAURANT Lunch | Wed–Sun | 12–2.30pm Dinner | Fri & Sat | 5.30–8.30pm
CATERING
Celebrations
Cakes by Liz Jackson
CELEBRATIONS BY LIZ JACKSON
E: lizzijjackson@gmail.com P: 0414 895 441
GLUTEN FREE AND SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS CATERED FOR
Simon Haslam
Even the fittest, leanest and most strong-willed paragons of virtuous eating, like myself, allow ourselves little indulgences, and when we do we really like them to be completely satisfying. That’s why my visit to Eclair at the Bay, now in Byron St between Aldi and Bang Bang Thai, was so good – head pastry chef Pavel and his partner Mary have brought to Byron European pastry of a very high quality.
Pavel worked for several years in Michelin-starred restaurants in London, where he learned that not only flashes of creativity (éclair means lightning in French), but also rigour and consistency are needed to bake desserts made from choux pastry. I bought quite a selection, which my family and guests enjoyed. Their range includes Eclairs, Profiteroles, Chouquettes, Craquelins, Paris-Brest, and they also have beautiful Chocolate Raspberry Mousse cakes, a selection of tarts such as Lemon Meringue, White Chocolate Ganache and Strawberry, Salted Caramel Toffee and nuts. If you like craquelin, a choux baked with a little biscuit on the top that will bring some
crunch and texture, they have Passionfruit Italian Meringue Craquelin and also Strawberry Basil Craquelin!
My teenage daughter seemed completely satisfied with the lemon eclair, and she can be a tough critic.
Whilst the ‘éclair’ is sometimes thought to refer to the fact that they can be eaten in a ‘flash’, others believe that the glistening frosting resembles lightning. I must say that the glaze – the elegant final touch, creates an immediate attraction to these little masterpieces, which have delicate and artistic touches like little purple flowers, or roast hazelnuts, or a light dusting of gold dust on the vanilla eclairs.
They’re simply beautiful, but there was one particular slice of cake that had such a perfect, glistening exterior that it required my mustering all my (to be really honest, rarely utilised) willpower to resist adding it to my existing selection. But that would have required another whole box … and now I have an excuse for a second visit.
Pavel and Mary started their éclair business in 2020, and would be familiar
Victoria Cosford
Next thing I have to try is Anthony’s idea of mixing his Macadamia Nut Spread with water and a pinch of
salt and drizzling it over cauliflower before roasting.
‘It’s fantastic!’ he tells me, although what I’ve done instead is make a batch of biscuits utilising both the
to many from the local markets. They are very grateful for all the reviews and comments they have received from their community since they opened their pastry shop in Byron just one month ago now, and would like to invite everyone to come in, indulge in their sweet treats without guilt, and learn about what they call the ‘Art of pastry’. Turning up at the shop is the best way to commence what can be the elegant, luxuriant and delicious experience of enjoying these creations, but you can also pre-order cakes,
maca spread and the whole natural maca kernels. They’re fantastic too!
Rainforest Foods has been Anthony Hotson’s business for nearly 30 years. Based at Alstonville, the farm is, he tells me, ‘one of the very few value-adding farms where the macadamia nuts are actually from our farm, rather than grower-pooled with other farms.’ He says he likes it that way as ‘we can rely on the quality of our farming and the soil we have been growing and improving for almost 30 years now.’
Macadamias aren’t the only thing his farm produces. Part of the property includes a sub-tropical rainforest – lovingly restored and extended by Anthony –yielding Davidson’s plums, lemon and anise myrtle, riberries, native limes and other native foods. The Davidson’s Plum Jam is, Anthony tells me, a ‘crowd favourite’, as too are the macadamia nut spreads,
tarts and many of the other items for birthdays, weddings and all special occasions, and pick them up at the shop.
Order: eclairatthebay.com or info@eclairatthebay.com Insta: eclair.at.the.bay Shop 3a, 1 Byron Street, Byron Bay
especially the roasted macadamia nut spread.
These value-added products, which include macadamia nut oil and one infused with lemon myrtle (‘fantastic oil for cooking’, he says, ‘with its healthy fat profile and high smoke point’) are what have made the farmers’ markets, of which Rainforest Foods has been a part for 20 years, so valuable to the business.
It is indeed the enthusiasm, love and support of the customers that make it all worthwhile to Anthony, exonerating ‘a lot of relentless, repetitive tasks’ and ‘the highs and lows of climate and finance. That is why the farmers’ markets are so important to farmers – both economically and emotionally’, he says.
There’s a recipe for the macadamia nut biscuits on the website.
Rainforest Foods are at New Brighton Farmers Market every Tuesday 8–11am and Mullumbimby Farmers Market every Friday 7–11am.
Mindy Woods from Byron Bay’s Karkalla restaurant, Australian Good Food Guide’s first Indigenous female Chef Hat winner, had this to say on social media about her win:
‘My heart is full of big Bundjalung pride. Yoway. Owning and running a restaurant is no easy feat. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried and laughed again. I’ve dragged my family and friends into and through this crazy industry. And I couldn’t have done it without them. Booglebah Garima – thank you with the deepest of gratitude. Love you all my mob.
‘I hope being the Australian Good Food Guide’s first Indigenous female Chef Hat winner inspires all our beautiful young jarjums to
reach for the stars.
‘We have so much to be proud of, so much to celebrate and a culture, community and connection to Country that keeps us strong.
‘Our food can connect Australia and the world to the oldest living and surviving civilisation. It’s uniquely ours, uniquely Australian and a powerful force for true and genuine reconciliation of our nation.
‘Let’s break some damper together Australia and let’s reimagine Australia together.
#ulurustatementoftheheart #bundjalung’ karkalla.com.au
Grabbing your readers’ attention from the first page has never been more important. International bestselling author, Kayte Nunn, reveals techniques for writing propulsive fiction, including how to set up and maintain narrative tension, create characters that the reader cares about, pace your novel and nail point of view. A half-day workshop for writers of all levels, presented by Byron Writers Festival on Saturday 18 March.
These popular workshops fill fast so be sure to secure your spot soon via byronwritersfestival.com/whats-on.
The Female Gaze features self-portraits and portraits of women by women artists from the Tweed Regional Gallery collection. The exhibition attempts to subvert the male perspective and allows us to ask the question: Is there something innately different about the way women portray female subjects?
gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au
2 Mistral Rd, Murwillumbah South 02 6670 2790
This position is not tenable 2010 by Julie Fragar oil on canvas, 60 x 40cm
Gift of the Friends of Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc., 2011
Tweed Regional Gallery collection ©The artist
A working artist for 12 years now, Storm Griffin splits her time between St Antonin Noble Val, South-West France and Moorooka, Queensland, enjoying the best of Europe and Australia, with their very different, but equally wonderful aspects. Storm has exhibited in La Porte Bleue Galerie in France and at her home in Queensland. This is her first exhibition in Byron Bay. Working primarily in acrylics on canvas, she employs bold colours in both figurative and more abstract ways savouring the textures, colours and forms of nature. Storm has attended courses with Artist De Gillet www. degillett.com.au for figurative work and Abramo Papp and Lizzie Connor at the Brisbane Institute of Art for more abstract work. www.stormgriffinart.com
Artist: Storm Griffin 0411 513 360 www.stormgriffinart.com
Made You Look, Made You Stare is a new exhibition proudly hosted by JEFA Gallery celebrating International Women’s Day. In honour of our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and lovers, through art we raise awareness of the continued injustices we see towards women in our society and we can empower positive change.
Six bold artists from the Byron Bay area are involved: Anna Parsons, Dr Bronwyn Bancroft, Carmel Debreuil, Daniela Bradley, Mandy Nolan Sarah-Jane.
All money raised will go to the S.H.I.F.T. Project.
Opening night, Friday March 3rd at 5.30pm.
Artist talk Saturday 4 March at 5pm.
All welcome! Live stream through jefa_ gallery on Instagram.
TICKETS from www.jefagallery.com (100 per cent of profits goes to S.H.I.F.T.).
Join our mailing list for art news and event invitations.
3/83 Centennial Cct, Byron Bay.
ART KIND STUDIO GALLERY
New contemporary Byron Bay art gallery
Exhibiting paintings, ceramics and prints.
3/18 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay
Open Tues–Sat: 10am–2.30pm 0404 946 553 @artkindbyronbay www.artkind.com.au
ARTIST STUDIO GALLERY
Belongil Beach
Open by appointment. 0409 604 405 www.janrae.com.au
ARTIST’S HOME GALLERY
BYRON BAY
Landscape inspired works imparting a ‘spirit of place’. Open by appointment. 6685 5317 jaypearse.com
BS’A PROJECT SPACE
112 Dalley St, Mullumbimby 0487 362 141 byronschoolofart.com/exhibitions
MZ GALLERY
57 Tennyson Street, Byron Bay 0468 718 045 Byron Bay Contemporary Artspace www.byronartspace.com.au
H’ART GALLERY
Local art in the heart of Mullumbimby Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre 60 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby 0401 647 325
HEALING ART DESIGN & NEW AGE GALLERY
Azura Kingscliff
Shop 2B, 60 Marine Parade 0408 868 793
KARENA WYNN-MOYLAN, FINE ART
Bangalow Studio
By appt: 0414 822 196 karenawynn-moylanart.com
LISMORE REGIONAL GALLERY — POP-UP SPACE
46 Magellan Street, Lismore NSW 2480 Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Thursday until 6pm Phone 02 6627 4600 Email art.gallery@lismore.nsw.gov.au www.lismoregallery.org
LONE GOAT GALLERY
28 Lawson Street, Byron Bay. Wed to Sat: 10am–4pm lonegoatgallery.com
MACKAY HARRISON GALLERIES
79 Bayview Drive, East Ballina Welcome by appointment
Artist/Sculptor David Harrison 0412 664 284
MIST GALLERY
Shop 1B-51 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach 0419 870 305 mist.gallery.cabarita@gmail.com FB & Insta: @mistgallery
MULLUMBIMBY CLAYWORKERS GALLERY Drill Hall Complex, 2 Jubilee Ave, Mullumbimby. Open Thurs–Sat: 10am–2pm mullumclayworkers.com
NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY GALLERY
Cnr Cherry & Crane Sts, Ballina Open Wed–Fri: 10am–4pm Sat/Sun: 9.30am–1pm 02 6681 0530 nrcgballina.com.au
PEEK GALLERY
Check website for opening hours. 7/8 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay 0488 646 464 hello@peekgallery.com @peekgallery www.peekgallery.com
STUDIO SUVIRA
CERAMICS & SCULPTURE GALLERY
Home gallery and sculpture garden. 28 Left Bank Rd, Mullumbimby. 0402 125 922 (call/sms first) suviramcdonald.com
TWEED REGIONAL GALLERY & MARGARET OLLEY ART CENTRE
Gallery hours: 10am–5pm (Wed to Sun) Cafe open: 9.30am–4.00pm 2 Mistral Rd, Murwillumbah 6670 2790 artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au
Drug law reform has been taking the world by storm as Australia has, as usual, dragged its feet.
A ‘harm reduction’, rather than a ‘war on drugs’ approach has been established as the most effective way to deal with drug addiction and its negative consequences, and to reduce the number of people needlessly in jails.
‘Health and safety reform is now inevitable. Australians increasingly want governments to take control of the drug problem through such measures. While our laws and government policies prioritise a criminal response, most Australians don’t,’ Matt Noffs, CEO of the Ted Noffs Foundation, told The Echo back in 2020
He has been proven right, with Queensland announcing they are giving pill testing the green light and introducing changes to parliament on 21 February that will relax drug laws.
‘Drug laws in Queensland will be relaxed for anyone caught carrying small quantities of illicit substances
like heroin, cocaine or ice, with users to be given three chances before facing a criminal charge,’ reported the ABC.
The NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ Report in 2018-19 also recommended a harm minimisation approach. However, the LiberalNational coalition said they would not take up all the recommendations.
Today, as we head into another state election, the Greens are committing to ‘introduce a bill to legalise cannabis as a priority after the election,’ said Greens MP and drug law reform spokesperson, Cate Faehrmann.
‘Prohibition has well and truly failed, and governments all around the world are finally accepting this fact. We’ve seen legalisation in 21 US states, Canada, Uruguay, South Africa and Mexico, and the sky hasn’t fallen in.
‘People are risking criminal records just because
• Legalise and regulate cannabis for adults in NSW.
• Reform Mobile Drug Testing to test for impairment instead of presence.
• Generate up to $9 billion in revenue over a decade for NSW.
• Allow households to grow up to 12 cannabis plants.
• Regulate cannabis products to reduce harms with health warnings, CBD/THC content labelling and prohibitions on advertising.
• Establish a NSW Cannabis Authority to regulate the cannabis market with the aim to reduce the harms caused by cannabis and prevent the dominance of the industry by large corporations.
• Allow for cannabis social clubs of at least five people, which can grow 12 plants per member, up to 200 plants.
• Extinguish past cannabis convictions.
their drug of choice has been deemed illegal because of a moral crusade started before I was born. The fact is cannabis poses much less harm to individual users and to our society compared to
alcohol, tobacco and many prescription drugs.’
The Greens say that the federal Parliamentary Budget Office has estimated
that legalising cannabis with a 25 per cent licensing fee could bring in a whopping $28 billion in revenue over a decade. For NSW that means over $6.5 billion in revenue and $2.4 billion in GST.
‘The war is not on drugs, it’s on our people. I’ve got 80-year-old constituents who are having fantastic results from prescribed cannabis for chronic health conditions who cannot drive or enjoy their mobility because they might lose their licence – despite the fact that they are not impaired,’ said Greens MP for Ballina, Tamara Smith.
Currently the threshold for a positive drug-driving test for cannabis is that it is detected in your system, whereas an ‘impairment’ (i.e. over the limit) test is used for alcohol.
Adam Guise, who is running for The Greens in the seat of Lismore said that, ‘The Greens have been at the forefront of leading these changes, by introducing laws to overturn nonsensical drug driving laws. Drug law reform can’t
happen without political action, and only by electing MPs who want to change the currently broken and unjust system will this occur.’
‘Decades of cannabis prohibition have failed. Continuing to criminalise cannabis users empowers the police to persecute particular populations and communities like Nimbin,’ he said.
The Greens’ bill would ensure that cannabis products are labelled in terms of the strain, and levels of THC and CBD, and include health warnings, says Faehrmann.
‘At the moment most people have no idea of the strength of the cannabis they are buying on the black market and whether or not it’s laced with other drugs.’
‘Instead of billions of dollars going into the pockets of organised crime, our bill would enable the sale of cannabis to be regulated and taxed, meaning hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially billions, would be diverted to our health system, including drug rehabilitation and harm reduction.’
Take advantage of great bargains in their summer stock clearance, with 50% off summer clothing and shoes, while stocks last! Beautiful colors, cool fabrics and styles to suit most occasions.
Their European made shoes are of highest quality leather, sizes from 36–42. New autumn arrivals are available in-store now.
02 6672 1224
114 Main Street, Murwillumbah
@Belle M Boutique
Mavis’ Kitchen is a restaurant, eco-accommodation, organic produce garden and providore located at the base of Wollumbin.
Immerse yourself in nature in their lush gardens and rainforest setting, whether you’re visiting for lunch, a seven course degustation, a picnic by the creek, or staying in their cabins admiring the views from your private deck.
Picture waking up to breakfast on the veranda of this 100-year-old beauty, looking out over manicured gardens and stunning views of the mountain.
