The Byron Shire Echo – Issue 38.09 – August 9, 2023

Calls for local youth campaign on F’d housing, jobs

Economist Alison Pennington will be speaking about her new book on intergenerational theft, Gen F’d?, at the Byron Writers Festival this weekend. She told The Echo that Byron’s youth ‘deserve futures they can plan for’, and not just low-paid insecure work ‘servicing the wealthy’, with ‘the majority of their earnings siphoned off to landlords and banks’.

She says, ‘If young people can unite and organise place-based campaigns for decent housing, jobs, and sustainable inclusive economic models, they can create examples for other regions, and for scaling up nationally’.

For more on intergenerational theft, see Ray Moynihan’s column ‘Can we stop the theft from Gen F’d?’ on Page 10.

‘Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have’ – James Baldwin

The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #09 • August 9, 2023 • www.echo.net.au

Is there a question?

Byron Writers Festival liftout in this issue!

Join the push for promised govt

Disappointed in the one-year performance of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC)?

Flood-affected residents, who claim they were misled by the government corporation, have launched a NSW Parliamentary petition, calling for more funding, correct mapping, and quicker action for those who applied in good faith for flood assistance.

Just 500 signatures are needed for the petition to be tabled in NSW Parliament, currently there are 290 already backing the petition.

As previously reported, the NSW Labor government reneged on promises, made prior to winning office in March 2023, that $1.5 billion would be allocated for the Resilient Homes Program.

Bureaucrat threatens to remove Council’s planning powers

Hans lovejoy

Byron Shire Council risks losing its planning powers to ‘independent intervention’ if it does not ‘demonstrate how it intends to improve its housing supply’.

In an aggressive letter to Council’s general manager, Mark Arnold, Sydney-based Deputy Secretary NSW Planning, Marcus Ray, outlined what he believes is Council’s failure in fast-tracking housing supply for the area, adding that Council’s development application (DA) processing times ‘are among the slowest in the state’.

In the letter, which was provided to The Echo, Mr Ray demands that Council outline ‘commitments

it intends to make over the next three, six, 12 months and beyond, to deliver at least 4,522 new and diverse homes to 2041’.

It’s a target that he says Council will fall ‘well short of’.

The demand comes despite his own department still sitting on the long-awaited 2022 flood data that will underpin further developments.

In previous years, the NSW planning department told The Echo that housing targets are set by councils, are flexible, and not enforceable.

Regarding the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) report recommendations on short-term rental accommodation (STRA), which are yet to be adopted/rejected by NSW Labor Minister Paul Scully, Mr Ray

says, ‘it remains critical for Council to demonstrate how it intends to improve its housing supply before any decision on Council’s planning proposal can be made’.

The Echo asked the office of NSW Planning Minister, Paul Scully (Labor), whether these directives were from his office, ‘or has Marcus Ray taken it upon himself to make these threats and decisions on the minister’s behalf?’

Additionally, The Echo asked: ‘Will these directives align with NSW Labor’s commitment that no development will occur on floodplains?’

Instead, the questions were handballed by Scully’s office back to the planning department.

A DPE spokesperson said, ‘The IPC acknowledged that managing the impacts of short-term rental accommodation is only one part of addressing Byron Shire’s housing

▶ Continued on page 3

The government corporation tasked with flood recovery, NRRC, also misled the community by creating new maps which did not reflect the 2022 flood. And because of the corporate status of the newly formed NSW Reconstruction Authority (which subsumed the

‘Vote Yes’ supporters of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament gathered on the weekend to make their point –that a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum will help ‘close the gap’. To read the Uluru Statement from The Heart, visit ulurustatement.org. Photo Jeff ‘Just Say Know’ Dawson

Sydney-based Deputy Secretary NSW Planning, Marcus Ray, is threatening to remove Council’s planning powers.

▶ Continued on page

Main Arm resident, Richard Hughes, says he and his family have not been able to access their property since the massive landslide in March last year. Photo supplied

Writers at the ready

More than 150 volunteers will help deliver a packed program at the 27th Byron Writers Festival, to be held this Friday August 11, and runs until Sunday August 13.

More than 120 writers, poets, artists and thinkers will converge at the festival’s new site at the Bangalow Showground to explore the theme ‘Wild Imagination’, and celebrate the power of storytelling with festival audiences.

Additionally, there is the Kids Big Day Out program, festival workshops, feature events and free satellite events in venues throughout the region.

CEO and Artistic Director, Zoë Pollock says: ‘We can’t wait to welcome our starstudded line-up to Bangalow Showground on Bundjalung Country in just a few days time and see you all enjoy the fantastic talks and conversations we’ve been cooking up’.

Tickets are available via byronwritersfestival.com/ tickets, or onsite from Friday.

Bureaucrat threatens to remove Council’s planning powers

▶ Continued from page 1

supply and rental affordability issues’.

The DPE spokesperson said, ‘Council has been asked to provide advice on how housing targets can be met, taking into consideration constrained areas and opportunities for infill or more suitable land’.

‘The department is working with Council to inform its understanding of how the IPC’s recommendations will be met before providing advice to the minister to inform his decision on the planning proposal.

▶ Continued from page 1

NRRC), there is no transparency around how the initial $750 million has been spent.

Spearheading the petition is Main Arm Disaster Recovery Inc President, Richard Hughes.

He says that he and and his family have not been able to access their property owing to a massive landslide on the land on February 28, 2022. He told The Echo, ‘More than 17 months later, we have had to lodge a consumer complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority against our insurer, and we now find that the NRRC flood maps do not include our property, along with many others across the Northern Rivers’.

He told The Echo that NSW premier, Chris Minns, ‘needs to give us confidence

‘The government is also proactively planning and mitigating against the impacts of floods by drafting new rules and streamlining planning processes to stop inappropriate developments on dangerous floodplains.

‘Working closely with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, councils and the Greater Cities Commission (GCC), the Department of Planning and Environment has begun exploring changes to the planning system, which is consistent with implementing the key recommendations of the

that the full $1.5 billion will be funded. This is the first and most important step to restore people’s faith in the process of the initial offering’.

With an appeal process for rejected applications now underway, Hughes questions why flood-affected applicants, some of whom are still traumatised, should be forced into becoming an appellant.

‘It’s just wrong’, he says.

‘Will there be 4,000 appeals to handle? How is that an appropriate response? The original applicants that have not been approved yet need to  be provided some respect here, and again a simple solution is to just appoint a dedicated case manager to each applicant that has been given a two minute “not approved” phone call, rather set up this cumbersome and

2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry (O’Kane-Fuller report), without hindering the supply of housing and critical infrastructure.

‘Council’s forecast housing demand to 2,041 is based on DPE’s 2022 population growth forecasts.

‘The housing target is the implied minimum dwelling target needed to meet that population growth and that demand for housing will stand, regardless of any new flood level data.

‘Council has been asked to provide advice on how those targets can be met,

time wasting process of commentary and appeals.

‘The Flood Inquiry was clear in saying that those flood-affected should be treated with respect. The NRRC’s conduct is unnecessary psychological abuse.

Psychological abuse

‘Also, the criteria around appeals is not even established. It’s a mess. This needs to be resolved without too much conflict.

‘The Qld government has done a lot better with their flood recovery efforts, so there is a model for this’.

Hughes also says, ‘There should be community representation on the NRRC and NSW Reconstruction Authority decisions panel  – this would help to resolve these issues’.

‘Our real target is to hit

taking into consideration constrained areas and opportunities for infill or more suitable land’.

In response to the letter becoming public, Mayor Michael Lyon released a media release on Monday night, assuring the NSW Department of Planning that ‘We are 100 percent committed to meeting the delivery of housing [targets] in the Byron Shire’.

Council staff have submitted a late report on the matter for the August 10 Council (Planning) Meeting. See editorial, page 10.

10,000 signatures so that the voice of the Northern Rivers community is heard loud and clear in the NSW parliament. So if you, your friends and family have been affected please give the petition your approval’.

Those seeking help with navigating the government’s complex and confusing flood assistance packages can call the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre on 6621 1066.

To sign the petition, visit the Main Arm Disaster Recovery website at madr. org.au, and follow the link to the petition direct or alternatively follow this link: https:// tinyurl.com/2p88n4rs.

Another similar parliamentary petition can be found at https:// tinyurl.com/3v379d2v.

Byron Writers Festival’s constellation of vollies. Photo Jeff ‘Yes, Look Up’ Dawson

A special live concert and film screening will be held at the Paddock in Mullum on August 19 from 5.30pm.

Described as a ‘multi-arts manifesto’, CREDO is spearheaded by pianist/composer, Yantra de Vilder, from Pianos for the People, in partnership with the Paddock, and features The Ephemera Choir.

‘This is a grassroots community activation and resilience building event after the flood, combining music and film projections

with home cooked food’, says de Vilder.

She says the event marks the installation of one of 15 pianos to flood-affected homes and places in the Northern Rivers.

Reinvented pianos

The aim of Pianos for the People, says de Vilder, is to restore and reinvent discarded pianos and install them in public places for anyone to play.

She says the choir’s

Old piggery DA before Council, DPE

Paul Bibby

Byron Council’s strategy for dealing with unauthorised development is coming under the microscope this week, with the owners of the old piggery site at Skinners Shoot seeking consent for an unauthorised dual occupancy.

The dual occupancy has sat on the well-known land at 103 Yagers Road for years, pre-dating the tenure of the current owners.

With unauthorised dwellings nearly as common in Byron as organic oat milk lattes, the piggery application highlights the cumbersome nature of the retrospective approval process.

Broader plans?

Others said that the contamination report for the proposal had failed to consider the asbestos sheds on the site.

original songs and films were composed and created during the pandemic, and the floods that followed in the Northern Rivers.

‘These internationally award winning music art films have been transformed into a live theatrical event, where the choir sing of the ultimate rise and unity of people and communities affected by the challenges of the last few years’.

To grab a ticket, visit https://bit.ly/44n14Tr.

These owners first approached the Council about the issue in October last year, kicking off a lengthy, multi-step approval process that includes amending the relevant Local Environment Plan (LEP), requesting a gateway determination from the NSW Department of Planning, and then seeking input from the community.

The matter is now finally coming back to Council at this week’s planning meeting for final adoption after a month-long public submissions period earlier this year.

Adding spice to the case is the opposition of the Skinners Shoot residents group. They oppose the application, partly because they see it as part of broader plans for the site.

These plans include the creation of a 45-seat restaurant, shops, and an artisan space showcasing the local food and drink industry.

The residents group registered a ‘strong objection’ to the proposal, arguing that the dual occupancy was located on land that was bushfire prone, had unmapped high value vegetation and would create traffic issues. They say that the owners have negotiated an unreasonably low development contribution.

But Council staff dismissed each of these concerns, arguing, primarily, that the dual occupancy was a preexisting development and that granting approval would neither create new issues, nor exacerbate existing ones. However, staff did partly accede to a request from the State Emergency Services (SES) by requesting additional information to address flooding concerns in relation to the site.

There were a number of submissions from local residents who are in favour of the planning proposal. In particular, they noted that the current owner had contributed significantly to the biological diversity of the site. Should the application be approved by Council at this week’s meeting, it will then go back to the NSW DPE for finalisation.

night to raise hall funds

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A fundraiser for Coorabell Hall is planned for Saturday, August 19, to contribute to the deck and other maintenance. Classic surf film, Crystal Voyager, will be screened, along with a Captain Goodvibes film. From left, surf film-making legend, Dick Hoole, Lissa Coote, Rusty Miller and Tricia Shantz. Rusty and Tricia lived in Coorabell for over 30 years, until recently. They will be on a panel to discuss the cultural confluence of surfers and their impact on the Bay in the 1960s and 1970s. For more hall info, visit www.coorabellhall.net. Photo Jeff ‘Hall Raiser’ Dawson

Pianist/composer, Yantra de Vilder, is heading a choir for a special performance on August 19.

Photo Jeff ‘Accordion Addict’ Dawson

O’Connell recognised for community service

Paul Bibby

It is the desire to be part of a team that helps people each day that motivates Louise O’Connell.

And it is the amazing work which flowed from this that led Ms O’Connell to be named the 2023 Community Member of Byron Shire.

The general manager of the Byron Community Centre was given the award last week as part of the inaugural Byron Shire Community Awards, held at the Ocean Shores Country Club.

The Suffolk Park resident, who is also a keen bass player, was acknowledged for her tireless work with the Community Centre and Fletcher Street Cottage, a homelessness service in the heart of Byron Bay.

‘I honestly feel that I’m representing a whole organisation in receiving this award,’ Ms O’Connell told The Echo.

‘It’s for all of the people who’ve made Fletcher St work – the donors, the volunteers and the staff. It takes a team of 60 volunteers to make Fletcher Street work each week: cooking meals, cleaning, gardening, running the laundry service we provide.

‘And then there’s all the staff and volunteers at the Byron Community Centre itself who do an amazing job.

Tinge of irony

‘You come home every day knowing that there’s someone you’ve helped. It’s a really good feeling.’

While grateful and gracious in receiving the award, Ms O’Connell said she couldn’t help noticing a tinge of irony in the fact that the Fletcher Street Cottage was facing the prospect of having to cut services because the operation

Felines found at Federal community day

received no state government funding.

‘It costs $1 million a year to run Fletcher Street, but we’re not currently eligible for any state government funding.

‘It seems a bit ironic when we’ve got the highest number of rough sleepers of any shire in the state. I mean, we had 86 people come to our community breakfast last week’.

Ms O’Connell was one of nine local people or organisations to be honoured in last week’s awards.

Other recipients included the founder of the Cassettes dance business, Marissa Treichel, who received the Creativity Award, and Tiago Neto who won the Caring for Country Award for his work organising events for young people at the YHA Byron Bay.

For a full list of award recipients, visit www.echo.net.au or Council’s website.

Large Bangalow DA, the Lumber Yard, withdrawn

A large DA for a mixed-use precinct, located at 6-10 Station Street in Bangalow, has been withdrawn by development firm, CADRE. It has been named the Lumber Yard.

In a statement from Christopher Tyas, CADRE founding director, he said, ‘After extensive work with the Byron Shire Council and Bangalow community, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw our current application’.

‘We undertook an extensive and voluntary eight-month community consultation process which resulted in the scheme that we ultimately lodged with Council.

‘Unfortunately, objections to the project did not align with the feedback we initially received from the community consultation and in order to expedite progress on the planning assessment we have chosen to withdraw.

‘We intend to take on this additional community feedback, work with Council to revise the design again and resubmit later this year.

‘We are passionate about the Lumber Yard and will continue to do what it takes to deliver a precinct which meets the community [expectations] and respects the sites heritage and cultural values’.

A special family fun day was held on Sunday at the Federal Community Children’s Centre. Pictured are Millie, Reggie and Leela, who were transformed by Anna Freeman, of Creative Art. Photo Jeff ‘Grrrrr’ Dawson

Louise O’Connell, General Manager of the Byron Community Centre. Photo Jeff Dawson

North Coast News

News from across the North Coast online www.echo.net.au

Hearing and vision service relocates to Alstonville

The new NextSense Alstonville centre, servicing people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision, has officially opened. It replaces their Lismore centre, which was destroyed in the 2022 floods.

Impairment-based drug testing bill introduced for medicinal cannabis

NSW MLC Jeremy Buckingham introduced a bill to NSW Parliament that would ensure that medicinal cannabis users no longer had to fear losing their driving licence if they tested positive for cannabis but were not impaired by the drug at the time of driving.

Region’s future to be explored at summit

Are we a region that wants to be part of guiding our future or do we just cross our fingers and hope for the best?

This is the question that has inspired the Northern Rivers Regional Futures Summit, and where it is hoped, bigger conversations will generate a series of aspirations for the Northern Rivers as we head towards 2040.

NCC condemns logging in proposed Great Koala National Park

The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales has condemned targeted and intensive logging of forests within the proposed Great Koala National Park by Forestry Corporation of NSW.

TAFE students raising awareness in Homelessness Week

A group of TAFE students are hosting a Homelessness Awareness Community event at SCU Goodman Plaza this Wednesday 9 August for Homelessness Week.

Greens calling for logging of koala hubs to stop as Bulga Forest camp sets up

The Greens have called on the NSW Labor government to stop logging koala hubs that have been identified, and for them to become part of the future Great Koala National Park, following the reignition of conflict over the logging of Newry State Forest by NSW Forestry Corporation.

www.echo.net.au

Aslan Shand

The Tweed Shire Council has refused a development application (DA) for an 11-lot subdivision at the site of 40 Creek Street, Hastings Point.

The site is zoned residential but ‘has significant environmental constraints as well as being flood prone’ according to the staff report. Despite that, Council staff recommended approval.

Mayor Chris Cherry told the Council meeting (3 August) that in 2019 she had been one of the councillors to propose ‘in-principle support’ of the subdivision.

‘It was conditional support based on this application not increasing its development footprint.’

Cherry detailed the ways the current DA went beyond the former in-principle support, saying that in ‘the proposal in 2019 only three of the lots intercepted the 75m ecological buffer zone. Now most of them do.

‘The lot for the existing house was 800 square metres in the plan in 2019. It is now 1,470 metres square.

‘The biggest thing that has happened since the inprinciple support was given is the 2022 floods. I think that has been such a big wake-up call for all of us. And we’ve heard today from the flooding experts, from Floodplain Management Australia and the planning expert who came forward, just how much consideration we should be giving to the location, to the impact of storm surge in a climate change future that we are most definitely going to see.

‘To put 2.2m of fill across this site to get flood immunity for the new residents is simply not the way. That’s not good planning.

‘I think that I have picked up on a lot of different issues in terms of the fill, in terms of the earthworks that would be required. Even in terms of the mosquito midges issue that hasn’t been considered adequately in this proposal.’

Councillor Warren Polglase spoke in favour of the DA pointing out that historically there was a proposal for an over 40-lot subdivision at the site.

the second or third in Australia. Habitat loss along with weeds and feral animals is the main loss of biodiversity.’

‘This piece of land is beside Cudgen Nature Reserve and is zoned environmental protection wetlands and littoral rainforest. It has got a high conservation area on the biodiversity habitat map. It is: key fish habitat, threatened fauna and bird species habitat, core koala habitat, within a wildlife corridor, and has high, medium, low value aquatic ecosystems across the site.

Mia Armitage

Aged resort-living developer

GemLife is taking the Ballina Shire Council back to court over its application to build on ecologically sensitive land at West Ballina, the mayor says.

The revelation came in last week’s July ordinary meeting.

Councillor Rodney Bruem took issue with the advice provided by the general manager to proceed with rezoning ecologically sensitive land at Burns Ferry Road in West Ballina.

The rezoning would make the land the first in Ballina Shire to be zoned as C2 Environmental Conservation, under planning updates brought in by the former coalition state government.

Green Cr Kiri Dicker spoke in favour of rezoning, saying

it would send a signal to other potential developers of the site.

The planning department removed the council’s power to decide on the GemLife DA prior to the latest rezoning process and it has been under review by the Northern Regional Planning Panel.

