Have Your Say: Byron Shire Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035

JEFF GIBBS

Byron Shire Council is inviting residents to provide feedback on its Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035 (CSP), the 10-year guiding document that outlines the vision and objectives for the Shire’s future. The plan is open for public consultation until 9 February 2025, with multiple ways for the community to share their views.

What is the Community Strategic Plan (CSP)?

The CSP is one of Byron Shire Council’s most important documents, reviewed every four years following local elections. It incorporates community feedback to defne the Shire’s long-term vision and the key objectives for its growth, sustainability, and overall wellbeing.

Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, emphasized the importance of community involvement:

“This is one of Council’s most important documents and it must be reviewed after an election. Now is the time to have a look at the vision statement and strategic objectives we’re proposing and tell us what you think – does it refect what you want for the future of the Byron Shire? Have we got it right?”

How the Plan Was Developed

The Draft CSP 2035 has been shaped by:

• Surveys and workshops engaging local residents.

• Pop-up stalls held across the Shire.

• Feedback collected over the last year.

Key updates include clearer details on how objectives will be achieved, who will be involved, and the strategies to ensure progress.

Five Strategic Objectives for Byron Shire

The Draft CSP identifes fve key objectives to guide the

Shire’s future:

1. Effective Leadership

• Transparent and informed decisionmaking with strong community leadership.

2. Inclusive Community

• A proactive, inclusive community that embraces diversity and values all individuals.

3. Nurtured Environment

• A commitment to protecting and enhancing the Shire’s natural environment.

4. Ethical Growth

• Responsibly managing growth and change to ensure resilience and sustainability.

5. Connected Infrastructure

• Developing safe, accessible, and reliable infrastructure, transport, and facilities.

Next Steps Feedback on the CSP will inform the development of Council’s four-year delivery program and annual operational plan, scheduled for adoption by June 2025.

How to Have Your Say

Residents can share their thoughts in the following ways:

• Online: Submit feedback via the Council’s website.

• By Phone: Call the Council’s Customer Service team.

• In Person: Visit the Customer Service Centre in Mullumbimby.

For more details and to view the Draft CSP, visit the Byron Shire Council website at Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035.

Mayor Ndiaye’s Call to Action

Mayor Ndiaye encourages everyone to take part in shaping the future of Byron Shire: “This plan refects the aspirations of our community, and we want to ensure it aligns with your vision. Your feedback is vital to ensuring we get it right.”

Help shape Byron Shire’s future by having your say before 9 February 2025!

A New Mini PC Offering for Home and Office

Liam Jennings

MSI has unveiled its latest compact computing solution, the MSI Cubi NUC 1M-056AU Mini Desktop PC, designed to deliver robust performance in a remarkably small form factor. Targeted at both home users and small offce environments, the Cubi NUC combines power, connectivity, and versatility in a sleek package.

The device is powered by an Intel Core i5-120U processor, featuring 10 cores and a turbo boost speed of up to 5.0 GHz. This powerful CPU ensures that the Cubi NUC can handle a wide range of tasks, from everyday web browsing and offce applications to more demanding workloads.

Paired with 16GB of DDR5 SDRAM, operating at an impressive 5600 MHz, the Cubi NUC ensures smooth multitasking capabilities. Additionally, users can upgrade the RAM up to 64GB if needed, making it a future-proof option for growing demands.

For storage, the device includes a 1TB PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSD, providing ample space for applications, documents, and multimedia fles while ensuring fast data access speeds. This makes the Cubi NUC suitable for users who require both speed and storage capacity.

The integrated Intel graphics offer suffcient power for everyday tasks, multimedia playback, and light creative work, though it is not intended for demanding gaming or graphics-intensive applications.

Connectivity is a standout feature, boasting dual 2.5G Ethernet ports and Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211, ensuring high-speed network performance for both wired and wireless connections.

Bluetooth 5.3 support is also included for seamless peripheral connectivity.

Port options include four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two HDMI 2.1 outputs capable of supporting 4K displays, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. With support for up to four simultaneous displays, the Cubi NUC enhances productivity for multitasking scenarios.