Stroll through the produce garden to see what the chefs are harvesting; always a new experience, changing with the seasons.
Go for a dip in the natural swimming holes and bring your fur babies along for the ride.
Romantic getaways and events are crafted by The Mavis’ Kitchen team to create cherished memories for families, lovers, and friends.
02 6679 5664
64 Mt Warning Rd, Uki maviseskitchen.com.au
Echora is one of the Northern Rivers’s most beautiful stores. A lovingly restored riverside commercial building, it is adorned with creative recycled timber and copper fittings against old brick walls and stocked with a thoughtfully curated range of high quality, luxurious, natural and sustainable linen and soft beechwood (Modal fabric) women’s clothing, leather bags, carefully sourced natural bodycare products and local ceramics.
Their ethos is easy, ethical and elegant. The materials are sustainably sourced, designs are created to be beautiful and enduring and they focus on pieces that you can use every day. Visit them to connect with beautiful and useful items in a unique regional store.
7 Prospero St, South Murwillumbah @echora.life echora.com.au
Makers & Finders brings growers, artists and vintage collectors together in a creative pop-up precinct in Murwillumbah on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Take the time to relax in beautiful Knox Park, enjoy live music and grab a bite to eat while the children play in the huge adventure park.
Knox Park, Murwillumbah makersandfindersmarket.com
Murwillumbah has always been home for us. There’s just something so special about the Northern Rivers that really captures the heart and we love sharing this beautiful lifestyle with our clients.
Paul Stobbie and Adrianna Jenkins have a combined 25 years of real estate sales and leasing experience. Over the years they have fine-tuned what they do to become the primary market shareholders in the area, continuing to achieve exceptional results highlighting the Northern Rivers lifestyle.
If you’re looking to buy, sell or lease in our stunning area, contact Paul or Adrianna to help guide you through the process.
Northern Rivers Property Group m: 0448 191 351 | 0422 265 871 Suite 2A Warina Walk Arcade, 114 Murwillumbah St, Murwillumbah northernriverspropertygroup.com.au
Pulp Fiction Murwillumbah is a treasure trove for the daringly darling, the romantically rebellious, and anyone who loves a far-out-and-funky find. Filled wall-to-wall with an extensive, eclectic, pre-loved book collection and forever-loved designer and vintage clothing, Pulp Fiction has your holiday season covered with gift cards and deals in store. Find them at 309 Tweed Valley Way from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week. Cash and card welcome. Book exchange 50 per cent of market value. Rare and valuable book collection available on request.
0403 169 616 309 Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah
This news, lifestyle & gift emporium boasts a carefully selected range of luxurious and versatile gifting options for the entire family – all within a restored 1908 building. Seeking gifting inspiration for someone special? Your senses will be engaged and excited as you browse the beautiful range of giftware, home fragrances, gardening accessories, cards, magazines and books, diaries and journals, toys, games, confectionery, local tourist mementos and more.
Easter delights and old school favourites are now in store. There has never been a better time to explore The Foundry Murwillumbah.
The Foundry Murwillumbah – News, Lifestyle & Gift Emporium
90 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah Facebook | Instagram: @thefoundrymurwillumbah thefoundrymurwillumbah.com.au
A cultural icon and jewel of the Tweed’s creative crown, The Regent is an authentic, art deco 260-seat theatre in the heart of Murwillumbah. Owner, Allira Cornell, and a dedicated crew create a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant venue while nurturing the legacy of this historic building.
Nestled in the M|Arts precinct, with recent refurbishment and technical upgrades, The Regent is a one-stop hub for films, live performances and vibrant events. It hosts workshops, music, theatre and visual art, as well as a rich schedule of blockbuster and arthouse films.
The licensed bar, roomy balcony and traditional tiered seating offer a comfy and lively ambience for great movies and a growing program of high-quality touring artists. Join them this Autumn for a packed roster of weekend live shows and the ongoing Balcony Sessions, showcasing rich local talent every Friday and Saturday. They look forward to welcoming you soon!
5 Brisbane St, Murwillumbah the-regent.com.au
1. Belle M Boutique
2. Echora
3. Mavis Kitchen and Cabins
4. Makers & Finders Market
5. Northern Rivers Property Group
6. Pulp Fiction
7. The Foundry
8. The Regent
9. Tweed River House
10. Tweed Regional Gallery
11. Bolt + Buckle
12. Chantilly Lace Boutique
Celebrate the best of the Northern Rivers’ fine produce on a seasonal journey as the chef recreates the great nouvelle cuisine classics of the provinces of France.
Dine in the century-old Dining Room under elegant, pressed tin ceilings, or the River Terrace, overlooking the Tweed River with sweeping hinterland views.
The riverside Lawn Bar is ideal for a drink and light bar food.
02 6672 5269
131 River St. Murwillumbah South tweedriverhouse.com.au
It’s an accepted fact that men are hard to buy for. Well… it used to be… until Bolt + Buckle came along and they are now the self-professed ‘men are so hard to buy for’ store. Opening nearly a year ago, Bolt + Buckle has quickly established itself as the ‘go to’ shop for men’s gifts and fashion in the Tweed, all presented beautifully with a rustic industrial fit-out in the art-deco Austral building.
People far and wide have fallen in love with this store, and it’s easy to see why, the moment you walk through the door. A warm, welcoming vibe, a feeling of quality, and a wide, eclectic range that creates a sense of discovery with every step. You’ll find quirky gifts, the latest fashion and a range of rustic leather goods.
Bolt + Buckle is a must-visit store on your next trip to Murwillumbah.
02 6608 3645
11 Commercial Road, Murwillumbah indepal.com.au
Calling all artists!
Would you like to exhibit at Tweed Regional Gallery?
The PLATFORM exhibition program at Tweed Regional Gallery provides artists of the region with a unique opportunity to present their work in a professional venue.
Applications are now open for solo artists or groups who live in Tweed, Kyogle, Byron, Ballina, Scenic Rim Shires, Lismore or Gold Coast City.
Tweed Regional Gallery strongly encourages First Nations artists, artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, deaf and disabled artists, and LGBTQIA+ artists to apply.
For more information and to apply visit the gallery website. Applications for 2024–2025 exhibitions close on Sunday 14 May.
Image credit: Kate Holmes 02 6670 2790
2 Mistral Rd, Murwillumbah South gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au
A unique collection of Australian and European labels, with timeless and statement pieces for all occasions.
Azure & Indigo, Banana Blue, Desigual, Joseph Ribkoff, King Louie, Lulu Soul, Naudic, Noa Noa, Odd Molly, Olga De Polga, One Season, POM, Ruby Yaya, Totem.
Visit for a personal shopping experience with in-house stylists.
02 6672 3221
4 Wharf Street, Murwillumbah chantillylaceboutique.com
▶ Continued from page 21
koala deaths every year. Just from dusk to dawn, when most car hits happen.
It is way beyond time that all motorists knew as well. This would alert drivers to the fact that koalas may be active in this area and it can hopefully encourage drivers to be more cautious as they drive.
This breeding season has seen an unprecedented number of koala deaths, especially healthy breeding females with joeys. These koalas are critical to the survival of the species and survival of the local colonies in the Northern Rivers.
I am writing this letter as I, and fellow koala rescuers, are at our wits’ end and just want to see an end to these meaningless koala deaths.
Come on government agencies, local councils, transport authorities, have the foresight to make a stand for koalas.
It is way, way past time that simple steps like these are put into place.
We have to put into the minds of drivers as they are driving through these areas that a koala, or other animal, could possibly be on the road around that bend or over the next crest. Appropriate signage can make a difference
Dale Viola BangalowEvery inch a ruler
King Charles is now King of the United Kingdom. He is the sovereign of that country, the sovereign of the people, a ruler of the lands of England. How can anyone else be sovereign in those lands, is it possible?
On the mainstream news the other day, it was said to be a conspiracy theory, for people to say they are ‘sovereign’ people. Every human being who has life, wakes up after a sleep, they are sovereign, the life force contained in their body is the ruler. Can a king wake up for me, or anyone one else wake up for me?
The simple fact is ‘no’, a person is a sovereign in their own existence. They are a sovereign person, independent of outside authority. If anyone says they are not, is that a truthful fact, to be proved otherwise by anyone who doubts it?
Australia is populated by sovereign people, so is the world, has this fact been forgotten, that all people share this equality?
A king, or corporation endeavours to rule the lives as a sovereign of the people, who are sovereign already, when they wake from sleep.
Robert Podhajsky Ocean ShoresThe arguments for restricting short-term holiday rentals are well established but bear repeating in order to negate disinformation spread by the letting industry:
• Destruction of local community neighbourhood values of togetherness, sharing, mutual support.
• Disruption for local residents, through noise, parties, parking congestion, bins abused and left out.
• Significant loss of amenity for local residents – peace, community, quality of life
• Reduction in medium and long-term rental availability for local people.
• Byron housing stock reassigned to STHR has increased more than 260 per cent in just three years. In Launceston Tasmania, 67 per cent of STHR were previously long-term rentals, source: Peter Phibbs, Emeritus Professor, UNSW.
• The rental vacancy rate in the Northern Rivers is 1.3
Frontier wars
Paul Brecht doesn’t pick sides in the Palestine/Israel conflict ‘when it comes to one side shooting or bombing the other’ (Terror
per cent, the lowest in NSW.
• Average rents in Byron are now 48 per cent of average household income, the highest in all of NSW.
• STHR causes further downward pressure on the already crisis-level of social housing at below 2 per cent of housing stock.
• Increase in homelessness and rough sleeping (Byron is second only to Sydney in rough sleeping).
• Staff shortages at local businesses and public services because workers cannot find accommodation - teachers, nurses, child and aged care, waiters, chefs, cleaners, artists, musicians, drivers etc.
• Many STHR properties are unregistered, uncontrolled, unmonitored
• Failure by owners to declare income or pay capital gains tax by pretending it is the principal residence.
• Residential streets are not meant to be home to
Settlements, 22 February 22). However, international law confers the right of oppressed, occupied people to defend themselves by any means available.
Referring to Palestinian resistance to Israeli land theft, home demolition, murder, terror, brutalisation and torture, the 1982 UN General Assembly Resolution 37/43 reaffirmed ‘the legitimacy of the struggle of peoples for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and liberation from colonial and foreign domination and foreign occupation by all available means, including armed struggle’.
This week’s Israeli blitzkrieg on the old city of Nablus killed 11, including an elderly man and a child of 14 and injured over 100, many critically. This brings the Palestinian death total for 2023 to 59, including ten children. There is only silence from the Australian government on these atrocities and, when it deigns to speak, it usually blathers on about the right of Israel to defend itself, thus perpetuating the justification that colonial occupiers have the right to defend themselves from the resistance of the natives even by committing mass murder.
Palestinians are fighting their frontier wars just as our Aborigines fought theirs. Whose side are you on Mr Albanese?
Gareth W R Smith Byron Baypseudo hotels, with different tenants and cleaners frequently coming and going.
Byron needs to follow the lead of other far-thinking tourist destinations. Why should our Shire, one of the busiest tourist hot-spots in Australia, be any different from elsewhere?
• Brisbane – implemented a 50 per cent rate hike where STHR lettings exceed two months each year.
• Los Angeles – STHR restricted to principal home only, where owner must reside for at least six months per year, maximum 120 days per year.
• Amsterdam – maximum 30 nights per year, no more than 4 adults at a time New York City – minimum 30 days per letting and only for one home per owner
• Mallorca – STHR banned
• Paris – maximum 120 days per year, no subletting, huge fines on landlords and Airbnb.
The camphor crisis
I totally disagree with Simon Thompsons’ assessment that clearing camphor would be a shame. Camphor laurel is the number one invasive species threatening the ecology of the Northern Rivers. It’s true that there are many other invasive species to worry about, but nothing is as prolific as camphor. Camphor is a large, fastgrowing tree, originally from China, that dominates the forest and smothers slowergrowing native species. If left unchecked (which is the case across swathes of the hinterland) native biodiversity is completely destroyed by forests of camphor laurel. Even the understory of these camphor forests attracts invasive species such as privet. Indeed, I can barely think of any native plants or animals that live in these camphor wastelands.
So to say that camphor can’t be eradicated is a cop out! My property was once a banana plantation left abandoned decades ago. When I moved here, it was a camphor forest. But, slowly, I’m making inroads and find when I poison camphor trees in the forest and let them rot, native trees immediately start growing back. Qandongs, red cedar, hoop pines etc just need some light and room to grow. Twice a year I recheck areas of rainforest regrowth and clear the new growth camphor, Devil’s fig and tobacco weed to give the natives space. Eventually
• San Francisco – maximum 90 nights per year plus hotel tax.
• Barcelona – all STHR must be registered, no new permits since 2014
• Japan – maximum 180 days per year, registration and inspections under hotel licensing laws.
New Orleans – maximum 90 days per year and banned in French Quarter.
Reykjavik – maximum 90 days per year and maximum earnings A$10,300 per year.
It seems obvious that in the interests of ALL of the people of our shire, residents, businesses, renters, employees and the homeless, short term holiday lettings must be severely restricted before any further damage is done to our community. If your readers wish to make a submission they must do so by 8 March 2023 to www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au
Michael Ryan Bangalowwhen these magnificent native trees reclaim the canopy they won’t need my help at all. There’s plenty of like-minded people regenerating rainforest. It’s simply a myth that it can’t be done.
Another myth perpetuated by those who do nothing, is that it’s all the fault of the so-called Pitt St farmers, i.e. absentee landowners who don’t look after their land. Not true. Drive anywhere in the region and you’ll find working farms and inhabited properties covered in camphor laurel. Many people have simply put tackling invasive species in the ‘too hard’ basket.
If we want to avoid the Northern Rivers becoming a camphor wasteland, it’s time for some government action. Councils and state government need to think of some incentives for landowners to rid their properties of this weed. And with the carrot must come the stick. Give each property a five-year or ten-year timeframe to start making inroads into this problem – and if no progress is made, start issuing fines. It’s a pity the government has to intervene to make landowners good custodians of their land, but is there an alternative? I’ve heard Kyogle Council already does this, so why can’t Byron, Tweed, or Ballina Councils?
At the end of the day, the only good camphor is a dead one!