The legal basis of GemLife’s latest court action wasn’t made clear in the council meeting.

Cr Dicker had described the revised development proposal from GemLife as failing to avoid ecologically sensitive areas.

The council voted unanimously in favour of seeking finalisation of rezoning the West Ballina land as C2 Environmental Conservation.

Read full story on The Echo online at: www.echo.net.au.

Councillor Dr Nola Firth highlighted the environmental values of the site and the likely impacts of development.

‘This proposal is to build on an estuary that has been filled in. When we look at the map you can see above and below where the single house is that there are ponds both above and beyond.

‘Apart from flooding, which is a very serious issue [there is] environmental protection. We are the most biodiverse region in NSW and

The Byron Shire Echo

Volume 38 #09•August 9, 2023

Established 1986•24,500 copies every week

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Phone: 02 6684 1777

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Office: 64 McGoughans Lane, Mullumbimby NSW 2482

General Manager Simon Haslam

Editor Hans Lovejoy

Deputy Editor Aslan Shand

Photographer Jeff Dawson

Advertising Manager Anna Coelho

Production Manager Ziggi Browning

Nicholas Shand 1948–1996

Founding Editor

‘The job of a newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.’ – Finley Peter Dunne 1867–1936

‘This proposal does not adhere to the koala plan of management (KPOM). This is 340 square metres of koala habitat, mature. Justifying taking this away by tube stock seems very problematic. We are not sticking to the buffers. There’s also a 100m buffer under the B23 control plan that should be there between development and wetlands.’

Issues of light, noise pollution, dogs, illegal clearing etc were also raised.

‘They have been fighting for 40 years about this particular development. They have put up with important mangroves and trees being cleared,’ said Cr Firth.

The DA was refused by all councillors except Cr Polglase.

Read full story on The Echo online at: www.echo.net.au.

Three automatic, digital signs are being installed in the Lismore local government area to improve safety for motorists during future weather events.

‘The signs have been installed at the three sites below and will be commissioned and tested over the next few weeks,’ said a Lismore City Council (LCC) spokesperson.

The signs have been installed at:

• Wyrallah Road (Monaltrie Road and Skyline Road)

• Boatharbour Road (Richmond Hill Road and Cameron Road)

• Nimbin Road (Bishops Creek)

The installations include automatic electric warning signs, as well as a separate camera mounted

on a high pole at each site where the stream gauge/ sensor is located.

According to the council, ‘they require minimal maintenance and operate with a sensor, meaning that when water levels reach a specific depth over the road, the signs are automatically activated to close the road. The cameras are activated once the creek/stream reaches a pre-determined level and/or the signs are activated.’

‘The solar-powered signs and cameras also automatically connect to Council’s Disaster Dashboard and Live Traffic.’

‘These automatic advance warning signs don’t require Council staff to manually travel out and place “Road Closed” signs.’

Echo acknowledges the people of the Bundjalung nation as the traditional custodians of this land and extends respect to elders past, present and future.

The Tweed Shire Council has refused a DA for an 11-lot subdivision at the site of 40 Creek Street, Hastings Point.

Local News

Aslan Shand

Sydney saw five deaths last week, and 11 known recent deaths, that are believed to be linked to cocaine supply. Now there is a call to rethink NSW’s approach to drugs, and in particular cocaine, its supply and regulation.

Greens MP and Drug Law Reform and Harm Reduction spokesperson Cate Faehrmann is calling for all options to be on the table in a bid to end the drug war, including taxing and regulating cocaine.

‘Despite mounting evidence of its abject failure, the pointless “war on drugs” cycle continues. Nothing from the NSW government, from police bureaucrats, or from most of the media is any different to what’s been said or attempted in recent decades,’ said Faehrmann.

In an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, Ms Faehrmann called for the legalisation of cocaine saying the standard approach of the war on drugs of increasing police numbers and cracking down is not working.

Australia’s love

Matt Noffs, CEO of the Ted Noffs Foundation (NOFFS) whose services focus on helping young people with drug, crime and mental health issues told The Echo that, ‘cocaine will not be regulated anytime soon. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be, but a lot of people don’t know how long Australia’s love affair with cocaine has been. It

Drug summit

Mr Noffs said that a drug summit to look at ways forward would be a really effective way to bring the wide range of ideas to the table for discussion, similar to the approach taken to heroin in the 1990s.

on the weekend and at work,’ explained Noffs.

Mia Armitage

The Ballina Shire Council has voted to approve a controversial housing subdivision for 14 new townhouses on land with flood risks on Ballina Island.

Cr Jeff Johnson was the only councillor to recuse himself from the vote, saying he couldn’t support killing off squash on the Northern Rivers.

The proposed project is for land that currently features a squash court as well as a swimming pool, three houses and six trees including a native Cedar.

The developers’ plans include demolition of everything currently on site and rebuilding on fill.

Staff say the medium density project is in the public interest.

was the 1920s when we first fell in love with cocaine in Australia – that’s evidenced by ongoing use and by how much we are willing to pay for it. You could almost call it a heritage drug.

‘A lot of people in London are flabbergasted by the high cost of cocaine in Australia,’ he said.

Mr Noffs pointed out that this is not just a state issue but a federal government issue; the Australian Federal Police (AFP) find it very difficult to manage the cocaine black market.

‘Cocaine is an old and heritage drug of Australia along with alcohol. This is not something that is getting out of control – it has been out of control for 100 years. Most Australians don’t believe that the current regime works but we have to be careful of laissez faire legalisation.’

The NSW Ice Inquiry, chaired by Special Commissioner Dan Howard, SC, recommended ‘that the government needs to introduce a system of decriminalisation if it is going to stop drug deaths in New South Wales’. However, then NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, rejected the recommendation to decriminalise use of illicit drugs.

‘We need to think about how we addressed issues like heroin, which we did reduce use of without outright legalisation,’ he said.

‘The way we dealt with heroin was multifaceted. It included treatment, needle exchange programs, and the most radical idea was the medical injecting centre. This approach did something critical, it sent the message that said this was a health issue.’

He said that selling cocaine over the counter was not likely to happen in the next ten years, perhaps the next 20, but the most important part of the response was to ‘utilise the current systems and services and progress legislation to make it both safer for the community and to reduce the criminalisation’.

Mr Noffs pointed out that when he last checked, and it could have changed, that the highest level of use of cocaine was in Canberra.

‘Cocaine use has a difficult aspect – the cohort of users are middle to upper class. The big issue we have got with cocaine users, is that to afford it in the first place, they are regularly people with very good jobs and who use it on a recreational basis

‘These are people who work in banks, law firms, possibly even Parliament House. The critical issue is that you are not looking for support for poor people, as with heroin, as many of the people using it don’t have a drug problem in that sense. But for those people who do have a drug problem with cocaine they need support for drug treatment. The issue with cocaine is that it does need better regulation.

‘The answer is not just jumping to outright legalisation but to call a drug summit. There is really no point criminalising someone using cocaine because it is mostly wellto-do Australians in banks and parliament. We really need to be saying, if it is that embedded in our culture the most obvious thing to do is stop criminalising it. But then how do we deal with people who are severely addicted to it and how do we help them first and foremost? How do we help the police do their job and help them manage it?

‘If you ask people like Mick Palmer, former AFP commissioner, he would say it is impossible to stop the influx of cocaine so a drug summit is a pragmatic approach. This is something the government could do without hesitation, they could hold a drug summit and that is a place where radical ideas can come to the forefront and sit with pragmatic ideas and move the state forward.’

Submissions to the council on the proposal have raised concerns over various issues, including possible increased flood impacts on nearby properties, emergency evacuations, and neighbourhood amenity.

The scope of the proposal had been modified compared to initial plans and although the site was theoretically big enough for 19 dwellings according to local government regulations, only 14 were proposed.

overall Richmond River floodplain area.’

Staff said the land was in a ‘medium risk area’ and wasn’t subject to ‘high velocity flows’.

Nearby resident Ian Rankin has previously told The Echo changes made to plans for ‘Norton Breeze’ are a token gesture.

Earlier this year he said local flood assessments needed upgrading in the wake of the 2022 floods, whereby North Creek flooded nearby lands and a described ‘rain bomb’ event affected the neighbourhood.

Risks were mitigated by the increasing addition of fill all over Ballina Island, staff said, and residents would be able to retreat to their second levels if necessary.

One submission raised the matter of sewage with some residents’ toilets having overflowed in the last flood.

Staff said residents could put bungs or ‘backflow prevention devices’ on their toilets.

Flooding was a key issue, staff noted, with Ballina Island being a ‘flood storage area’ and the subject land is ‘in a low lying part of that

Staff said in their responses to submissions that they were satisfied the development met all flood risk criteria and that in the event of any subsequent legal action, the council was insured.

Staff said the cedar tree couldn’t be saved if the land was to be developed.

Read full story on The Echo online at: www.echo.net.au.

Photo Marco Verch www.flickr.com/photos

Can we stop the theft from Gen F’d?

The Byron Shire Echo

Volume

38 #09 • August 9, 2023

All hail, Supreme Unelected Planning Overlord

ICYMI, Marcus Ray, Deputy Secretary NSW Planning, has been bestowed enormous powers by an ineffectual and weak NSW Labor planning minister. He interferes with councils that are failing to fasttrack developments in a national housing crisis – see page 1.

Lismore City Council was stripped of their planning powers in March.

Those councillors resisted, and the decision was reversed in June.

When Byron Council received the same threat, Mayor Michael Lyon folded like a cheap suit and released a grovelling press release promising His Planning Majesty that Byron Council will do whatever he wants.

It’s not a great look to appease bullies, but in late stage crony capitalism, bullies take centre stage.

What do the local Labor party members think of NSW planning minister Paul Scully’s apparent disinterest in his job?

He passes all responsibility to unelected bureaucrats.

Since Scully inherited the botched flood funding roll-out from the previous Liberal-National government in March, he has done nothing to assure us there is accountable and responsible governance.

Anyway, His Planning Majesty also reckons Council’s development application (DA) processing times are among the slowest in the state.

Of course they are – it’s a small council that is hammered by large tourism numbers, and in many cases, inappropriate DA submissions that consume staff time (see page 7).

Tighter DA rules to firmly guide very wealthy speculating developers would probably do wonders for processing times.

The big obstacle that prevents unfettered, large-scale, fast-track developments in Byron Shire is the

lack of appropriate land.

Much of the region is either floodprone, fire-prone or too steep.

This was confirmed by the DPE spokesperson on page 3.

What wasn’t mentioned was that the Shire is also covered by some of the most unique and rare biodiversity in the state.

How will these planning constraints be reflected in the state’s fast-track planning templates?

The mayor also told His Planning Majesty, through the media release, that there are ‘some misconceptions around Byron Shire Council due to a reputation in the past for being anti-development. I believe our community is accepting of the need for more housing, but it is important that we go on this journey together over the coming months as we finalise the residential strategy’.

What ‘anti-development reputation’? Cr Lyon and his prodevelopment mates have controlled Council for 11 years!

Perhaps that comment was to distract from questions of competence?

It must be awkward to be the type of politician who wants to develop at all costs, yet is unable to make any progress. Such ambition would be better suited elsewhere, perhaps? Damn all that biodiversity!

It’s also hilarious that the mayor thinks we need to ‘go on this journey together’, because there is nothing to indicate that we have in the past.

Making secret land deals with the discredited Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation, as just one example, is not a shared journey.

Time to get engaged people!

It’s the only way to steer the ship away from the bleached dead coral reefs that mindless, unsustainable development delivers.

Hans Lovejoy, editor

Gen F’d? is not a breath of fresh air. It’s a cyclone to blow away cynicism and despair. A celebration of collective action to stop the theft, and return the future, stolen from young Australians.

If you haven’t read this short book yet, you likely will.

It documents how insecure jobs, unaffordable homes and punitive welfare humiliate and hurt the young. How big tech’s billionairefreaks compound the misery; offering false promises of social connection through asocial media. And how successive Australian governments lost the courage to combat corporate corrosion of civil life.

Provocative and unsettling, economist Alison Pennington’s extraordinary Gen F’d? exposes intergenerational theft on a grand scale.

The ladder of opportunity ‘has been kicked away’ for young people. The most educated generation in Australia’s modern history is the first to become ‘downwardly mobile’.

With evidence, history, and insight – and a rage born of lived experience – the book articulates what many of us were too slow to admit. The wrecking ball of neoliberalism has smashed the future of too many young Australians.

F’d jobs

Deregulation starting in the late 20th century, bringing casualisation and job insecurity, has disproportionally hit the young, undermining their ‘financial capacity to build independent, adult lives.’

Australians can consent to sex at 16 and vote at 18. Yet employment laws don’t consider you an adult till 21. A 17-year-old can still legally earn just over $12 an hour.

‘Like vampires,’ Pennington writes, Woolies, Coles and McDonalds have ‘fed on millions of young workers for decades.’ And the bill for illegal wage theft across hospitality and other industries now totals hundreds of millions of dollars.

Contrary to the received wisdom that Australia emerged unscathed from the 2008 GFC, it made things even worse for youth jobs. Rates of full-time work plunged, and

‘Pennington’s anthemic Gen F’d? will help us rebuild a future from the rubble of neoliberalism. The book is a symphony, in the key of solidarity’. – Dr Ray Moynihan

proportions of graduates getting jobs fell sharply.

Then came the pandemic, with hospitality, retail, and the arts –where half of young people work – among the sectors hardest hit.

‘We’ve generated a precarious lost generation’, writes Pennington, and we’re breaking the spirits of the young.

F’d housing

Before the neoliberal project of ‘upward wealth distribution,’ Australian governments actively engaged in providing affordable homes to buy or rent. But Gen F’d? shows how weakened lending regulations and obscene tax concessions overwhelmingly favoured older Australians, leaving millions of young people today in insecure, unaffordable rentals.

Figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office requested by the Greens and released last week estimate those property tax concessions now cost Australia $39 billion a year in lost revenue.

‘The real beneficiaries of intergenerational inequality,’ argues Pennington, ‘are the powerful networks of investors, developers, banks and their lobby groups who derive mega-profits from ever-rising prices, as well as from workers’ lifetime debt bondage.’

Misdiagnosed misery

Against a backdrop of F’d jobs, housing, and the climate catastrophe, almost a third of young people report having poor or very poor mental health.

But the virus of individualism has infected our medical system too. The misery of disempowered youth is too often misread as a dysfunction in brain chemistry.

Australia has among the highest rates of anti-depressants prescribing – but pharmaceuticals will never fix rising rents or precarious

jobs. And nor will smartphones.

One of the most powerful sections of Gen F’d? is its searing critique of big tech’s brutality.

‘Passive and pacified, we stand by as our private lives are increasingly turned into commodities. We translate our joy, humiliation, anxiety, anger, and dreams into valuable data points to turn big profits’.

Many young people are already aware of the danger. One survey from 2021 found half believe ‘social media had a negative impact on their mental health.’

Fair go

Pennington’s prescription is youth-led collective action to take back their future. Which, she says, can only happen ‘in real life,’ in organisations like NGOs, political parties and unions. Especially unions. And she cites inspiring examples from history and the present where action brings change.

Her book closes with a bold ‘Fair Go’ agenda. Make jobs more secure, abolish ‘junior’ wages and dramatically expand public housing.

Stop subsidising property investors, reform social security, and make benefits liveable.

Extend the public sector to areas like regenerating ecosystems and forge a treaty with Indigenous Australians. All funded through increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

It’s no surprise the author is also a musician. Pennington’s anthemic Gen F’d? will help us rebuild a shared future from the rubble of neoliberalism. The book is a symphony, in the key of solidarity.

Dr Ray Moynihan is an honorary Assistant Professor at Bond who’s worked at ABC Four Corners and Harvard. Currently a Greens volunteer, his views are his own. Alison Pennington is at the Byron Writers Festival this weekend.

Lennox roundabout

In response to K Lavender’s letter in last week’s Echo –he/she says the [temporary] northern roundabout ‘has caused considerable holdups and frustrations’.

Whilst the main street in Lennox has been frustrating – being blocked due to improvements – the new roundabout has appeared virtually overnight to alleviate any frustration. It is way better to access Lennox now.

As for hold-ups? There are no hold-ups now that the Ballina Shire Council has acted accordingly by addressing the situation sensibly. Inefficient, frustrating? Hardly! Well done Ballina Shire Council, the roundabout is working well. Thank you.

Phil Ogden Lennox head

Fake nuclear treaty

US budget papers have revealed plans for a new American air force base in Darwin.

This facility would allow nuclear-armed B52 bombers to operate from Australia, however, the Australian public would never be informed of operations under the so-called US policy of ‘warhead ambiguity’. This is Australia’s fake ‘non-nuclear proliferation treaty’ in action (along with the nuclear-powered submarines) under the fake Labor government.

I eagerly await Indigenous leaders in the NT to call out this danger to PM Albanese (the worst Labor government in history) on threats to their Country and Australia as a whole. After all, we’re all in this together!

Rod Murray Ocean Shores

betrayal

Successive NSW governments have promised to assist residents in the aftermath of the devastating flood of February 2022. The former deputy premier, Paul

Toole is quoted as saying: ‘The power of nature to swamp the beautiful Northern Rivers was devastating, and that will be matched by our commitment and dedication to rebuild and recreate our communities for the future’.

This was backed up by an announcement to allocate $700m towards the Resilient Homes Program (RHP) to assist in making homes in the region more resilient to flooding by either buying back, house-raising, or retrofitting. It was declared a second tranche of money would be forthcoming to complete the task. Progress was slow and there was hope when the Labor government was elected in March 2023 that the recovery would gather pace. The new premier, Chris Minns, seemed fully supportive of the task of flood recovery. The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) was formed to oversee the allocation of funds for the RHP and other

Letters to the Editor and cartoons

aspects of flood recovery. We also now have the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to add to the bureaucratic confusion.

As time marched on it became clear the election of a new government would not change anything. The state was again being led by those who elicited platitudes and fail to offer anything of substance. Eligibility for support [notifications] for the three RHP options were meant to be delivered to residents by June 30, 2023. There are reports that some still don’t know where they stand.

I, for one, have been told in a telephone call from the NRRC on July 14, 2023 that I ‘haven’t been forgotten’ and I’ve heard nothing since! There are others who have been informed they don’t qualify for the RHP, while those who have been approved for raising or retrofit still wait for further guidance.

The full criteria for eligibility have never been made public, making an appeal futile. Some bizarre discrepancies only deepen the mystery as to how success and failure is distinguished. It has recently been disclosed by the NRRC in telephone calls to residents, no property above the 1-in-20-year flood level (the 2022 flood data not included!) would be eligible for government assistance and yet I know this not to be true. The decision-making processes and the data used are clearly flawed, resulting in unfair and bizarre outcomes.

We now find ourselves 18 months on from the flood, with some residents still displaced from ruined homes, insurance companies

Cosmos Magazine

It’s winter in the southern hemisphere, but try telling that to folks living in Chile.

The nation which lines the southwestern coastline of South America has seen double-digit temperature anomalies – or deviations from a long-term average temperature – for this time of year.

