Auspac Media

On Monday, Mercury starts reversing through your work and wellbeing zones. So, it’s a suitable week to revise your daily diet and fitness routine, as you choose healthier food options and a form of exercise that you enjoy. Plus – when it comes to your job – it’s time to catch up on the backlog of unfinished projects and overflowing paperwork. With the Sun shining in your friendship zone, you’re keen to have a catch-up lunch or movie night with your besties.

TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)

Mercury turns retrograde, and Venus (your power planet) hooks up with retro Mercury. So, you’re extra susceptible to confusing misunderstandings, dubious suggestions and false flattery. Be discerning about whose advice you take, and make sure your plans are grounded in reality. Don’t let fair-weather friends lead you up the primrose path to trouble! If you’re a smart Bull, you’ll plan your week carefully and choose your close confidantes wisely.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

This week impulsive Mars and spontaneous Jupiter are both transiting through Gemini, which boosts your energy and enthusiasm – but also your blunt and tactless side. And on Monday, your ruling planet Mercury turns retrograde (until August 29). So close relationships will be complicated, and communication will be increasingly tricky –especially with your housemates and extended family. Smart Twins will slow down, shut up, listen and learn!

CANCER (June 21 – July 22)

Mercury turns retrograde on Monday, so it’s time to do anything with a ‘re’ in front of it – revise, rehearse, review, remember, return, recover and/ or reconnect. Especially in areas involving travel, education, communication and local community projects. Expect some hiccups – not everything will run smoothly. But don’t worry – press on and be patient. As actress (and birthday great) Lucille Ball said: “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than the things that I haven’t.”

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) The Sun and Venus are both visiting Leo, so you’re feeling feisty and ready for adventure. But with Mercury turning retrograde (until August 29) you could also feel like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! Remember that hubris often comes before a fall so the buzz word for this week is humility. Clever Lions will be kinder towards other people, and more tolerant of their individual idiosyncrasies and circumstances. When it comes to finances, be patient.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

On Monday, Mercury (your patron planet) turns retrograde in your sign. Which could mean frustrations, delays and power plays, especially at work or while travelling. Perhaps a project is stalled, a person is plotting, or a domestic appliance (or your car) breaks down. Avoid stressing and vexing, Virgo! Aim to be proactive rather than reactive, and supple rather than stubborn. Thursday is a good day to review your timetable or catch up with an old friend.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your perfectionist streak is about to go through the roof! Venus (your boss planet) transits into fussy Virgo on Monday, and then links up with retrograde Mercury on Thursday. So, this week is all about paying close attention to details, as you dot your i’s and cross your t’s. If you don’t check and double-check as you go, then mistakes and misunderstandings are likely. Clever Librans will take the time to slow down, meditate, contemplate and discombobulate.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Have you been selling yourself short? Stop being a critical fusspot who engages in negative selftalk and sabotages success. The Sun and Jupiter are activating your career/public/reputation zone, so it’s time to be the self-confident Scorpio you were born to be. Your motto for the week is from birthday great, actress and producer Lucille Ball: “I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Many busy Sagittarians will burn the midnight oil, as creativity bites and inspiration strikes, especially at work. International connections could be particularly beneficial, and others are looking to you for innovative ideas. But – with Mercury reversing through your career zone – resist the temptation to sidestep, confuse or snooze on the job! Use your well-developed networking skills to drum up support, and don’t be afraid to ask experts for help.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Some Goats are feeling grumpy and restless, but holidays and adventures could be thin on the ground as Mercury reverses through your travel zone, frustrates plans and slows things down. Don’t despair! Have fun closer to home and plan to explore further afield after Mercury turns direct on August 29. Be patient and keep your options open. Draw inspiration from actor Chris Hemsworth (who turns 41 on Sunday): “Life is all about growth and change.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Mercury is in retrograde mode from Monday until August 29, so make sure you communicate clearly and sort out any misunderstandings early, at home and at work. Clear thinking and creative strategies will help you solve problems and alleviate stress. Your motto for the week is from actress and activist Gillian Anderson (who turns 56 on Friday): “Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance and facing your fears.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

With Venus and Mercury (which turns retrograde on Monday) visiting your relationship zone, it’s important to nurture and cherish your nearest and dearest. You could also lend a hand to a friend or relative who is sick, experiencing financial trouble or recovering from a broken heart. The best day of the week is Thursday, when the Mercury/ Venus link highlights romance, compassion and creativity. So do your best to surround yourself with love, beauty and good vibes!