Simon Alderton MurwillumbahACROSS
1. Account overdue, and surging! (9)
6. Dark, mysterious thing (5)
9. Diana thrown into a deep, dark, pit (5)
10. Gone and stressed, but could be perfect (4,5)
11. At clinic they revealed that it was just a minor detail (12)
13. Hidden loot in the road residue (5)
14. Unknown number in negative terminals – But they don’t worry anyone (8)
17. Treasured and holy, covering about 100 (8)
19. A vessel, alien – could be useful! (5)
23. Secret clan notified: scatter! (12)
25. Post claim – messy and argumentative! (9)
26. Bury among… (5)
27. … two crosses in an age of the fossil fuel giant! (5)
28. Team queues at the official borders (9)
DOWN
1. Wins over Australian animals (6)
2. Turtle face startled an ant (4,6)
3. Gives directions to Easts (7)
4. Effect of devil deed (6)
5. American fossil fuel at Logies – an upset (8)
6. Made a record of agreement around the Gallery (7)
7. Comfortable and relaxed over weapons (4)
8. Formal essay to deal with islands above England (8)
12. Notice bent wreck – twice shy, they say! (4,6)
15. Very neat dessert (5,3)
16. Expert boardriders – they are on top! (8)
18. Press guy – and a tough competitor in the surf! (4,3)
20. Old timer – starring, maybe! (7)
21. Tally went ahead, but was confused (6)
22. Lights up wide cuffs (6)
24. Strong but loose linen (4)
Quick Clues ACROSS
1. Ballooning; swelling (9)
6. Sundown (5)
9. Controversial mining company (5)
10. Used to express actions that have happened (4,5)
11. A petty, formal point (12)
13. Put away for future use (5)
14. Painkillers (8)
17. Valuable (8)
19. Benefit (5)
23. Hush-hush (12)
25. Disputatious (9)
26. Entomb (5)
27. US oil and gas corporation (5)
28. Where the injured player watches the game from! (9)
DOWN
1. Brutes (6)
2. Insect that lives on foliage (4,6)
3. Aligns (7)
4. Consequence (6)
5. Petrol (8)
6. Jotted down (7)
7. Arms (4)
8. Dissertation (8)
12. I won’t do that again! (4,6)
15. US signature comfort food (5,3)
16. Exteriors (8)
18. Multi-event strength test (4,3)
20. It uses a shadow to indicate daylight hours (7)
21. Befuddled (6)
22. Used for distress signalling (6)
24. Plant fibre (4)
Last week’s solution #479
Becoming a feminist changed my life. For me it was like finding home. It was fiercely intellectual. Fiercely compassionate. It was fiercely just. Feminism showed me that the world I’d viewed from the margins, which excluded me, could be inclusive. It told me I was not broken, that I was okay. It told me to believe in myself, to realise who I thought I was, wasn’t necessarily who I was. It told me to speak up and to claim space. It told me that every breath I drew, every step I took was a radical political act, as a feminist woman in the patriarchy. Feminism allowed me to see not just the play, but the puppets, the puppet makers and most importantly who was pulling the strings. And why.
I was 17. I was conventionally beautiful in the way society applauds as some sort of achievement; tall and willowy and blonde. I left home to attend university and also found myself at a modelling agency. While I studied psychology, semiotics and Derrida at uni, at the agency I was learning to walk the right way, how to hold my mouth, how to be looked at. It was like the human version of dressage. Instinctually it felt wrong. I felt wrong. As beautiful as I was, I was certain I was not. I was not thin enough. My nose was wrong. My hair wasn’t right. My self-confidence was non-existent. Instead, my self-loathing was an aching chasm where my country girl’s heart used to be.
oppressive system. I looked at myself in the mirror; miserable and lonely and self-hating in tiny bikinis and stilettos, with a slash of red lipstick, and I thought WTF?
I became a feminist that day. It wasn’t a group. We don’t have secret ‘manhating feminoid’ meetings. It’s not a religion or a cult. It’s not a hierarchical organisation. It’s a way of thinking. Feminism is the word for waking up. Waking up to realise the structures of our society were built to favour men and disadvantage women. That the world I lived in was not built on ‘natural’ principles, but systemic control
systems that see only one per cent of all rapes end in conviction, systems that see us dying in our homes at the rate of one woman every week, that see us hold only 30 per cent of the world’s wealth, that see us earn nearly 23 per cent less and do nearly twoand-a-half times the unpaid work in a home. And do almost 60 per cent of the world’s voluntary work.
I say, ‘This is wrong!’ and they call me a ‘man-hater’. I am a feminist who pushes for peace and non-violence and for equality. My feminism is about making the world a more just place for women and non-binary people, and in the end, for men too.
RSEULEEE ENTWINEDESISTS
At university I was learning about the male gaze. About how the ideas of what it meant to be female and male, feminine and masculine were social constructs. I learnt about the patriarchy. I learnt that women had only got the vote less that 90 years before I took my place at an academic institution. And it was 100 years since women were first able to access university. I learnt that women were objectified and that was an intrinsic part of our value in an
and oppression. It was not inherent, so it could be changed. It must be changed. I breathed in hope and love and I understood, on a cellular level that this was a life’s mission – for me, for my mother, for my daughters, for my sisters, and for my sons. This was the ‘women’s work’ that I would do. Not the washing and cooking and ironing and child bearing, but this; truth telling and change making. My feminism was evangelical. It made sense. I was Bluebeard’s wife. I had taken a key and I had found the room where the bodies were hidden. I had put myself in danger. Once you have glimpsed inside that room, you cannot go back. If hidden, the key will bleed through in your pocket. Once you know where the bodies are – everything changes.
Some men are scared of feminism. And they should be. Feminism disrupts power systems that favour men,
While we are killed, predominantly by men, men are killed by other men. Or themselves. We’ve noticed your suicide rate is almost double ours. Toxic masculinity is killing men too. The patriarchy is broken and we are all living in the ruins.
My feminism is the antidote. It is the machete that cuts a path where there was none. It is the light that shines into darkness. It is the blanket on the shoulders of the injured. My feminism is a breath of fresh air. It is joyous, and funny and self-reflective and kind. It is warm and nurturing. But it is also angry. And it’s had enough. My feminism is amazing. It links me to my tribe and also to a broader community I have never met and reminds me that we are in every street, every town, every country in the world, standing in quiet solidarity… so beware. Or be excited. Intentional, radical, and accidental feminists are everywhere Happy International Women’s Day. Hug a feminist. We still have much work to do.
LILITHWith planetary heavyweights Saturn and Pluto changing their celestial stations this month, profound changes are under way...
ARIES: March is traditionally a month of closure for Aries before your sign kicks off the astrological new year, so take time out for introspection. When you aren’t distracted by small talk, constant chatter, social media and the 24-hour news feed, deep healing’s possible, along with insights about how to support others experiencing similar issues.
TAURUS: This month’s astral energetics in the zodiac sign of forgiveness favour fence-mending efforts and peace-making activities. Also be aware, when digging your hooves in isn’t working for you. Listen to your gut instincts, even if they don’t make immediate sense. Stay flexible. Stop and smell the serenity.
GEMINI: Mars in your sign is energetic, expressive and witty, but sarcasm and gossip are not your friends during this sensitive month. Avoid getting embroiled in time-wasting debates and circular conversations by 1) not workshopping every thought aloud and 2) not making promises that require a lot of follow-through, or 3) getting distracted.
CANCER: This month’s celestial advice for Cancerians? Keep focused on facts, not fears. And when full moon on 7 March calls in the cosmic cleaning crew, that’s your cue to really start reducing inner and outer stresses by lightening the load on all life levels from wellness to work, to whatever else needs it.
LEO: March is everyone’s month to dream a little dream. Or, in your majesty’s case, a big one. With the Sun and expressive Mercury aligning in the sign of imagination, your creative ideas should get a warm reception – although this rosy glow won’t automatically guarantee traction, so be prepared to do follow-up.
VIRGO: Jupiter and your mentor planet Mercury are both insisting that your belief system is up for review. Annual full moon in Virgo, on 7 March, is about letting go of excess baggage, and not just the physical kind. It asks: what one simple change could you make right now to improve your life?
LIBRA: With gregarious Jupiter and Venus extending the reach of relationships and attracting inspiring newbies for the first half of March, don’t be slow to carpe diem. The artistic, visionary and expressive triad of Sun/Mercury/Neptune in your sector of practical magic is also pumping – it’s a big week, Librans!
SCORPIO: With communicator Mercury in its least straight-forward mode, March gives Scorpio’s legendary investigative powers plenty of play. Pay attention to non-verbal cues and body language: what people aren’t saying could communicate much more than their words. This month’s caution; overindulgence as a default response to misunderstandings, mixed messages and mind changing.
SAGITTARIUS: Essential exercise for March? Avoid fear mongers and anxiety agitators. Nip paranoia in the bud by seeking out calm, rational people. With Mars setting off dummy spits and Mercury in mouthy mode, smart comebacks could be perceived as snarky or pushy, so best not send that inflammatory text or insist on a quick fix.
CAPRICORN: Breaking news for Capricorns this month is your patron planet Saturn exiting the heady mindset you’ve been experiencing since March 2020. Saturn affects structure and systems, which are now changing dramatically. For the next three years its lessons are about going with a new kind of flow, so start loosening up those dance steps.
AQUARIUS: According to Aquarian author Clarissa Pinkola Estes: ‘Asking the proper questions is the central action of transformation. Questions are the key that causes the secret doors of the psyche to swing open...’. Great advice for this week, which recommends not getting locked into who’s right/ who’s wrong dichotomies or pushing for definitive outcomes.
PISCES: With Sun, Mercury and Neptune celebrating Pisces birthdays and making this your most intuitive and psychic time of year, stay tuned to your inner voice. Your subconscious is especially active, so be aware of dreams or other signs downloading guidance for Captain Saturn to convert into practical action from next week onwards.
You’ve been with Spearhead for almost 30 years –have you aged well together?
Carl (Young) who is my best friend, he is my bass player, we’ve been together for 30 years now – about three years ago I moved to Bali, and he just moved there. So it’s kind of like yeah, we’re still rockin’ we’re still really good friends. We’ve had our ups and downs over the years, but not from anything in our personal relationship, more just dealing with the highs and lows of the music industry. The thing is, we love it more than ever and I think that over the last three years of the pandemic, that we just got a new appreciation for the fact that we have the best job in the world – we get to play music every day for people who need it. And so we’re more excited than ever.
You put out albums in 2020 and 2022. Have you got new music for Bluesfest?
We haven’t been to Bluesfest for a few years so we’re gonna be playing something from those two records, but we also have a new record that we’ve been working on – that’s almost done – so we’ll be playing some of those songs as well the classic songs that everybody loves.
For many years you’ve consumed a largely plantbased diet – has your body and your energy levels changed?
I am 98 per cent plant-based, and then I have some fish. I am somebody who believes that if there’s less meat consumed it’d be better for the planet – but I’m somebody who just likes to eat plants. And it suits my body better. It suits my stomach and my digestion better.
I’ve been this way for over 25 years – I have loads of energy on stage, but mainly, I think it’s kept my body from ageing.
What inspires you?
Well, my family inspires me and big BIG love – that’s about how all of us have close love, we have our intimate love or romantic love and our love of our family. And then our love spreads out to our neighbourhood, to our friends, and further out into our community – to our planet and to our world.
And you know, at different points in our life, we feel this strong connection to different spheres of that and right now is the time when I feel this… just this big love, I feel this inspiration, because so many people in
the world right now are hurting. And whether it’s just from people comparing themselves to other people on social media and they get depressed and get down – they feel ‘less than’, or whether it’s from the wars and earthquakes, natural disasters that we see taking place, or environmental issues. There’s just so many things out there and unfortunately, the politics of today are to divide people – trying to pit human against human. And it’s painful, it’s incredibly painful, and I want to be a force for healing. And I want my music to be a force for optimism [in] people’ s hearts and minds.
What do you love about Bluesfest?
One of my favourite things is going and walking from stage to stage and just happening upon a cool band that you’ve never seen before, especially in the early earlier hours of the day. It’s great to see headlining acts that you know, but even more it’s really cool to go and see somebody on one of the smaller stages and just go ‘Wow!’ at some incredibly young talent I’ve never heard of before.
You can check out Michael Franti’s playing schedule and others at www.bluesfest.com.au
Lismore is opening its heart to the Northern Rivers with Music from the Heart, a free and epic community event held in the Lismore CBD with over 20 local bands on four big stages.
The event will bring rock, country, youth, soul and R&B to the streets of Lismore’s historic block.
Live music stages will be located on Keen Street, Woodlark Street, Molesworth Street and Magellan Street. Local food businesses and mobile food vendors will serve delicious meals throughout the event. Come along with friends and family and support local businesses.
Music from the Heart is a free event, no tickets are needed. Just turn up and enjoy all that Lismore has to offer. Music from the Heart will be held on Saturday from 2pm to 8pm in the Lismore CBD.
For the full line-up and more information go to www.visitlismore.com.au.
Then on Sunday, Lismore hosts From the Heart – A Free Community Concert – an outstanding lineup of Australian musical acts, including Aria award-winning country music artist Casey Barnes and country artist Amy Sheppard who will perform at a very special From the Heart community concert at the Lismore Turf Club.
Casey Barnes, winner of Album of the Year at this year’s Golden Guitar Awards is set to excite the Lismore community with his electrifying live show. ‘I am honoured to be performing as part of the From the Heart concert to celebrate the spirit and endurance of the Lismore community,’ says Casey. ‘While we know it’s been a tough year for so many, the band and I are planning to bring the good times to Lismore on Sunday.’
The full lineup includes Casey Barnes, Amy Sheppard, Brian Cadd and The Little Steely Bros, Darlinghurst and The Buckleys.
From the Heart will be held on Sunday, 5 March, 1–6pm at the Lismore Turf Club.
Tickets are now open to the public. To book go to: www.visitlismore.com.au.
REDinc’s signing choir will be performing at the free Regeneration community festival on Saturday at the Mullum Community Garden.
The signing choir was formed over 16 years ago when Kaz Southon, longtime facilitator of the program, saw a need for participants at REDinc to be involved in a singing, dancing, and signing program, which was open for all participants to join.
REDinc provides creative, educational and vocational opportunities to people with disabilities in the Northern Rivers, including the much-loved signing choir. The belongingness of the choir is what makes it so special. As Kaz says, the disabilities disappear. ‘We are actually seeing beautiful humans sharing their love of music.’
The choir will be performing three songs: ‘From Now On’ (written by Justin Paul & Benj Pasek) from the film The Greatest Showman; ‘Follow the Sun’ by Xavier Rudd; and ‘Hold Back the River’ by James Bay.
The performance will be dedicated to Amy Serone, who passed away late last year. Amy was a longstanding member of the choir and is greatly missed.
The choir is bubbling with excitement to perform at the weekend – they hope to see you there, singing, signing, dancing, or just regenerating.
You can check out the program and pick up a free ticket at regeneration.mullumseed.org.au.
The last nUdGe nUdGe WiNk WiNk event for summer is on at the Billinudgel Hotel this weekend. It’s an inclusive, multi-space event with a massive outdoor area with two dance floors, both covered; the epic shed and the dance stage and lots of outdoor space to dance under the stars or chat with friends new and old. Dance and support local charities at the same time.
This is an event with an amazing community of regular nudgers who welcome everyone new too, and features DJs Stephen Allkins, Rahel, Dale Stephen and Lord Sut Cunning Stunts will continue to donate a cumulative percentage of profits to local charities through the season. This all inclusive community event has sound by North Coast Events and lighting by Tim Wild.
‘Hands up, Nudge is the best party and crowd in Australia’. Phil Perry (Leftfield’s first tour DJ – Full Circle UK) Saturday from 4pm at the Billinudgel Hotel.
Don’t miss the experience of this iconic album in its original mixing by the prolific Alan Parsons, presented in rare 360 degree Quadraphonic sound, hosted at Byron Theatre for one night only.
You will hear parts of the album like never before, accompanied by a complimentary visual show, and be immersed in a one-of-a-kind event honouring possibly the most influential album in the history of 21st century western music.
In this one off event, following the complete presentation of the album, live musicians Pink Zinc Presents will accompany DJ Lordy Wardy to guide you through a unique Floyd-esque party atmosphere, as our exceptionally creative VJ’s ( DJs for your eyes) illuminate the space with a kaleidoscope of trippy ambient visuals.