Vicuña, a small town in the Andes, saw the mercury peak at 37°C. The nearby port town La Sirena – which has an average August maximum of about 15°C – has seen week-long temperatures over 35 degrees.

It’s been a similar pattern across the rest of the country, and neighbouring ones with parts of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay also pushing towards 40°C. Argentina experienced its hottest first day of August in 117 years, with an Argentinian meteorological service spokesperson telling the Associated Press some regions had seen temperatures ‘10 to 15 degrees above what is normal for this time of year’.

The heat sweeping South America comes amid months of heatwaves baking parts of the northern hemisphere.

‘It does look really remarkable [but] it’s only just happened and it’s kind of hard to tell exactly the relative roles of climate change versus climate variability and other factors,’ says Dr Andrew King, a climate science lecturer at the University of Melbourne.

‘The temperatures are so unusual, so extreme, that it’s really quite likely that climate change has played a major role.’

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is likely to declare July 2023 as the hottest month on record. Data mapped by the University of Maine from US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) observations shows the global air temperature almost every day in July beat the previous daily highpoint set in 2016.

At the same time, parts of China have seen unprecedented rainfall.

The capital Beijing set a 140-year rainfall record –744.8 mm recorded in just under two days – which claimed 20 lives, according to news agency Reuters.

was the hottest for this time of year in a decade – though some are certainly the hottest for some time. Adelaide’s 24.7°C on Thursday was the warmest early August day in nearly half a century.

Warmer winters might be nice, but they’re probably driven by climate change ‘Single-day hot events, even heatwaves in the middle of summer like those seen across Europe and the United States, are not unusual and are even expected,’ says King.

NOAA has also declared an El Niño. This ocean phenomenon can add degrees of warmth to what parts of the US might normally expect from a typical summer.

But some of the events below the equator are cause for concern.

‘In some of these cases, with some of these temperatures, we just wouldn’t be getting them without human-caused climate change,’ King says.

‘It is worth saying though, in the northern hemisphere in summer, there’s always some extreme weather. We’ve seen some extreme heat waves in the last few years, some really bad flood events as well. Even though we’re seeing extreme events, we would expect extreme events at this time of year.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated because of the deluge brought by the aftermath of nearby Typhoon Doksuri. Some have suggested climate change has exacerbated the impacts of these events. In 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) updated physical science of climate change report identified heavy rain and flooding would ‘intensify and be more frequent’ in parts of Asia, as well as see an intensification in tropical storms.

Despite atmospheric conditions not being developed enough for Australia’s weather bureau to declare El Niño, unusual temperatures across the nation have brought spring like conditions to the middle of winter.

They include daily highs of 21.9°C in Sydney, 19.8°C in Melbourne, 24.7°C in Adelaide, and 25.0°C in Perth.

One-day maximums at these levels aren’t unheard of – Melbourne’s maximum

‘In terms of the Australian heat, our winters are warming because of climate change, so we know that we’re more likely to see these warmer days than we used to.’

But with El Niño looking increasingly likely, and sudden spikes in winter temperatures for parts of the region, King warns the coming spring and summer are shaping up to bring some challenging heat conditions.

‘We’re having quite warm conditions across much of Australia at the moment and at this time of year, I think people quite like that. People like warmer winter weather,’ he says.

‘But is a bit concerning, given the spring and summer ahead with a likely El Niño developing, we could see some really significant heat events.

‘It’s very early to say. But I think we should be concerned about the summer that lies ahead.’

www.echo.net.au.

Taking the Voice to referendum

As a casual observer of the coming referendum, I hadn’t formed a strong opinion for either the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ case. Maybe it’s because I’m an older white guy and hardly the demographic whose life will be affected by the outcome?

I mostly tune out when it’s debated and am not interested in the petty politicking.

But then I saw the question that at some stage later this year, we’ll be asked: ‘Do you approve the proposed alteration of the Constitution to recognise the first peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice?’

It seems pretty simple to me. Put the political sideshow aside and just answer the question. If Australia voted ‘No’, it would forever be seen as a mean-spirited rejection of reconciliation.

As for those voting ‘No’ because they want something more radical, learn your history. If this doesn’t get up, nothing will and your motives will soon be forgotten. All that will be remembered is that Australia said ‘No’ to the constitutional

recognition for the first peoples of this continent.

Remember that our collective answer to this question will be noted by the rest of the world and for generations to come. Australia is a great country, but has a fault line from our history in relation to how some peoples were displaced by others. According to many people who’d know a lot more about it than me, there’s a chance things could get better if we approve this alteration, but the way I see it is that there’s no chance anything will improve if we reject it. This is most likely the only chance in a generation for reconciliation in our Constitution. It may not solve all problems, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. Let’s take a step forward rather than backwards.

Simon Alderton Murwillumbah

‘Ad nauseum’ we are being told to vote in the Voice referendum which is the most important change in our short 120-year constitutional history.

How many of us know (i.e. have even read) what our

‘White British Constitution’ says or purports to stand for?

But now we are being urged to vote for a ‘pig in the poke’ – ‘Vote Yes for Change or No if You Don’t Know’.

I wish I could say or report this was not happening, but it is. And the destruction will be immense.

Replying with my misgivings about this I received an assurance that the Richmond for ‘Yes’ lead organisers come from across the political spectrum –Catherine Cusack, former NSW Liberal Party MP; Asren Pugh, Labor party; and Mandy Nolan, Greens.

T

Sharples Tweed Heads

This week I received an email from Mandy Nolan and Catherine Cusack inviting me to a ‘yes on the beach’ at Brunswick Heads. I replied that, as a supporter of the Voice, on the Richmond volunteer database, I felt conflicted about attending. I do not want campaigning for the Voice to be tainted by partisan politics.

Thinking that was the last I would hear of it, I have been pleasantly surprised that another volunteer has taken the trouble to send two follow-up replies. The first assured me that the event was not part of The Greens’ campaigning, just that Mandy Nolan is the Richmond for ‘Yes’ regional organiser.

Pardon some cynicism but didn’t Catherine Cusack resign from parliament and didn’t she support Mandy Nolan in the 2022 election? If so, is it representative of a political spectrum? Further, I have not witnessed Asren Pugh taking on a high profile in the local campaign.

I certainly feel conflicted about expressing my concerns in this way – I definitely don’t want to reduce local support for the Voice. This letter, if it appears, won’t deter anyone else attending on Sunday and I hope it’s a success (for the ‘Yes’ cause!). I feel really disturbed about being presented with this unnecessary dilemma.

I’ll be interested to see how any reporting of the event in The Echo is treated.

The ALP can improve democratic representation

Professor Klaas Woldring

The need for major governance system change in Australia is becoming more obvious daily but this is not obvious to the party in power federally and in five states, the ALP. Therefore, it is useful to reflect on this so that more ALP members begin to encourage their politicians to act accordingly. A preparedness to act is sure to be welcomed by the voters. It would result in much more democratic representation and the end of poor policy making.

The recent by-election win for the LNP is likely to prolong the leadership of Peter Dutton as opposition leader federally while the strong position of the ALP provides scope and opportunity to test the electorate’s desire to bring about electoral system changes. Thus far this is not happening. Instead, cautious reform and maintenance of the two-party system’s cultural attitudes have persisted.

This was recently well explained by author Tim

Dunlop, who wrote a perceptive new book about the TEAL Independents and the group’s forerunners (Voices of Us, 2023). Commenting on the remarkable outcome of the 2022 federal election he wrote, ‘there was something fundamentally wrong with the way our politics worked,’ and that, ‘mainstream political parties were a big part of the problem’.

Treated as outsiders

The underlying expectation by the ALP seemed to proceed from restoring and maintaining the two-party system in spite of the fact that six well educated women scored surprising victories in single member seats and the major parties each gained no more than about one third of the primary votes overall in the May 2022 federal election.

Caution by party leader Anthony Albanese, prior to and after the election, was and is the dominant postelection strategy. Dunlop also demonstrates that the initial reaction by the ALP was to proceed as if the twoparty system culture was not

at all disturbed. Most of the stabilisers of the status quo were maintained and worked as usual, restored where necessary.

The new Independent MPs were treated as outsiders of the system and their staffs, initially at least, reduced from four to one. Undoubtedly, the ALP had to contend with several major problems left by the appalling performance of the Morrison government, and proceeded to concentrate on restoring confidence in foreign affairs, wages, inflation and housing under quite challenging circumstances.

Apart from the questionable AUKUS deal it did well. The Albanese team quickly gained additional support but the governance system itself was not questioned.

End of two-party system?

With a national conference in the offing, it seems timely to pose some very fundamental questions. The TEAL success very much suggests the end of the two-party system and the issue for the ALP is not to protect this system but to ask themselves what the party can do to:

1. Anticipate further new demands about representation

2. Improve the Australian system of Governance, and

3. Benefit as a party from initiating major changes.

In a recent opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald (13.7.2023) journalist Shaun Carney argues that the ALP has certainly made political capital in its first year but that ‘it cannot be banked’. It has to be used, is his advice. Quite so.

Given the disappointing performance of the LNP Coalition under Dutton and the lack of a convincing improvement by the LNP opposition, the ALP has the task and opportunity to float new initiatives.

It is quite possible that the TEALs will grow in numbers and both major parties will suffer further as a consequence. The ALP needs to prepare for a different electoral system in which it can be joined by the Greens and progressive independents in government. The idea that it should continue to govern ‘in its own right’ is in fact a two-party system value which no longer suits this multicultural society.

Proportional representation

In the latter part of Dunlop’s new book the author clearly praises the proportional representation (PR) system and refers favourably to the outstanding work by the Dutch-American theorist Arend Lijphart who strongly recommended that the system for the US should also be proportional. Dunlop wrote: ‘I am saying that voting trends – and the 2022 election in particular – indicate that Australians were keen to break out of the twoparty system, as expressed in our voting patterns, and reform the system so that it is more proportional’.

He quotes Lijphart at some length, ‘the beauty of PR is that, in addition to producing proportionality and minority representation, it treats all groups – ethnic, racial, religious, or even non-communal groups – in a completely equal and evenhanded fashion. Why deviate from full PR at all?’

‘Why, indeed?’ Dunlop concludes.

For a truly literary experience, Pulp Fiction is your ultimate destination. Give yourself plenty of time to wander from room to room, through an extensive collection of books that span genres, interests and eras. Private collection of rare books available on request. Collectors editions, 1st and signed editions to be found throughout the store if you let your curiosity guide the way. Our pre-loved fashion collection features designer, vintage, Irish linen, cashmere wool and silk garments to treasure for a lifetime. Close proximity to rail trail, cafes and other unique local businesses in South Murwillumbah.

309 TWEED VALLEY WAY SO UTH MURWILLUMBA H

Anthony Albanese. Photo Jeff Dawson

stalling over payouts and the state government pleading poverty and failing to part with the money promised. Moreover, a second tranche of money seems unlikely despite billions of dollars being spent on trains in Sydney!

There are reports of residents being contacted by the NRRC and being informed that the money allocated for the RHP is not enough to do anything more than the buybacks of the most severely compromised properties. It’s worth noting, as of June 28, 2023, about a dozen of the proposed 1,000 buybacks in the Northern Rivers had been finalised.

In summary, the promises by various levels of government to do everything possible to restore the communities in the Northern Rivers have proved hollow and vacuous. It is not unreasonable to assert that almost every aspect of the flood recovery has been left wanting. Those who have been given the responsibility to oversee flood recovery in the form of temporary housing, important aspects of the RHP decision-making, collection and interpretation of flood data, communication of decisions and allocation of funds have failed the residents of the Northern Rivers.

Moral of all this is ‘expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed’

Steve Bellerby Mullumbimby

Just say hello

I’ve been living in Brunswick Heads for two years with my children and I’ve always been saddened by the lack of community, at least in this section.

A few friendly people have come and gone from rentals here, driven away by the housing crisis but we’re largely surrounded by empty houses and holiday lets. It’s been so lovely to walk out the front and have a chat with the van dwellers.

They’ve brought life and character back to a suburb that was becoming extremely dull. Perhaps homeowners should stop peeking from behind their curtains and over fences and come out and say hello.

My friends in vans offer me a cup of coffee, invite me to sit down on the rug and share stories and what they have with my kids. A lot of them are women, drowning in parking fines, hounded for existing. Has Byron Council thought about the consequences of

pushing homeless women out of safer, better-lit areas and into the darkness? These people are part of our community too.

Let’s not use one or two badly behaved van dwellers to tar everyone with the same brush.

There are so many empty houses in this town and so few places to live.

LH Brunswick Heads

Three cheers

David Brown, local architect and urban designer announced his retirement from Byron Council’s affordable housing and place planning committees in The Echo several weeks ago, out of pure frustration.

Firstly, I would like to thank him for his efforts over the past decade; his contributions have been strategic, considered and insightful, yet for some reason not properly valued. Even his interventions within the pages of The Echo have been marked by strategic intent rather than ego, with the latest poorly-reported article not understanding the complexity of the issue David was explaining.

This is a tragedy, real expertise of particularly complex issues given freely, that Council processes are unable to make use of. It has happened all too often, why?

Part of it is a mindless increase of complexity of systems that values uninformed opinion as equal to considered insight. Partly the impossible role local government administrations have to play between extreme community expectations, their own lack of skills, and the extraordinary array of rules, regulations and systems that are imposed from above. As a result our Byron Council, particularly the strategic planning department, is paralysed and increasingly informed by paranoia, stuck now for more than 20 years between their state government masters and opposing views within the community. There has been no substantial strategic policy get further than draft form in the last seven years. Meanwhile change is happening to us, rather than us working effectively to work with change. We howl, howl against the roaring wind, if only we could discern the voices like David’s within the sound and fury.

Malcolm Price

Arm

Not common or sense

Regarding the filling in of low-lying areas in the Ballina Shire Council (BSC) area. Firstly, the point to make is that in the late 1980s the BSC’s LEP review was told quite bluntly that if it continued to fill in tidal flats, lowlands, and swamp lands, then the town would be subjected to increased and serious flooding.

They continued to fill in all these lower areas – Lower Prospect Estate, Lower Angels Beach Estate, the KMart site in Ballina, Ballina Quays Estate, West Ballina, the housing development opposite the Ballina Fire Station/Aldi with two-metre fill above the old highway, the Homemakers’ Centre site, BSC’s industrial estate

filling a metre above the highway going into Ballina township, Riverbend Over 55s housing development, and nearby the proposed controversial ‘GemLife’ site.

The current Ballina mayor, Sharon Cadwallader, stated that her plans for Ballina included ‘more development’ and ‘better drainage’? Bigger and more drains will allow more tidal backup into the township during high tides and storms.

Secondly, the need to conserve water. Again in the late 1980s we were told tanks were not allowed in BSC’s LEP. They were dirty and as we live on the coast in the sub-tropics ‘we’ll never be short of water’. What a joke, now it’s compulsory! Now we are told that the aquifers will be used. Tell that to the people who have bores whose levels have dropped

on the Alstonville Plateau –aquifer abuse?

The NSW water minister’s comments about water supply (Echo 12 July) coming from aquifers shows little knowledge about them. The NSW chief scientist’s report on Alstonville water mining revealed that very little information is known in Australia re aquifer quality and quantity. Overseas research indicates that it can take 100 to 300 years for rainfall to seep into lower aquifers. In South Australia the vegetable farmers are trying to refill their aquifers with recycled water and that is failing at this stage.

As reported in The Echo, 2 August, Ballina Island Housing was approved by BSC staff on land subject to flooding! Maybe it’s time to call for an independent review of Ballina Shire Council,

particularly its executive planning and engineering sections. Who made the decision when the land was being rezoned? Does Council’s insurance (ratepayers’ money) provide sufficient cover if we were ever sued for maladministration and incompetence?

An ex-Ballina councillor’s public comments in May 2007 about me were words to the effect: ‘As for you Mr Quick, I hope this helps you, although staff advise me you know all the answers already’. I don’t, but I do have common sense. If you fill in a hole the water goes to the next-lowest point.

Clean water is only on loan to us from our grandchildren – don’t abuse it.

Live Music Kids Activities Workshops

Clive Quick Rous

Circular economy design principles outlined

Anew article that outlines how circular economy principles can be used to plan and design new villages in regional areas has been put forward by Dr Steven Liaros, from the Department of Political Economy at The University of Sydney.

Recently published on www.urbandesignreview. com, Dr Liaros says managing food, water, energy, housing, and transport as a unified infrastructure ecosystem ‘makes all of them more efficient’.

He describes three generally agreed principles that characterise a circular economy: ‘eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and resources; and regenerate nature’.

Dr Liaros writes, ‘Developed by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, these principles are “Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy… [such that] the circular economy is a resilient system that is good for business, people, and the environment.’

‘This all sounds good in theory, but how do we go about the design process in practice? He says the usual approach when planning a greenfield development (i.e. a suburb) on a parcel of land is to ‘ask how many houses can fit on it’.

‘Instead, we propose to start by saying we want to house a certain population, say 200 people. Then we can ask questions like: How much land is needed to sustain 200 people? How can we enhance the capacity of this land, so that it provides other natural needs such as food and water? How can we keep resources circulating so that the community can minimise the need to buy in new resources? Where do we locate the housing so that it can be passively designed to

minimise energy demand? What other indoor and outdoor spaces and facilities would improve the quality of life of the residents? How do we arrange the various buildings and supporting infrastructure to maximise the efficiency of the village as a whole?

‘The answers to some of these questions will depend on the climate, geography, and existing ecosystems of the land, and so each village must be designed for its location. To simplify, let’s imagine a generic parcel of rural land, say 40 hectares, or 100 acres, in a regional area adjoining an existing town or village.

As the circular economy is underpinned by renewable energy, a good place to start is to design the village as a resilient system powered by a renewable energy micro-grid.

As we can estimate the energy needs of a population of 200, it’s possible to estimate the scale of generation and storage systems, not just for housing, but also to power a fleet of shared electric vehicles, including golf carts and bikes for movement within the village.

‘What other resources do we want to circulate in the village system? What

about water? Again, we can estimate how much water is needed for 200 people. A chain of ponds along a gully could store rainwater or bore water for use by residents. This could also be used for irrigation of food production. The lowest reservoir can be designed as a constructed wetland to clean grey water before the water is pumped, using renewable energy, back up to the topmost reservoir, reusing water again and again, and thus creating a managed water cycle. Reservoirs can have multiple functions in addition to storing water, they also offer opportunities for swimming, recreation, and aquaculture.

‘With an abundance of water, it is possible to produce more food, taking urban agriculture to a new level. Indeed, enabling the development of a comprehensive regenerative agricultural system will not only produce food for residents but will help regenerate nature, one of the three principles we are striving to implement in the design. There are numerous approaches to regenerative agriculture, also called agro-ecology, but, according to Charles Massy, all seek to maximise biodiversity and then harvest, store, and circulate energy, water, and nutrients – aligning precisely with the design approach for circular economy villages.