The Northern Rivers Times August 8,

Literary lovers, assemble!

The Byron Writers Festival is back for 2024 and ready to dish up a scholarly smorgasbord of storytelling, inspirational ideas and conversation.

From August 9–11 more than 100 writers and thinkers will come together at Bangalow Showground to ponder the power of stories and the written word in shaping who we are. The Byron Writers Festival has become famous for its relaxed and friendly vibe, open-air beachside location and compelling conversations spanning a mix of genres including music, art, environment, philosophy, health, politics, human rights and of course, memoir and fction. This year will be no exception.

This year’s Byron Writers Festival showcases the theme ‘From the ground up’ and will feature international bestsellers Trent Dalton and Jane Harper; acclaimed writer and farmer Bruce Pascoe; Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan; Irish novelist Caoilinn Hughes; PEN award-winning author and poet Nam Le; playwright and novelist Suzie Miller; investigative journalist and debut novelist Louise Milligan; and local speculative fction writer

KING STINGRAY weren’t joking when they told the whole nation to “get me out of the city” on their debut album. Everyone’s favourite Yolngu surf rock band have just announced a regional run of gigs this July/ August, taking in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT and the NT. After dominating Australian airwaves ever since they busted out of Arnhem Land with hits like Milkumana, KING STINGRAY have been busy writing album number two. This tour is the perfect chance for them to road test some new material, including their most recent single Through The Trees. “Let’s not waste anymore time” indeed!

Mykaela Saunders. Thirsty for more?

There’s plenty more happening at Byron Writers Festival. The full program for Byron Writers Festival is available via the Byron Writers Festival Offcial Website.

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: 9-11 of August

• Where: Bangalow Showgrounds

• Price: From $144

• Tickets: Via the QR code

The tour starts in regional Victoria, with gigs in Castlemaine, Frankston and then hopefully someone can lend the boys a few wetties and boards before the show in Torquay. NSW fans get Byron, Coffs, Newy and

Billy vs Elton is guaranteed to take you on a brilliant fun and song flled journey through the incredible music careers of two giants of the entertainment industry. With over 80 top 40 hits between them, Billy Joel and Elton John dominated the charts for decades! With a catalogue of brilliantly crafted songs, still on regular playlists around the world today, Billy Joel and Elton John are absolute masters of their craft. Their incredible music forms the soundtrack to so many people’s lives…most of us remember a Billy Joel or Elton John song underscoring major life and world events.

Wollongong gigs and there’s even a visit to the nation’s capital, which asks the big question - will self-professed super fan Albo come and catch the set?? Albo, your name’s on the door, don’t be shy! Queenslanders get a couple of shows in the Gold Coast and Maroochydore, and tour ends up right back where it all started, with KING STINGRAY playing a FREE hometown show headlining Arnhem Land’s most awesome music festival, East Arnhem Live.

Tickets for the tour go on sale at 10am AEST Wed 22 May, 2024.

Delivered by a world class live 9-piece band, featuring 5 amazing vocalists, Billy vs Elton is an incredibly immersive musical experience, with hearty sing-alongs highly encouraged! We don’t

Grab em quick as the these smaller regional venues are the perfect place to see, hear and feel the power of KING STINGRAY’S one/two double punch - timeless Yolngu manikay mixed with pumping indie surf rock.

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Thursday 08 of August @8pm

• Where: Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

• Price: $55.05

• Tickets: Via the QR code pretend to be Billy or Elton, we simply have a great night out celebrating their music.