DJ Lordy Wardy has been a music and audio enthusiast for over 30 years. With adventurous taste and a fan of the special and unusual, he is relishing this once-ina-lifetime opportunity to curate and perform this show. He will be laying down Pink
A memorial will be held for locallybased actor and activist, Tony Barry, who died on December 21, 2022. The celebration of Tony will be held on Sunday at the Brunswick Picture House at 12:30pm.
Tuesday 7th March, 6:30pm - Chai cakes (flood fundraiser), $35/$25.
Saturday 11th March, 2.45pm - Sound mantra workshop $60
“The energy Kevin cultivates is sublime, energetic, joyful ecstatic & divine'’. Chris Lane OKA
Tickets and info: www.kevinjamesmusic.com/mullumbimby2023
Win
Floyd tunes from their broad discography and embracing the spirit of these classic progressive sounds.
Pink Zinc Presents began as a hungry group of music students from SCU in Lismore back in 2009. In the early days of Pink Zinc you would find the performers regularly busking on the streets of Byron Bay. The band is renowned for its unique music aesthetic. Their standard of musicianship is consistently at its highest, with an everevolving framework of musicians, the vibe and sound of Pink Zinc Presents has evolved from the greatest influences in music history and features some of the top musicians of the area: Sarah Grant, Matt Day, Lucius Borich and Mike Mills
So sit back, relax, take in the show, and then dance the night away. Byron Theatre on March 9 from 7pm. For more info, visit: www.byroncentre.com.au.
Join Kevin James and Susana Rodrigez as they present a powerful homecoming concert of mantra and heartsongs, deep connection and community – special guest for this event is Oka’s Chris Lane Kevin returns after a three-year nomadic journey immersed in world fusion of traditional Indian Kirtan, Rainbow Bhajans, Celtic drums, Sufi chants and folk music. Kevin offers a co-creative, empowering experience that invites you to sit back, sing the sweet melodies, soaring chants, or dance in the bliss, diving deep into the profound silence that follows a Shakuhachi flute meditation – a sound journey to the Himalayas.
Kevin is presenting a workshop where you will be supported to open up to an effortless way of singing, clear emotional blockages, tune up with the power of sacred sounds and mantras and to connect to your natural voice with emotion and feeling.
Chai and cake flood-fundraiser concert on Tuesday 7 March – full moon at St Johns Hall, Mullum. Open 6.30pm. Workshop, Saturday 11 March, 2.45–6pm for all levels/ages. Dinner preordered or BYO. More information and tickets: kevinjamesmusic.com/ mullumbimby2023/
Commonfolk Presents proudly announces an unforgettable night of live music as Ziggy Alberts headlines a pop-up show at the brand new venue, The Green Room, Tyagarah – his first show back in Byron Bay in four years.
A send-off before Alberts embarks on his Rewind world tour; this one-night-only event will celebrate his latest 2022 record, Dancing in the Dark along with all the fan favourites, the emotional melodies, heel-tapping tunes and singalongs.
The Green Room, located on Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah, is a new live music venue on the grounds of the Bluesfest site. The venue will provide the perfect backdrop for Ziggy Alberts’ performance, and fans can expect a special evening of music.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see Ziggy Alberts perform at The Green Room at Byron Events Farm – 6pm, Thursday 9 March. Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au.
The Drill Hall Theatre Company is hosting free workshops for adult actors with or without acting experience. They are held in a friendly, cooperative environment, run by Mike Russo, an experienced and qualified acting teacher, who has run these workshops for over ten years.
The aim for 2023 will be to work towards a production at the end of the year, however, it is not necessary to be in the production in order to attend the workshop.
While free, participants do need to become an associate member of the Drill Hall Theatre Company, a cost of $15.
Just turn up at the Drill Hall on a Monday night at 7.30pm. If you want further information then Mike can be contacted at drillhalltheatre@gmail.com.
Seminal Seattle four-piece, Mudhoney, return to Australia in 2023, marking nine years since their last local shows. A mammoth odyssey spanning April and May will see them playing headline shows across six states, with a handful of festival dates among them. Mudhoney have had an enviable career to date, spanning over three decades, thirteen studio albums, five live records, and endless headline shows around the globe. Their provocative debut single Touch Me I’m Sick and their 1992 hit ‘Suck You Dry’ cemented them as pioneers of the late ’80s early ’90s grunge explosion, with their sound an instrumental foundation of the era.
Year after year, Mudhoney delivers contrarian, politically charged, anti-sentimental musings with their signature skuzz-rock rebellious, underground sound to wake you up, punch you in the gut and put a smile on your face with equal measure.
Mudhoney play The Northern on Saturday, 15 April.
Book now: pressplaypresents.com/artists/mudhoney.
Local independent filmmaker, Sinem Saban, is thrilled to be screening her latest documentary, Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land over two nights at the Byron Theatre.
The film will be followed by a ‘heartful’ live discussion with Ms Saban and senior Yolngu law man, Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, who is from Elcho Island, and chaired by Ella Noah Bancroft
Winner of the Change Award at Adelaide Film Festival 2022, Luku Ngärra is an unflinching presentation of how the dominant colonial system has forced itself upon the lives of First Nations people, creating chaos and devastation to their everyday lives, their culture and their law.
At the centre of the piece is the remarkable Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM who has been a tireless beacon for freedom and justice for Indigenous Australians for more than 40 years, as well as a highly respected clan leader, traditional lawman, spiritual leader and civil rights activist.
The film will deeply challenge audiences’ understanding of the Yolngu world, their culture
and their law that has been gravely misrepresented. Presenting rare footage of law ceremonies that have been in practice for over 60,000 years, as well as an intimate lens into the crisis currently facing remote Indigenous communities today, audiences will be compelled to question their own paradigm and the views and structures that come with it.
This decision did not make the filmmaking process easy, and while the production still has some things it needs to pay off before it can be released nationwide, these screenings are intended to raise awareness and open discussion, but also to fundraise.
There will be merchandise and Yolngu art available to purchase at both screenings.
Tickets for the Friday night screening are almost sold out – don’t leave it too late or you might miss out.
Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land Byron Theatre, Thursday and Friday: byroncentre.com.au.
Film website: www.lukungarrafilm.com
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5d6d566a.
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, KANE MUIR
BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6.30PM LUCY GALLANT – SINGLE
LAUNCH ‘LOVE’, 8.30PM DJ SOPHDEXX
BYRON THEATRE 1PM EXHIBITION ON SCREEN – MARY
CASSATT: PAINTING THE MODERN WOMAN, 7PM SCREENING – LUKU NGARRA: THE LAW OF THE LAND
HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM MATT BUGGY
It’s free to list your gigs in the gig guide. gigs@echo.net.au w: echo.net.au/gig-guide
BANGALOW BOWLO 7.30PM BANGALOW BRACKETS’ OPEN MIC SESSION
MULLUMBIMBY UNITING CHURCH 7PM 30 MINUTES FOR FREEDOM – CHANTING AND MEDITATION
MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 8PM KRAPEOKEEE WITH JESS
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, GREG NUNAN & THE GENERAL JACKSON
BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 2PM ADAM HARPAZ, 8PM
Oh Hollyweird, you’d do anything for an audience eh?
Cocaine Bear is described as an American comedy horror film directed and produced by Elizabeth Banks and written by Jimmy Wardenn wherein an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converge on a Georgia forest where a huge black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.
I know – ‘WHAT THE ACTUAL...!?’ I hear you scream. Tragic but true, Cocaine Bear is loosely inspired (very loosely) by the true story of theCocaine Bear, an American black bear that ingested millions of dollars of lost cocaine in 1985.
Long story, short: in 1985, drug smuggler Andrew C. Thornton II was trafficking cocaine from Colombia to the US. After dropping off a shipment in Georgia, Thornton and an accomplice departed in an auto-piloted Cessna 404 Titan. En route, the duo dropped a load of 40 plastic containers of cocaine into the wilderness before abandoning the plane above Knoxville, Tennessee. According to the FBI, Thornton dumped his cargo due to the weight being too heavy in-flight.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported finding a dead black bear that had eaten a large amount of the cocaine that had been in the containers. The containers had held about 34 kilos of cocaine, valued at $2 million, and all of the containers had been ripped open. The chief medical examiner from the Georgia State Crime Lab, Dr. Kenneth Alonso, said the bear’s belly was literally packed to the brim with cocaine.
Anyhoo… the film, which is only very thinly following the actual storyline, features an ensemble cast that includes Keri Russell, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Christian Convery, Alden Ehrenreich, Brooklynn Prince, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Margo Martindale, and Ray Liotta.
The film tries to convince us that drug smuggler Andrew C. Thornton II drops a shipment of cocaine from his plane and as he attempts to parachute out with a drug-filled duffel bag, but knocks himself unconscious on the doorframe, causing him to fall to his death. His body lands in Knoxville, Tennessee where he is identified by Bob, a local detective. He concludes that the cocaine is likely from St. Louis drug kingpin Syd White, and the remainder is missing. Meanwhile, in the ChattahoocheeOconee National Forest, an American black bear eats some of the cocaine, becoming highly aggressive and attacking two hikers, Elsa and Olaf, killing the former, etc, etc…
The film marked the posthumous release for Liotta who died on May 26, 2022, with the film being dedicated to his memory and can be seen at Ballina Fair Cinemas and Palace Byron Cinemas this week.
SUNDEW, 9.30PM DEAR SUNDAY, 10.30PM DJ GENE ENGLISH BYRON THEATRE 7PM SCREENING – LUKU NGARRA: THE LAW OF THE LAND
HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM JOCK BARNES
BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 5.30PM BRADLEY ZERO WITH STEADY EDDIE AND GABRIELLE KWARTENG
THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, THE BENNIES
LENNOX HOTEL HOTEL STAGE 8PM THURSDAY JAM NIGHT
NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY GALLERY (NRCG), BALLINA, 2.30PM MEET-THE-ARTIST – KARENA WYNN-MOYLAN, HANNAH MASSEY AND STEVEN GIESE
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JON J BRADLEY, THE HILLBILLY SKANK
BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 10PM THE TERRYS HOTEL BRUNSWICK 7.30PM PRESTON
LONE GOAT GALLERY, BYRON BAY, 5PM MICHAEL DONNELLY EXHIBITION SURFACE PARADISE OPENS
COORABELL HALL 7.30PM LIQUIDELIC
HARVEST, NEWRYBAR, 6PM MT WARNING + DJ DUO IN THE FLOWERS
A&I HALL, BANGALOW, 7PM GEORGIAN CONCERT SUPRA WITH TSINSKARO
WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 4.30PM DJ ARUANDA
ST JOHN’S SCHOOL HALL, MULLUMBIMBY, 7.30PM ECSTATIC DANCE MULLUMBIMBY WITH DJ MATHAMI
MIDDLE PUB MULLUMBIMBY, 5PM BALCONY BEATS – DJ SI AND GEZ
LENNOX HEAD COMMUNITY CENTRE 6.45PM THE JOE COCKER EXPERIENCE CLUB LENNOX 7PM OLE FALCO
BALLINA RSL LEVEL ONE 8PM THE FERAMONES
TWO MATES BREWING, LISMORE, 4.30PM TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6.30PM DR BAZ
REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 8PM MAMA KIN SPENDER KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS 6PM GREGG PETERSON SEAGULLS, TWEED HEADS, 6.30PM PHIL GUEST COOLANGATTA HOTEL 9PM VIVA BON JOVI
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 8PM THE WHISKEYS BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 12.30PM LEO VINE, 3PM STONEHURST, 6.30PM SPACE IS THE PLACE W/ LEON VYNEHALL, LOODS, JONO MA & CENTRAL SONICS
HOTEL BRUNSWICK 2PM KIDZKLUB BALLOON ART, 7.30PM
THE LYRICAL BYRON TWILIGHT MARKET 5PM GUY KACHEL
COORABELL HALL 6PM FUNDRAISING DINNER WITH JACK WATSON AND MC MAE WILDE OCEAN SHORES COMMUNITY CENTRE 5.45PM BYRON KIRTAN WITH EDO KAHN
MULLUM COMMUNITY GARDENS, MULLUMBIMBY, 10AM
REGENERATION FESTIVAL, 2PM REGENERATION FESTIVAL – REDINC CHOIR, 4PM REGENERATION FESTIVAL – PALM
WINEAMBASSADORS
WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 4.30PM
DJ OREN SELECTA
BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 4PM NUDGE NUDGE WINK WINK – DJ’S
STEPHEN ALLKINS, RAHEL, DALE STEPHEN & LORD SUT
CLUB LENNOX 7PM HARRY NICHOLS DUO
BALLINA RSL BOARDWALK 6PM DONNY SHADES DUO
VARIOUS VENUES, LISMORE, 2PM LISMORE FROM THE HEART
– FEAT 20 LOCAL BANDS ON FOUR STAGES
REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 6PM BALCONY SESSIONS
W PETER HUNT
MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6.30PM JADE STODDARD
THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH, 7.30PM MARK WILKINSON
KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS 6PM BEN WHITING
SEAGULLS, TWEED HEADS, 6.30PM PANIK BUTTON
TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, THE STAGE 8PM HIGH VOLTAGE – THE AC/DC EXPERIENCE
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, ANIMAL VENTURA
BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 4.30PM SOUL’D, 7.30PM THE
VERSACE BOYS, 9.30PM DJ TAI DANIELS
BYRON THEATRE 7PM OTHELLO BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4PM THE NINTH CHAPTER
BYRON COMMUNITY MARKET 9.30PM VERSACE BOY, JEROME
WILLIAMS AND FELICITY LAWLESS DUO
MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM OPEN MIC WITH THE SWAMP CATS
WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM LUKE YEAMAN
CLUB LENNOX 3PM ADAM HARPAZ
SHAWS BAY HOTEL, BALLINA, 1PM SUNDAY SESSIONS FT
MARSHALL & THE FRO + YEEW
ELTHAM HOTEL 2PM NATURAL BRIDGE FEAT MDOU MOCTAR & DRUGDEALER + BONES & JONES, FOLK BITCH TRIO AND BABY COOL
TURF CLUB, LISMORE, 1PM LISMORE FROM THE HEART –CASEY BARNES, AMY SHEPPARD, BRIAN CADD AND THE LITTLE STEELY BROS, DARLINGHURST AND THE BUCKLEYS LISMORE CITY BOWLO 2PM LE MA PLAY MANOUCHE + ROBYNN GODDARD & HARRY FREEMAN
TWO MATES BREWING, LISMORE, 3PM DAMIEN COOPER VICTORY HOTEL, MOOBALL, 2PM MATTY ROGERS
REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 5PM EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN + Q&A WITH FILM DIRECTOR NADI SHA SEAGULLS, TWEED HEADS, 1PM CALEB LAFAITELE
MONDAY 6
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JAMIE ASHFORTH BYRON THEATRE 2PM OTHELLO BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
TUESDAY 7
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, TIM STOKES
BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 8PM NATHAN KAYE HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM MAX HOORN
KULCHA JAM, BYRON BAY, 7PM ECSTATIC DANCE BYRON BAY WITH DJ PUMAH
ST JOHN’S SCHOOL HALL, MULLUMBIMBY, 6.30PM KEVIN JAMES AND SUSANA RODRIGEZ WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHRIS LANE
TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, THE SHOWROOM 11AM FOREVER EVERLY
WEDNESDAY 8
RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, OOZ
BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 3.30PM HAYLEY GRACE
HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM BENNY D WILLIAMS
BANGALOW BOWLO 7.30PM BANGALOW BRACKETS’ OPEN MIC SESSION
MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 8PM KRAPEOKEEE WITH JESS
ELTHAM
NIMBIN
AKELA
North Coast Lifestyle Properties Mullumbimby, has recently won the prestigious RateMyAgent ‘Agent of the Year’ award for Mullumbimby, cementing their reputation as one of the top agencies in the area.