‘Rather than managing each one separately, food,

water, energy, housing, and transport are now parts of a unified infrastructure ecosystem. The integration of these infrastructure systems makes all of them more efficient. Food waste can be composted or used to make heat and biofuels for energy, water reservoirs can also store energy, passively designed housing can minimise energy demand. A walkable environment with multiple work, education, and entertainment activities, close to housing, reduces transport needs, while improving the health of residents.

‘Each such village should be perceived as a node in a network of villages. As Figure 1 shows, Ebenezer Howard argued over a century ago that the “correct principle for a city’s growth” is to build a network of garden cities rather than sprawling the central city. Howard proposed self-contained, satellite cities with a population of 32,000 on 9,000 acres, linked by road and rail to a major centre reflecting the mechanistic thinking of his time. What might a garden city of the 21st century look like? The technologies and business models available today allow new settlements to be both more connected virtually, while being more self-contained in the physical world, affecting both the design of individual settlements and the organisation of a network of settlements’.

Op Shop

Concept design of circular economy village by Valentino Gareri Atelier.

Figure 1. Diagram from Garden Cities of Tomorrow by Ebenezer Howards. Image www. urbandesignreview.com

Client state

Bob Carr, former foreign minister and longest-serving NSW premier, recently penned a potent critique of Albanese’s inability to rescue Julian Assange from the clammy clutches of the Anglo-American imperium. Carr recalls that as opposition leader, Albanese said, ‘enough is enough!’ What is served by keeping him incarcerated? As prime minister, he made his position clear to the Biden administration.

Carr points out that Australia has made an immense compromise to our sovereignty and national security by hosting US bases and committing to purchase nuclear submarines under the AUKUS agreement, in support of America’s march to war with China. Bob notes that this ‘clinches Australia’s reputation as a deliriously loyal, entirely gullible US ally’.

If Australia’s sacrifice in support of America’s geopolitical ambition is not sufficient to garner some reciprocal willingness on the part of Washington to indulge our prime minister’s wishes with regard to Assange, what does that say about the relationship between Australia and the US?

Bob Carr concludes that if Assange ends up extradited to the US, ‘then making

ourselves a more likely target has conferred no standing at all. We are a client state, almost officially’.

John Scrivener Main Arm

Towards the future

On 24 August Byron Council will be discussing the rail trail. Will they look to the future or wallow in the past?

In 2004 the Casino to Murwillumbah railway was closed. Several studies showed that the route was no longer relevant to the modern demographic spread and that maintaining a railway designed and built in 1898 was exorbitant.

Today, state and federal governments have begun to invest in this community asset, spending nearly $20 million to open both ends of a disused railway to walkers and cyclists. The community has responded and taken to this trail way beyond expectations.

A projection of 27,000 visitors in the first year was smashed in the first four months, exceeding 70,000 (potentially 210,000 in 12 months!).

As a result, the state government has committed $480,000 to an engineering and business study from Lismore to Crabbes Creek, obviously they are intending

to complete this magnificent project from Casino through Byron to Murwillumbah.

A private endeavour has opened a three-kilometre stretch from Elements of Byron to town for their diesel/electric train, but when asked whether they would extend this to Mullumbimby stated ‘not without external funding’.

In nearly 20 years, after numerous studies, no government, corporation nor individual has offered funding to return the train.

The trail for pedestrians and cyclists is much cheaper to build as there are places where bridges have been bypassed and the surface is a basic road base. Maintenance will be covered by selling licences to businesses and long-term leases such as electricity easements.

Trains will require all bridges to be repaired to carry the tonnage involved, even ‘light’ rail! ‘Light trains’, actually refers to passenger use and the limited number of carriages, they still weigh 34 tonnes. They are used in urban areas amongst cars and pedestrians because they don’t travel quickly, passengers are light, and they can be stopped very quickly. All stations would need to be rebuilt; track ballasted; new

▶ Continued on page 18

Hungerford Lehmann Solicitors has been a trusted presence in the Northern Rivers community for many years. With a wealth of experience and passion, Josh and his team are dedicated to continuing their service to the region. With a fresh approach, Hungerford Lehmann is a local you can trust. We’re here to listen, call Josh Allan or go to www.hungerfordlegal.com.au to find out more.

SATURDAY 16TH

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Opinion / Letters

Patricia Warren

Is the outgoing Governor of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe the devil incarnate, as the media has portrayed, or the convenient scapegoat for the appalling performance of politicians?

Government ignored Lowe’s request for fiscal action, leaving the Reserve Bank with the heavy lifting of managing the economy through a global deflation and pandemic. Without that assistance, the official cash rate plummeted to 0.01 per cent. It certainly didn’t help when Lowe stated that interest rates weren’t expected to rise until 2024. What, ‘free money for all’?

It was a ‘mullet run’ with some people investing and speculating in realty and equities. Inflation skyrocketed in those sectors of the economy.

Lowe has stated that there is no link between monetary policy and the housing crisis; people made choices. It’s a hard swallow, but he is correct, people did make choices. They took the ‘free money’ and put it into housing.

However, there is another perspective the media appear reluctant to report on with such vigour. There has been a conscious determination by the central banks to keep to the principles of neoliberalism’s deregulation – that has been in play for the last 30–40 years.

In recent times, central banks embraced quantitative easing and flooded economies with liquidity using ‘unconventional monetary tools’.

They knew inflation was inevitable but the central

bankers will not admit to what they have done. As a global group they seem immune from scrutiny. Alternatively, to talk about what they have been doing is dismissed as ‘conspiratorial’.

Then, here in Australia is a little-known group of powerful players called the Council of Financial Regulators. Its deliberations and decisions are opaque. It is made up of Treasury, the Reserve Bank, APRA and ASIC.

The result was that the Reserve Bank, acting at the macro level, has increasingly

distanced itself from the reality of what households were experiencing at the micro level, particularly as interest rates have risen.

However, the Reserve Bank, like central banks elsewhere, is on a continuing mission to suck the excess liquidity they consciously injected into the economy, out of it.

And in the mix, one cannot ignore or downplay the price-gouging of corporations, fuelling inflationary figures. There ought to be national outrage at this behaviour.

In the meantime Australia’s banks are the most profitable in the world. And if you want to track the transfer of wealth that’s in progress then look no further than the profit reports of corporate Australia and its dividend payments, including those of the banks.

In the meantime, I continue to be appalled at the blatant evilness of the financial industry post deregulation while politicians remain submissive to the powerful banking lobby!

▶ Continued from page 17

sleepers, possibly rails, and rolling stock purchased; plus costs incurred for ongoing employment of railway staff and track maintenance crews.

Most train trips are multimodal, that is you need to get to a station, catch the train and then, often, other transport to your final destination. For example, a person living at Ocean Shores, going to Lismore Base Hospital, would need a bus or taxi to Mullumbimby and likewise from the Lismore station to hospital.

Most elderly, people requiring medical services or social outings, and even youth, can usually get a door-to-door service, return, through the Community Transport Company!

Community transport and buses have a service flexibility and area coverage that fixed railway lines cannot compare to.

The Bangalow community has been trying for years to get a safe pathway from Rifle Range Road to town and the local primary school, utilising the existing railway track, and yet they are ignored by this, and previous councils.

Businesses associated with the Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek rail trail are cashing in on this boom.

Tweed Shire Council recently had 150 businesses express interest in connecting to the pathway.

Destination North Coast held their symposium and awards in the Tweed recently. At both events the Tweed Rail Trail was the ‘hero’ for the region. The Tweed Tourism group titled their presentation ‘Rail Trail to Recovery’ to indicate that it is a saviour for the industry.

Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry also spoke at both events and has now become a devotee of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. She admits to not supporting it prior to it being built, and laments this, now wanting to work to get the rest of the trail built. It was a ‘lesson learned’ for her to not necessarily listen to the loudest voices.

The tourists are a total cross section of our community, including families, retirees and elderly getting out and about, through organisations like ‘Cycling Without Age’. Some local schools now include cycling on the trail in their sports programs.

The 132km pathway could be progressively built and completed within five years; a train? Councillors – choose reality over the dream!

Outgoing Reserve Bank Governor, Philip Lowe.

Photo wikicommons

Richard White East Ballina

AUSTRALIAN LAW GROUP

Australian Law Group merged with Heydons Lawyers in 2019 and now Brad Heydon is also a leading solicitor within the firm (and will remain so for many years).

ALG has also been lucky enough to employ Lynda, a barrister of 15 years from Sydney, who has decided to relocate to beautiful Byron Bay. We also have Mike and Harry, experienced solicitors who are more than willing to assist our clients with their extensive knowledge.

ALG practices in property law, litigation, family law and wills & estates. We have offices in Murwillumbah NSW and at Toowong, Morningside, Wynnum and Birkdale QLD.

02 6685 6188

14 Middleton Street, Byron Bay (Cnr of Fletcher Lane) www.australianlawgroup.com.au byron@alglawyers.com.au

WALLACE & CO

If you need some retail therapy, you can’t go past locally owned Wallace & Co, in the heart of River Street, Ballina!

Offering expert advice and good old-fashioned customer services, they specialise in mens and ladies clothing and footwear. Shop the biggest and most sought-after range of linen and bamboo clothing from Industrie, Kingston Grange, Gazman and Blazer, as well as Birkenstock and Doc Martin shoes and famous Australian brands like Akubra and RM Williams.

Shop their great range now.

Open seven days for your shopping convenience, or shop online.

02 6686 2081

109 River St, Ballina wallaces.com.au

CAPE BYRON RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL

Preeminent political journalist Kerry O’Brien, co-author with Thomas Mayo of ‘The Voice to Parliament Handbook’, presented to senior students about the upcoming indigenous Voice referendum. Kerry was able to answer genuine questions from the students about the impact the Voice would have on Indigenous Communities and broader Australian society. Kerry also took the opportunity to engage with students, asking them some questions about their understanding of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

With many Class 12 students voting for the first time it was a wonderful opportunity to discuss the importance of young people engaging with the political process. Thanks very much to Kerry for his ongoing support.

View the Kerry O’Brien video at: School Information 02 6639 9300 www.capebyronsteiner.nsw.edu.au

HUNGERFORD LEHMANN SOLICITORS

Handling complex legal matters can be stressful and difficult; that’s why you need a trusted advisor by your side.

Hungerford Lehmann Solicitors has been proudly serving the community for nearly a century. Now with a new management team, Josh Allan and the experienced and friendly professionals at Hungerford Lehmann Solicitors can guide you through the major life events that require expert legal assistance.

Whether you need help with the sale or purchase of your beloved family home or investment property, estate planning to protect your loved ones during stressful times, commercial or retail leasing, or are beginning a new business venture, Hungerford Lehmann Solicitors can assist you with your legal matters. With a fresh approach, Hungerford Lehmann is a local you can trust.

02 6684 2477

64 McGoughans Lane, Mullumbimby www.hungerfordlegal.com.au

FLETCHER ST COTTAGE

Love Byron Bay? Support our community by giving heart to Byron’s homeless.

Byron Bay is a place that brings joy, relaxation and unforgettable memories to all who visit and those who call Byron home. Now is your chance to give back to this incredible community that we’re all a part of. Consider donating to this critical emergency appeal, knowing that every cent will make a significant difference in someone’s life. Together, we can show gratitude and support for our fellow Byron locals in need. Let’s make a positive impact and help our beloved Byron Bay thrive!

Donate to Byron’s homeless hub, Fletcher Street Cottage now. Giveheart.au

BYRON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Be the hero in any situation!

Empower yourself with crucial first aid skills in Byron College’s range of nationally recognised courses.

HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a half-day course teaching you the skills required to perform CPR*

HLTAID011 - Provide first aid: equipping you with essential first aid procedures and basic life support skills.

HLTAID012 - Provide first aid (education and care setting): for those working in day care, preschool and after hours (OOSH) care services with infants, children and adults. Mental health first aid (standard) - study this FEE-FREE**: training to assist adults experiencing a mental health crisis.

Learn more at www.byroncollege.org.au or call 6684 3374 * In line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines. ** For eligible students. This Training is subsidised by the NSW Government. RTO 90013.

MR MAC

Serving the Byron Shire since 2001.

Got issues with your Mac computer or Apple device?

Talk to an expert!

Dave Carnovale is ‘Mr Mac’. With 30 years of computer experience, he can show you how to get the most out of your device to suit your personal or business needs.

Mr Mac can do in-home visits for tuition and problem solving. Devices needing specific attention can be dropped into the Brunswick Heads workshop (by appointment).

Other areas covered are system recovery, iCloud and Mac specific advice, RAM upgrades, backups, email and network issues, and battery replacements.

To organise a booking call or text 0418 408 869, or use the chat line at  www.mrmacintosh.com.au

Facebook: Mr Macintosh Instagram: @mrmacbyronbay

Cryptic Clues

ACROSS

1. Go back, harness race horse – go back! (5)

4. Harlot striking attitude – asking for marriage! (9)

9. Document S, highly classified (3,6)

10. Report of two pieces of fruit (5)

11. Surprises Australian puzzles (6)

12. Schismatics in this place –twitches! (8)

14. Thing is, working in darkness (5,5)

16. Sailor’s season (4)

19. Mend – bugger! (4)

20. Woe is earth (10)

22. Estimate again concerning idiot with three directions (8)

23. Australian pastries return in layers (6)

26. The one in charge of rents, that woman includes industrial relations (5)

27. MNU – it doesn’t fit in! (3,3,3)

28. Toss grain, GF (9)

29. Pulse and broth stirred (5)

DOWN

1. Rush around vehicle – went back to lessons! (9)

2. Fibre needed for policeman and painter (5)

3. Ushers in gifts (8)

4. Leave net up (4)

5. Do better – but not in each class (10)

6. Very big bird, very big quarry (6)

7. Silly over Indian rug – it won’t live! (9)

8. Pants for a thousand snakes (5)

13. Trio notch up sixty (5,5)

15. Past it, call Lewis a joke! (9)

17. Have a go, grab a crazy return (4,1,4)

18. Sailor’s leaflet – but it isn’t realistic (8)

21. Two courses, and brag – but you can’t cash it in! (6)

22. Bring back to health a herb, damaged (5)

24. Love affair, for you and me before noon (5)

25. Daily sea level rises – improve it! (4)

STARS BY LILITH

This week’s Sun/ Venus in Leo and Mars/Mercury in Virgo are all saying declutter, downsize, lighten up your life – hold on to the best and let go of the rest...

The Team Girl

Quick Clues ACROSS

1. Summary (5)

4. Suggesting (9)

9. Hush-hush! (3,6)

10. One of the pomes (5)

11. Bewilders (6)

12. Nonconformists (8)

14. A roster from 9pm to 5am (5,5)

16. NaCl (4)

19. Repair socks (4)

20. Grief (10)

22. Think again (8)

23. Levels (6)

26. Person who takes on workers (5)

27. One who differs from the rest (3,3,3)

28. Asian plant used to make flour (9)

29. Beat (5)

DOWN

1. Acquired new skills (9)

2. Dried coconut flesh (5)

3. Hands over (8)

4. Portion (4)

5. Surpass (10)

6. Large raptor (6)

7. Inert (9)

8. Wheezes (5)

13. Add ten to this to get the expected human lifespan! (5,5)

15. Elderly (9)

17. Attempt (4,1,4)

18. Synopsis (8)

21. Where money can be held prior to settlement (6)

22. Process of recovery (5)

24. Romance (5)

25. Amend (4)

Lastweek’ssolution#502

DONOTHINGMODEM EOINAEAA LEMONSPRINTING EDYEDOSA TWENTYTWENTYZ EPISNTBI

BLAMESEMILLON IUIDUE DEMIGODSADDER OERESESC LDEPARTMENTAL ICALAPRO SHORTLISTEVENS ERESUSAE DREARTHESTAKES

FIFA Women’s World Cup is having massive positive impact on girls all over the country. It’s telling girls they are powerful. That what they do is exciting. That the world is watching them. And when the world is watching, it’s watching them for their skill. Women in sport are exciting and commanding massive audiences. I’m not even a soccer fan and even I’ve tuned in to watch these brilliant women kick a ball. Girls all over the county are watching themselves at the centre. They’re seeing their Dads watch women’s sport. They’re seeing women play harder and better than any boy they know. Shit, I’m so inspired I’ve considered signing up with the over 16s, and I have sciatica. Today, half of all Australian girls play team sports at least once a week. Clearly not in my family of four girls where I really only managed to get one. Not for the want of trying I might add.

I love team sport. I’m one of those annoying mums that gives the ‘you really should be playing team sport’ lecture in the car about once every two weeks. I know the facts. Like girls who play team sports are less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy. I’m not sure if that’s because they aren’t interested in sex, or if they realise hanging out with boys isn’t as much fun as a weekend with the netball girls, or that they’re just more confident going to the chemist and buying a box of condoms. It also gives you lower levels of depression and boosts your immune system. Apparently, girls who play sports are less likely to get chronic diseases later in life. ‘You should play team sports because otherwise you might grow up and get cancer or diabetes.’ This is sounding like desperate Mum manipulation.

I am pitching the whole ‘team sports – you won’t get pregnant’ thing to

ARIES: Your planet ruler Mars in the practical sign of healthy habits encourages an organised, orderly environment, so it’s worth devoting time to ditching old papers and files, curating your digital environment, upgrading your storage systems and pruning your inbox to make your whole world feel lighter and brighter.

TAURUS: There’s zero use engaging with the current dummy spits and tantrums. If you find yourself walking on eggshells, call time-out. Fly under the radar, don’t log into disputes. There’s way less drama in dressing up, going out, and having fun enjoying the flip side of this week: and its entertaining playful possibilities.

GEMINI: Industrious Mars in your domestic sector can stimulate the urge to spruce up your space. To finally start those necessary repairs or improvements chez Gemini that you keep putting off. Once you get going, Mars will generate plenty of momentum, and hey, could that spare room be turned into an income earner?

my daughter and I can see she has glazed over. Then I hook back into my own lived experience. I talk about how much I loved playing team sport. How I played basketball and ended up playing for Queensland. How good it felt to be on the court and not just be there for me and my personal performance, but with the other girls. How we learnt to play as a team, not just individuals, and that girls that wanted to showboat instead of showup and collaborate got pulled into line. We learnt the most important lesson in life – when to pass the ball. People who don’t know how to pass the ball suck. I have met a lot of people in my life who can’t pass the ball. They are what we used to call on the court ‘ball hogs.’ So I say to my daughter ‘you don’t want to be a ball hog.’ She says ‘I don’t care. I don’t like team sport and you can’t hog the ball if you don’t even want the ball.’

CANCER: For Cancers, familiarity breeds contentment. But action planet Mars stirring up ferment in your social zone encourages widening the radius of your inner circle to allow new friends in. So keep an open mind, because during this creative cycle it’s possible a lucrative collaboration could spark from an unexpected direction.

LEO: Makeover magic is in the air for your royals’ frisky, flirty birthday month, so have fun playing with some spritzy new stylings. Your majesties are natural-born leaders, so even if you’re the more retiring kind of Lion (are there any?), this star-powered cycle is not the time to be holding back on self-promotion.