Measuring just 135.6 x 132.5 x 50.1 mm, the Cubi NUC’s compact size makes it easy to ft into tight spaces. It supports VESA mounting, allowing users to attach it to the back of a monitor for a clutter-free setup.

Available now in Australia, the MSI Cubi NUC 1M-056AU is positioned as a versatile and high-performance mini PC for users seeking power and portability in one compact device.

A New Challenger in Handheld Gaming

with Detachable Controllers

Lenovo has entered the growing market of handheld gaming devices with the launch of its highly-anticipated Legion Go. Combining the portability of a console with the power of a gaming PC, the Legion Go aims to appeal to both casual gamers and hardcore enthusiasts. With detachable controllers, high-end specifcations, and a striking design, Lenovo is positioning its device as a strong competitor to the likes of Valve’s Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally.

A Glance at the Specs At the heart of the Legion Go lies AMD’s Ryzen Z1 series processors, including the powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The device is backed by up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and offers storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB of SSD storage. This hardware confguration ensures that gamers can enjoy smooth performance, even with graphically demanding titles.

The handheld features an 8.8-inch QHD+ touchscreen display, boasting a 16:10 aspect ratio and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate. The high resolution and refresh rate promise a vibrant and responsive visual experience, making it suitable for fast-paced games that require precision.

Innovative Design

One of the standout features of the Lenovo Legion Go is its detachable controllers. This design choice is reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons, but Lenovo has added its own twist. The right controller can be detached and mounted on a base to function as a joystick-like mouse, providing additional versatility for different gaming styles. This feature makes the Legion Go particularly appealing to players who enjoy frst-person shooters or games requiring precise aiming.

The device also includes a built-in kickstand, allowing gamers to prop up the screen for tabletop gaming sessions.

Weighing approximately 854 grams with the controllers attached, the Legion Go is on the heavier side, but the added bulk comes with the beneft of a robust cooling system. Lenovo has equipped the device with advanced thermal management to ensure it stays cool during intense gaming sessions.

Operating System

Options: Windows and SteamOS

Lenovo has opted to offer two versions of the Legion Go, catering to different types of gamers. The standard version runs on Windows 11, providing access to a vast library of PC games and software. This makes it a great option for those who want the fexibility to run both games and productivity applications on the go.

In addition, Lenovo has announced the upcoming Legion Go S, a variant that will run on SteamOS. This version is designed to offer a more streamlined, console-like experience for gamers who prefer a plug-andplay interface

Battery Life and Usability

Battery life is often a key concern for handheld gaming devices, and the Legion Go is no exception. The device is equipped with a 49.2Wh battery, which provides between one to two hours of gameplay on a full charge, depending on the intensity of the game being played. This is comparable to other high-performance handhelds in the market, though users who plan extended gaming sessions will likely need to keep a charger or power bank handy.

Lenovo has also included fast-charging capabilities, which can signifcantly reduce downtime between gaming sessions. In terms of connectivity, the Legion Go offers USB-C ports for charging and data transfer, as well as a headphone jack for wired audio.

The Competition and Market Outlook

The handheld gaming market has grown increasingly competitive in recent years. Valve’s Steam Deck set a new benchmark for portable PC gaming, and the ASUS ROG Ally followed with its own take on highperformance handhelds. With the launch of the Legion Go, Lenovo is hoping to carve out a niche by offering a device that combines powerful hardware with unique features like detachable controllers and multiple operating system options.

Early reviews have praised the Legion Go for its build quality, display, and performance, though some critics have noted that its size and weight may be a drawback for users seeking maximum portability. Nevertheless, with its competitive pricing and feature set, the Legion Go is poised to attract gamers looking for a premium handheld experience.

Conclusion Lenovo’s entry into the handheld gaming market with the Legion Go signals the company’s intent to challenge established players and expand its footprint in the gaming industry. With powerful internals, innovative design elements, and the fexibility of both Windows and SteamOS versions, the Legion Go offers something for every type of gamer. Whether it can truly dethrone the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Lenovo’s Legion Go has raised the bar for handheld gaming.

JANUARY 23, 2025