These awards, which are based on customer reviews and feedback, recognise outstanding performance in the areas of customer service, communication, local knowledge and overall satisfaction. Receiving high praise from clients, with many citing the agency’s professionalism, expertise and
dedication to achieving the best possible outcome.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the North Coast Lifestyle team. The agency has built a reputation for excellence in the highly competitive real estate market. With a deep understanding of the unique lifestyle and property offerings in the North Coast region of NSW, they have helped countless clients find their dream home or investment property.
‘RateMyAgent’s award was a lovely endorsement that
our clients have felt totally safe and looked after by our team. It’s clearly not about
how many properties we sell but about the wonderful experience had by both sellers
and buyers. Our greatest appreciation to everyone who has been part of helping us achieve this award.’ – Paul, Mark, Idan, Kaye and Teak, the North Coast Lifestyle team.
“I’m thrilled to be awarded this achievement, for the third year in a row, thank you to all my clients & friends who put their trust in me to sell their homes. I am inspired by these special moments and I am so very appreciative”. Agent of the year
Mullumbimby
•Located in a tightly held, quiet cul-de-sac is this superb modern designer home with high-end finishes, absolute privacy, and pure luxury
•Large, private courtyard with easy care cactus garden and limestone tiles
•Outdoors features an olympic size in-ground trampoline, Alpine Lucania 6 seater spa and a tranquil native bush backdrop
•Main bedroom features stacker doors opening to the beautiful back yard
26 Oakland Court, Byron Bay
Price Guide: $2.85m
Open: Saturday, 4th March 10–10.30am
•One
Byron Bay’s largest allotments within a highly sought-after, central position
•Residential R2 zoning which allows subdivision or multi-dwelling housing (STCA)
•Pavilion-style house featuring two wings, one with four bedrooms and two bathrooms and the other features central living, dining and kitchen areas
•Outdoors is a serene pool and covered patio perfect for entertaining
•Close proximity to beaches, popular schools and Byron Bay CBD
103 Paterson Street, Byron Bay
Auction: Saturday 11th March 11:30am
Open: Friday, 3rd March 2–2.30pm Saturday, 4th March 11–11.30am
First National Byron is extremely excited and fortunate to welcome award-winning agent Sharon McIness back to the team.
A true local, Sharon has lived in Byron Bay for 38 years and began her real estate journey in 1998.
Sharon’s wealth of experience combined with invaluable local knowledge, excellent communication, and the latest technologies, promise to deliver the best possible outcomes to buyers and sellers alike. With close ties throughout the community, Sharon wholeheartedly loves sharing in the real estate journey with her clients.
Would you like to know the value of your property? Contact Sharon today for an appraisal of your home. 0408 659 649 | sharon@byronbayfn.com
• Main residence has retained many ornate features – high ceilings, timber floors, stained-glass windows, fireplaces and has multiple large living rooms
• A separate and private self-contained studio complete with kitchen, ensuite and private outdoor area
• The spacious yard is framed by established gardens and tall trees giving a great sense of privacy
6 Jubilee Avenue, Mullumbimby
Price Guide: $2.1m – $2.3m Open: Saturday, 4th March 9–9.30am
• Set on an elevated North East and light filled block within a bike ride to Byron CBD
• This pavilion style home offers separate areas that would be ideal for working from home, multigenerational living options or potential income
• The stunning gardens give the impression of a secluded private tropical hideaway
• With timber work throughout, the home is inspired by Japanese landscape design
• Minutes to bustling Byron centre and world famous surf breaks
14 Orara Court, Byron Bay
$1.4m – $1.5m
For
the 7th consecutive year, the team at First National Byron are very proud to have won the RateMyAgent 2023 Agency of the Year for Byron Bay.
From our experienced, talented, award winning sales team; our creative, dedicated in-house marketing and photography teams; and our diligent, hardworking and professional administration team, we would like to thank our clients for trusting us to buy and sell their homes year after year.
We love this community, and we love what we do.
• The open plan living space features a seamless transition to the undercover timber deck, which is the perfect place to entertain with family and friends
• The stylish, spacious kitchen has quality modern appliances with gas cooktop, pantry and plenty of storage
• Outdoors features a hardwood vegetable garden and fully fenced, level yard
• Short distance from lovely Bangalow village, public school and sports fields
Price Guide: $1.275m – $1.375m
Open: Saturday, 4th March 9–9.30am
• Contemporary inspired home elevated on 12 north-facing, easy-care acres
• 15-metre infinity ozone magnesium lap pool with large deck area adjoining
• The kitchen is equipped with a stone benchtop, Miele appliances and breakfast bar
• An added bonus is the separate studio which offers endless opportunity
• Spring-fed dam with water all year round, plus additional water license
• Pristine quality land with plenty of water making it ideal for horses
132 Scarrabelottis Road, Nashua
Price Guide: $2.85m
Open: Saturday, 4th March 1–1.30pm
4
• This large country inspired home sits on a level block just under an acre with elevated north eastern views overlooking the lush Lennox Head hinterland
• Multiple living spaces that open to the verandas surrounded by stunning gardens
• An additional bonus is the private, one bedroom studio with kitchen and ensuite
• Outdoors is a 10m x 7m double height shed, ideal for caravan and boat storage
• Easy access to expressway north, twenty minutes to Byron Bay
44 Summerhill Crescent, Cumbalum
Price Guide: Contact Agent
Open: Thursday, 2nd March 3–3.30pm Saturday 4th March 10–10.30am
4 2 3
8.56HA
• Entertainment deck with sweeping rural views, outdoor speaker system, bath and luxurious 13x5m heated mineral pool
• Self-contained 1-bedroom studio with ensuite and kitchenette
• Additional rustic 90m2 barn with gorgeous, pitched ceilings and exposed wooden beams currently used as a creative space
• Crowning this offering are the walking tracks, soccer pitch, bike trails and extensive frontage to Wilsons River
358 Binna Burra Road, Binna Burra
Price Guide: $3.3m – $3.6m
Open: Saturday, 4th March 12–12.30pm Su Reynolds 0428 888 660
Lloyd 0481 864 049
Positioned on an exceptionally private waterfront parcel in one of Australia's most sought-after holiday destinations, this luxurious residence presents a rare opportunity to acquire the ultimate beachside escape. Intuitively designed to capture magnificent ocean views from every angle and located adjacent to the picturesque Belongil beach, this remarkable beach house presents an incredible opportunity for those looking for a shift in lifestyle. This property is positioned with the iconic Wategos beach, the bustling Byron Bay town centre, rainforest walks, and Arakwal National Park right at its doorstep - making for the perfect home or home away from home.
This stunning property ideally positioned on a superb 20acre allotment is truly a must inspect property. The property is perfectly located for maximum privacy at the end of a beautiful hinterland lane.
This magical property has something for everyone including amazing views of the countryside and nightcap ranges, an historic rainforest pocket, well fenced paddocks for the cattle or horses, large three bay machinery shed and a large spring feed dam. The beautiful home has been very tastefully renovated throughout including the stunning, spacious and light sunroom with high ceilings and cedar features which opens out to the outdoor entertaining areas and gorgeous gardens.
Price Auction
Saturday 25th March 2023 On Site
Call Shane Tasker M 0431 191 323 E shane.tasker@harcourts.com.au
Situated in the well sought after East Ballina, Angel’s Beach area. Its modern design and inviting features make it a one of a kind. With its high street location in a tranquil cul-de-sac and surrounded by natural reserve, you can experience stunning views of the ocean to the north. The cathedral ceiling in the upstairs living area and balcony are a particularly captivating feature, where you can admire the beauty of your surroundings every day. Entertain until your hearts’ content with family and friends, both inside and out.
The combination of the large windows and louvres for airflow makes the living space feel so open and inviting. The modern gourmet kitchen with the Caesar stone benchtop is a great touch, not to mention the modest butler’s pantry and modern appliances. And the gas fireplace with the handmade, hardwood feature is the perfect way to cosy up to a warm family evening.
Price Contact Agent
Call Julianne Butler M 0439 668 114 E julianne.butler@harcourts.com.au
This newly completed Hampton style 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home highlights the relaxed seaside village lifestyle the Aureus development seeks to promote. With its vast, breathtaking ocean vista approach, it’s no wonder that new land releases at Aureus are sellouts. Here is your chance to move in immediately and enjoy a spacious finished home, level garden and fabulous 8 x 3m saltwater pool.
Stroll to the patrolled beach, cycle the many coastal footpaths, enjoy sitting on the grassy headland overlooking Sharpes Beach at sunset thinking life is great. Designed with flexible living in mind, the front area has a lounge, bedroom and ensuite which can be separate or opened up to the remaining open plan entertainment areas. Perfect for a teenage hang out, or as an extended family or guest area.
Price $2,300,000 - $2,500,000
Call Julianne Butler M 0439 668 114 E julianne.butler@harcourts.com.au
almost every
the Byron Shire, even right up the back of Eureka, Federal, Goonengerry, Wilsons Creek, Clunes and Middle Pocket. We also home deliver in Ballina Shire (East Ballina Lennox Head, Skennars Head), and bulk drop to Ballina CBD, Murwillumbah, Pottsville, Kingscliff, Alstonville, Lismore, Nimbin and Evans Head. 24,500 papers every week.
Is your property for sale advertised in The Echo?
This lush green, 6.6 acre property 160m above sea level, is complete with a beautiful established subtropical garden and stunning views of the Bangalow Hills. It is a scenic 1.8km walk to 'The Hut Byron Bay" renowned restaurant and a 7km drive to Bangalow village where your every boutique retail and hospitality whim is catered for. Another few km's further along Bangalow Road and you're in Byron Bay – with the buzz and world class beaches that completely contrast this country haven. Delightfully kept, light and well-ventilated, there are 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms including a downstairs studio separate to the main residence complete with its own bathroom and deck.
301 FRIDAY HUT ROAD, 0419 789 600 oliver@amirprestige.com.au
+ Premier Location - just 3km from the historic Forbes town centre + River Frontage - 330m of highly sought-after Lachlan River frontage
+ Impressive Family Home - 5 BR double brick homestead (650m2)
+ Built For Entertaining - seamless indoor & outdoor integration
+ Panoramic Views - of river from entertaining areas & bedrooms
+ Highly Improved - 2 BR cottage, studio, 14 garages, amenities block
+ Parklike Surrounds - access to parkland area with towering river red gums
+ Commercial Opportunities - multiple income generating options
+ Ideal Business Base / HQ - central location & extensive improvements
Gary Johnston | 0427 574 270 - Sam Johnston | 0412 896 602 Expressions of Interest - close 12 noon 15 th March 2023
Park/Village Name: Banksia Waters – Tweed Heads 3 1 2
$425,000
5/1 Wollumbin Street, Byron Bay 3 2 1 $1,000,000 - $1,100,000
Modern contemporary home located on the village perimeter featuring 3 bedrooms, plus sunroom with an extensive rural outlook.
An absolute delight to inspect.
This home has everything you could possibly wish for. Fully updated with all modern fixtures and fittings, easy care tiled floors in all living areas, and a spacious fully screened in sunroom running the width of the home. An ideal spot to entertain family and friends or enjoy that early morning coffee.
Renovated kitchen, a dream to cook in with all updated appliances including dishwasher, fan forced oven and ceramic cooktop.
Three carpeted bedrooms, master featuring a generous size walk-in robe as well as ceiling fan and air conditioner. The other 2 bedrooms have a built-in robes & ceiling fans.
Modernised bathroom with floor to ceiling tiled walk-in shower, good sized vanity and a separate toilet.
This energy efficient home features skylights in the bathroom & toilet to take advantage of the natural light as well as a 5kw solar system and a solar hot water system.
Retirement living at its best without the associated costs of exit fees and No stamp duty. Sorry, no pets permitted.
Inspect: By appointment
Contact:
0403 713 658
Atlas by LJ Hooker Byron Bay
• 35A Station Street , Mullumbimby. Wed 12–12.30pm
First National Byron
• 44 Summerhill Crescent, Cumbalum.Thurs3–3.30pm
• 62 Riverview Avenue, West Ballina. Fri 11–11.30am
• 103 Paterson Street, Byron Bay. Fri 2–2.30pm
• 19 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby. Fri 3–3.30pm
• 891 Main Arm Road, Main Arm. Fri 3.45–4.15pm
• 6 Jubilee Avenue, Mullumbimby. Sat 9–9.30am
• 2/9 MacGregor Street, Suffolk Park. Sat 9–9.30am
• 34 Parrot Tree Place, Bangalow. Sat 9–9.30am
• 62 Riverview Avenue, West Ballina. Sat 9.30–10am
• 44 Summerhill Crescent, Cumbalum. Sat 10–10.30am
• 65 Lilli Pilli Drive, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am
• 7 Ocean Avenue, New Brighton. Sat 10–10.30am
• 1 Napelle Court, Ocean Shores. Sat 10–10.30am
• 26 Oakland Court, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am
• 61 Robinsons Road, Wilsons Creek. Sat 10.30–11am
• 2 Oakwood Drive, Ballina. Sat 10.30–11am
• 103 Paterson Street, Byron Bay. Sat 11–11.30am
• 4/49 Belongil Crescent, Byron Bay. Sat 11–11.30am
• 14 Brooklet Road, Newrybar. Sat 11–11.30am
• 16 Omega Circuit, Brunswick Heads. Sat 11–11.30am
• 8 Weeronga Way, Ocean Shores. Sat 11.45–12.15pm
• 19 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby. Sat 12–12.30pm
• 358 Binna Burra Road, Binna Burra. Sat 12–12.30pm
• 41 Federal Drive, Eureka. Sat 12–12.30pm
• 14 Orara Court, Byron Bay. Sat 12.30–1pm
• 891 Main Arm Road, Main Arm. Sat 12.45–1.15pm
• 132 Scarrabelottis Road, Nashua. Sat 1–1.30pm
Leave the car at home and experience the quintessential Byron Bay lifestyle with this inviting, modern 3-bedroom apartment located a stone’s throw from the centre of Byron Bay and pristine beaches. This freshly painted, lowmaintenance property is sure to be a hit with couples, families and investors.
The property features two covered car spaces on the lower level with a covered stairway up to your front door. Stepping in, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the home with light timber floors, fresh white walls and an easy-breezy ambience. An open-plan dining and lounge area sits adjacent to a generous tiled balcony with a lush outlook, while a handy modern kitchen and two bedrooms, centrally-located WC, bathroom and laundry combine for a winning offering on the first floor. Heading upstairs, the upperlevel master bedroom features a walk-in-robe, ensuite, masses of storage and tree-top views. The property is pet-friendly - pending Body Corporate approval.