VIRGO: With magnetic Mars in the house – your house – if you have an idea to pitch or product to sell, consider taking it to a larger platform. The downside of hosting the red planet is going into overdrive: excitable, impatient, even argumentative. In which case, it’s good to get physical: at the gym, going for a run, whatever...

LIBRA: Energetic Mars in your introspective zone of endings and transitions may off er a sign this week that you’re ready to let something go. If you feel wired and tired at the same time, know that it’s just a change in velocity as you process the emotions of moving from one cycle to another.

SCORPIO: It’s no secret this dramatic month is known for exhibiting narcissistic tendencies. But certain things just aren’t worth your energy, so conserve that by avoiding tantrum-throwing tinderboxes and superfluous histrionics. Try to rein in that tendency to abruptly cut the cord with someone because you’re annoyed.

SAGITTARIUS: The current, denser than usual, planetary pace has its own kind of silver lining, which is opening up access to hidden windows of opportunity for developing a new venture, or taking a current one to potentially more successful levels. So stay alert and plan with the best intentions this week, but expect the unexpected.

Oh no. You have to want the ball. That’s the first rule of sport. Shit – it’s the first rule of life. You have to want the ball. My daughters don’t want the ball. Have I failed? How can a woman who wants the ball raise daughters who don’t want the ball? How do you instil hunger for the ball in a kid who doesn’t care? So I throw balls when my daughter is least expecting it. Like when she’s sleeping. And I realised that she’s right, she really doesn’t want the ball.

I don’t believe her. And as a mother I really don’t want my daughters to experience unwanted pregnancies or chronic illness so I say ‘maybe you haven’t found the right sport?’ So we try lots of sports. Netball. Basketball. Soccer. Netball again. But no, she’s really not into it. But I am. I don’t give up easy. I’m really hoping the Matildas work their magic. I drive past sports fields on the weekend and watch sweaty teenage girls piling into their parents’ car with envy. I imagine them later confidently lining up at the chemist buying condoms. And I think, you go girls. You got this.

CAPRICORN: Once you extend that Capricorn ambition past the personal to include the communal, there’s no end of positive change you can achieve in your environment. Whether sharing a cause or spearheading a community project this week, you have the charisma, determination, and strategic mindset to make a lasting impact.

AQUARIUS: Being an Aquarian is about belonging rather than fitting in, and one of your personal superpowers is the ability to celebrate individuality and togetherness simultaneously. However you do that, this week says: ready, set, go viral. And if you’re feeling any call at all to leadership, this week’s star map off ers a launch pad.

PISCES: With agitator Mars in your partnership zone, certain people in your life may become overly demanding, and this week suggests you establish boundaries to create more space if you’re feeling pressured. Use the positive aspect of Mars’ direct approach to ask clearly for what you need – and say what you don’t.

Apparently, girls who play sports are less likely to get chronic diseases later in life.

Byron Writers Festival 2023 – three days of wild ideas and inspiring conversations at Bangalow Showground

Ihope you can feel a little buzz in the air. It is positively hum-

Byron Writers Festival is renowned for its relaxed and friendly vibe, stunning festival grounds and of course, its incredible threeday program. But how do you ‘do’ a writers’ festival? Here are some quick facts to help you tailor your festival experience.

What happens at the Festival?

out on the page. There has been an

What’s the best ticket type for me?

3-Day Passes give you access to all

1-Day Passes give you access

Saturday Under 35s Pass gives access to the main festival

Can I take the kids?

The Kids Big Day Out PassSunday Family Pass

Deep Dives plays host to the festival’s biggest names in one-onone conversations. Ideas Salon

issues. Mind Spa is a space to

Holly Ringland on The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding (4)

Holly Ringland discusses her new novel The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding in depth with Jemma Birrell. profoundly moving work about the far reaches of wearing your heart on the courage to feel the fullness of both grief and joy.

Richard Fidler on The Book of Roads & Kingdoms (5)

One of Australia’s bestRichard Fidler takes us into the world of medieval wanderers who wrote of their travels to the edges of the known world during Islam’s fabled Golden Age.

All Work & No Play (20)

As technology reshapes our work and leisure time and corporate giants exploit our concept of ‘free time’ takes on new meanings. André Dao Suneel Jethani and Carody Culver discuss : The Leisure Principle which explores the paradox big tech’s incursion into our private lives and the capitalist trap of contemporary

Reasons Not to Worry: Stoicism for the Modern Age (6)

When Brigid Delaney she tried living like a Stoic. Following the tenets of a made her feel much better. She shares how that old wisdom can work for us now in conversation with Mandy Nolan.

The team at Castrikum Adams Legal and Bangalow Conveyancing are passionate about our local area and supporting our community. Our practice areas include:

Conveyancing | Building & Construction Disputes | Property | Contract Disputes | Leasing | Estate Planning | Elder Law

We work together to achieve your goals, no matter how complicated they seem.

6687 1167

Saturday highlights

Anna Funder on Wifedom (25)

George Orwell’s brilliant wife Eileen but acclaimed novelist Anna Funder has restored her in a groundbreaking new work that questions what it is to be a wife and a writer. Anna Funder discusses Wifedom with Sarah Kanowski.

Happy or Wise? (43)

Humans everywhere but is compassion the most healthy mind state? James Kirby Hilton Koppe (pictured) and David Roland discuss the merits of achieving tranquillity through compassion.

Time of My Life with Myf Warhurst (56)

From the much-loved Myf comes a captivating and joyous memoir of that unleashes the music within us all. Join Myf in conversation with Sarah Armstrong.

Ethics of AI (33)

What licence should we give to data collectors to snoop on us? Can virtual reality replace our bodily selves? How bad is the sexism embedded in evolving technologies?

Tracey Spicer and explore the wild

Weaving & Yarning Circle

Join Arts Northern Rivers at the Buruugaa Gaandjindii (Weaving Gathering) for a unique opportunity to engage with Bundjalung Elders weaving techniques in celebration of the launch of the ‘Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali, We Weave Together’ publication.

Weaving photo by Kate Holmes

Saturday afternoon highlights

Fragile Minds (47)

Mental health plays a big role as never before. Poet David Stavanger Jonathan Seidler and psychologist Ahona Guha explore the big questions with David Roland: who inner wildness?

Grace Tame In Her Own Words (29)

Activist and advocate for survivors of childhood sexualGrace Tame discusses her bestselling The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner better future for all of us.

Misinformation (36)

Trustworthy news is essential

rife. Monica Attard Antony Loewenstein and Anke Richter discuss with The Conversation Editor Misha Ketchell how

derail public debate and what we can do

Dress Rehearsals (49)

non-binary body? Madison Godfrey and Nakkiah Lui (pictured)and desire.

DEEP DIVES IDEAS SALON IMAGINARIUM MIND SPA PLAY ZONE

Kids Big Day Out

Got kids that love books, reading and creativity?

with a stellar line-up of authors and performers making for afun-packed day of entertainment for kids and families.

The Play Zone transforms into a giant immersive storytelling arena and delight. These interactive presentations are extremely popular entertainment for kids and parents alike.

Entertainment and storytelling

talented musician and storyteller Lucas Proudfoot then sing along

writer and advocate Eliza Hull

Be entertained by Bundjalung

artist and illustrator Charmaine

Ledden-Lewis

and teacher Oliver Phommavanh and young slam poet sensation Solli Raphael. International bestselling fantasy author Amie Kaufman will be bringing Wild Imagination to the stage followed by local favourite and Zanni

Louise. The always entertaining

Tristan Bancks will be the MC everyone is having a good time.

‘Meet the Author’ book signings will follow each author’s stage presentation. Books will be on sale or bring along your childrens’ well-loved

copies for their heroes to sign and make them even more special.

Creative workshops

can keep busy with hands-on creative sessions with their idols

Our store is brimming with stylish homewares. Our store is brimming with stylish homewares. Contemporary inspired designer furniture, handcrafted ceramics, decorative collectables, art, accessories and treasured textiles. We have friendly staff with a solid knowledge of all stock, new on every visit.

We also style homes to live in and stage homes for sale. Our mantra is to ‘live life in style’. Come on down and take a look.

Open Mon to Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-3pm 82 Burringbar St, Mullumbimby

Learn how to Draw & Tell with Lucas Proudfoot Bookmaking with Zanni Louise or let those imaginations run wild in Eco Poetry with Sarah Temporal

An inspiring day for all the family

With such a stellar line-up of kids-lit superstars keeping the kids unfold. Or tag team the supervision with your partner or friend and enjoy

For Kids Big Day Out program and tickets head to byronwritersfestival.com/kbdo.

82 Burringbar St, Mullumbimby 02 6684 6110

cactushillproject.com.au

FB: Cactus Hill Project Insta: cactushillproject

DEEP DIVES

Sunday highlights

Pip Williams on The Bookbinder of Jericho (57)

Inner Wilds: Calming the Storm (74)

Brigid Delaney Ahona Guha James Kirby

The Mungo Panel: The Future of Journalism (65)

My Wildest Dreams (79)

Shirley

Green Imaginings (68)

Eliza HenryJones Mark Smith

Bohemian Negligence (59)

Bertie Blackman

Monica Attard Osman Faruqi Paddy Manning Amy Remeikis

Shire Choir – Sing with Wild Abandon (80)

Anke Richter

Le Nakkiah Lui Mandy Nolan Myf Warhurst

Festival Information

When and where: Friday 11 August to Sunday 13 August, Bangalow Showground, Market Street, Bangalow

Gates open at 8am daily. Tickets available at byronwritersfestival.com/tickets or from the onsite festival box office.

Fres h onEyes Byron Bay

2023 BYRON BUSINESS AWARDS GALA NIGHT

Join us at the 2023 Byron Business Awards Gala Night, a prestigious event offering you the opportunity to showcase dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence while discovering potential collaborations and partnerships to propel your business forward.

Boost your reputation with an award from the esteemed Byron Business Awards, and receive valuable feedback and expert advice for transformative business growth.

Additionally, gain significant publicity to raise brand awareness, attract new customers and reinforce loyalty among existing ones. Seize the moment! Mark your calendar for the spectacular Gala Night on Thursday, August 24th from 6pm to 8pm at Beach Byron Bay.

Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity! Save your spot, gather your team, and let’s celebrate business excellence together!

Tickets on sale: www.byronbaychamber.com

NATURESCAPES BYRON BAY

NatureScapes Byron Bay is an energetic landscape construction company dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces into luscious natural retreats. With a team of experienced designers and skilled tradesmen, they specialise in crafting landscape solutions for residential and commercial projects. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of their work, seamlessly blending artistry techniques with creative designs to harmonise the natural environment. Beyond aesthetics, they prioritise value for service and ensure that each client interaction leaves a lasting impression. From concept to completion, the NatureScapes team prides itself on exceeding client expectations at every step of the journey.

Get in touch:

info@naturescapesbyron.com.au naturescapesbyron.com.au

CO-WORKING IN BYRON'S VILLAGE CENTRE

Whether you need space to check emails after a surf at the beach or you want a workspace that kicks your mindset into high gear, Vali Bryon offers digital nomads a light, air-filled space to get it all done.

Central Byron location. Parking. High-speed internet. 50% off every 5th visit.

Book your space www.valibyron.com.au/co-working-space

02 6680 8456

1 Lateen Lane, Byron Bay reservations@valibyron.com.au

ORBIT ECO DRY CLEANING

ByronBay’s Eco Friendly Dry Cleaner will professionally clean your clothing and household items using their gentle bio-degradable and non-toxic process. It’s safer for the environment and for the health of their customers and staff. Suits, coats, jackets, dresses, wedding dresses, silk, leather and suede, lounge covers, doonas, blankets and more! Gerard and Shelley look forward to welcoming you into Orbit!

Ph. 1300 ORBITS (672 487) Shop 3/ 130 Jonson Street, Byron Bay www.orbitecodrycleaning.com.au

100% PETS

100% Pets Byron Bay is your local family owned and operated pet supply store.

Come and see their friendly and knowledgeable team for all your pet needs.

The extensive range of quality products at 100% Pets enables them to become your pet care partner for the lifelong journey of your pet. Their priority is the health and wellbeing of your pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, bird and/or fish.

0411 440 335

4/55 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay

A WORD FROM THE BYRON BAY CHAMBER FEATURED CHAMBER BUSINESS

Fres h onEyes Byron Bay

BAREFOOT BLVD

Barefoot Blvd is a locally owned, family operated business carrying a large range of footwear and lifestyle products for everyone.

Brands such as Birkenstock, Blundstone, Yeti, CoolCabanas, Crocs and Frank Green are some of the brands you’ll find in store, as well as ladies footwear brands such as Django & Juliette, Mollini, Teva, Billini and Freedom Moses to name a few.

13 Lawson Street, Byron Bay 0426 260 943 www.barefootblvd.com.au info@barefootblvd.com.au

NO BONES

No Bones Byron Bay: Discover the original restaurant on Fletcher Street. Experience local DJ sets on weekends, daily happy hour 5-6pm, and tapas-style share plates – all 100% plant-based!

No Bones Ocean Shores: Their new cafe awaits you, open every day from 8am to 2pm. Enjoy organic tofu chilli scramble, Bali banana pancakes, nourishing kitchari, coldpressed juices, smoothies, and organic coffee.

11 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay

82 Rajah Road, Ocean Shores @nobonesrestaurants

BECK THE BOOKKEEPER

It’s time to lodge your tax return. Make sure you:

• Get your maximum refund

• Don’t miss a deduction

• Understand all the jargon

• Be compliant for peace of mind

Beck the Bookkeeper specialises in individual tax returns including sole trader, Airbnb and rental schedules. For a quick turnaround with good old fashioned service, call today to book your appointment.

02 6608 4372 hello@beckthebookkeeper.com.au www.beckthebookkeeper.com.au

ARCHIE PRESLEY AUDIO

Archie Presley Audio is your local sound design studio bringing stories to life through sound. Specialising in mixing, recording or composing for podcasts, social media content, or film. He has been fortunate enough to work on projects ranging from indie films to major advertising campaigns. Get 50% off when paying in Pegs. Get in touch!

0401 041 668 presleat@gmail.com

DR MOOSE

Dr Moose is a family owned local business, since 1995. They offer same day custom digital printing on t-shirts, stubby coolers, hats, tote bags and more. They use the finest quality AS Colour and ethically sourced 100% cotton t-shirts which are pre-shrunk and made to last.

Locals 10% off winter discount - valid through August 2023 (In-store only)

Open every day 9.30am–5.30pm

02 6685 5825

48 Jonson Street, Byron Bay drmoose@drmoose.com.au www.drmoose.com.au

LET'S GO SURFING

Let’s Go Surfing is Byron Bay’s longest running surf school and is the perfect place to find your inner balance on the waves. Enjoy Australia’s greatest surf experience on Australia’s greatest beaches! They offer group and private lessons for adults, women-only courses, 6-week progressive courses, stand up paddle board lessons and more. Pay in Pegs for 10% off!

02 6680 9443

www.letsgosurfing.com.au/contact-us

BYRON CENTRAL OSTEOPATHY

Your go-to destination for holistic athlete care. Jamie & Jade’s expertise in osteopathy and exercise provides tailored solutions to help local athletes achieve peak performance. From injury prevention to rehabilitation, their personalised approach ensures you’ll stay at the top of your game. Embrace your potential with Jamie and Jade’s care at Byron Central Osteopathy today.

Open Mon–Fri 9am–6pm

02 6685 5515

www.byronosteo.com.au

Suite 7/6 Marvell Street, Byron Bay

HOLISTIC AND INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES

Transitioning difficult life situations is always easier with a trusted ally at your side. The In Health Byron team can help you navigate the challenging moments of life – and help you come out stronger, wiser, and more connected. And finding the right person to speak to is important… Connect with them today - and start your healing journey.

02 6626 6993

23/5 Easy Street, Byron Bay inhealthbyron.com.au

LEGEND PIZZA

Tight As Monday Tuesday and Wednesday’s!! The crew at Legends have extended their large pizza special to include Margarita, Pepperoni, Hawaiian, Ham and Cheese and Cheese Pizza’s all just $15!! Fully licenced and stocking local Legends like Brookies, Wandana and Stone & Wood. $15 for a large Pizza three nights a week! That is Legendary!!

Open 7 Days 02 6685 5700

2/3 Marvel Street, Byron Bay

BYRON MASSAGE CLINIC

Byron Massage Clinic is a multi-modality clinic in Byron Bay. Their experienced practitioners offer remedial massage, Bowen, sports massage and relaxation massage. They can help with pain management, injury treatment, or simply support your nervous system with relaxation. Winter couples special. 2 x 1 hour massages $120pp. Health fund rebates available.

Open 7 days. Early and late appointments available Mon-Thurs.

02 6685 6107

6/4 Bay Lane, Byron Bay www.byronmassageclinic.com.au

Fres h onEyes Byron Bay

SUNRISE WINDOW TINTING

Toprated service and the highest quality lifetime warranty films.

Combine huge reductions in heat, UV exposure and glare with an amazing look.

• Home and office tinting, frosting and safety film

• Cars, boats, heavy machinery

• Tint regeneration

Father and son team with 45 years combined experience. Take advantage of their special winter offers.

0412 158 478

3/21 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay www.sunrisewindowtinting.com.au

OTTWAY THE LABEL

Timeless unisex clothing consciously crafted in small batches using premium fabrics and moving away from fast-fashion.

With every purchase you help install clean energy to the community! So far they have contributed to the installation of 700 solar panels to community-owned projects around Australia.

Their mantra, LIFE IS FOR LIVING! Drop on in, explore their range, and make a difference.

15 Lawson Street, Byron Bay www.ottwaythelabel.com @ottway_thelabel

WORMTICKLERS NURSERY

Wormticklers Nursery grow quality, organic seedlings and pride themselves on their seasonal herbs, veggies, greens and edible flowers!

Ethical and community conscious, Wormticklers are offering farm gate prices on all their seedlings from 7-10am on the last Wednesday of every month. Get ready to grow your own fresh food and create a bee friendly garden!

Bring your own box and stock up.

11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale www.wormticklers.com

THE BOWER HOTEL SPA| INTRODUCTORY OFFER

To celebrate the opening of The Bower Hotel Spa they are offering 20% off all treatments from now until 31 August. To take advantage of this offer, use code ECHO20 when booking your treatment.

Note: This offer is only applicable to hotel spa treatments. The discount is not available on the purchase of spa products.

0404 049 914

28 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay marketing@thebowerbyronbay.com.au www.thebowerbyronbay.com.au

SUFFOLK FISH AND CHIP

Suffolk Fish and Chips is your local takeaway shop serving traditional Aussie fish and chips alongside a rippa burger menu. Located in Suffolk Park, next to SPAR, they look after their locals Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm to 8pm. They make Wednesdays even better with their $10 fish and chip special. See you in Suffo!

Shop 5, 3 Clifford Street, Suffolk Park @suffolk_fishandchips

NUHA COLLECTIVE

Nuha Collective is a multi-modality clinic in Byron Bay. The professionally trained and registered practitioners offer acupuncture, chinese medicine, facial rejuvenation, acutonics, remedial, deep tissue and relaxation massage. The clinic specialises in pain management, sports injuries, woman’s health and nervous system repair. Free parking and health fund rebates available. Winter special $100 pp for massage.