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Friday 9 of August @7:30pm

• Where: Starcourt Theatre, Lismore

• Price: $55

• Tickets: Via the QR code

Airbnb has revolutionised the way people travel, offering unique and affordable accommodation options that allow travellers to experience destinations like locals. However, the rise of Airbnb has also had signifcant negative impacts on the travel industry and local communities. While the platform offers many benefts, such as more authentic experiences and often lower prices than traditional hotels, there are several downsides that are increasingly becoming apparent.

One of the most signifcant negative impacts of Airbnb is its effect on housing markets in popular tourist destinations. By turning residential properties into short-term rentals, Airbnb hosts can often earn more money than they would from long-term tenants. This has led to a reduction in the availability of rental properties for local residents, driving up rental prices and making it diffcult for locals to fnd affordable housing. Cities like Barcelona, San Francisco, and Amsterdam have experienced signifcant housing shortages and skyrocketing rents, partially attributed to the proliferation of Airbnb listings. The platform’s infuence can displace long-term residents, creating tension between locals and tourists. This gentrifcation process can erode the cultural fabric of neighbourhoods, as traditional communities are pushed out and replaced by transient visitors.

Airbnb’s business model can also undermine local economies, particularly in the hospitality sector. Traditional hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments, which are often required to adhere to strict regulations and taxes, fnd themselves at a disadvantage compared to Airbnb hosts. Many Airbnb properties operate without the same level of oversight, allowing them to offer lower prices. This creates an uneven playing feld and can lead to a loss of business for traditional accommodation providers.

Moreover, Airbnb has been criticised for facilitating tax evasion. In many cities, Airbnb hosts are not required to pay the same taxes as hotels, such as occupancy taxes, which can result in signifcant revenue losses for local governments. These funds are often used to support public services and infrastructure, which are essential for both residents and tourists. As a result, the local community may suffer from reduced public investment, while the benefts of tourism are disproportionately reaped by a small number of property owners.

The infux of short-term rentals through Airbnb can also negatively affect the quality of life for residents and the tourism experience itself. In many cities, the presence of Airbnb properties in residential areas has led to an increase in noise, litter, and other nuisances, as tourists may not be as invested in maintaining the neighbourhoods character as permanent residents. This can create friction between locals and visitors, leading to a less welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, the prevalence of Airbnb can contribute to the homogenisation of tourism experiences. As more properties are converted into short-term rentals, neighbourhoods can lose their unique character, becoming more like tourist districts than authentic local communities. This can detract from the cultural richness that travellers seek when visiting new places, making tourism experiences feel less genuine and more commercialised.

Regulating Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms has proven challenging for many cities. The rapid growth of these platforms often outpaces the development of appropriate regulations, leaving local governments scrambling to address issues as they arise. Some cities have implemented strict regulations to limit the number of Airbnb listings, require hosts to obtain licenses, or impose taxes similar to those paid by hotels. However, enforcement can be diffcult, and platforms like Airbnb have been accused of not cooperating fully with regulatory efforts. In some cases, regulations intended to curb the negative impacts of short-term rentals have led to unintended consequences. For example, limiting the number of days a property can be rented on Airbnb may encourage hosts to rent out their properties exclusively on the platform, removing them from the long-term rental market altogether. This can exacerbate housing shortages and further drive up rents.

While Airbnb has undoubtedly transformed the travel industry by providing more diverse accommodation options and empowering travellers to explore destinations in new ways, it is essential to consider the platform’s broader impacts. The disruption of local housing markets, negative effects on local economies, diminished quality of life for residents, and challenges in regulation all highlight the need for a more balanced approach to integrating short-term rentals into communities.

As cities and governments continue to grapple with these issues, it is crucial for travellers to be mindful of the impact their choices have on local communities. By supporting sustainable tourism practices and choosing accommodations that contribute positively to the local economy, travellers can help ensure that the benefts of tourism are shared more equitably. As the travel industry evolves, it is essential to strike a balance that allows for innovation and growth while preserving the unique qualities that make destinations worth visiting.