Inspect: by private appointment
Contact: Tania Sheppard 0438 446 578 (JET)
www.echo.net.au/ad/ofi
Harcourts Northern Rivers
• 1/163 Tamar Street, Ballina. Sat 9–9.30am
• 7 Sweetlip Place, Ballina. Sat 9–9.30am
• 10/2 Condon Drive, East Ballina. Sat 10–10.30am
• 9 Bellevue Avenue, East Ballina. Sat 10–10.45am
• 1 Bath Street, Wardell. Sat 10–10.30am
• 950 Pimlico Road, Pimlico. Sat 10.45–11.15am
• 2 Ironbark Road, Ballina. Sat 11–11.30am
• 36 Surf Avenue, Skennars Head. Sat 11–11.30am
• 20 Earls Court, Goonellabah. Sat 12–12.30pm
• 24 Farrelly Avenue, Cumbalum. Sat 12 –12.30pm
• 7 Crandon Court, Goonellabah. Sat 12.45–1.15pm
• 59 Dolphin Drive, West Ballina. Sat 1–1.30pm
• 731 Teven Road, Teven. Sat 1–1.30pm
• 82 Tyumba Avenue, Teven. Sat 2pm–2.45pm
• 7 Platypus Drive, Uralba. Sat 2.15pm–2.45pm
JET Real Estate
• 1 Tombonda Road, Murbah. Sat 9.30–10am
• 36 Hall Drive, Murbah. Sat 10.30–11am
McGrath Byron Bay
• 3/37 Childe Street, Byron Bay. Wed 4.30–5pm
• 3/7 Cooper Street, Byron Bay. Wed 1–1.30pm
• 13 Luan Court, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am
• 3/37 Childe Street, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am
• 2/6 Beachside Dr, Suffolk Park. Sat 10–10.30am
• 13 Brushbox Dr, Mullum Creek. Sat 11–11.30am
Property Hub Byron Shire
• 1/19 Namitjira Place, Ballina Sat 4,10am–10.30am
Ray White Byron Bay, 15
• 448 Old Byron Bay Rd, Newrybar Fri 12–12.30pm
• 1/10 Corkwood Crt, Suffolk Park Fri 1.30–2pm
• 222 Friday Hut Road, Possum Creek 10–10.30am
• 3/14 Sunrise Blvd., Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am
• 4/19 Julian Rocks Dr, Byron Bay Sat 10–10.30am
• 20 Cavvanbah Street, Byron Bay Sat 10–10.30am
• 65 Currawong Way, Ewingsdale Sat 11–11.30am
• 28 Springvale Road, Eureka Sat 11–11.30am
• 13 Argyle Street, Mullum Sat 11.30am–12pm
• 12 Hibiscus Place, Mullumbimby Sat 12–12.30pm
• 13/146 Old Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay. Sat 12.30–1pm
• 2/4 Hazelwood Cl, Suffolk Park Sat 1.15–1.45pm
Ruth Russell Realty
• 11 Quail Way, Mullumbimby. Sat 11–11.45am
• 54 Main Arm Road, Mullum. Sat 12.30–1 pm
Tim Miller Real Estate
• 5 George Street, Bangalow. Sat 10.30–11am
• 8 George Street, Bangalow. Sat 9.45–10.15am
• 17 Ivory Curl Place, Bangalow. Sat 9–9.30am
• 1098 Bangalow Rd, Bexhill. Sat 11.45am –12.15pm
McGrath Byron Bay
• 13 Luan Court, Byron Bay. Sat 10.30am
Ray White Byron Bay
• 1/10 Corkwood Crescent, Suffolk Park Fri 3, 2pm
• 4/19-22 Julian Rocks Drive, Byron Bay Fri 10, 4pm
• 65 Currawong Way, Ewingsdale Fri 10, 2pm
• 12 Hibiscus Place, Mullumbimby Friday 17, 2pm
• 448 Old Byron Bay Road, Newrybar Frid 31, 2pm
SERVICE
DEADLINE: For additions and changes to the Service Directory is 12pm Friday.
LINE ADS: $99 for 3 months or $340 for 1 year prepaid.
For line Service Directory ads email classifieds@echo.net.au.
DISPLAY ADS: $70 per week for colour display ad. Minimum 8 week booking 4 weeks prepaid.
Please supply display ads 85mm wide, 28mm high. New display ads will be placed at end of section.
For display Service Directory ads email adcopy@echo.net.au.
The Echo Service Directory is online – www.echo.net.au/service-directory
ACCOUNTS & BOOKINGS: 6684 1777
INDEX
Accountants & Bookkeepers..........56
Acupuncture.................................56
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration....56
Alterations & Repairs.....................56
Antennas & Installation.................56
Architects.....................................56
Automotive...................................56
Blinds, Awnings, Curtains, Shutters.56
Bricklaying....................................56
Building Trades.............................56
Bush Regen & Weed Control..........56
Carpentry & Joinery ......................56
Carpet Cleaning............................57
Chimney Sweeping........................57
Chiropractic..................................57
Cleaning.......................................57
Computer Services........................57
Concreting & Paving......................57
Decks, Patios & Extensions.............57
Dentists........................................57
Design & Drafting..........................57
Earthmoving & Excavation.............57
Electricians...................................57
Fencing.........................................57
Floor Sanding & Polishing..............57
Furniture Maker............................57
Garden & Property Maintenance....57
Gas Suppliers................................58
Graphic Design..............................58
Guitar Repairs...............................58
Guttering......................................58
Handypersons...............................58
Health..........................................58
Hire..............................................58
Insurance......................................58
Landscape Supplies.......................58
Landscaping .................................58
Locksmith.....................................58
Painting........................................58
Pest Control..................................58
Photography.................................58
Physiotherapy...............................58
Picture Framing............................58
Plastering.....................................58
Plumbers......................................58
Pool Services.................................58
Property Styling............................58
Removalists..................................58
Roofing.........................................59
Rubbish Removal..........................59
Self Storage..................................59
Sensor Technology........................59
Septic Systems..............................59
Solar Installation..........................59
Television Services........................59
Tiling............................................59
Transport......................................59
Tree Services.................................59
Upholstery....................................59
Valuers.........................................59
Veterinary Surgeons......................59
Water Filters.................................59
Water Services..............................59
Welding........................................59
Window Cleaning..........................59
Window Tinting............................59
Writing Services............................59
ECHO CLASSIFIEDS – 6684 1777
CLASSIFIED AD BOOKINGS
ECHO HEAD OFFICE
Ads can be lodged in person at the Mullum Echo office: Village Way, Stuart St, Mullumbimby
EMAIL ADS
Line classies: classifieds@echo.net.au
Ad bookings only taken during business hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Ads can’t be taken on the weekend. Account enquiries phone 6684 1777.
DISCLAIMER
Advertisements placed in The Byron Shire Echo do not reflect the views or opinions of the editorial staff.
The Byron Shire Echo does not make any representations as to the accuracy or suitability of any content or information contained in advertising material nor does publication constitute in any way an endorsement by The Byron Shire Echo of the content or representations contained therein.
SINGING GROUPS FOR WOMEN
CHIXONG
Tues $15 & Weds $15 ($20 both). 7pm Beginners welcome. Brunswick Heads. byronbaysinging.com facebook.com/ByronBaySinging
SINGING FOR Fun and Frivolity
Wednesday 1pm. Brunswick Heads Beginners welcome. $15 ($8 Con) byronbaysinging.com facebook.com/ByronBaySinging
SINGING GROUPS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES KIDSONG
Uniting Church Hall, Brunswick Heads. Tuesday, 6pm. This is a family orientated class for all ages. Children 8 & up can attend alone. $10 per student/$20 per family byronbaysinging.com facebook.com/ByronBaySinging
Every Saturday Railway Park 4-9pm
DEADLINE
Publication day is Wednesday, booking deadlines are the day before publication.
RATES & PAYMENT
$17.00 for the first two lines
$17 for two lines is the minimum charge.
DISPLAY ADS (with a border):
$12.85 per column centimetre
These prices include GST.
Cash, cheque, Mastercard or Visa Prepayment is required for all ads.
Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre
Connecting the Byron Shire Community
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
– Baristas –
– Gardeners –
– Food Sorters –
– Cleaners –
The team at MDNC are searching for some dedicated volunteers to help us continue to support our community.
Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kaz
Wednesday – Friday 6684 1286
OCEAN SHORES & DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB INC. AGM is to be held at 1.30pm Mon 20 March 2023 at The Hub Church Hall next to Kmart, Rajah Rd Ocean Shores (or 2 Bindaree Way). If the four vacant positions of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Outings Officer are not filled, the following Special Resolution will be tabled: “That approval is given to the Public Officer to apply to Fair Trading NSW for Voluntary Cancellation of Registration of our association and further that all remaining assets of the club be distributed in accordance with the Constitution.” Phone Margie on 0412246310 for further info.
LOOK GOOD FEEL GOOD Free consultation. SANDRO 66805002
FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH
• Sausage sizzle • Hot dogs • Sandwiches
• Coffee & tea • Fruit Salad EVERYONE WELCOME
Come one come all and join us in a meal or just a chat.
Takeaway most welcome: COVID safe rules apply.
Frozen takeaway meals now available. 10am to 12pm
In the Ballina Presbyterian Hall
Corner of Cherry & Crane. Just behind the Presbyterian Church.
CLASSIFIEDS THAT WORK ALL WEEK!
Echo Classies also appear online: www.echo.net.au/ classified-ads
Clear subconscious sabotages. Reprogram patterns and beliefs. Restore vibrancy and physical health. De-stress. Ph 0403125506
SANDRA DAVEY, Reg. Pract.
HYPNOSIS & EFT
Simple and effective solutions
Anxiety, Cravings, Fears & Trauma. Maureen Bracken 0402205352
PURA VIDA
WELLNESS CENTRE Brunswick Heads COLON HYDROTHERAPY
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN
FAR INFRARED SAUNA
REMEDIAL MASSAGE + more 66850498
COUPLES THERAPY Online www.oztantra.com
1800 TANTRA
CRYSTAL HEALINGS & READINGS
Mullumbimby
Kate is a deeply intuitive, wholehearted, compassionate & sensitive person, who brings humour & warmth into your session. Take away detailed messages, guidance & tools, as well as a potent healing transmission from the crystals. 0413 003 301 crystalsanddreaming.com.au
TREE SERVICES
Leaf it to us 4x4 truck/chipper, crane truck, stump grinding. Local, qualified, insured, free quotes. 0402487213
Vistara Primary School
• Part-Time Primary Teacher, Years 3–6 (Stages 2 & 3) on Mondays & Tuesdays. Starting Term One 2023.
• Maternity Leave – Full-Time Primary Teacher, Stages 1 & 2.
Vistara is seeking a vibrant, dedicated Primary School Teacher to join our wonderful team. We are a not-for-profit, Independent Primary School with three multi-staged classrooms delivering the NESA NSW syllabus. Our classes are small and we aim to maintain a creative and dynamic approach to teaching and learning. Our school’s ethos and Neo Humanist philosophy (see www.vistara.nsw.edu.au) is integrated withthe NESA NSW Syllabus. If you love to work in a beautiful rural setting, with a progressive educational philosophy based on ecology, we want to hear from you. The vaccination mandate has ceased and we are receiving applications from all teachers. The salary is based on the Association of Independent Schools NSW Hybrid Multi Enterprise Agreement.
To be considered, applicants must submit the following:
1. CV – incl. full contact details, D.O.B., previous schools, year levels taught, duration at each school, two referees from two previous schools.
2. A copy of your Dept. of Education Approval to Teach letter.
3. Working With Children Check number.
4. NESA number and level of accreditation. Additional information may be requested before an interview.
Email your applications to: visps@bigpond.net.au
Attention: Administrator / Applications Now Open: Feb 2023 Vistara Primary School, 41 Richmond Hill Rd, Richmond Hill. NSW 2480
www.wendypurdey.com Mindfulness @ Work Bring greater focus, clarity and calm into your workplace. Certified Mindfulness Educator Paul Bibby 0401 926 090 0427 347 380 Fully insured • Free quotes
BAMBOO PLANTS: clumping, screening, hedging, flowering gingers, bromeliads. Close to Mullum. 0458535760
SUBARU FORESTER 2003 2.5l manual 116,000kms, good cond, new tyres, rego June 2023. $5500 ono. Ph 66841899
CARAVANS
We buy, sell & consign. All makes & models. 0408 758 688
FRANKLIN CARAVAN Good for food van. Good underbody, steel frame, $1,000 ono. Ph 0434431110
Long established nursery is closing down and everything must go. Mixed lots like the old days. More info at ebrom.com.au 0412664526 FEDERAL
MICRODERMABRASION unit, as new
$2,000 plus other beauty therapy equipment available. Please enquire 0411872423
Dryers and dishwashers available at Bridglands Mullumbimby. 66842511
Road base, gravel, blue metal and metal dust. ALL SIZE DELIVERIES. Phone 66845517, 0418481617
OWNERS RETIRING Manufacturing camphor laurel timber products for export & domestic markets. Fully integrated business, saw mills, dryer, forklift, 1400mm thicknesser sander & dust extractor and many assorted tools. An affordable business. Peter 0428263086
WINDOW & PRESSURE CLEANING
Est 2009 with extensive client base. Equipment and vehicle included. Jonathon 0415846343 or 0409207646
4-PAX MOBILE BUNGEE TRAMPOLINE
Fully Australian certified & engineered. Recently serviced. Very popular attraction, easily earns $2,000 per day after costs. $36,000. Also Ducato Van XLWB available. Call Steve 0421440461
ROOM TO LET in 4bdr, 2 bath house with pool. Alstonville, quiet area. Clean person, $200p/w. Ph 0414277302
2–3 BDR STUDIO in Main Arm. $500p/w boydwarren001@gmail.com
LOCAL REMOVAL & backloads to Brisbane. Friendly, with 10 years local exp. 0409917646
Tip Runs & Rubbish Removal 0408 210 772 Firewood Sales Get your firewood early MARK - 0427490038
GREAT LOCATION MULLUMBIMBY New
2 bedroom house with carport & garage. Long term lease. $625p/w. 0422251858
MYOCUM Quiet working couple/single wanted for renovated 2bdr dairy bales on lovely 10 acre property. 1 bath, 1 shower. Open plan living, large private courtyard, NBN. Refs & bond req’d. $450p/w. No pets. 0418735378
20 years local experience • 19 inch chipper • Stump grinding • Cherry picker • Crane truck • Bob Cat
Could poetry ever be a matter for calculation?
3BDRM HOUSE between Burringbar and Mullum. Long-term pref. For local family with 2 kids in school in Mullum. I own a local conservation business, so can restore natural areas or bushland properties. Well-behaved dog and exc refs 0427859714
WE ARE a small natural cosmetic company in the Byron Bay Arts/Industry Estate. Casual position 2–3 days p/w, varied duties including customer calls, cold calls, admin and packaging/labelling work. Must be able to work independently with great attention to detail. We value reliability, and would prefer someone who lives locally. Call Michael 0481277029 or email michael@ecominerals.com.au
White Horses and • FULLY INSURED • PROFESSIONAL SERVICE • FREE QUOTES 0 4 0 2 3 6 4 8 5 2 0402 364 852
We are an established Byron Bay legal firm looking for a motivated staff member to provide secretarial and admin support within our team. Fulltime/part-time: some flexibility on hours/days for right candidate. Role can commence immediately. For details email employment@byronlegal.com
LADIES WANTED, MUST BE 18+ Casual or permanent work available in busy adult parlour. 66816038 for details.
SOCIAL MEDIA GURU for small local business. Please call Wayne 0423218417
THE ECHO
Thank you to the applicants for our Lennox run, that position has now been filled.