0423 714 875

5-37 Broken Head Road www.nuhacollective.com.au

THE HUM

Welcome to The Hum, a local wholefood cafe directly opposite Main Beach. With a made-from-scratch ethos, their delicious juices, smoothies, salads, dressings and sauces are all made fresh!

They also offer great coffee, acai, classics, and everything in between. The menu is available to either ‘takeout or hangout’ with Pegs accepted on any purchase.

Open seven days 7:00am-2:30pm

2/14 Bay St, Byron Bay www.thehumco.com.au

THREE BLUE DUCKS

Check out their delicious seasonal breakfast and lunch menu, savour a picnic amidst The Farm’s epic grounds or enjoy live jazz on weekends from 1:30pm. Mussel night every Thursday and famous roast dinners on Sundays! Receive 30% off dinner with the pegs app. They also host unforgettable weddings and events on their 80-acre working farm.

11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale (entrance off Woodford Lane) (02) 6190 8966 www.threeblueducks.com/byron

Good Taste

BYRON BAY

Eateries Guide

Legend

Serving Byron Bay for 30

2/3 Marvell Street, Byron Bay 6685 5700

Main Street

Open for takeaway daily, 12 midday until dinner. Menu, more details –

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

Byron’s Freshest Pizza

Order online and join our loyalty program.

Catering for up to 100 people lunch and dinner.

BYO

Locally owned and operated. Scan code for menu.

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.

Now open Thurs–Sat evenings

BANGALOW

Bangalow Bread Co.

12 Byron St, Bangalow 6am–3pm weekdays. 7am–2pm weekends. 6687 1209 www.bangalowbread.co info@bangalowbread.co

LENNOX HEAD

Lennox Head Pizza & Pasta

4/74 Ballina St, Lennox Head

Open 7 days

MULLUMBIMBY

@therocksbyronbay

Barrio

Wahlburgers

Byron Bay American style burger restaurant & sports bar

Upstairs at Mercato on Byron, Jonson Street. www.Wahlburgers.com.au

NO

9183

Book

Freshly renovated with an awesome new team, The Rocks Café and Restaurant provides a range of fresh, locally sourced dishes, including our delicious harvest bowl or poached pear porridge. Check us out on Instagram!

KARKALLA BYRON BAY

Ancient food and modern flavours. PROUDLY BUNDJALUNG.

Monday Locals night from 5pm. Thursday 5–9pm.

Friday & Saturday Drinks & snacks from 4pm.

Sunday Live and local music from 6pm.

Seasonal, local & native inspired menu.

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.

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.

We are a part of a plant-based movement and invite you to join us on our expedition to save the Earth one Brussels sprout at a time. #brusselsnotbeef www.nobones.co

Signature cocktails, and casual dining with ocean views.

Happy Hour | Tues–Sat from 4–6pm. $8 loft wine or lager, $10 spritzer, $14 margaritas & $30 house wine bottle Half price deli board & $2.50 fresh oysters

Espresso Martini Nights | Tues–Sat 9pm–close, 2 for $25 Classic Espresso Martini. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm.

The Empire 20 Burringbar St, Mullum 6684 2306 Open for brunch and lunch FB/Insta: EmpireMullum empiremullum.com.au Online orders: mryum.com/theempire

MURWILLUMBAH

Apex Dining

Fully Licensed Café Brunch + Lunch Weddings + Events

Wednesday–Sunday from 9am Bookings recommended. ww.apexdining.com.au @apexdining

NEWRYBAR

Harvest

18–22 Old Pacific Highway Newrybar NSW 2479 02 6687 2644 www.harvest.com.au @harvestnewrybar

CATERING

Celebrations

Cakes by Liz Jackson

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.

Views, Brews, Cocktails, Beats, and Eats! Live Music Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Bookings essential.

Head to lennoxpizza.com

Follow on Insta: @lennoxpizza

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.

New winter menu just dropped! 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 code to view the menu and order online.

A hinterland ‘destination dining’ favourite with spectacular views, first or last stop on the Rail Trail from M’bah station.

Modern cafe / bistro fare featuring regional produce with a cheeky Asian twist.

Excellent coffee, fresh artisan pastries and a full a la carte brunch and lunch menu accompanied by a natural wine list, cocktails and house made soft refreshments.

COFFEE CART

7 days | 6.30am–3.00pm RESTAURANT Lunch | Wed–Sun | 12–2.30pm

Dinner | Fri & Sat | 5.30–8.30pm DELI

7 days | 7.30am–3.30pm

lizzijjackson@gmail.com 0414 895 441

Good Life

Avoid the iceberg: try mizuna, beetroot leaves for a gourmet salad

Victoria Cosford

At the Gourmet Salad Hut, at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, customers come and go, picking up a bag of mixed leaves or a jar of pesto, but it’s nothing like the summer crowd.

Unsurprisingly, really – most people regard leafy greens and lettuces in particular as salad items more suitable to summer. I’m chatting to Liv Thomas who’s working

for Gourmet Salad Hut, and she’s telling me that they are ‘exactly 50% smaller in winter.’ In summertime, she continues, ‘we go home with very little.’

And yet look at those beautiful big bunches of dill, mint and parsley! Those gorgeous wreaths of lettuces, rocket and kale and mizuna and watercress: all super-charged with precisely the vitamins we all need most in

winter. Everything on the family-owned-and-operated Burringbar property, apart from the woody herbs and the kaffir limes, is grown hydroponically which, Liv tells me, is a gentler way to grow greens.

The plants start in small seed pods and move to tables above ground where the irrigation system releases water every couple of hours. ‘The benefit,’ Liv says, ‘is that everything is

Byron’s booze-free bottle-o

lush, grows quickly, and is easy to control.’

They’re lush all right, and yet there are three items whose lack of popularity perplexes Liv. One is mizuna. ‘A lot of people don’t know what to do with it’, she says. ‘It’s got a mustard flavour and is used in Japanese cuisine.’ Another is beetroot leaves; Liv indicates the neat little bunches of pretty crimson fronds. ‘We only ever bring one bag of them, and it never sells! People eat only the root – but the leaves are lovely in salads,’ she says. Finally, there is her favourite, sorrel. ‘Sorrel –bright, citrusy, light – is the secret gem of our stall that nobody buys. I’m a big fan: try something different!’

Gourmet Salad Hut is at Mullumbimby Farmers Market every Friday, 7–11am.

Ella and Bella have plenty of cool, innovative booze-free options for adults at Sunnyboy, including some sophisticated and complex flavours.

The two products originally on offer quickly blew out to upwards of 20 as Ella dove head first down the rabbit hole of the sober curious movement.

It’s no secret that alcohol consumption has been declining for years with Aussies thinking more mindfully about how much they’re drinking and why. This cultural shift saw Byron welcome its first booze-free bottle-o to Lawson St last month.

Sunnyboy Cellars is the first retail space of this kind in the region, showcasing a lovingly (and very carefully) curated selection of wines, bubbles, aperitifs, spirits, beers and cocktails. This is the second business venture for wives Ella and Bella who also own and run Sunnyboy, an espresso bar and corner store in Evans Head, where the cellar humbly originated.

While listening to a pregnant mate lamenting the lack of decent alcohol-free options in regional towns, Ella and Bella jumped to fill the gap, adding Hiatus pacific ale and Dayse functional spritz to the Sunnyboy shelves.

The idea gained traction fast among customers who were deprioritising drinking to tend instead to careers, mental health, religion, wellbeing, healing, addiction recovery and softened social pressure to drink.

Needless to say, the sober cellar outgrew Sunnyboy and while the leap to open a Byron venue was spontaneous and rapid (four weeks in total), the expansion was a natural progression toward celebrating cool, innovative options for adults drinking less, or not at all.

Ella and Bella swigged their way through hundreds of samples; ultimately agreeing to focus on products that were unique, predominantly Australian made, often sophisticated or complex in flavour and very rarely found in mainstream retailers.

Stocking an exhaustive range of products wasn’t the priority of this project; Ella and Bella had no desire to compete with major bottle shops or supermarkets, and the misfit aesthetics of their venue intentionally suggest a less commercial experience for customers.

Functioning as something of a reception desk, the Lawson St retail space is also open for enquiries regarding bulk event orders for baby showers, weddings, hens, corporate events, birthdays and celebrations of every kind.

Winter hours at the cellar are 10am–5pm, Tuesday to Saturday and these hours of trade will expand during peak seasons.

Sunnyboy Cellars: 3 / 13 Lawson Street, Byron Bay. Insta: sunnyboy_cellars.

Liv Thomas at the Gourmet Salad Hut: do her a favour and buy some beetroot leaves for your salad.

Photos: Bonnie Seville

Volume 38 #09

9–15 August, 2023

Editor: Eve Jeffery

Editorial/gigs: gigs@echo.net.au

Copy deadline: 5pm each Thursday

Gig Guide deadline: 5pm each Friday

Advertising: adcopy@echo.net.au

P: 02 6684 1777 W: echo.net.au/entertainment

WILD IMAGINATION – GRACE TAME TO HEADLINE FESTIVAL KEYNOTE

Head to the A&I Hall’s festival bar on Friday from 5.30pm and catch an incredible line-up of speakers for Byron Writers Festival’s headline keynote event, Wild Imagination.

For this special one hour of power, festival headliners Grace Tame, Kevin Jared Hosein, Gabriel Krauze, Ellen van Neerven, and Jess Scully take to the stage to answer the question – What does it mean to imagine with wild abandon? Be inspired as they unleash new possibilities for our future. Tap into your own wildness within.

With special performances by singer-songwriter Emily Lubitz, Janet Swain and the After the Flood Choir. This is a separately ticketed evening event, so kick-on from your Friday at the festival, or simply rock up for the evening.

Bar open 5.30pm. Event runs from 7pm to 8pm – Friday at Bangalow A&I Hall. Tickets $30/35 via byronwritersfestival.com/tickets.

VOICES IN THE WILD – A CABARET OF SPOKEN WORD

If anyone knows how to throw a literary party, it’s the slam poets! Get ready for Byron Writers Festival’s Saturday night feature event, Voices in the Wild, a cabaret of spoken word that will bring the house down. Featuring the powerful voices of poets, storytellers and wordsmiths Maxine Beneba Clarke, Madison Godfrey, Miles Merrill, Sarah Temporal, Jo Yang, and many more, traversing topics such as race, climate change, gender euphoria and mental health, with empathy and hope for the future.

Feel emboldened by the change that individual and collective voices can make.

This is a separately ticketed evening event, so kick-on from your Friday at the festival, or simply rock up for the evening.

Bar opens 5pm. Event runs from 6.30pm to 9pm –Saturday at Bangalow A&I Hall. Tickets $30/35 via byronwritersfestival.com/tickets.

PRESENTING THE FRIDAY PARTY

It’s been a big week and it’s only Wednesday – but if you’re looking for a real end-of-week-Friday-night to bring the house down, you just found it!

Pink Zinc Presents is playing the Rails and it’s party, party, party. This dynamic four-piece band comprises members from a collective of musicians that will have you shaking your moneymaker to their groove. Whether it’s rock, funk, pop or blues that you dig, they’ve got it and they flaunt it.

Pink Zinc Presents has a very special surprise lineup of musicians each week that are handpicked from the pool of incredible talent hailing from the Northern Rivers area. They pride themselves on delivering a show that entertains old and young, short and tall, bold and beautiful.

Friday at the Rails in Byron Bay.

"Absolutely sensational "

"Extraordinary

"The

- tuning into where we are ecologically in time"

FROM CARPENTER TO VR DESIGNER: A JOURNEY OF ADVERSITY AND SKILL

CarlosMelo is a Venezuelan migrant who forged a new path in Australia, transitioning from carpentry to becoming a virtual reality (VR) experience designer.

Since graduating from SAECreativeMedia Institute with a Bachelor ofGameDevelopment, Carlos has utilised his skills to create hyper-realistic VR environments for clients that prepare their staff for the real world.

Carlos’ story exemplifies the transformative power of education and determination in the face of adversity.

Originally hailing from Venezuela, Carlos made the life-changing decision to immigrate to Australia owing to the rampant corruption and challenges plaguing his home country. It was during this

time that he discovered his interest in carpentry.

‘I built strong connections with builders in Australia, and got to experience many different aspects of the construction industry, which has really helped me now in my current career as a VR experience designer,’ says Carlos.

Carlos’ exposure to diverse aspects of the construction industry proved instrumental in shaping his subsequent career as a VR experience designer.

Fuelled by a lifelong passion for video games, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Game Development course at SAE in 2015.

The transition from gaming enthusiast to a student studying game development posed initial challenges, including language barriers and

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So thank you for supporting over 100 volunteers from our community who represent your voice, ventilate your issues, and celebrate your music.

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unfamiliar technical terms. However, as his English skills improved, Carlos began to extract greater value from his studies and found the experience at SAE to be captivating and highly relevant to his career aspirations.

‘Initially, I didn’t know what to expect – having a passion for gaming is different from studying game development.

‘I always enjoyed the course, and as my English got stronger, I got more out of it and found the overall experience at SAE to be really fascinating and relevant to what I wanted as a career.’

Collaborating with fellow students allowed Carlos to gain practical insights into industry dynamics and effective communication among team members.

Upon completing his degree, Carlos secured a position as a VR developer at XRJV Training, ultimately transitioning to Next World, a globally recognised leader in VR training services. His role is to collaborate with subject matter experts and create immersive VR environments that deliver on an organisation’s needs to upskill and develop their staff with training that is highly engaging.

‘One of the projects I previously worked on was giving professionals safety inductions on managing large machinery in tunnels, which often is such an alien concept to some people. If you

can train people in safe environments within VR that will prepare them for the real world.’

Applications of VR technology now extend beyond gaming to encompass diverse fields such as farming and warehouse packaging, presenting boundless opportunities for future

professionals looking to enter the industry.

Carlos says anyone who wants to explore a career in VR will find studying at the SAE provides the core skills and knowledge to start out. ‘Even thinking about how you’d take a different approach to a single feature of a game you like playing, will get you seeing

things differently and will help you in a future career in game development.’

DiscoverSAE’srangeof creativemediacourses attheirOpenDayon Saturday12August from11amto3pm attheSAEByronBay campusonEwingsdale Road.Findoutmoreat sae.edu.au/openday.

GIG GUIDE

It’s free to list your gigs in the gig guide. gigs@echo.net.au w: echo.net.au/gig-guide.

DEADLINE 5PM ON FRIDAYS

WEDNESDAY 9

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, TRILLIAH

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM JASON DELPHIN

PALACE CINEMAS, BYRON

BAY, SCANDINAVIAN FILM

FESTIVAL

BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE

HOUSE 7PM FANNY

LUMSDEN

BANGALOW BOWLO 7.30PM

BANGALOW BRACKETS

OPEN MIC

ELTHAM HOTEL 7PM BIG STAR

THURSDAY 10

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, DAN GRACE

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM KALAKARI

THE ROCKS, BYRON BAY, 6PM

DONNY SHADES

HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM

JOSH HAMILTON

AUSTRALIA HOTEL, BALLINA, 8PM ANIMAL VENTURA

THE LEVEE, LISMORE, 5PM

MATT HILL

LENNOX HOTEL HOTEL STAGE

8PM JAM NIGHT

FRIDAY 11

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, PINK ZINC

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 10PM DJ MY HAPPY PLACE

BYRON THEATRE 7.30PM TONI

CHILDS

NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5PM DJ

YAZMIN

HOWL & MOAN RECORDS,

BYRON BAY 7PM NORTHERN

RIVERS ILLEST #2 FEAT.

MXNTANO, BODHI DEY,

D.A.S.H., SLIQ MICK, GARDENER GILSON & ZAHI

BANGALOW SHOWGROUNDS

8.15AM BYRON WRITERS

FESTIVAL 2023 – WILD

IMAGINATION

BANGALOW HOTEL 7PM

PHANTOM LIMBZ

HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM SAM

BUCKLEY

CINEMA

BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 7PM BUNDJALUNG

NGHARI – INDIGENISE

WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM DJ PAPA

BITCHO

MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 8.30PM KRAPPYOKEE WITH

JESS

CLUB LENNOX 7PM NATHAN

KAYE

LENNOX PIZZA 8PM MISS

RENEE DJ 80S NIGHT

LENNOX HOTEL HOTEL STAGE

8.30PM CHEEKY BEVS DJS

BALLINA RSL LEVEL ONE

9.30AM DEAN DOYLE WITH

SOPHISTICATION MORNING

MELODIES, 6PM LUKE

BENNETT

METROPOLE, LISMORE, 7.30PM VAL MOOGZ & LILLIAN MCVEITY

MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES

CLUB 5.30PM DARREN J RAY

KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS

5PM MEL SCARLETT

TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, THE STAGE 8PM MARCIA

HINES

THE PACIFIC HOTEL, YAMBA, 9PM THE HILLBILLY SKANK

SATURDAY 12

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, SOULFISH

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY,

2.30PM SHAYA AVITAN & HENRY WEST, 5PM

NEED2FREAK FEAT. LOODS,

WONGO, LITTLE FRITTER, LUEN & SNAX

NORTH BYRON HOTEL 1.30PM

TONY & THE THIEF, 5PM DJ

KAI NOON

BANGALOW SHOWGROUNDS

8.30AM BYRON WRITERS

FESTIVAL 2023 – WILD

IMAGINATION

BANGALOW HOTEL 11AM

ROD MURRAY – A TRIBUTE

TO JAZZ

HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4.30PM

KANE MUIR AND THE HOWLERS + JOCK BARNES

BRUNSWICK HEADS

PICTURE HOUSE 3PM & 7PM

BUNDJALUNG NGHARI –INDIGENISE

MEMORIAL HALL, BRUNSWICK

HEADS, 6PM HOUSE OF BLISS

KIRTAN

WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 3.30PM DJ TAZ

MULLUMBIMBY EX-SERVICES

CLUB 8PM ROSE TATTOO

BURRINGBAR SPORTS CLUB

2.30PM PLAYGROUND

CLUB LENNOX 7PM JOCK

BARNES DUO

LENNOX PIZZA 7.30PM TIM STOKES

LENNOX HOTEL HOTEL STAGE

8.30PM LENNOX GROOVE

SHAWS BAY HOTEL, BALLINA, SAM BUCKLEY

BALLINA RSL BOARDWALK

6PM KELLY BROUHAHA

THE LEVEE, LISMORE, 7PM

LUKE BENNETT

METROPOLE, LISMORE,

7.30PM JB’S BLUES

BREAKERS + DJ FRXSTY

WILD THYME CAFE, MURWILLUMBAH, 11AM ROD

MURRAY – A TRIBUTE TO JAZZ

MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES

CLUB 6.30PM MARTIN WAY

POTTSVILLE BEACH SPORTS

8PM GLITTERATI RIOT

KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS

5PM LEIGH JAMES

TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, THE SHOWROOM

8PM BUDDY’S BACK – THE BUDDY HOLLY SHOW

SUNDAY 13

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JASON DELPHIN

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY,

1.30PM JOE CONROY, 4.30PM GOODRICH, 7PM BEACHY

SUNDAYS W/ DJ REIFLEX & DJ JAMIE LOWE

NORTH BYRON HOTEL

12.30PM GEORGE SMILOVICI, 4PM DJ DUSTIN MCLEAN

KARKALLA, BYRON BAY,

5.30PM BIRREN

BANGALOW SHOWGROUNDS

8.45AM BYRON WRITERS

FESTIVAL 2023 – WILD

IMAGINATION

ALL SOULS HALL, BANGALOW,

3.30PM GYAN & SI + THE LITTLE TENDRILS

HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4PM THE COLLIFLOWERS + MID DRIFT

BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE

HOUSE 3PM BUNDJALUNG

NGHARI – INDIGENISE

MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM OPEN MIC WITH THE SWAMP CATS

WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 3.30PM MEL

SCARLETT

LENNOX COMMUNITY

MARKET 9AM LEONARDS

SLIPPERS

CLUB LENNOX 3PM GUY

KACHEL

LENNOX PIZZA 3PM BEN

KUHL

SHAWS BAY HOTEL, BALLINA, 3PM SUNDAY SESSIONS FT.

SOUL ‘D

BALLINA RSL BOARDWALK

2.30PM BLUES CLUB –

YOUNG GUNS PLAY THE BLUES

THE LEVEE, LISMORE, 4PM

BRUCE WORRALL

MONDAY 14

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, CHRIS FISHER

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM ALLY PALMER

TUESDAY 15

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JAMIE ASHFORTH

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM TAHLIA MATHESON

TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, THE STAGE 11AM THE KING, QUEEN, CASH SHOW

WEDNESDAY 16

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, THE GIN BUGGS

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM CHELSEA SKYEATER

BANGALOW BOWLO 7.30PM

BANGALOW BRACKETS OPEN MIC

THE MIRACLE CLUB

I’ll just leave this here – Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney

Really, that’s all you need to know about The Miracle Club to put this film on your cinema priority list.

The Miracle Club is a heartwarming film that follows the story of close friends Lily (Smith), Eileen (Bates), and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) from Ballyfermot, a hard-knock community in Dublin, Ireland. When the opportunity arises for the women to win a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France in a talent contest, they jump at the chance.

With the local priest’s help, the women win the trip and embark on a journey that will bring them miracles and change their lives.

Once in Lourdes, the group are tasked with helping the sick and disabled pilgrims who come to bathe in the town’s healing springs. As they work, they reflect on their lives and search for personal miracles. However, when they are joined by Chrissie (Linney), who has returned from the US and their distant past after a long absence, old wounds are reopened, and the women must confront their history and the part they played in it. This film is billed as a comedy but I bet you’ll get at least one good cry out of it.

The cast between them has two Oscars and two nominations – that’s a win each for Smith and Bates and a nom for Laura Linney. That’s 1, 2, 3…

Oh wait – did I mention Stephen Rea is in the cast as well – he’s had an Oscar nom as well. That seals it – book a ticket now!

The Miracle Club is screening at both the Ballina Fair and Byron Palace cinemas this week. Visit: www.palacecinemas.com.au for screening details

PropertyBusiness Directory

TimelessCharmandRuralSplendour

36 Gibsons Road, Alstonvale

Open For Inspection

Amir Prestige

• 3 Monash Pl, Pottsville. Sat 11.30am–12.15 pm

• 13 Libby Lane, Lennox Heads. Sat 9.45–10.15am

Byron Shire Real Estate

• 2 Berrimbillah Crt, Ocean Shores. Sat 10–10.30am

• 8 Bower St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 10–10.30am

• 15A Weeronga Way, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 8 Weeronga Way, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 67 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 9 Quail Way, Mullumbimby. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 11 Waranga Cres, Burringbar. Sat. 1–1.30pm

Century 21 RE Alstonville

• 174 Lindendale Rd, Lindendale. Sat 12–12.30pm

First National Byron

• 15 Dinjerra Pl, Mullumbimby. Wed 1–1.30pm

• 160 Reardons Lane, Swan Bay. Thurs 11–12pm

• 56 Carlyle St, Byron Bay. Thurs 12–12.30pm

• 4 South Beach Rd, Brunswick Heads.

Thurs 1–1.30pm

• 69 Lilli Pilli Dr, Byron Bay. Thurs 2–2.30pm

• 41 Gordon St, Mullumbimby. Fri 11–11.30am

• 103 Goonengerry Mill Rd, Goonengerry. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 147 Whian Whian Rd, Whian Whian. Fri 1.30–2pm

• 41 Brushbox Dr, Mullumbimby Creek. Fri 3–3.30pm

This Tuscan inspired four-bedroom family home is set on 24 stunning acres of prime rural land boasting extensive equestrian facilities and all the benefits of tranquil rural living without the remoteness.

The property exudes timeless appeal with a Mediterranean influence throughout the open plan living, dining and kitchen space.

The farmhouse style kitchen has two pantries and an island bench. The dining space leads to a covered patio providing the perfect setting for outdoor dining with stunning views to the Night Cap mountain ranges.

The main bedroom includes walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and direct access to the rear patio. The other three bedrooms are all well-sized and have built in wardrobes.

The entire property is fully fenced and will appeal to those with a variety of interests, with access to a swimmable dam, established orchard, banana farm, and extensive gardens.

Inspect:Call Denzil or Jane

Contact:Denzil Lloyd 0481 864 049 - Jane Johnston 0466 327 375

• 3/75 Stewart St, Lennox Head. Sat 9–9.30am

• 1/31 Julian Rocks Dr, Byron Bay. Sat 9–9.30am

• 15 Dinjerra Pl, Mullumbimby. Sat 10–10.30am

• 69 Lilli Pilli Dr, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 12 Brandon St, Suffolk Park. Sat 10–10.30am

• 2/5 Chinbible Av, Mullumbimby. Sat 10–10.30am

• 28 Bougainvillea Dr, Federal. Sat 10.30–11am

• 30 MacGregor St, Suffolk Park. Sat 11–11.30am

• 7/6–8 Norlyn Av, Ballina. Sat 11–11.30am

• 38 Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 147 Whian Whian Rd, Whian Whian. Sat 12.30–1pm

• 85 Arthur Rd, Corndale. Sat 1.30–2pm

• 56 Carlyle St, Byron Bay. Sat 2–2.30pm Harcourts Northern Rivers

• 14/3–13 Sunset Av, West Ballina. Sat 9–9.30am

• 35 Claire Circuit, West Ballina. Sat 9–9.30am

• 129 Ballina Rd, East Lismore. Sat 9.30–10am

• 2 Marina Pl, West Ballina. Sat 10–10.30am

• 150 Burnet St, Ballina. Sat 10–10.30am

• 2/5 Henry Philp Av, Ballina. Sat 10–10.30am

• 165 Baraang Dr, Broadwater. Sat 10–10.30am

• 589 Ballina Rd, Goonellabah. Sat 10.30–11am

• 1 Bath St, Wardell. Sat 11–11.30am

• 115 Burnett St, Ballina. Sat 11–11.30am

• 194 South Ballina Beach Rd, South Ballina. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 565 Friday Hut Rod, Brooklet. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 5/14 Teraglin Pl, Ballina. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 50a Presentation Cres, Cumbalum. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 50b Presentation Cres, Cumbalum. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 1106–1108 Tamarind Dr, Tintenbar. Sat 1–1.30pm

• 439 Teven Rd, Teven. Sat 1–1.30pm

• 2/51 Gibbon St, Lennox Head. Sat 1.15–1.45pm

Mana RE

• 22 Flinders Way, Ocean Shores. Thur 4.30–5pm

• 2A Oba Pl, Ocean Shores. Sat 9–9.30am

• 59 Riverview St, Murwillumbah. Sat 10–10.30am

• 10 Beach Av, South Golden Beach. Sat 10–10.30am

• 2 Clifford St, South Golden Beach. Sat 10–10.30am

• 1/6 Boondoon Cres, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 2/6 Boondoon Cres, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 22 Flinders Way, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 3 Narooma Dr, Ocean Shores. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 1477 Kyogle Rd, Uki. Sat 12.30–1pm

• 163 Tandys Lane, Brunswick Heads. Sat 1–1.30pm

McGrath Byron Bay

• 58A Paterson St, Byron Bay. Thur 3.30–4pm

• 6 Tristania St, Bangalow. Thur 4–4.30pm

• 16/3 Pecan Court, Suffolk Park. Fri12.15–12.45pm

• 6 Tristania St, Bangalow. Sat 8.30–9am

• 33/12 Hazelwood Cl, Suffolk Park. Sat 9–9.30 am

• 55/12 Hazelwood Cl, Suffolk Park. Sat 9–9.30 am

• 20 Wallaby Cl, Ewingsdale. Sat 9.15–9.45am

• 120 Parkway Dr, Ewingsdale. Sat 9.15–9.45am

• 62 Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay.Sat 10–10.30 am

• 78 Owenia Way, Broken Head. Sat 10–10.30am

• 5/174 Fowlers Ln, Bangalow. Sat 10.15–10.45am

• 58A Paterson St, Byron Bay. Sat 11.00–11.30am

• 8 Hakea Court, Mullumbimby. Sat 11.30–12pm

• 30 Marvell St, Byron Bay. Sat 11.45–12.15pm

• 10 Banksia Pl, Mullumbimby. Fri 12.15–12.45 pm

• 20 Burns St, Byron Bay. Sat 12.30–1.00pm

North Coast Lifestyle Properties

• 6/20 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 9–9.30am

• 2 Glendale Cres, Ocean Shores. Sat 10–10.30am

• 34 Gloria St, South Golden Beach. Sat 11–11.30am

www.echo.net.au/ofi

• 14 Goolara Crt, Ocean Shores. Sat 10–10.45am

• 55B Mylestom Circle, Pottsville. Sat 12–12.30pm

Real Estate of Distinction

• 40 Old Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 413 Crabbes Creek Rd, Crabbes Creek. Sat 11.30am–12pm

• 35–37 Edwards Ln, Kynnumboon. Sat 3.30–4pm

Ruth Russell Realty

• 11 Quail Way, Mullumbimby. Sat 11–11.45 am

• 54 Main Arm Rd, Mullumbimby. Sat 12.30–1pm

NEW LISTING

Amir Prestige

• 14 Woodfield Cres, Ballina

• 15 Roder Pl, Richmond Hill

First National Byron

• 91 Beech Dr, Suffolk Park

• 56 Carlyle St, Byron Bay

• 20 Dehnga Pl, Suffolk Park

• 388 Coopers Shoot Rd, Coopers Shoot

McGrath Byron Bay

• 62 Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay Sat 10–10.30 am

North Coast Lifestyle Properties

• 2 Glendale Cres, Ocean Shores

• 14 Goolara Court, Ocean Shores

• 36 Bulgoon Cres, Ocean Shores

• 55B Mylestom Circle, Pottsville

AUCTIONS

McGrath Byron Bay

• 16/3 Pecan Court, Suffolk Park. 11 Aug at 12.45pm

Byron Shire Real Estate

• 67 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads

Online Auction

Starting bid $1,900,000

• 8 Narrogal Court, Ocean Shores

Online Auction

Starting bid $850,000

Property Business Directory

Service Directory

Maker............................41

Garden & Property Maintenance....41

Gas Suppliers................................41

Graphic Design..............................41

Guttering......................................41

Handypersons...............................42

Health..........................................42

Hire..............................................42

Insurance......................................42

Landscape Supplies.......................42

Landscaping .................................42

Locksmith.....................................42

Painting........................................42

Pest Control..................................42

Photography.................................42

Physiotherapy...............................42

Picture Framing............................42

Plastering.....................................42

Plumbers......................................42

Pool Services.................................42

Removalists..................................42

Roofing.........................................43

Rubbish Removal..........................43

Self Storage..................................43

Septic Systems..............................43

Solar Installation..........................43

Television Services........................43

Tiling............................................43

Transport......................................43

Tree Services.................................43

Upholstery....................................43

Valuers.........................................43

Veterinary Surgeons......................43

Water Filters.................................43

Water Services..............................43

Welding........................................43

Window Cleaning and Repairs.......43

Window Tinting............................43

Writing Services............................43

PLEASE CALL 6680 9394

HEALTH

Tree Faerie Fotos

Byron Coast Removals

The Water Filter Experts

CLASSIFIED

PHONE ADS

Ads may be taken by phone on 6684 1777

Ads can be lodged in person at the Mullum Echo office: Village Way, Stuart St, Mullumbimby

EMAIL ADS

Display (box ads) and line classifieds, email: classifieds@echo.net.au

PROF. SERVICES

DENTURES

LOOK GOOD FEEL GOOD Free consultation. SANDRO 66805002

AFFORDABLE JEWELLERY REPAIRS Mullumbimby 0449934807

HEALTH

KINESIOLOGY

Clear subconscious sabotages. Reprogram patterns and beliefs. Restore vibrancy and physical health. De-stress. 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

PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPY www.psychedelicassistedtherapy.com. au

SOMATIC SHAMANIC HEALING

Trauma-informed healing, accessing core issues with deep integrative soul work, ritual & body wisdom. www.deborahwolf.com.au

EMDR

TRAUMA REPROCESSING

Medicare rebate available.

Natalie Isbister, Clinical Psychologist 0490265672 Mullumbimby

HAWAIIAN MASSAGE

Ocean Shores, Michaela, 0416332886

Mindfulness @ Work

Bring greater focus, clarity and calm into your workplace.

Certified Mindfulness

Educator Paul Bibby 0401 926 090

DEADLINE

Publication

LINE ADS:

$17.00 for the first two lines

$5 .00 for each extra line

$17 for two lines is the minimum charge.

DISPLAY ADS (with a border): $14 per column centimetre

These prices include GST. Cash, cheque, Mastercard or Visa Prepayment is required for all ads.

TRADEWORK

HYPNOSIS & NLP

www.wendypurdey.com

Make profound changes in your life. Achieve personal goals and reach your true potential within every aspect of your life. Call Wendy

WANTED

LP RECORDS: good condition, no op shop crap! Matt 0401955052

PROF SERVICES

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A TELSTRA MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION WITH 4G/5G AT: LOT 1 PLAN DP805898 ST HELENA RD, MCLEODS SHOOT NSW 2479

1.The proposal on the existing lattice tower consists of: Removal of (12) antennas Installation of (6) panel antennas 2.533m long on existing and proposed mounts.

of (2) AIR antennas on proposed mounts. Ancillary works including installation of (6) tower mast amplifiers

Internal works within existing exchange building

2. Telstra regards the proposed installation as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3.In accordance with Section 7 of C564: 2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Emily Wardlaw on behalf of Telstra, 0422 685 472, consultation@acquirecomm.com.au by Thursday 24 August 2023. Further information can also be obtained from https://www.rfnsa.com.au/2479002

DISCLAIMER

The

Shire

Byron

TREE SERVICES

Leaf it to us 4x4 truck/chipper, crane truck, stump grinding. Local, qualified, insured, free quotes. 0402487213

FOR SALE

MIELE WASHERS

Dryers and dishwashers available at Bridglands Mullumbimby. 66842511

ARCHIBALD’S CHEAP

QUARRY PRODUCTS

Road base, gravel, blue metal and metal dust. ALL SIZE DELIVERIES. Phone 66845517, 0418481617

2 BEDROOM SPACIOUS APARTMENT 5 minutes walk to Mullumbimby town. Available late August. $580p/w, long let. 0458506165 or jaldharachance@ gmail.com

LOCAL REMOVAL

& backloads to Brisbane. Friendly, with 10 years local exp. 0409917646 SOUTH GOLDEN BEACH/OCEAN SHORES Share large furnished duplex with own room, queen bed and own large bathroom. Share with mature female, a non-party house, 9 mins flat walk to SGB. Car is a must. 3 month min plus bond. Dog considered. $270p/w. 0402131344

WANTED TO RENT

PROFESSIONAL COUPLE and our two kids looking for leafy beachy rental in Byron area. Ideally long term, furnished, 3 bed, up to $950p/w. Can provide proof of earnings, references etc. Message Henry 0488175625

TO LEASE

OFFICE SPACE IN PRIME POSITION in the heart of Mullumbimby CBD. Suite on first floor 63, Stuart St. 110m2. Carpet, T-bar ceiling, aircon (serviced by agent), M&F toilets with showers, common kitchen and foyer. Available August, rent $24,000 p/a+GST. 66843301

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN / COSMETIC manufacturing facility, newly built, commercial flooring and washup provided, you fit out to your needs, Mullumbimby. 0424650858

POSITIONS VACANT

TUTOR NEEDED for year 6 student for maths & english. 1 hour p/w, Bangalow. 0417054443 or 0421531796.

CLEANERS, ABOVE INDUSTRY PAY Flexible days & hours. Earn $100–$1000 per week, rates negotiable. Employee or ABN. 0434491500 or email recruit@beyondcleaninggroup.com.

LADIES WANTED, MUST BE 18+ Work available in busy adult parlour. Travellers welcome. 66816038 for details.

SOCIAL MEDIA GURU for small local business. Please call Wayne 0423218417 EROTIC MASSAGE STAFF reliable and friendly for Gentlemen’s Relaxation Centre 18+. Tweed. Grace 0418185791

Mon 21 August

• The Art Of Zine Making

• Solitary Native Bees

Sat 26 August

• Mental Health First Aid (standard)

• Nada Yoga with Sanskrit

• Healing The Critical Voice

Sat 26 August

• Playful Painting Weekend

• Follow Your Camino Dream

• How Music Works (music theory)

• Heartmath Resilience Advantage

Sun 27 August

• Vegan Nut Cheeses & Mylks

K I R R A KIRRA

Kirra is desperate to begin her new life with a loving family. She is a very confident love bug that has an ‘out there’ personality. Kirra would be a super sweet addition to your family and would reward you with lots of cuddles.

To meet Kirra, 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

Byron Dog Rescue (CAWI)

5-year-old desexed female English Staffy x Ridgeback ‘Nala’ is looking for a forever home.

Baber, Elizabeth May “Betty”

18.01.1937 – 27.07.2023

Dearly loved wife of Ted (dec’d).

Devoted and adored Mother and Mother-in-law of

Mark and Kim, Glen (dec’d), Kerrie and Michael (dec’d).

Cherished Gran of Sarah, Zoe, Kelly, Scott, James and Emily.

Great Gran to Hayden, Reece, Logan, Marshall, Archer, Xavi and Ted.