The Echo has further contract positions commencing late March delivering papers to:
1. Bangalow: 1100 Folding, inserting and if necessary bagging papers then driving around in a car throwing accurately plus some delivery to shops in main street.
2. Pottsville, Cabarita, Casuarina, Kingscliff, Murwillumbah, Burringbar, Mooball 875 papers. This position involves inserting flat papers, and delivering on foot to shops. Lots of driving between towns. Can be done starting early Thursday morning.
3. Mullumbimby CBD: 750 This position also involves inserting and delivery of flat papers to shops in Mullum CBD
4. Wilsons Creek and Left Bank Rd. This position involves collecting folded and inserted papers from Mullumbimby and throwing them to driveways from a car
5. Wategos/Massinger/Paterson Hill 500 papers. Folding, inserting and if necessary bagging papers then driving around in a car throwing accurately.
6. Myocum/Goonengerry/ Tyagarah/Andersons Hill 880 papers. This position involves collecting folded and inserted papers from Mullumbimby and throwing accurately to driveways from a car. These runs can each be done by different people or, in the past people have combined a number of runs. The work tends to suit a semi-retired or underemployed person/couple who just want a reliable job to do at their own pace at the same time every week. The successful applicants for these runs will have an ABN, a reliable vehicle, a strong throwing arm, and ideally they will live near the distribution area. They will collect the papers/inserts from Ballina (before 7am) or Mullumbimby (7–7.30am) or Byron A&I Estate midmorning on Wednesday and will have delivered all the papers by 6pm Wednesday.
Suit mature or stable person. Commencing asap. Email simon@echo.net.au or phone/text 0409324724
Byron Writers Festival are looking for an admin guru with a proven track record in administrative support and general office management. Work alongside a great team and help to deliver a year-round program of events and activities, including the annual festival. Permanent part-time, 20 hours per week.
Closing date: Sunday 12 March
More details via: byronwritersfestival.com/careers
Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School currently has the following exciting opportunities available: Accountant High School HSIE Teacher Applicationscloseat9am on 7 March 2023.
Please refer to website for closing times, position descriptions and details on how to apply : www.shearwater.nsw.edu.au
Inspired Creative Academic Nurturing
Start Term 2 2023.
Cape Byron Steiner School is a vibrant and progressive K-12 school dedicated to the educational principles inspired by Rudolf Steiner.
Cellist to teach individual lessons to students, Classes 3 to 7, two to three days per week.
Previous experience in Steiner Education would be desirable.
ApplicationS close Monday 20th March, 2023.
Position description and application process available at: capebyronsteiner.nsw.edu.au/ information/positions-available
FRENCH • ITALIAN • GERMAN Eva 0403224842 www.languagetuitionbyron.com.au
Experienced
Professional Trainer
• Photoshop • Indesign
• Illustrator
contact@thinkblinkdesign.com www.thinkblinkdesign.com
GUITARS, RECORDS, HI-FI
WE BUY AND SELL 66851005
WARREN STEVENSON JONES of Mooball and BUPA Pottsville. Passed away peacefully on 22 Feb 2023.
Much-loved partner of Margaret, father to Col, Wendy & Steve, Sandi & Matt. Stepfather to Tracey & Grant, Mark & Kirti.
Special Grandfather to 13 & Great-gandfather to 7. His funeral will be held on Wednesday 1 March at Tweed Heads Memorial Gardens at 11.30am NSW time.
FAREWELL TONY BARRY
There will be a celebration of Tony’s life this Sunday at 12.30pm at the Brunswick Picture House.
Announcing the passing of Miranda de Looze of Byron Bay on Saturday, 25th February 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.
Miranda was loved by all, with a larger-thanlife, radiant and vibrant personality. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Miranda’s life to be held at the Ewingsdale Hall, Ewingsdale on TUESDAY (March 7, 2023) commencing at 11.00am.
Michael Currie at BRUNSWICK VALLEY FUNERALS 6684 6232
ONLY ADULTS
FULL BODY RESTORATION Healing Through Pleasure massagebyronbay.com or 0425347477
LICENSED TO THRILL Premium Massage & Play touchofjustine.com/byron-bay-outcalls
6-month-old male Border Collie x Kelpie ‘Kela’ is a cutie sweetie clever affectionate boy who needs not only adequate exercise but continuing training and lots of mental stimulation. He is initially shy with other dogs but then loves to play. He is good with children, cattle and cats but will chase chickens.
If you have a fenced property and can provide Kela with an appropriate lifestyle for a working-dog breed, contact Shell on 0458 461 935 MC: 953010006015037
Zephyr is an 8 month old, Koolie X. He is a smart, active boy who needs a lot of enrichment. He learns quickly. Zephyr would love a home on acreage with older kids.
M/C # 991003001704113
Want to find out more about Zephyr?
Please call Yvette on 0421 831 128 and fill out our online adoption
Expression of Interest at: https://friendsofthepound.com/ adoption-expression-of-interest
Visit friendsofthepound.com to view other dogs and cats looking for a home.
ABN 83 126 970 338
BALLINA EXCLUSIVE
34 Piper Dr. Open 7 days 10am till late. In &
Little black and white kitten ROSEIN was close to death when taken into the shelter with a tick bite. Quickly treated, she now enjoys her second life with great energy and joy. She is described as a “cuddle bug “ and is constantly on the look out for cuddles. Perhaps you too are a cuddle bug and will make a match with Rosein. Heaven :). She can’t wait for her own special hooman. Happy cuddling ! All cats are desexed, vaccinated & microchipped. No: 953010006195567
Please make an appointment 0403 533 589 • Billinudgel petsforlifeanimalshelter.net
Can you help dear Zuri? This beautiful girl isn’t coping in the shelter and her stress is making her very miserable. Zuri does not appreciate the other cats and would be so much better in a home environment. If you are looking for a loving little lady and have no other animals (or a very chilled one), Zuri is definitely for you. Please help make her happy again.
To meet Zuri, please visit the Cat Adoption Centre at 124 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby.
OPEN: Tues 2.30–4.30pm Thurs 3–5pm, Sat 10am–12 noon
Call AWL on 0436 845 542
Like us on Facebook!
AWL NSW Rehoming Organisation
Number: R251000222
Devoted
Couples,
0407 013 347
Email copy marked ‘On The Horizon’ to editor@echo.net.au.
The Brunswick Valley Probus Club meeting is on Tuesday March at The Ocean Shores Country Club 10am. Following our meeting we are holding our yearly AGM meeting so come along and vote in your favourite people. Visitors welcome. Inquires Margaret on 6680 3316.
The newly minted Bangalow Community Association has a quarterly general meeting on Wed Mar 22, 7pm, at the Bangalow Mens Shed, off the Station St carpark. All citizens of the 2479 postcode area are invited to attend a conversation on community wide matters relating
to development and infrastructure. By taking community engagement to a new level, we can deliver optimal outcomes for our village. Come along and become involved.
Ocean Shores & District
Garden Club
Ocean Shores & District Garden Club Inc. AGM is to be held at 1.30pm on Monday 20 March at The Hub Church hall next to Kmart, Rajah Road, Ocean Shores (2 Bindaree Way). If the four vacant positions of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Outings Officer are not filled, the following Special Resolution will be tabled: ‘That approval is given to the Public Officer to apply to Fair Trading NSW for Voluntary Cancellation of Registration of our association and further that
DEADLINE NOON FRIDAY
Please note that, owing to space restrictions, not all entries may be included each week. Email copy marked ‘Regular As Clockwork’ to editor@echo.net.au.
Neighbourhood Centre
Mullumbimby & District
Neighbourhood Centre is open
Monday–Thursday 9am–4pm (closed from 12.30–1.30pm for lunch) and offers a range of services and activities. Everyone is welcome. Call reception on 6684 1286 and discover what is on offer.
MDNC services that are running include:
Flood Recovery Support Service: personalised, long-term support for those impacted by the floods.
Community support: Food parcels, meals, showers, assistance with electricity and phoneelstra bills, Work Development Orders.
Listening Space: free counselling. Staying Home, Leaving Violence program
Integrated Domestic & Family
Violence program
Financial Counselling: outreach available Thursdays & Fridays
Financial Counselling: free service to resume in February, call 6684 1286 for more details.
Information, referral and advocacy. To enquire about accessing any of these services call 6684 1286 or fill out an online enquiry form.
Byron Community Centre
Byron Community Centre
The Byron Community Centre provides community services and programs including meals, advocacy and counselling for locals in need. Fletcher Street Cottage: A welcoming, safe and respectful space where people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness can come to get practical relief opportunities, find connections and access broader support. Fletcher Street Cottage services are open
Monday–Friday. Breakfast: Monday–Friday, 7am–9am. Showers and Laundry: Monday–Friday, 7am–12pm.
Office Support: Monday–Friday, 9am - 12pm. Support Appointments: Individual support appointments with community workers or specialist services. For bookings please call 6685 6807. Fletcher Street Cottage, 18 Fletcher St, Byron Bay. More info: www. fletcherstreetcottage.com.au.
Byron Community Cabin: Seniors Computer Club (school term only), 9–11am, Friday, Carlyle Steet. More info: www.byroncentre.com.au Phone: 6685 6807
Low-cost or free food
Food Box Thursdays 9.30–11.30am at Uniting Church, Mullumbimby. You may purchase cheap food, obtain free
all remaining assets of the club be distributed in accordance with the Constitution’. Phone Margie on 0412 246 310 for further info.
Meet the candidates
Ocean Shores Country Club on Monday 13 March at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.
Main discussion point 2483 Flood Free Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA) for enquiries 0431 477 445.
Read with Story Dogs
This is a fun and supportive reading program at the Byron Bay Library on Tuesday from 3pm to 5pm with the trained and accredited Story Dog team. Practice reading one on one with the Story Dog in a calm and motivating environment. If your child would like to read to our Story Dog regularly, book a slot in advance. Phone 6685 8540. We can’t wait for you to meet our Story Dog at the Byron Bay Library.
The Anglican Op Shop in Mullumbimby needs volunteers to work in their shop. If you have three hours to spare either
They provide free face-to-face and telephone support and are accessible 24/7. Follow-up contact is available for up to one year. Find out more at: www. standbysupport.com.au or call 13 11 14. If you, or someone you are with, are in need of immediate support please call an ambulance or police on 000.
weekly, fortnightly or monthly why not call into the shop at 32 Burringbar Street, or phone 6684 4718, and talk to the co-ordinator.
The next meeting of the Northern Rivers Day Prostate Cancer Support Group is to be held on Wednesday 8 March at 10am until 12 noon at the Alstonville Plateau Sports Club (previously known as Bowling Club), Deegan Drive, Alstonville. Men previously and newly diagnosed with prostate cancer are urged to join with the group to experience the personal cancer stories told which give all present a great opportunity to share, learn and benefit from each other – Partners and carers are also most welcome to attend. This will be a morning of quality sharing on health and wellbeing. Enquiries phone Bob Corney on 0493 075 612.
Seniors get together on Fridays at 1.15pm at a local club in Byron Bay. Friendly group and All Welcome. Enquiries: Nancy 0498 480 373
Baby Bounce and Storytime for toddlers and pre-school children are at: Brunswick Heads Library, Monday – Story Time 10.30 till 11.30am; Friday – Baby Time 10.30 till 11am. Mullumbimby Library, Monday – Story Time 10–11am; Tuesday – Baby Time 10–10.30 am.
veges, and enjoy a cuppa. Free Food Relief Bags for anyone doing it tough, every Wednesday 10–12noon at The Hub Ocean Shores, cnr Rajah Rd and Bindaree Way. No ID or Concession Card required. NILs referral service also available. Check Facebook page The Hub Baptist Ocean Shores for details. Liberation Larder Takeaway lunches and groceries Monday and Thursday 12 till 1pm. Fletcher Street end of the Byron Community Centre.
Byron Shire Respite Service Inc delivers high-quality respite care to a broad range of clients throughout the Byron, Ballina and Lismore shires. Donations welcome: Ph 6685 1921, email fundraiser@byronrespite.com.au, website: www.byronrespite.com.au.
Alateen meeting every Thursday at 5–6pm. Do you have a parent, close friend or relative with a drinking problem? Alateen can help. For 8–16-year-olds meet St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Hall, 13 Powell Street, corner of Florence Street Tweed Heads. Al-Anon family groups for older members at the same time and place.
1300 ALANON 1300 252 666 www. al-anon.org.au
ACA
Adult Children of Alcoholic Parents and/or Dysfunctional Families (ACA) help & recovery group meets in Lismore every Friday 10–11.30am, Red Dove Centre, 80 Keen Street. Byron meetings are on Tuesdays at 7pm via Zoom – meeting ID 554 974 582 password byronbay.
Call Alcoholics Anonymous 1800 423 431 or 0401 945 671 – 30 meetings a week in the Shire – www.aa.org.au.
Are you experiencing difficulties and challenges because of the alcohol or drug use of someone close to you?
Learn coping skills and gain support from others. Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. For information and meetings call 1300 652 820 or text your postcode to 0488 811 247. www. na.org.au. Are you concerned about somebody else’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups meetings held Fridays at 2pm by Zoom. 1300 252666 www. al-anon.org.au.
StandBy provides support to people who have lost someone to suicide.
Voluntary Euthanasia End-of-Life Choices are discussed at Exit International meetings held quarterly. Meetings are held at Robina and Tweed Heads South, this month. Attendees must be Exit Members. For further Information www.exitinternational.net or phone Catherine 0435 228 443.
Carers’ support
Mullumbimby Mental Health Carers’ Support Group for family members and friends who have a loved one with a mental health issue. Meeting on 4th Thursday of each month 9.30am at the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre.
Info: Susanne 0428 716 431.
Rainbow Dragons
Rainbow Dragons Abreast (RDA) welcomes breast cancer survivors for a paddle at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head (and sometimes at Ballina) on Sundays 7.30am for 8am start. Contact Marian 6688 4058, mazzerati2010@ gmail.com.
Older adult exercise
Chair Based Older Adults Exercise Classes run by a qualified instructor, that feel more like fun than exercise, are held every Thursday at 10.15am in the Brunswick Memorial Hall. Cost $10. All welcome. Just show up or if you have any questions please contact Di on 0427 026 935.
$5 pilates classes
Pilates for the price of a coffee! Come and join us for $5 Pilates classes every Thursday at 8.45am in the Memorial Hall, 22 Fingal Street, Brunswick Heads and Monday at 8.45am in Mullumbimby. It doesn’t matter what level you are, as beginner to advanced options are shown. Just bring a mat and water. My goal is to keep the Shire active and feeling great one person at a time. No need to book just show up. For more information contact Di on 0427 026 935.
Language exchange
Byron language exchange club runs every 2nd last Friday of the month from 6pm (alternating Ballina/ Byron). Practise other languages or help someone with your English! Find us on Facebook. Contact byronbaylanguages@gmail.com.
Brunswick Valley
The Museum is on the corner of Myocum and Stuart Sts Mullumbimby, open Tuesdays and Fridays 10am–12pm and market Saturdays 9am–1pm. Discover your local history, join our team – 6684 4367.
The Next meeting of the Association of Independent Retirees, Far North Coast Branch, will be held at the Ballina RSL Club on Friday 3 March, at 9.30am for 10am. The guest speaker for this meeting will be Donna Laverty from Australian Unity, who will advise us of the level of care which is available to aged persons from My Aged Care. Morning tea will be available at this meeting. The following meeting will not be held on the first Friday of April as that is Good Friday, and will be held the following Friday, 14 April. Any enquiries to President/ Secretary John Ritchie. 0437 509 618.
The next Richmond–Tweed Family History Society Meeting will be held at the Players Theatre, 24 Swift Street Ballina, 2–4pm 4 March. The topic at this meeting will be ‘When Accidental Drowning’ is written on a Death Certificate/Death Transcript. All enquiries to Richmond -Tweed Family History Society Chairperson Richard Goss on mobile 0418 356 527.
quilting. Beginners welcome. Gold coin donation for morning tea.
Lions Club
Interested in making new friends and helping our community? Lions Club of Brunswick Mullumbimby meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7pm Ocean Shores Country Club. Info: Joan Towers 0400 484 419.
Kyogle Garden Club Inc will be holding their Annual Flower and Foliage Spectacular again this year on Friday 21 April 9am – 5pm and Saturday 22 April 8am – 3pm at St Brigid’s School Hall. Entry is $2 Phil Dudman from ABC Gardening will make a guest appearance on the Saturday around 10.30am.
The Byron Bay General Cancer Support Group has been running for six years and welcomes new participants. The aim of the group is to provide a safe, supportive and friendly environment for people with cancer to discuss how they are feeling and connect with other people with cancer. It takes place every four weeks on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am. The next meeting on Tuesday 7 March at the Byron Bay Services Club, Jonson Street, Byron Bay. For more information Contact the Cancer Council on 13 11 20.
carpentry workshop. Workshops are held every Saturday, 9am to 1pm at Shedding Community Workshop. Bookings Essential via shedding.com. au. Contact Sophie Wilksch via email at shedding.communityworkshop@ gmail.com.
Muslim prayer
Mullumbimby: Tuesday Ladies Group of Riverside Tennis Club welcomes new players 9.30am every Tuesday next to Heritage Park, for social tennis, fun and friendship. Info: Barbara 6684 8058. South Golden Shores Community Centre Women’s table tennis every Monday at 10am. Phone 0435 780 017. Byron Bay Croquet at Croquet Club next to the Scout Hall at the Byron Rec Grounds every Monday at 3.30pm. Ring 0477 972 535. Pottsville Fun Croquet Club at Black Rocks Sportfield. Beginners and visitors welcome. Game starts 8.30am Tuesday and Thursday. $5 per game. Enquiries 0413 335 941.
Chair Based Older Adults Exercise Classes run by a qualified instructor, that feel more like fun than exercise, are held every Thursday at 10.15am in the Brunswick Memorial Hall. Cost $10. All welcome. Just show up or if you have any questions please contact Di on 0427 026 935.
Byron Cavanbah Toastmasters meetings coaching in communication and self-development run on 1st and 3rd Mondays, 6.15 for 6.30pm at Byron Bay Services Club, Byron Bay. Online attendance allowed. Mullum Magic Toastmasters: Mullum Magic provides a safe and fun environment for members and guests to develop their public-speaking and leadership skills. Meeting 6.30–8.30pm every second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Mullum Ex-Services Club. New members and guests welcome. Contact Bruce 0418 515 991 or Ninian 0411 629 982.
Meditation
Dzogchen meditation and study group 2nd and 4th Saturdays each month at Mullumbimby CWA Hall. Didi 0408 008 769. Buddhist meditation and conversation with John Allan, Mondays 6.30–8.30pm, The Yurt, Temple Byron. No fees. John 0428 991 189. Byron yoga philosophy club free meditation classes Monday, 7pm, 1 Korau Place Suffolk Park. Go to www. wisdom.yoga or phone Kris 0435 300 743. Byron Bay Meditation Centre, Tuesday 6.30pm at Temple Byron. For more info: byronbaymeditationcentre. com.au or contact Greg 0431 747 764.
Brunswick Heads CWA
Brunswick Heads CWA Crafty Women meet Fridays 10am–2pm, cnr Park and Booyun Streets, Brunswick Heads. Join us for a chat and cuppa, bring along your craft projects including sewing, knitting, crocheting, or
Byron Gem Club
The Bryon Gem and Lapidary Club is open weekly to members new and old. Visitors welcome to view club facilities. Activities semi-precious and gemstone cutting, shaping and polishing, gem faceting, silver work, gem setting and jewellery making etc. Facebook @ Byron Gem Club. Club workshed located past Sky Dive Byron at Tyagarah Airfield. Contact 6687 1251 or 0427 529 967 for more info.
Craft group
The Uniting Craft & Social Group meets every Monday 9.30am–2.30pm at the Uniting Church in Carlyle Street, Byron Bay. Bring lunch and whatever else you need. Small cost. All welcome. Do you prefer patchwork and quilting? Come along on Monday evening same place at 6pm. Enquiries Tilly 6685 5985.
Op shops
Uniting Church Op Shop, Dalley St, Mullumbimby – open each Saturday 9am–12 noon. Byron Bay Anglican Op Shop opens Tuesday to Saturday 9am–1pm. Volunteers needed. Enq Cathy 0432 606 849. Mullumbimby Anglican Op Shop opens Monday to Friday 9am–4pm, Saturday 9am–12noon. Volunteers needed, enq to shop 6684 4718. Mullumbimby
Seventh-Day Adventist Op Shop opens Tuesday to Friday 11am-3pm. Companion Animals Welfare Inc (CAWI) op shop Brunswick Heads (next to supermarket) open Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 9am–1pm, Sun closed.
Mullumbimby Clayworkers Gallery in the Drill Hall complex is open every Thursday to Saturday 10am–2pm with pottery and sculpture from community members for sale. Applications for studio membership open in January. All details at www.mullumclayworkers. com.
CWA Bangalow
Bangalow CWA has reopened and our hours are Monday–Friday 10am–2pm and Saturdays 8am-12 noon.
Toy Library
The Byron Shire Toy Library is open Mondays and Thursdays 9am–12 noon, at the Children’s Centre, Coogera Cct, Suffolk Park. Come and see the large range of preschoolers toys available for loan.
Come to Upskill in Mullumbimby, a free introductory building and
Friday Muslim prayer. Jumu’ah service held weekly at the Cavanbah Centre at 1.30 pm. Come to the remembrance of Allah.
Bruns Progress
Residents, come and have your say at the Brunswick Heads Progress Association. We meet on the first Monday of every second month at the Brunswick Heads Community Landcare
Bangalow Land and Rivercare working bee every Saturday 8.30–10.30am. Email: bangalowlandcare@gmail.com. Noelene 0431200638.
Soap Aid saving lives
Soap Aid is a not-for-profit organisation recycling and sending critical soap to communities facing major hygiene challenges. Please drop in your partly used household or holiday rental soap for recycling to Kim at Raine & Horne Byron Bay 39 Fletcher Street 0499 839 566. Small and large quantities welcome. https:// soapaid.org.
Sex & Love Addicts Anon
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous is peer-support group of men and women for whom sex and/or romance have become a problem. For details of weekly meetings, phone 0452 074 974 or visit www.slaa.org.au.
Volunteers sought
Volunteers sought for Northern Rivers Volunteering, representing more than 100 community organisations. Info: 6621 7397.
Bridge club
Brunswick Valley Bridge Club meets every Monday, seated at 12.15 to commence play at 12.30. Visitors welcome. See bridgewebs.com/ brunswickvalley/home.html or for partner ring Lesley 0468 807 306. Facebook Brunswick Valley Bridge Club.
BV scrabble club
Brunswick Valley Scrabble Club will meet each Tuesday afternoon from 1 till 4pm at the Brunswick Bowling Club. New members welcome. Contact Steve on 0407 844 718.
Bosom Buddies
Ballina Bosom Buddies Support Group meets the third Thursday each month 10am–12pm at the Ballina Kentwell Community Centre. Contact Karen 0439 438 576 for further information. contact Di on 0427 026 935. February 6.30pm–8pm. Enquire at Mullumbimby Safe Haven open 12pm–6pm seven days.
Lennox Head duo Nyxie Ryan and Mikey McDonagh have taken the most significant victories of their careers, winning the 2023 Camplify Great Lakes Pro last week.
The contest was a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event.
The pair faced bumpy 1–1.2 metre waves at Boomerang Beach.
The women’s final saw two of Australia’s most dominant up-and-comers in, Nyxie Ryan and Ellie Harrison, going head-to-head.
Both competitors posted mid-range scores early, which kept things tight in the 30-minute matchup, but in the end, it was Ryan who was able to back it up and take control. Harrison couldn’t find a wave that offered her scoring potential, leaving Ryan to defend her 2022 Boomerang title with a winning total of 12.66 (out of a possible 20).
‘This feels good — I’m super stoked,’ Ryan said. ‘It’s been a big couple of days, and to get the win, I had to surf four times today, so I’m exhausted, but I knew this would be the case, and it’s all worth it now.
‘It’s great for the two of us to represent our hometown of Lennox and hopefully make everyone proud’.
The Byron Football Club women’s premiers side kicked off the 2023 season with style when Tony Gustavsson, head coach of the Australian women’s national football team, visited the club over the weekend.
‘Off the back of coaching the Matildas to an incredible Cup of Nations victory last week, it was such an honour to have the surprise visitor stop by to wish the girls good luck,’ BBFC womens’ coordinator, John McKay, said.
‘Tony jumped in on some photo opportunities and showed the local referees and junior spectators some appreciation and support’.
Mikey
Mikey McDonagh had a scare on the way to his win, after losing the lead then regaining it all in the final minute of competition. He came up against Sunshine Coast surfer, Taj Stokes, in the final and looked in control but Stokes was only looking for a mid-range score to take the lead.
With 45 seconds left, McDonagh let Stokes take
a smaller wave, but Stokes did enough to take the lead, leaving McDonagh needing a 7.04. But with only four seconds on the clock he found a wave to earn the score and the win with a two-wave total of 13.34.
‘This is the best feeling in the world – I’m over the moon right now. That came right down to the wire there, so I’m so stoked to get the win,’ McDonagh said.
Nine different sports will be on offer for children to try when Byron Council presents Active Fest at the Cavanbah Centre on Sunday March 12.
The event is free for children aged 7—14 years. Across the day they will get to try sports offered in the wider community such as rugby league, AFL, netball, baseball 5, triathlon, netball, football and basketball.
‘There will be plenty of
food and drinks for the kids across the day, as well as giveaways and a skydiving demonstration,’ Damian Kelly, BSC Sports and Recreation Operations Coordinator said.
Club representatives will also be there to help with player registrations. Participants need to register via the Byron Shire Council website before attending.
Action from last year’s Active Fest. Photo supplied
His presence seemed to be a major inspiration for the players, as the Byron women’s premier division
team went on to win 10-0 over Ballina.
Female player registrations at the club this year more than doubled the 2022 number. This will mean the BBFC will have teams in the top three women’s divisions for the first time.
‘The excitement for this
year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, being held both here and in NZ, is in full force and a visit from Tony Gustavsson helped take it to the next level.
‘We can’t wait to seewhat’s in store for the rest of the season,’ John said.
Byron Bay’s second- and third-grade cricket teams travelled to Bangalow last Saturday afternoon and came away with two wins.
In second grade Byron Bay won the toss and elected to bat on the main ground at Schultz Oval.
Wickets fell steadily and the visitors were 3/43 before Tom McGeorge (29), Mitch Loane (32) and Lenny Bridle (26) provided some resistance in the middle order.
But Byron was bowled out in the 36th over for a total of 151.
Bangalow’s best bowler was Harry Bull who claimed 5/10 off 5.3 overs.
It proved to be a bowlers’ day when Bangalow’s chase was shut down early in the 26th over, with the team all
out for 60. Only two batsman made it into double figures: Eaven Dall (12) and Harry Bull (11).
Byron’s Sebastian Campbell took 5/13 off eight overs, supported by opening partner, Brady Fuhrmann, (1/18 off eight). Jason Trisley joined in the action and took 3/12 off 4.1 overs.
The result leaves Bangalow in fifth place on the ladder with 101 points, while Byron are sixth with 83.
With just two rounds to play they are chasing the top four: Terranora Lakes 125, Tintenbar-East Ballina 122, Cudgen 115 and Tweed Banora 109.
In the other game Byron third grade took on Bangalow’s fourths who won the toss and set Byron a total of 9/150 off their 40 overs.
Byron’s secret weapon, Jesse Colby, took the first two wickets (2/17 off five), while Oscar Jarvis claimed 4/27 off seven. Alex Jones and Shaun Greening each took one apiece.
Byron got the runs, losing only two wickets, with seven overs to spare.
Greg Trevena was the day’s highest scorer with 67, while opener Ross Kendall batted through with 25 not out. Oscar Jarvis (22) and Matt Larsen (23) also made valuable contributions.
The win puts Byron Bay (98) in second place on the ladder ahead of Bangalow thirds (95) and Mullumbimby Brunswick (72).
Next week Byron will seek their first win against grade leaders Tintenbar-East Ballina (110).
Struggling to improve your pitch, tone, power
Locals turned out for Sunday’s market at Mullum’s footy field. There was plenty of food and live music as the sun set behind the hinterland hills.
IPC public submissions on whether Council should be allowed to introduce its short-term rental accommodation (STRA) precincts, close March 8. As the mayor helpfully suggests in the letters pages, it’s best to make an individual submission, and you can do that via www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/ cases/2022/12/byron-shireshort-term-rental-pp.
board say staff have been offered employment at other Feros Care Villages, and also say, ‘No resident will be left homeless. All residents have been offered the opportunity to relocate to Feros Care Bangalow or Feros Care Wommin Bay. The home is not being closed immediately, and residents will be rehomed over the coming months’.
For speech or singing, whether you are a beginner or a professional, there is always a way to make you feel better about your voice
Eve Jeffery – Vocal Coach
Kate is a deeply intuitive, wholehearted, compassionate and sensitive person, who brings humour and warmth into her sessions, which are undeniably powerful. Take away detailed messages, guidance and tools to work with going forward, as well as a potent healing transmission from the crystals.A Crystal Reading with Kate is like a cross between a Tarot reading, intuitive coaching session & Crystal Healing.
Does freedom of the press mean the freedom to lie on purpose? US voter machine manufacturer Dominion is suing Murdoch’s Fox News for defamation over its 2020 election coverage. And while such issues are usually settled in secret, court filings reveal that Fox News’s top executives and hosts knew they were lying, while also recognising that lying is their core business model. It makes Murdoch’s Australian media arm, Newscorp, look tame by comparison. All Newscorp does here is punch down on the vulnerable, poor… and women (like Brittany Higgins).
Late breaking news: the Feros Care Board has announced that ‘Feros Village Byron Bay is to be redeveloped (subject to planning consent) into a new, state-of-the-art community, purpose-built for the region’s seniors’. The Feros
With the Qld government announcing that pill testing for illicit drugs has the green light, it hopefully puts pressure on the NSW government to also act for common sense, harm minimisation and compassion.
A community event to remember the 2022 flood, one year on, will be held at the Stan Robinson Park, at Council’s chambers in Mullum on Sunday March 5. The event will run from 10am till 2pm, say organisers, and includes a barbecue by SES members. There will also be live music, arts activities, weaving, and the Red Cross DROP – which is an acronym for disaster recovery of people’s stories.
Psst: there’s a NSW election on its way for March 25 – see page 12 comment by former NSW MP, Richard Jones.
Last week, The Echo ran a drone shot of where the Byron markets will be held in the CBD, starting March 5 and Jonson Street was left out. This map is from from Council’s website.