Betty’s friends and family are warmly invited to attend a celebration of her life, to be held at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Mullumbimby, on Tuesday 15 August, commencing at 2pm

Murwillumbah (02) 6672 2144

Princess Di is a real charmer. She has watched her six kittens go to forever homes, and now it is her turn. She is undemanding and a loving, quiet girl. She would prefer a sole companion, not that she is anti social, but because she prefers that special relationship. Being mostly white she is an indoor cat. A very special companion who will charm you. All cats are desexed, vaccinated and microchipped. No : 900079000092228

Please make an appointment 0403 533 589 • Billinudgel petsforlifeanimalshelter.net

Devoted to Pleasure

013 347

NAL A NALA

Strong, loving, playful, big-beautiful-eyed Nala needs patience & stability due to past trauma and resulting mistrust. She’s good with children, cats and cows. She gets very excited around other big dogs and suffers fear aggression. Nala needs a loving but firm handler who can provide her with further training and socialisation. Please contact Shell on 0458 461 935. MC: 991001000924234

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

S H E B A SHEBA

Sheba is a 9 month old Mastiff X. She is a lovely affectionate girl, who loves to cuddle up to her humans. Sheba is smart and learns quickly and is progressing really well in our basic training program. Sheba is looking for a family home with older children where she’ll be the only pet.

M/C # 991003001704224

Contact Yvette on 0421 831 128.

Location: Murwillumbah

Interested? Complete our online adoption EOI. https://friendsofthepound.com/ adoption-expression-of-interest/ Visit friendsofthepound.com to

But words are things, and a small drop of ink,

Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think...

Community at Work

On The Horizon

DEADLINE NOON FRIDAY

Email copy marked ‘On The Horizon’ to editor@echo.net.au.

Prostate cancer

The next meeting of the Northern Rivers Day Prostate Cancer Support Group is on Wednesday 9 August at 10am until 12 noon at the Alstonville Plateau Sports Club, Deegan Drive, Alstonville. Guest Speaker Jodie Cochrane from Southern Cross University. Men previously and newly diagnosed with prostate cancer are urged to join with the group to experience the personal cancer stories told which give a great opportunity for all to learn, share, and benefit from each other. Partners and carers are most welcome to attend as family are very much involved with the progress and treatment of those with this diagnosis. Enquiries phone Bob Corney 0493 075 612.

Vietnam Veterans Day

An invitation is given to one and all to attend the Byron Bay Vietnam Veterans Day Service at the Memorial Cenotaph, Cnr Marvel and Tennyson Streets, Byron Bay on Friday, 18 August commencing at 11am.

Lismore rainforest walk

Guided Walk in the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens on Sunday, 27 August at 2pm. Phil will take you on an informative walk through the gardens which are currently showing off their spring beauty. Enjoy a unique experience of the flowering plants through the Sensory Garden, the Rainforest Walk, the Nursery, Palm Gully, Hoop Pine and Wilson’s Park Species Garden. Meet at the Visitor’s Centre at 1.45pm for a 2 pm start for a one-hour walk. $5 per adult, children free. No card facilities. Wear hat and sturdy shoes. Enjoy afternoon tea in the Visitor’s Centre after the walk. Booking essential: Email publicity@friendslrbg. com.au or text 0450 596 705.

BB Hospital Auxiliary

The Byron Bay Hospital Auxiliary hold their monthly meetings on the third Monday of every month at the Byron Central Hospital at 1pm. All members and new members welcome. For further information please contact Maureen on 6685 3162.

Regular As Clockwork

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.

Mullumbimby District

Neighbourhood Centre

Mullumbimby & District

Neighbourhood Centre is open

Monday–Friday 9.30am–4pm (closed from 12.30–1.30pm for lunch). We offer a variety of servics. Everyone is welcome. Call reception on 6684 1286. Some of our services include:

Flood Recovery Support Service: personalised, long-term support for those impacted by the floods. Community support: Food parcels, meals, showers, assistance with electricity bills. Work Development Orders.

Listening Space: free counselling.

Free Yoga: every Tuesday 3–4pm.

More Than A Meal: Free Community lunch Tuesday–Friday 1.30–1.30.

Financial Counselling Staying Home, Leaving Violence program. Information, referral, and advocacy

Gulganii affordable pantry shop: located at 3 Bridgeland Lane Orange Sky: Free laundry service Mon morning & Tue afternoon

To enquire about accessing any of these services call reception 6684 1286, check our website www.mdnc.org.au, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. @ mullumbimbyneighbourhoodcentre

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

Chemical free landcare

Byron Shire chemical free landcare working bee on Saturday, 12 August from 8am until 12.30pm, at Saltwater Creek. Meet at Mullumbimby Community Garden car park. The tasks will be to get ready for The Grow Fest, on 26 August.

Baby/toddler drop-in

centre and clothes swap

Free drop-in centre and baby/toddler clothes swap each Friday, 10am–2pm at the Mullumbimby CWA Hall, Cnr Tincogan and Gordon Streets. Join us for a for a free cuppa and biscuits and a chat with other mums and dads. Pick up some baby/toddler clothes and leave any pre-loved (but with plenty of life left) clothes to share with the community.

40 years of the Brunswick Valley Historical Society

Celebrate 40 years of the Brunswick Valley Historical Society, 19 August at 12noon. Meet at the back of the Machinery Shed. Tea and coffee will be available in the Reading Room from 10am Past members are very welcome. RSPV : mullumbimbymuseum@gmail. com by 12 August.

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.

Support after suicide

BV VIEW

Brunswick Valley VIEW Club will be having their 38th birthday on Thursday, 10 August at Brunswick Bowling Club, Brunswick Heads. Luncheon meeting starts at 10am. Apologies to Margie: 0412 246 310 or email: mageemak@gmail.com no later than Monday before.

Teven-Tintenbar Country Fair

Join in the Teven-Tintenbar School Country Fair on 12 August, 9.30am until 2.30pm. Bring a rug and a chair and enjoy delicious food, entertaining performers, live music, an array of local produce, arts and craft, fair rides and much more! It’s a fun-filled day for the whole family!

NR Collectors Club

The Northern Rivers Collectors Club will be holding their 31st Antiques & Collectables Exhibition & Trading Fair at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre, Tumbulgum Road on Saturday, 12 August, 8.30am to 2.30pm. Entry: adults $6, kids $1. There will be a valuer in attendance. There will be thousands of items for sale, antiques, vintage, retro and modern. Proceeds from the day donated to Tweed Palliative Support Inc.

quality palliative care to those who wish to die at home. To find out more about this free service, or to train as a volunteer carer, please contact us: 0468 483 857, info@amitayus.org.au, www.amitayus.org.au.

Older adult exercise

Chair Based Older Adults Exercise

Low-cost or free food

Food Box Thursdays 9.30–11.30am at Uniting Church, Mullumbimby. You may purchase cheap food, obtain free 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.

Respite Service

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

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.

Drug support groups

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

FOL and Writers Festival book event

Friends of Libraries (FOL) are pleased to be able to partner with Byron Writers Festival in bringing a joint literary event to be held in Byron at Marvell Hall on Thursday, 10 August from 12.30 to 3pm. Enjoy a fascinating talk by Susan Johnson about her book Aphrodite’s Breath in conversation with the well known journalist Susan Wyndham. The book reveals a mother/daughter’s relationship, and a Greek island adventure. Followed by a delicious afternoon tea provided by the Bangalow CWA. Plus plenty of lucky door prizes. Bookings are essential at www.byronbayfol.com or by clicking on satellite events on the Writers Festival website. Tickets $20 FOL members and $25 non-members.

Bangalow Heritage House Museum

The Bangalow Historical Society holds its monthly general meeting on the first Saturday of every month at Heritage House, 4 Ashton St, Bangalow, 9.30-11am. All welcome. The AGM is on 22 August with a guest speaker.

groups commencing in February. Art Connection for Women: commencing Monday 6 February – 27 March, 10.30am–12noon. Addiction Family Support: Commencing Tuesday 7 February 6.30pm–8pm. Enquire at Mullumbimby Safe Haven open 12pm–6pm seven days.

CWA Bruns

StandBy provides support to people who have lost someone to suicide. 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.

Volunteer call out

Support for New Mums Inc. a Northern NSW community program are recruiting volunteers in the Byron Shire. We offer a free of charge, home visiting program for mothers with babies. For more information email Deb: newmums8@gmail.com.

End-of-Life Choices

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.

Bruns CWA

Brunswick Heads CWA Crafty Women meet Fridays 10–2pm, corner of Park and Booyun Streets, Brunswick Heads. Join us for a chat, a cuppa and bring along your craft projects including sewing, knitting, crocheting, memory books or quilting. Beginners welcome. Gold coin donation. For more information please email brunscwa@ gmail.com.

Amitayus Home Hospice

Our trained volunteer carers at Amitayus Home Hospice Service provide practical, compassionate, and

Free computer lessons

There are still places available in the one-on-one free computer lessons initiated by the Australian Government Be Connected program. Mullumbimby Library host these on a Wednesday morning from 9.30am–12.30pm, phone 6684 2992, and Byron Bay Library on a Monday from 9.30am–12.30pm, phone 6685 8540. Bookings are essential.

Women’s circle

A women’s circle is held 10am–12pm, every Tuesday at the Byron Community Cabin on Carlyle Street. Morning tea, art activities and connection to community for women experiencing housing insecurity. It is hosted by Fletcher Street Cottage and Byron Community Centre. For more info: www.fletcherstreetcottage.com, email: fsc@byroncentre.com.au, or call 6685 6807.

Volunteer call out Support for New Mums Inc. a Northern NSW community program are recruiting volunteers in the Byron Shire. We offer a free-of-charge, home visiting program for mothers with babies. For more information email Deb: newmums8@gmail.com.

Please note: This section is intended for the benefit of non-profit community groups.

For details contact secretary@ pottsvillecomunityassociation.com or via Facebook.

Brunswick Valley Historical Society Inc

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

Come and join us for $5 Pilates classes every Thursday at 8.45am in the Memorial Hall, 22 Fingal Street, Brunswick Headsand 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.

Lismore U3A

Have you retired or just about to from the workforce? Are you looking to exercise your mind and body and keep both well oiled? Well, Lismore U3A (university of the third age) could be just the place for you. This worldwide organisation has been running in Lismore for the past 30 years and thousands of local people have benefited from its programs. It’s a great place to meet like-minded people and make new friends. We start 2023 with a choice of at least 30 classes, which include: languages, photography, science, history, Qigong, genealogy, and many others. We also have a social calendar each term. All our courses are listed on our website www.lismoreu3a.com.au. There is an online enrolment form that you can complete or contact Pat McLarenSmith on 6622 7408.

Safe Haven

Mullumbimby

Safe Haven in Mullumbimby provides free mental health support to the community from 12–6pm, seven days a week. Safe Haven is funded by Healthy North Coast and is staffed by experienced clinicians and mental health support staff. Safe Haven is a drop-in centre, no appointment or referral is required. Any community member is welcome. We are located at 15 Tincogan St, behind the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre. Find out more online: safehavennc.org.au or email: support@safehavennc. org.au. Free community support

CWA of Brunswick Heads Crafty Women meet Fridays 10am–2pm, corner of Park and Booyun Street, Brunswick Heads. Join us for a chat, a cuppa and bring along your craft projects including sewing, knitting, crocheting, memory books or quilting.

Byron Bay library Scrabble Club

If you are a word enthusiast come along and join our community led Scrabble Club which meets every Thursday at 2pm at Byron Library. Open to players of all levels, make new friends. More info on 6685 8540.

Bangalow Museum

Bangalow Heritage House Museum is located at 4 Ashton St, Bangalow. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am2pm. Discover your local history; exhibitions changing every three months. Come join the team, call Trisha on 0429 882 525.

Hub Ocean Shores

The Hub Baptist Church has opened a new space for the Community in Ocean Shores on Wednesdays 10am–12 noon. Connect, access support, free food and lunch and free clothes. The space has games such as lawn bowls donated by The Brunswick Heads Bowls Club, card making, lunch available, and relief from cost of living pressures.

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.

Pottsville Community Association

Pottsville Community Association meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm at the Anglican Church in Coronation Drive, Pottsville. Have your say on what is going on in your local area.

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.

Library fun

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.

Toastmasters

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 thePresbyterian Church, 104 Stuart St, Mullumbimby. New members and guests welcome. Contact Bruce 0418 515 991 or Ninian 0411 629 982.

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.

Sport

The Byron Bay Red Devils have a must-win away game against the Ballina Seagulls this Sunday as they try to maintain a place in the top six, to go on to play finals football in the NRRRL firstgrade competition.

The Red Devils had a bye last weekend and sit in fifth position on the ladder with 17 competition points.

The Byron Bay Magpies senior men’s team have sealed the 2023 North Coast AFL minor premiership after posting a good win over Port Macquarie, 16.12-108–6.6-42, at the Cavanbah Centre last Saturday afternoon.

‘Port was missing a few key players, but we definitely got the job done,’ Magpies captain Daniel Tiffin said.

Byron Bay have lost just twice across the season, once due to a forfeit, and once to Port Macquarie, 5.10-40–17.10-112, when they played away in early July.

With one regular round of

the season to play the Magpies can’t be shifted from the top of the ladder heading into the finals.

Port Macquarie sit in second place ahead of Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

Coffs take on Byron this weekend at the Cavanbah Centre, and if they lose, and Sawtell has a win, they could miss out on the finals.

Byron are confident they can come away with a win and then head to Coffs Harbour for the finals. They feel more than capable of taking home a premiership.

‘If we put our heads down

we can get the job done, especially if we all really want it,’ Daniel said.

Magpie women

The Byron Magpies women’s side also took on Port Macquarie last weekend, losing 2.1-13–10.7-67.

This Saturday they take on Coffs Harbour in their last game of the season, with a final’s berth out of reach. The Magpies women will finish the season in fifth place, ahead of Grafton.

All the action is at the Cavanbah Centre Saturday August 12, from 1pm.

But three other teams, Evans Head, Cudgen and Lower Clarence, are all just one point behind and share sixth place on the ladder.

They could all leapfrog Byron Bay if they have wins this weekend, the final round of the regular season.

The battle for the minor premiership is also wide open with Bilambil sitting on top with 28 points, but Ballina and Northern United are both within striking distance sitting on 26 points.

‘It’s tight, it could go either way. It’s been a bit like that all season, there just hasn’t been any easy games,’ Red Devil’s coach Sam Saville said.

‘Every time we play its

like the opposition grows an extra leg’.

There is no fancy game plan for taking on one of the season’s top teams, rather its about Byron Bay doing the basics well for the whole of the game.

‘It’s about us playing the way we play and doing that for a full 80 minutes. We have been doing that more in the last few weeks, and if we can keep it up this weekend, we should be OK,’ he said.

It is also an important weekend for Tweed Coast who are in fourth place on the ladder with 18 points, but have a poor for and against.

They could still find themselves fighting for a place in the top six if they don’t win this Sunday’s game against Cudgen.

The Mullumbimby Giants played their final game for 2023 last Sunday when they went down to Northern United 44–0 playing away.

The Giants sit in 11th place and have a bye this weekend.

The Red Devils take on the Ballina Seagulls at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, across four grades with the Ladies League Touch kicking off at 10.50am. First grade takes to the field from 2.45pm

Byron Bay FC premier league team lost a home fixture against South Lismore 2–1 last Friday night under lights at the Byron Recreation Grounds.

The result leaves South Lismore in third position on the ladder and bumped Byron Bay from the top spot into second place.

Bangalow are back on top of the ladder with two more regular rounds of competition to play.

‘South Lismore has a strong defence, they are a tough team to get through. The midfield is also very disciplined,’ Byron Bay coach Jeremey Sutton said.

‘We didn’t take our opportunities, plenty of good build up play came apart.

‘They scored two goals late, but we should have put the game away well before that,’ he said.

Byron Bay take on fifth-placed Alstonville this weekend.

The good news is that the team is close to fully fit, with the finals just around the corner.

The Byron Bay FC champions league side had a bye at the weekend and sit in third place on the table. They look set to retain their place in the top four heading into the finals.

Calling All Sports

In the women’s premier league the reigning premiers Alstonville remain dominant, and are undefeated for the

season, and are likely minor premiers for 2023. They beat Ballina 7–1 last Friday night.

Byron Bay had a win over Lennox Head 2–0, but still sit beneath them on the ladder in third place. Richmond

Rovers round out the four, but Maclean are just behind.

The Shores United U/12 mixed side has continued their winning ways and secured the minor premiership undefeated, with only two draws for the season – both against Ballina. Last weekend they beat Bangalow 2–0.

The side trains twice a week and goalkeeper Oscar has only let in seven goals all season, and three of those were in one game, a 3–3 draw against Ballina. They take on Ballina in a semifinal this Sunday.

The Byron Magpies women’s side is looking for their fourth win when they take on Coffs Harbour at home this Saturday in their last game of the 2023 season. Photo supplied

The last charge: The Mullumbimby Giants had their final game for 2023 last weekend. Photo Elna Nelson

South Lismore taking a free kick against Byron Bay FC on the way to a 2–1 win last weekend. Photo Mike Egan

Byron Bay FC had a 4–0 win over Bangalow in the girls’ U/15s last weekend. Photo supplied

Backlash

Railway vegetation track clearing will be held this week, say train supporters, Northern Rivers Rail. They say the assessment of repairs is needed ‘to cost the restoration of the line for trains to run in the future’. Volunteers are needed, they add, but need to be covered by volunteer insurance. Membership of Northern Rivers Railway Ltd is required for insurance. Visit northernriversrail.com.au to sign up.

There was another car crash on Sunday on the corner of Fern and Stuart Street, Mullum. It follows another two weeks ago, say neighbours, and another a few months back. It has become a popular bypass through town that connects the road from the Council offices to the Drill Hall.

To support the reconciliation of the Shearwater school community, which was divided by the covid vaccination mandates, a healing process and ceremony for the school will be held August 20 from 2.30pm until 7pm. The school’s board chair, Steve Heptonstall is asking for RSVPs by August 15 for catering purposes – email boardchair@shearwater. nsw.edu.au.

The Northern Territory Independent (ntindependent. com.au) pulls no punches with Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles. They reported last week, ‘Chief Minister Natasha Fyles defended her government’s continued illegal ban on the NT Independent during her National Press Club address on Tuesday by lying to the public, after appearing to

Out-there artist of many disciplines, Space Cowboy, aka Chayne Hultgren, has hung his award-winning work on the walls of The Cellar Bangalow bottleshop for a limited time. Featuring sophisticated wild animals, the name of the latest collection is ‘The Good Life’.

be caught off-guard when asked by ABC’s Laura Tingle why her government does not allow this award-winning news outlet to attend press conferences’.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe has confirmed with The Echo that police have been investigating reports that two girls, aged five and eight, were sexually assaulted in a Brunswick Heads toilet block.

A group of Byron Bay landlords are calling for urgent changes to the way in which land tax is levied and allocated. Their next meeting is August 14, from 5.30pm at the Byron RSL Club.

Congrats to the Byron Visitors Centre, which has won Bronze in the Excellence in Tourism Services category at the North Coast Tourism Awards.

The Federal Film Society will screen black and white,

modern ‘outback noir’ Aussie film, Limbo, on August 12 at the hall. Organisers say a heart-warming feast will also

be on offer from the Masterchefs from Goonengerry Landcare Group, from 6pm, with the film starting at 8pm.

Photo ‘Top Paddock’ Dawson